MX2013003181A

Cartridge, printing material supply system, printing device, liquid storage container, printing system, and terminal connection structure.

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a technique by which satisfactory contact between a cartridge-side terminal group and a device-side terminal group is achieved. A printing device is provided with a front surface, a back surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface, a fourth side surface, and a recessed portion. The recessed portion has an opening, first and second sidewalls, and a bottom wall, and the bottom wall has an inclined surface inclined in a direction including a minus Y-axis direction component and a plus X-axis direction component. A cartridge-side terminal group is provided on the inclined surface. A first restriction portion that is brought into contact with a first positioning portion in a plus Z-axis direction and the plus X-axis direction in a mounted state to thereby restrict the movement in the plus Z-axis direction and the plus X-axis direction of a device-side terminal portion is provided in the first sidewall. A second restriction portion that is brought into contact with a second positioning portion in the plus Z-axis direction and a minus X-axis direction in the mounted state to thereby restrict the movement in the plus Z-axis direction and the minus X-axis direction of the device-side terminal portion is provided in the second sidewall.

MX2013003181A, drawing sheet 1 — Sheet 1 of 17

Term

6.3 yearsleft in the term

Expires 10 January 2033.

26 claims: 13 independent, 13 dependent

1
REIVINDICACIONES 1. Un cartucho montado desprendidamente a un aparato de impresión que incluye, asumiendo que los tres ejes espaciales 5 ortogonales respectivamente son un eje X, un eje Y, y un eje Z, las direcciones a lo largo del eje X, el eje Y, y el eje Z respectivamente son una dirección del eje X, una dirección del eje Y, y una dirección del eje Z, las direcciones positivas a lo largo del eje X, el eje Y, y el eje Z respectivamente son una io dirección del eje +X, una dirección del eje +Y, y una dirección del eje +Z, y las direcciones negativas a lo largo del eje X, del eje Y, y del eje Z respectivamente son una dirección del eje -X, una dirección del eje -Y, y una dirección del eje -Z, una unidad de montaje de cartucho en el cual el cartucho se inserta en la 15 dirección del eje -Y hacia una porción de pared frontal lateral del aparato en un lado de dirección del eje Y desde un orificio de inserción en un lado de dirección del eje +Y, un tubo de suministro de material de impresión proporcionado en la porción de pared frontal lateral del aparato, y una unidad de terminal del 20 aparato la cual se proporciona más cercana a un lado de dirección del eje +Z que el tubo de suministro de material de impresión de la porción de pared frontal del aparato, la unidad de terminal lateral del aparato que tiene un grupo de terminal lateral del aparato proporcionado con un punto de contacto en una 25 superficie inclinada en una dirección que incluye un componente 128 de dirección del eje +Y y un componente de dirección del eje -Z y la primera y segunda porciones de colocación proporcionadas respectivamente en un lado de dirección del eje +X y un lado de lateral del aparato, el cartucho comprende:asumir que el eje X, el eje Y, y el eje Z para el cartucho en un estado montado en el cual el cartucho está montado en la 10 unidad de montaje de cartucho respectivamente son un eje X, un eje Y, y un eje Z del cartucho, dos superficies que se oponen entre sí en la dirección del eje Y, las dos superficies incluyen una superficie posterior colocada en el lado de dirección del eje +Y y una superficie 15 frontal aproximadamente rectangular que se coloca en lado de dirección del eje -Y y tienen una dimensión en la dirección del eje Z mayor que una dimensión en la dirección del eje X;dos superficies que intersecan la superficie frontal y la superficie posterior y se oponen entre sí en la dirección del eje Z, 20 las dos superficies incluyen una primera superficie lateral colocada en el lado de dirección del eje +Z y una segunda superficie lateral colocada en un lado de dirección del eje -Z;dos superficies que intersecan la superficie frontal, la superficie posterior, la primera superficie lateral, y la segunda 25 superficie lateral y se oponen entre sí en la dirección del eje X, 129 las dos superficies incluyen una tercera superficie lateral colocada en el lado de dirección del eje +X y una cuarta superficie lateral colocada en el lado de dirección del eje -X;un orificio de inserción de tubo de suministro el cual se 5 proporciona en la superficie frontal y en el cual se inserta el tubo de suministro de material de impresión;y una porción cóncava la cual se proporciona en una porción de esquina en la cual la superficie frontal y la primera superficie lateral se intersecan entre sí y en la cual se inserta la unidad de io terminal lateral del aparato en el estado montado, donde la porción cóncava incluye una abertura la cual es una entrada cuando la unidad de terminal lateral del aparato se inserta en la porción cóncava, y un primer flanco, un segundo flanco, y una pared inferior que constituye por lo menos una parte 15 de una pared interna de la porción cóncava, el primer flanco y el segundo flanco se oponen entre sí en la dirección del eje X, y el primer flanco se coloca en el lado de dirección del eje +X y el segundo flanco se coloca en el lado de dirección del eje -X, 20 la pared inferior se inclina en una dirección que incluye un componente de dirección del eje -Y y un componente de dirección del eje +Z y tiene una superficie inclinada proporcionada con un grupo de terminal lateral de cartucho que entra en contacto con el grupo de terminal lateral del aparato en el estado montado, 25 se proporciona el primer flanco con una primera porción de 130 restricción la cual restringe los movimientos en la dirección del eje +Z y la dirección del eje +X de la unidad de terminal lateral del aparato entrando en contacto con la primera porción de colocación en la dirección del eje +Z y la dirección del eje +X en 5 el estado montado, y se proporciona el segundo flanco con una segunda porción de restricción que restringe los movimientos en la dirección del eje +Z y la dirección del eje -X de la unidad de terminal lateral del aparato entrando en contacto con la segunda porción de 10 colocación en la dirección del eje +Z y la dirección del eje -X en el estado montado.
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El cartucho de acuerdo con la reivindicación 1, donde cada una de la primera porción de restricción y la segunda porción de restricción incluye una superficie de contacto 15 lateral de dirección del eje +Z la cual entra en contacto con una porción de extremo de dirección del eje +Z de la porción de colocación correspondiente de la primera y la segunda porciones de colocación y una superficie de contacto lateral de dirección del eje Z la cual entra en contacto con una porción de extremo de 20 dirección del eje -Z de la porción de colocación correspondiente de la primera y la segunda porciones de colocación.
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El cartucho de acuerdo con la reivindicación 2, donde cada una de la primera porción de restricción y de la segunda porción de restricción incluye una parte de entrada al 25 cual se extiende hacia el lado de dirección del eje +Y de la 131 abertura proporcionada en una superficie de extremo en lado de dirección del eje -Y y de la cual una dimensión en la dirección del eje Z monótonamente se disminuye en la dirección del eje +Y, y una parte de contacto la cual se extiende desde una porción de
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5 extremo en la dirección del eje +Y de la parte de entrada en la dirección del eje +Y, tiene una dimensión constante en la dirección del eje Z, y entra en contacto con la porción de colocación correspondiente desde la primera y la segunda porciones de colocación en el estado montado. 10 4. El cartucho de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 3, donde cada unas de la primera y la segunda porciones de restricción incluye una superficie de contacto lateral de dirección del eje +Y que entra en contacto con una porción de extremo 15 lateral de dirección del eje +Y de la porción de colocación correspondiente de la primera y la segunda porciones de colocación en el estado montado. 5. El cartucho de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 4, 20 donde un par de porciones cóncavas laterales de pared inferior se forma en la pared inferior entre la superficie inclinada y el primer flanco y entre la superficie inclinada y el segundo flanco.
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6. El cartucho de acuerdo con cualquiera de las 25 reivindicaciones 1 a 5, adicionalmente comprende:132 un orificio de inserción de barra el cual se proporciona en una posición intermedia en la dirección del eje Z de la superficie frontal entre la primera superficie lateral y segunda superficie lateral y en la cual se inserta una barra proporcionada en la 5 porción de pared frontal lateral del aparato, donde se proporciona el orificio de inserción de tubo de suministro entre el orificio de inserción de barra y la porción cóncava.
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7. El cartucho de acuerdo con cualquiera de las ío reivindicaciones 1 a 6, donde la primera porción de restricción es un canal ranurado en la dirección del eje +X desde el primer flanco, y la segunda porción de restricción es un canal ranurado en la dirección del eje -X desde el segundo flanco. 15
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8. El cartucho de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 6, donde la primera porción de restricción se configura como una porción convexa que sobresale en la dirección del eje -X desde el primer flanco, y 20 la segunda porción de restricción se configura como una porción convexa que sobresale en la dirección del eje +X del segundo flanco.
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9. Un sistema de suministro de material de impresión que comprende:25 un aparato de impresión;y 133 el cartucho de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 1 a 8, donde el aparato de impresión incluye, asumiendo que tres ejes espaciales ortogonales respectivamente son un eje X, un eje 5 Y, y un eje Z, las direcciones a lo largo del eje X, el eje Y, y el eje Z respectivamente son una dirección del eje X, una dirección del eje Y, y una dirección del eje Z, las direcciones positivas a lo largo del eje X, el eje Y, y el eje Z respectivamente son una dirección del eje +X, una dirección del eje +Y, y una dirección del ío eje +Z, y las direcciones negativas a lo largo del eje X, del eje Y, y del eje Z respectivamente son una dirección del eje -X, una dirección del eje -Y, y una dirección del eje -Z, una unidad de montaje de cartucho en la cual el cartucho se inserta en la dirección del eje -Y hacia una porción de pared frontal lateral del 15 aparato en un lado de dirección del eje -Y desde un orificio de inserción en un lado de dirección del eje +Y, un tubo de suministro de material de impresión proporcionado en la porción de pared frontal lateral del aparato, y una unidad de terminal lateral del aparato la cual se proporciona más cercana a un lado 20 de dirección del eje +Z que el tubo de suministro de material de impresión de la porción de pared frontal lateral del aparato, y la unidad de terminal lateral del aparato tiene un grupo de terminal lateral del aparato proporcionado con un punto de contacto en una superficie inclinada en una dirección que incluye 25 un componente de dirección del eje +Y y un componente de 134 dirección del eje -Z y la primera y segunda porciones de colocación proporcionadas respectivamente en un lado de dirección del eje +X y un lado de dirección del eje -X de la superficie, y se monta en un estado para que sea movible en la 5 dirección del eje X y la dirección del eje Z con respecto a la porción de pared frontal lateral del aparato.
9
10. Un aparato de impresión al cual un cartucho que tiene un grupo de terminal lateral de cartucho es montado desprendiblemente, que comprende:io asumir que tres ejes espaciales ortogonales respectivamente son un eje X, un eje Y, y un eje Z, las direcciones a lo largo del eje X, el eje Y, y el eje Z respectivamente son una dirección del eje X, una dirección del eje Y, y una dirección del eje Z, las direcciones positivas a lo 15 largo del eje X, el eje Y, y el eje Z respectivamente son una dirección del eje +X, una dirección del eje +Y, y una dirección del eje +Z, y las direcciones negativas a lo largo del eje X, del eje Y, y del eje Z respectivamente son una dirección del eje -X, una dirección del eje -Y, y una dirección del eje -Z, 20 una unidad de montaje de cartucho en la cual el cartucho se inserta en la dirección del eje -Y hacia una porción de pared frontal lateral del aparato en un lado de dirección del eje -Y desde un orificio de inserción en un lado de dirección del eje +Y¡ un tubo de suministro de material de impresión 25 proporcionado en la porción de pared frontal lateral del aparato;y 135 una unidad de terminal lateral del aparato la cual se proporciona más cercana a un lado de dirección del eje +Z que el tubo de suministro de material de impresión de la porción de pared frontal lateral del aparato, 5 donde la unidad de terminal lateral del aparato tiene un grupo de terminal lateral del aparato proporcionado con un punto de contacto en una superficie inclinada en una dirección que incluye un componente de dirección del eje +Y y un componente de dirección del eje -Z y la primera y segunda porciones de 10 colocación proporcionadas respectivamente en un lado de dirección del eje +X y un lado de dirección del eje -X de la superficie, y se monta en un estado para que sea movible en la dirección del eje X y la dirección del eje Z con respecto a la porción de pared frontal lateral del aparato. 15
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11. El aparato de impresión de acuerdo con la reivindicación 10, donde la unidad de montaje de cartucho incluye dos porciones de pared que intersecan la porción de pared frontal lateral del aparato y opuestas entre sí en la dirección del eje Z, 20 las dos porciones de pared incluyen una primera porción de flanco lateral del aparato colocada en el lado de dirección del eje +Z y una segunda porción de flanco lateral del aparato colocada en un lado de dirección del eje Z, se proporciona una barra que tiene un eje central paralelo a 25 la dirección del eje Y en una posición intermedia en la porción de 136 pared frontal lateral del aparato entre la primera porción de flanco lateral del aparato y la segunda porción de flanco lateral del aparato, y se proporciona el tubo de suministro de material de 5 impresión entre la barra y la unidad de terminal lateral del aparato.
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12. Un envase de alojamiento de líquido montado a un aparato de impresión que incluye una unidad de terminal lateral del aparato que es movible en una dirección de intersección que io interseca una dirección en la cual se monta el envase de alojamiento de líquido y una porción de colocación, el envase de alojamiento de líquido comprende:una de terminal lateral de envase de alojamiento de líquido la cual entra en contacto con la unidad de terminal lateral del 15 aparato;y una porción de restricción la cual restringe la porción de colocación de moverse en la dirección de intersección, donde el envase de alojamiento de líquido se inclina con respecto a la dirección de montaje en un estado de ser montado 20 al aparato de impresión.
12
13. El envase de alojamiento de líquido de acuerdo con la reivindicación 12, donde la porción de restricción se coloca sobre la de terminal lateral del envase de alojamiento de líquido en el estado 25 de ser montada al aparato de impresión. 137
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14. El envase de alojamiento de líquido de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 12 y 13, donde una superficie proporcionada con la porción de restricción es diferente de una superficie proporcionada con la de terminal de envase de alojamiento de líquido.
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15. El envase de alojamiento de líquido de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 12 a 14, donde se proporciona la de terminal lateral del envase de alojamiento de líquido en una superficie la cual está abierta en la dirección de montaje y una dirección ascendente en el estado de ser montada al aparato de impresión.
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16. El envase de alojamiento de líquido de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 12 a 15, donde se proporciona una pluralidad de las porciones de restricción.
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17. El envase de alojamiento de líquido de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 12 a 16, donde la porción de restricción tiene una parte de contacto la cual entra en contacto con la porción de colocación en el estado de ser montada al aparato de impresión y una parte de entrada la cual se inclina con respecto a la parte de contacto.
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18. El envase de alojamiento de líquido de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 12 a 17, adicionalmente comprende:un flanco que tiene una superficie proporcionada con la 138 porción de restricción;y una pared inferior que tiene una superficie inclinada proporcionada con la de terminal lateral del envase de alojamiento de líquido, 5 donde una porción cóncava se forma en la pared inferior entre el flanco y la superficie inclinada.
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19. El envase de alojamiento de líquido de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 12 a 18, adicionalmente comprende:ío un orificio de suministro el cual suministra un líquido al aparato de impresión;y un orificio de inserción en el cual una barra proporcionada en el aparato de impresión se inserta, donde el orificio de suministro se coloca entre la porción de 15 restricción y el orificio de inserción.
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20. Un sistema de impresión que comprende:un aparato de impresión;y un envase de alojamiento de líquido de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 12 a 19. 20
20
21. Un aparato de impresión al cual un envase de alojamiento de líquido que tiene una de terminal lateral del envase de alojamiento de líquido se coloca, comprende:una unidad de terminal lateral del aparato que es movible en una dirección de intersección que interseca una dirección de 25 montaje, 139 donde la unidad de terminal lateral del aparato tiene una de terminal inclinada con respecto a la dirección de montaje y una porción de colocación que entra en contacto con una porción de restricción proporcionada en el envase de alojamiento de líquido en un estado en el cual se monta el envase de alojamiento de líquido.
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22. Una estructura de conexión de terminal montada en un monta un envase de alojamiento de líquido y una porción de colocación, la estructura de conexión de terminal comprende:una de terminal la cual entra en contacto con la unidad de terminal lateral del aparato;y una porción de restricción la cual restringe la porción de colocación de moverse en la dirección de intersección, donde la de terminal se inclina con respecto a la dirección de montaje en un estado de ser montada al aparato de impresión.
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23. La estructura de conexión de terminal de acuerdo con la reivindicación 22, donde la porción de restricción se coloca sobre la de terminal en el estado de ser montada al aparato de impresión.
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24. La estructura de conexión de terminal de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 22 y 23, donde una superficie proporcionada con la porción de 140 restricción es diferente de una superficie proporcionada con la de terminal.
24
25. La estructura de conexión de terminal de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 22 a 24, 5 donde la de terminal se proporciona en una superficie al cual está abierta en una dirección ascendente en el estado de ser montada al aparato de impresión.
25
26. La estructura de conexión de terminal de acuerdo con cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 22 a 25, io donde la porción de restricción tiene una parte de contacto que entra en contacto con la porción de colocación en el estado de ser montada al aparato de impresión y una parte de entrada la cual se inclina con respecto a la parte de contacto.
26
27. La estructura de conexión de terminal de acuerdo con 15 cualquiera de las reivindicaciones 22 a 26, adicionalmente comprende:un flanco que tiene una superficie proporcionada con la porción de restricción;y una pared inferior que tiene una superficie inclinada 20 proporcionada con la de terminal, donde una porción cóncava se forma en la pared inferior entre el flanco y la superficie inclinada. 141

Independent claims26

569 paragraphs in 6 sections, as filed

(54) Title: CARTRIDGE, PRINTING MATERIAL SUPPLY SYSTEM, PRINTING APPARATUS, LIQUID PACKAGING, A PRINTING SYSTEM, AND A TERMINAL CONNECTION STRUCTURE.

(54) Title: CARTRIDGE, PRINTING MATERIAL SUPPLY SYSTEM, PRINTING DEVICE, LIQUID STORAGE CONTAINER, PRINTING SYSTEM, AND TERMINAL CONNECTION STRUCTURE.

(57) Summary

A cartridge is described that includes a concave portion. The concave portion has an opening, the first and second flanks, and a bottom wall, and the bottom wall has an inclined surface. The sloped surface is provided with a cartridge side terminal group. The first flank is provided with a first restriction portion which restricts movements in a + Z axis direction and in a + X axis direction of a lateral terminal unit of the apparatus, and the second flank is provided with a second portion restriction which restricts movements in the + Z axis direction and an -x axis direction of a side terminal unit of the apparatus.

(57) Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a technique by which satisfactory contad between a cartridge-side terminal group and a device-side terminal group is achieved. A printing device is provided with a front surface, a back surface, a first side surface, a second side surface, a third side surface, a fourth side surface, and a recessed portion. The recessed portion has an opening, first and second sidewalls, and a bottom wall, and the bottom wall has an inclined surface inclined in a direction including a minus Y-axis direction componed and a plus X-axis direction componed. A cartridge-side terminal group is provided on the inclined surface. A first restriction portion that is brought into contad with a first positioning portion in a plus Z-axis direction and the plus X-axis direction in a mounted State to thereby restrict the movement in the plus Z-axis direction and the plus X-axis direction of a device-side terminal portion is provided in the first sidewall. A second restriction portion that is brought into contad with a second positioning portion in the plus Z-axis direction and a minus X-axis direction in the mounted State to thereby restrict the movement in the plus Z-axis direction and the minus X-axis direction of the device-side terminal portion is provided in the second sidewall.

CARTRIDGE. MATERIAL SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR

PRINTING, PRINTING APPARATUS, LIQUID PACKAGING CONTAINER, A PRINTING SYSTEM, AND

A TERMINAL CONNECTION STRUCTURE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cartridge which houses a printing material therein, to a printing material supply system which includes a cartridge and a printing apparatus, and to the printing apparatus to which the cartridge is mounted removably.

Background of the Invention

A printer which is an example of a printing apparatus has a cartridge that houses ink therein and is removably mounted thereto, and performs printing by supplying the ink from the cartridge to a print head. Recently, a cartridge is used on which a circuit board is mounted that stores information regarding the ink (eg, ink color) (eg, JP-A-2003-341 100, JP- A-2007-230249,

Specification of North American Patent Number 6203147, documents JP-T-2002-505212, and JP-T-2002-513341). The cartridge mounted circuit board includes a storage device that stores the information regarding the ink and a terminal group (also referred to as a cartridge side terminal group) for electrical connection to a printer. While the cartridge is mounted to a printer cartridge mounting unit, the cartridge side terminal group comes into contact with a terminal group (also referred to as an apparatus side terminal group) provided in the printer mounting unit. cartridge. Accordingly, each terminal of the cartridge side terminal group is electrically connected to the corresponding terminal of the side terminal group of the apparatus, such that signal reception and transmission between the printer and the cartridge are accomplished.

Appointment List

Patent Literatures

PTL1: JP-A-2003-341100

PTL2: JP-A-2007-230249

PTL3: North American Patent Number 6203147

PTL4: JP-T-2002-50521 2

PTL5: JP-T-2002-51 3341

Brief Description of the Invention

Technical problem

However, in the techniques of JP-A-2003341100 and JP-A-2007-230249, due to manufacturing errors in the cartridge mounting unit or cartridge, there is a possibility that the terminal group Cartridge side and side terminal group of the appliance may not contact each other to be electrically connected.

In the technique of specification of North American Patent Number 6203147, a connector provided with the side terminal group of the apparatus is movably provided in the cartridge mounting unit. Specifically, the connector is configured to be movable in one direction (the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction in Fig. 7 of US Patent Number Specification 6203147,) orthogonal to an insertion direction (the direction of the Z axis in Fig. 7 of the io North American Patent Number Specification 6203147,) of the cartridge. In addition, in the technique of North American Patent Number Specification 6203147, a slotted portion is provided on the front surface of the cartridge, and the cartridge side terminal group is placed on the side surface i5 in the slotted portion along the insertion direction. In this technique, since the connector is configured to be movable, the connector moves according to the position of the cartridge when the cartridge is placed in the cartridge mounting unit. Accordingly, there is an attempt to achieve the proper connection between the cartridge side terminal group and the side terminal group of the apparatus.

In the technique described above, positioning in the X-axis direction and in the Y-axis direction of the connector is performed by four side surfaces of the slotted portion in which the cartridge side terminal group is placed. Therefore, errors in the shape of the slotted portion occur due to design errors in the cartridge, and thus there is a possibility that contact between the cartridge side terminal group and the side terminal group of the apparatus cannot be successfully accomplished.

Furthermore, in the technique described above, there is a possibility that the side terminal group of the apparatus may rub against the side surface of the slotted portion or against the side cartridge terminal group when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting unit. and when the cartridge is placed in the cartridge mounting unit. There may be cases where the side terminal group of the apparatus rubs against the side surface of the slotted portion or the like, cuts the constituent member of the cartridge, and chips are generated. In addition, there may be cases where it is pulled into the same powder due to static electricity generated by rubbing the side terminal group of the apparatus against the side surface of the slotted portion or the like. When chips, dust, and the like are present at the periphery of the side terminal group of the apparatus and the side terminal group of the cartridge, there may be cases where contact between the side terminal group of the apparatus and the side terminal group of Cartridge is not successful.

Furthermore, in the techniques of JP-T-2002-505212 and JP-T-2002-513341, the connector is configured to be movable in the direction of the X axis which is a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of the cartridge. . Furthermore, in the techniques of JP-T-2002-50521 2 and JP-T-2002-513341, the slotted portion is provided on the front surface of the cartridge, and the cartridge side terminal group is provided on the bottom surface that is perpendicular to the insertion direction of the slotted portion. In the techniques of JP-T-2002-505212 and JP-T-2002-513341, as a guide member io provided in the slotted portion is inserted into a guide slot of the cartridge mounting unit, performs the placement of the cartridge side terminal group and the side terminal group of the apparatus.

In the techniques described above, the cartridge side terminal group is provided on the bottom surface of the slotted portion which is slotted in the reverse direction to the insertion direction and has an opposing relationship to the side terminal group of the apparatus in the insertion direction. Therefore, when the cartridge is attached to and separated from the cartridge mounting unit, the possibility of the side terminal group of the apparatus rubbing against the cartridge may be reduced. However, the cartridge side terminal group and side terminal group of the apparatus reach the point of contact with each other when the cartridge is inserted into and connected to the cartridge mounting unit. Therefore, there is a possibility that contact between the cartridge side terminal group and the side terminal group of the apparatus cannot be made due to a slight manufacturing error in the cartridge mounting unit or the cartridge.

Problems as described above are particularly significant in a large printer that prints on a large sheet (for example, sizes A2 to AO) because the size of the cartridge is increased.

Problems as mentioned above are problems that are not limited to the cartridge and the printer that have the cartridge that is removable, but are common in a printing machine that supplies (ejects) different types of ink printing materials (for example , toner) and a cartridge that is removably mounted to the printing apparatus.

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides a technique for correctly achieving contact between a cartridge side terminal group and a side terminal group of the apparatus.

Solution to the problem

The invention can be carried out in the following forms or in the application examples.

Application Example 1

In accordance with Application Example 1, a removably mounted cartridge is provided to a printing apparatus it includes, assuming that three orthogonal spatial axes respectively are an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis, the directions along the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis respectively are one direction of X axis, one direction of Y axis, and one direction of Z axis, the positive directions along the X axis, Y axis, and the Z axis respectively are a + X axis direction, a + Y axis direction, and a + Z axis direction, and negative directions along the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis respectively are an -X axis direction, -Y axis direction, and -Z axis direction, a cartridge mounting unit in which the cartridge is inserted in the -Y axis direction towards a lateral front wall portion of the apparatus in a -Y axis direction from an insertion hole on a + Y axis direction side , an impression material supply tube provided in the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus, and a side terminal unit of the apparatus which is provided closer to the steering side of the + Z axis than the impression material supply tube of the lateral side wall portion of the apparatus, the apparatus side terminal unit having an apparatus side terminal group provided with a contact point on an inclined surface in one direction including a + Y axis steering component and a -Z axis steering component and the first and second positioning portions respectively provided on a direction side of the + X axis and a direction side of the -X axis of the surface and which is placed in a state to be movable in the the X-axis direction and in the Z-axis direction with respect to the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus, the cartridge includes: assuming that the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis for the cartridge in a mounted state in which the cartridge is mounted to the cartridge mounting unit respectively are an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis of the cartridge, two surfaces that oppose each other in the direction of the Y axis, io the two surfaces include a rear surface placed on the direction side of the + Y axis and an approximately rectangular front surface that is placed on the direction side of the -Y axis and has a dimension in the Z axis direction greater than one dimension in the X-axis direction; two surfaces that intersect the front surface and the rear surface and opposite each other in the Z axis direction, the two surfaces include a first side surface placed on the direction side of the + Z axis and a second side surface placed on one side of -Z axis direction; two surfaces that intersect the front surface, the back surface, the first side surface, and the second side surface and opposite each other in the X axis direction, the two surfaces include a third side surface placed on the + axis direction side X and a fourth lateral surface placed on the direction side of the -X axis; a supply tube insertion hole which is provided on the front surface and into which the impression material supply tube is inserted; and a concave portion which is provided in a corner portion in which the front surface and the first side surface intersect each other and in which the side terminal unit of the apparatus is inserted in the assembled state, wherein the concave portion includes an opening which is an inlet when the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus is inserted into the concave portion, and a first flank, a second flank, and a bottom wall constituting at least a part of an internal wall of the concave portion, the first flank and the second flank opposite each other in the direction of the X axis, and the first flank is placed on the direction side of the axis + X and the second edge is placed on the direction side of the -X axis, the bottom wall slopes in a direction that includes a -Y axis steering component and a + Z axis steering component and has an inclined surface provided with a cartridge side terminal group that contacts the terminal group side of the appliance in the assembled state, The first flank is provided with a first restriction portion which restricts movements in the + Z axis direction and + X axis direction of the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus in contact with the first positioning portion in the direction of the + Z axis and the direction of the + X axis in the assembled state, and the second lateral wall is provided with a second restriction portion that restricts movements in the + Z axis direction and the -X axis direction of the apparatus side terminal unit by contacting the second positioning portion in the + Z axis direction and the -X axis direction in the assembled state.

In the printing apparatus to which the cartridge is mounted according to Application Example 1, the side terminal unit of the apparatus is movable in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and the cartridge according to Example Application 1 has the concave portion into which the side terminal unit of the apparatus is inserted. Accordingly, even in a case where the cartridge mounting unit or cartridge has a manufacturing error, the side terminal unit of the apparatus is guided in the concave portion of the cartridge while absorbing the error as the side front wall portion. of the apparatus moves when the cartridge is mounted to the cartridge mounting unit. Furthermore, finally, the positioning of the lateral terminal group of the apparatus and the lateral terminal group of the apparatus is performed by the first and second restriction portions provided in the concave portion. That is, during completion of assembly and in the assembled state, the first and second restriction portions provided in the concave portion of the cartridge restrict movements in the + Z axis direction and ± X axis direction of the first and the second positioning portions of the apparatus side terminal unit, thereby positioning the apparatus side terminal group and the cartridge side terminal group. Therefore, contact between the side terminal group of the apparatus and the cartridge side terminal group can be successfully achieved.

In addition, in the printing apparatus to which the cartridge according to Application Example 1 is mounted, the side terminal group of the apparatus is provided on the inclined surface in the direction including the + Y and io axis steering component and the Z-axis steering component, and in the cartridge according to Application Example 1, the cartridge side terminal group is provided on the sloped surface, tilted in the direction that includes the -Y axis direction component and the + Z axis direction component. That is, both the side terminal group of the apparatus and the side group terminal of the cartridge are provided on the inclined surfaces in the direction of the -Y axis which is the insertion direction of all the cartridges. When the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting unit, the cartridge proceeds in the direction of the -Y axis. Here, the cartridge side terminal group also proceeds in the Y-axis direction and slowly approaches the side terminal group of the apparatus. However, the two do not come into contact with each other immediately before finishing the assembly. In the end cap of the assembly, then the appliance side terminal unit is inserted into the concave portion of the cartridge, the appliance side terminal group and the cartridge side terminal group lightly rub against each other immediately before finishing the mounting. Furthermore, during completion of assembly and in the assembled state, the first and second restriction portions provided in the concave portion of the cartridge restrict movements in the + Z axis direction and the ± X axis directions of the first and second positioning portions of the apparatus side terminal unit, thereby positioning the apparatus side terminal group and the cartridge side terminal group. As such, while the apparatus side terminal group and cartridge side terminal group rarely rub against each other during cartridge mounting, the apparatus side terminal group and cartridge side terminal group lightly rub against each other immediately before to finish mounting the cartridge, thereby reducing the possibility of chips being generated as the side terminal group of the apparatus rubs against the cartridge during cartridge mounting. Furthermore, even in a case where the powder is present near the side terminal group of the apparatus and interposes between the side terminal group of the apparatus and the cartridge side terminal group, the side terminal group of the apparatus contacts while which linearly rubs on the surface of the cartridge side terminal group and thus a discharge effect, the dust from the contact portion (a sweep effect) is exhibited, thereby reducing the possibility of dust being interposed between the side terminal group of the apparatus and the cartridge side terminal group.

Application Example 2

According to Application Example 1, each of the first restriction portion and the second restriction portion may include a + Z-axis steering side contact surface which contacts a + Z-axis steering end portion of the corresponding positioning portion io of the first and second placement portions and a -Z axis steering lateral contact surface which contacts a -Z axis steering end portion of the placement portion corresponding of the first and second laying portions.

In the cartridge according to Application Example 2, in the assembled state, the first restriction portion has the + Z-axis steering lateral contact surface which contacts the + Z-axis steering end portion of the first laying portion and the -Z axis steering lateral contacting surface which contacts the -Z axis steering end portion thereof, and the second restriction portion has the + Z axis steering side contact surface which contacts the + Z axis steering end portion of the second laying portion and the axis steering side contact surface. -Z which contacts the steering end portion of the -Z axis thereof. That is, the first and second restriction portions restrict movements in the ± Z direction of the first and second placement portions.

Accordingly, the positioning of the side terminal group of the apparatus relative to the cartridge side terminal group can be done with good accuracy. Therefore, contact between the side terminal group of the apparatus and the cartridge side terminal group can be more correctly achieved. Furthermore, since the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus is capable of being clamped on both sides in the + Z-axis direction and the -Z-axis direction, even when vibration or external impact is exerted during use of the printing apparatus, a deviation of the contact position between the lateral terminal group of the apparatus and the lateral cartridge terminal group due to vibration and shock can be suppressed.

Application Example 3

In the cartridge according to Application Example 2, each of the first restriction portion and the second restriction portion may include an inlet part which extends to the direction side of the + Y axis of the opening provided in an end surface on the direction side of the -Y axis and of which a dimension in the direction of the Z axis monotonically decreases in the direction of the + Y axis, and contact part which extends from an end portion in the + Y axis direction of the input part in the + Y axis direction, has a constant dimension in the Z axis direction, and contacts the Corresponding placement portion of the first and second placement portions in the assembled state.

In the cartridge according to Application Example 3, from the input part of which the dimension in the Z-axis direction monotonically decreases in the + Y-axis direction ίο of the -Y-axis direction is included, even in a case where the cartridge or cartridge mounting unit has a manufacturing error in the Z axis direction, the positioning portion of the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus which is movable in the direction of the Z axis can be easily guided to the restriction portion provided in the concave portion of the cartridge. Furthermore, since the contact part having a constant dimension in the Z-axis direction is included, the positioning of the side terminal group of the apparatus with respect to the side terminal group of the cartridge can be carried out with good accuracy by making the portion of Placement of the side terminal unit of the apparatus advances to the contact part after being guided to the input part.

Application Example 4

In the cartridge according to any of Application Examples 1 to 3, each of the first and second restriction portions may include a + Y axis direction lateral contact surface that contacts a lateral end portion. direction of the + Y axis of the corresponding positioning portion of the first and second positioning portions in the assembled state.

In the cartridge according to Application Example 4, the first and second restriction portions respectively restrict the positions of the + Y axis steering side end portions of the first and second placement portions. Accordingly, the side terminal unit of the apparatus can be strongly avoided from impacting the bottom wall in the concave portion of the cartridge by proceeding far in the direction of the + Y axis when the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting unit. Accordingly, the side terminal unit of the apparatus can be prevented from breaking.

Application Example 5

In the cartridge according to any of Application Examples 1 to 4, a pair of lower wall side concave portions can be formed on the lower wall between the inclined surface and the first flank and between the inclined surface and the second flank.

In the cartridge according to Application Example 5, the approximately triangular surfaces are exposed on the direction side of the + X axis and the direction side of the -X axis of the cartridge side terminal group. Accordingly, it is provided in a case where the cartridge side terminal group on a circuit board, it is easily possible to mount or remove the circuit board. Furthermore, when a pair of protrusions protruding in the direction including the + Y axis direction component and the -Z axis direction component with respect to the surface is provided on the + X axis direction side and the direction of the X-axis of the lateral terminal group of the apparatus in order to be received by the concave lower wall lateral portions, in addition to the placement or removal of a positional deviation between the cartridge side terminal group and the side terminal group of the apparatus by the restriction portion and the placement portion, it is possible to place the two or suppress a positional deviation between them even in the close positions of the cartridge side terminal group and the side terminal group of the apparatus. Therefore, contact between the side terminal group of the apparatus and the cartridge side terminal group can be more correctly achieved.

Application Example 6

In the cartridge according to any of Application Examples 1 to 5, a rod insertion hole which is provided in an intermediate position in the direction of the Z axis of the front surface between the first side surface and the surface of the second side and into which a bar provided in the front side wall portion of the apparatus is inserted may further be included, and the supply tube insertion hole can be provided between the rod insertion hole and the concave portion.

In the cartridge according to Application Example 6, as the rod is inserted into the rod insertion hole, the entire cartridge is positioned relative to the cartridge mounting unit, and thus a deviation is suppressed positional from the correct mounting position. Therefore, a positional deviation near the insertion hole of the rod can be correctly suppressed. However, the cartridge side terminal group provided in the corner portion of the front surface and the rod insertion hole are in the positions separated from each other, and thus there may be cases where it is difficult to suppress a positional deviation of such a member it is in a separate position from the rod insertion hole. In particular, the large-capacity type cartridge used in the printing apparatus for large-size printing has a large size, and the cartridge side terminal group and the rod insertion hole are in the positions somewhat apart from each other . However, as described above, employing the configurations of the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus which is movable in the direction of the X axis and the direction of the Z axis and the concave portion in which the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus is inserted. , the positioning of the cartridge side terminal group and the side terminal group of the apparatus can be done with good accuracy. That is, even with the large-capacity type cartridge having a large size, it is possible to position the side terminal group of the apparatus and the side terminal group of the cartridge with good accuracy while placing the entire cartridge with good accuracy and absorption of a manufacturing error in the cartridge.

Furthermore, in accordance with this Application Example, the supply tube insertion hole into which the impression material supply tube is inserted is provided between the rod insertion hole and the concave portion. That is, the impression material supply tube is provided in a position close to the bar. In addition, the supply tube insertion hole is provided in a position close to the rod insertion hole. Therefore, a positional deviation between the impression material supply tube and the supply tube insertion hole can be correctly suppressed.

Application Example 7

In the cartridge according to any of Application Examples 1 to 6, the first restriction portion may be a channel grooved in the + X axis direction of the first flank, and the second restriction portion may be a channel grooved in the direction of the -X axis of the second flank.

In the cartridge according to Application Example 7, since the channels respectively are formed on the first and second flanks, the first and second restriction portions to restrict the movements of the first and second placement portions can be easily formed.

Application Example 8

In the cartridge according to any of Application Examples 1 to 6, the first restriction portion can be configured as a convex portion protruding in the io-direction of the -X axis from the first flank, and the second restriction portion can be configure as a convex portion protruding in the direction of the + X axis of the second flank.

In the cartridge according to Application Example 8, since the convex portions projecting in the X-axis direction are respectively provided to the first flank and the second flank, the first laying portion and the second laying portion can be formed easily.

Application Example 9

In accordance with Application Example 9, a printing material supply system is provided including: a printing apparatus; and the cartridge according to any of Application Examples 1 to 8, where the printing apparatus

<td></td><td>includes, assuming</td><td>than</td><td>three</td><td>axes</td><td>space</td><td>orthogonal</td>

<td></td><td>respectively are</td><td>a</td><td>X axis,</td><td>a</td><td>Y axis, and a</td><td>Z axis,</td>

<td> 25</td><td colspan="2">directions along</td><td>From the axis</td><td>X,</td><td>the Y axis, and</td><td>the Z axis</td>

respectively are an X axis direction, a Y axis direction, and a Z axis direction, the positive directions along the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis respectively are a + X axis direction, a direction of the + Y axis, and a direction of the + Z axis, and the negative directions along the X axis, of the Y axis, and of the Z axis respectively is a direction of the -X axis, to the direction of the -Y axis, and a direction of the -Z axis, a cartridge mounting unit in which the cartridge is inserted in the Y-axis direction towards a lateral front wall portion of the apparatus on a Y-axis direction side from an insertion hole on an axis-direction side + Y, an impression material supply tube provided in the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus, and a side terminal unit of the apparatus which is provided close to a + Z axis directional side of the impression material supply tube of the lateral side wall portion of the apparatus, and the apparatus side terminal unit has an apparatus side terminal group provided with a contact point on an inclined surface in one direction including a + Y axis steering component and a -Z axis steering component and the first and second laying portions respectively provided on a direction side of the + X axis and a direction side of the -X axis of the surface, and is mounted in a state to be movable in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction with respect to the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus.

In the impression material supply system according to Application Example 9, a fastener provided with the side terminal group of the apparatus is configured to be movable in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Accordingly, even in the case where the cartridge mounting unit or cartridge has a manufacturing error, the side terminal group of the apparatus provided in the fastener moves to the position that contacts the side terminal group. cartridge when the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit. Furthermore, finally, the positioning of the lateral terminal group of the apparatus and the lateral cartridge terminal group is performed by the first and second restriction portions provided in the concave portion of the cartridge. That is, during completion of assembly and in the assembled state, movements in the + Z axis direction and ± X axis direction of the first and second positioning portions of the side terminal unit of the apparatus are restricted by the first and second restriction portions provided in the concave portion of the cartridge, thereby positioning the side terminal group of the apparatus and the side terminal group of the cartridge. Therefore, contact between the side terminal group of the apparatus and the cartridge side terminal group can be successfully achieved.

Furthermore, using the cartridge in accordance with any of the

Application Examples 1 to 8, the same effects are exhibited as those described in Application Examples 1 to 8.

Application Example 10

In accordance with Application Example 10, a printing apparatus is provided to which a cartridge having a cartridge side terminal group is removably mounted, including: Assuming that three orthogonal spatial axes respectively are an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis, the directions along the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis or respectively are one direction of the X axis, one direction of the Y axis, and a Z axis direction, the positive directions along the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis respectively are a + X axis direction, a + Y axis direction, and a + axis direction Z, and the negative directions along the X axis, the Y axis, and Z-axis respectively are an -X-axis direction, -Y-axis direction, and -Z-axis direction, a cartridge mounting unit in which the cartridge is inserted in the -Y-axis direction toward a lateral front wall portion of the apparatus on a direction side of the -Y axis from an insertion hole on a direction side of the + Y axis; an impression material supply tube provided in the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus; and a side terminal unit of the apparatus is provided close to a steering side of the + Z axis that the impression material supply tube of the lateral side wall portion of the apparatus, where the apparatus side terminal unit has an apparatus side terminal group provided with a contact point on a surface inclined in one direction including a + Y axis steering component and a -2 axis steering component and the first and second positioning portions respectively provided on a direction side of the + X axis and a direction side of the -X axis of the surface, and is mounted in a state to be movable in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction with respect to the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus.

In the printing apparatus according to Application Example 10, the apparatus side terminal unit having the apparatus side terminal group is movable in the X axis direction and the Z axis direction. Accordingly, even in the case where the cartridge mounting unit or cartridge has a manufacturing error, the side terminal group of the apparatus moves to the position that contacts the cartridge side terminal group when the cartridge mounts on the cartridge mounting unit. Therefore, contact between the side terminal group of the apparatus and the cartridge side terminal group can be successfully achieved.

Application Example 11

In the printing apparatus according to Application Example 10, the cartridge mounting unit may include two wall portions that intersect the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus and opposite each other in the Z axis direction, the two portions Wall mounts include a first side flank portion of the apparatus positioned on the steering side of the + Z axis and a second lateral flank portion of the apparatus positioned on a steering side of the -Z axis, a bar having a central axis parallel to the direction of the Y axis can be provided at an intermediate position in the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus between the first lateral flank portion of the apparatus and the second lateral flank portion of the apparatus, and the impression material supply tube can be provided between the bar and the side terminal unit of the apparatus.

In the printing apparatus according to Application Example 11, the entire cartridge with respect to the cartridge mounting unit is placed by the rod, and thus a positional deviation from the correct mounting position can be suppressed. In addition, the impression material supply tube is provided between the bar and the side terminal unit of the apparatus. That is, the impression material supply tube is provided at a position relatively close to the bar. Therefore, a positional deviation between the print material supply tube and the cartridge supply tube insertion hole into which the print material supply tube is inserted can be correctly suppressed. As such, although the positional deviation near the bar can be correctly suppressed, the lateral terminal group of the apparatus and the bar are in the positions separated from each other, and there may be cases where it is difficult to suppress the positional deviation. In particular, the large-size printing printer has a large size, and the side terminal unit of the apparatus and the bar are in positions somewhat apart from each other. However, as such, employing the apparatus side terminal unit which is movable in the X axis direction and the Z axis direction, the apparatus side terminal group is moved to the entering position.

I contact the cartridge side terminal group when the cartridge is moved to the cartridge mounting unit. Therefore, the positioning of the cartridge side terminal group and the side terminal group of the apparatus can be performed with good accuracy.

Furthermore, the invention is capable of being carried out in various ways, and being carried out as a printing apparatus, a method of making a printing apparatus, a method of making a cartridge, and the like, in addition to the cartridge configurations described above and the printing material supply system.

Brief Description of Drawings

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like numbers refer to like elements.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of an impression material supply system.

Fig. 2 is an external perspective view illustrating a mounted cartridge mounting unit.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged diagram of a circulation part on one side of the cartridge mounting unit.

Fig. 5 is a first external perspective view of the cartridge mounting unit.

Fig. 6 is a second external perspective view of the cartridge mounting unit.

Fig. 7 is a third external perspective view of the cartridge mounting unit.

Fig. 8 is a fourth external perspective view of the cartridge mounting unit.

Fig. 9 is a fifth external perspective view of the cartridge mounting unit.

Fig. 10 is a first external perspective view of a portion of the lateral front wall of the apparatus and the peripheral members thereof.

Fig. 11 is a second external perspective view of the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus and the peripheral members thereof.

Fig. 12 is a detailed perspective view of the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus and the peripheral members thereof.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is a first detailed perspective view of a side terminal unit of the apparatus.

Fig. 15 is a second detailed perspective view of the side terminal unit of the apparatus.

Fig. 16 is a first external perspective view of the side terminal unit of the apparatus.

Fig. 17 is a second external perspective view of the side terminal unit of the apparatus.

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 of Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a first external perspective view of a cartridge.

Fig. 20 is a second external perspective view of the cartridge.

Fig. 21 is a front view of the cartridge.

Fig. 22 is a rear view of the cartridge.

Fig. 23 is a top view of the cartridge.

Fig. 24 is a bottom view of the cartridge.

Fig. 25 is a first side view of the cartridge.

Fig. 26 is a second side view of the cartridge.

Fig. 27 is an external perspective view of the vicinity of a concave portion.

Fig. 28 is a front view of the vicinity of the concave portion.

Fig. 29 is a cross sectional view taken along line 28a-28a of Fig. 28.

Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 28b-28b of Fig. 28.

Fig. 31 is a diagram for explaining a status of the connection between the side terminal unit of the apparatus and a circuit board.

Fig. 32 is a cross sectional view taken along line 28a-28a in the assembled state.

Fig. 33 is a first diagram illustrating an embodiment of the contact.

<td>Fig. 34</td><td>is</td><td>a</td><td colspan="2">second diagram that</td><td>illustrates</td><td>the</td><td>modality</td>

<td>Contact.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Fig. 35</td><td>is</td><td>a</td><td>third diagram</td><td>than</td><td>illustrates</td><td>the</td><td>modality</td>

<td>Contact.</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Fig. 36</td><td>is</td><td>a</td><td>fourth diagram</td><td>than</td><td>illustrates</td><td>the</td><td>modality</td>

of the contact.

Fig. 37 is a detailed perspective view of the cartridge.

Fig. 38A is a front view of a first modified embodiment.

Fig. 38B is a cross sectional view taken along line 38-38 of Flg. 38A.

Fig. 39A is a front view of a second modified embodiment.

Fig. 39B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 39-39 of Fig. 39A.

Fig. 40A is a front view of a third modified embodiment.

Fig. 40B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 40-40 of Fig. 40A.

Fig. 41A is a front view of a fourth modified embodiment.

Fig. 41B is a cross sectional view taken along line 41-41 of Fig. 41A.

Fig. 42A is a front view of a fifth modified embodiment.

Fig. 42B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 42-42 of Fig. 42A.

Fig. 43A is a front view of a sixth modified embodiment.

Fig. 43B is a cross sectional view taken along line 43-43 of Fig. 43A.

Fig. 44A is a front view of a seventh modified embodiment.

Fig. 44B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 44-44 of Fig. 44A.

Fig. 45A is a front view of an eighth modified embodiment.

Fig. 45B is a cross sectional view taken along line 45-45 of Fig. 45A.

Fig. 46A is a front view of a ninth modified embodiment.

Fig. 46B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 46-46 of Fig. 46A.

Detailed Description of the Invention io Next, the modalities of the invention will be <sup>1</sup> j described in the following order:

A. First Example

B. Second Example

C. Modified Example

A. First Example

A-1. Entire Configuration of the Material Supply System

<td>of impression</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>Fig. 1 is a view in</td><td>perspective</td><td>illustrating</td><td>the</td>

<td>configuration of a system</td><td>supply</td><td>of material</td><td>of</td>

<td>impression 1. In Fig. 1,</td><td>the X axes,</td><td colspan="2">Y, and Z which</td>

there are three orthogonal spatial axes. The directions in which the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis arrows are directed respectively represent the positive directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. The positive directions along the axis X, Y axis, and Z axis are indicated respectively by an + X axis direction, a + Y axis direction, and a + Z axis direction. The reverse directions to the directions in which the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis arrows are directed respectively represent negative directions along the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis. Negative directions to along the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis are indicated respectively by an -X axis direction, a -Y axis direction, and a -Z axis direction. The directions along the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis regardless of whether they are positive or negative respectively are called an X axis direction, a Y axis direction, and a Z axis direction. This applies what same to the figures and the description described below. The directions of the X, Y, and Z axes defined in the other figures correspond to those of the X, Y, and Z axes of Fig. 1. The print material supply system 1 includes a printer 10 as a printing apparatus and a cartridge 4.

The printer 10 of this embodiment is an inkjet printer that discharges the ink from a head 22. The printer 10 is a large printer that prints on a large sheet (A2 to A0 and the like) for example as a poster. Printer 10 includes a cartridge mounting unit 6, a control unit 31, a carriage 20, the head 22, and a drive 30. Furthermore, the printer 10 includes an operation button 15 for a user to operate the operations of the printer 10.

In the cartridge mounting unit 6, each of a plurality of the cartridges 4 is removably blanked. In this example, four types of the single cartridges 4 corresponding respectively to four colors (black, yellow, magenta, and cyan) of the ink, i.e. a total of four cartridges 4 are mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 6 . In the printer 10 of this example, an exchange cover 13 is provided as the front surface (the surface on the direction side of the + Y axis). The steering side of the + Z axis of the io exchange cover 13 leans forward (the steering side of the + Y axis), the opening of the cartridge mounting unit 6 appears, and thus the union and separation of the cartridge 4 becomes possible. When the cartridge 4 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 6, the ink is capable of being supplied to the head 22 provided on the carriage 20 through a tube 24. In this example, the ink in the cartridge 4 is sucked by a pumping mechanism (not shown) of the printer 10, thereby supplying the ink to the head 22. In addition, tube 24 is provided for each of the types of ink.

Furthermore, a state in which the cartridge 4 is mounted to the cartridge mounting unit 6 is also called a mounted state.

At head 22, a nozzle is provided for each of the ink types. Head 22 prints the data as text and images by injecting the ink onto a recording sheet

2 from the ejection nozzles. Furthermore, a way in which cartridge 4 is mounted to cartridge mounting unit 6 and the detailed configurations of cartridge 4 and cartridge mounting unit 6 will be described later. Furthermore, in this example, the printer 10 is a so-called out-of-carriage type printer in which the cartridge mounting unit 6 is not linked to the movement of the carriage 20. The invention can also be applied to a so-called "in-carriage type printer" in which the cartridge mounting unit 6 is provided on the carriage 20 and the cartridge mounting unit 6 is moved io together with the carriage 20.

Control unit 31 controls each unit of printer 10 and receives and transmits the signal with cartridge 4. Carriage 20 moves head 22 relative to print sheet 2.

Drive 30 interacts with carriage 20 based on a control signal from control unit 31. Drive 30 includes a timing belt 32 and drive 34. Transmitting power from drive 34 to carriage 20 Through the timing belt 32, the carriage 20 is interacting in a main scanning direction (the X axis direction). Furthermore, the printer 10 includes a transport mechanism for moving the recording sheet 2 in a sub-scanning direction (the + Y axis direction). When printing is done, the recording sheet 2 is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the transport mechanism, and the recording sheet 2 comes out on the front surface cover 11 after printing is finished.

Furthermore, at a position outside of a printing region in which carriage 20 moves in the main scanning direction, a region called a home position is provided. In the home position, a maintenance mechanism is mounted to perform maintenance to allow normal printing. The holding mechanism consists of a cover member 8 which is pressed against a surface (nozzle surface) where the nozzles are formed on the lower surface side (one side towards the recording sheet 2) of the head 22 and form a closed space to surround the injection nozzles, a lifting mechanism (not shown) that lifts the cap member 8 in order to be pressed against the nozzle surface of the head 22, a suction pump (not shown) that introduces a negative pressure to the closed space formed by the cap member 8 pressed against the nozzle surface of the head 22, and the like.

In this example, in a state of use of the print material supply system 1 (the printer 10 and the cartridge 4), the axis along the sub-scan direction in which the print sheet 2 is transported refers to As the Y axis, the axis along the direction of gravity (up and back direction) is referred to as the Z axis, and the axis along the movement direction (left and right direction) of the carriage 20 it is referred to as the X direction. Here, the state of use of the printing material supply system 1 is referred to as a state in which the printing material supply system 1 is installed on a horizontal surface. Also, in this example, the sub-scan direction (forward direction) is referred to as the + Y axis direction, the inverse direction of it (backward direction) is referred to as the -Y axis direction, one direction (direction Upward) Directed io or upward from below in the direction of gravity is referred to as the + Z axis direction, and the inverse direction thereof (downward direction) is referred to as the -Z axis direction.

Also, when the media supply system 1 is viewed from the front side (the + Y axis direction side), a direction directed to the left from the right is referred to as the + X axis direction, and the Inverse direction thereof is referred to as the direction of the -X axis. Furthermore, in this example, the insertion direction in which the cartridge 4 is mounted to the cartridge mounting unit 6 is also referred to as the Y-axis direction, and the direction in which the cartridge 4 is separated from the Cartridge mounting unit 6 is also referred to as the + Y axis direction. Therefore, in Cartridge mounting unit 6, the steering side of the -Y axis is also called an inner side, and the steering side + Y axis is also called a front side. Furthermore, in this example, the direction of arrangement of the plurality of cartridges 4 is also referred to as the direction of the X axis.

Fig. 2 is an external perspective view illustrating the cartridge mounting unit 6 in the assembled state. In the

FIG. 2 illustrates one way in which the four cartridges 4 are mounted in the respective slots of the cartridge mounting unit 6. Levers 672 are pushed down into the three slots except one slot on the drive side of the -X axis of the four slots. As such, since the levers 672 are pushed down after the cartridges 4 are mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 6, the movement of the cartridge 4 is restricted, and thus the cartridge 4 is prevented from disconnecting from the Cartridge mounting unit 6. When cartridge 4 is detached from cartridge mounting unit 6, lever 672 is pushed to release the restriction, and cartridge 4 is detached. Lever 672 is provided to be movable in the Z axis direction in a wall portion 67 in which an insertion hole 69 is formed through which cartridge 4 passes when attached and detached. The ink from the mounted cartridge 4 is circulated to the tube 24 while the pumping mechanism 7 is activated. Furthermore, the detailed configuration of the cartridge mounting unit 6 will be described later.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 2. Fig. 3 illustrates a part of the cartridge 6 mounting unit and cartridge 4. When cartridge 4 Mounted in cartridge mounting unit 6, ink from a print material housing portion 450 of cartridge 4 is circulated to tube 24 as indicated by the arrow actuating pumping mechanism 7.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged diagram of a part on the steering side of the -Y axis in Fig. 3. In the assembled state, each constituent member of the cartridge 4 and the cartridge mounting unit 6 are positioned as follows.

That is, a print material supply tube 642 io from the cartridge mounting unit 6 is inserted into and connected to a print material outlet tube 484 of cartridge 4. The print material outlet tube 484 circulates the ink from the print media housing portion 450 to the outside (the print media supply tube 642). The print media supply tube 642 circulates the discharged ink from the print media outlet tube 484 in order to be sent to the head. Furthermore, in the assembled state, a rod 662 of the cartridge mounting unit 6 is contiguous on a lever member 490 of the cartridge 4. Bar 662 and lever member 490 are used to detect a state in which the ink from the print media housing portion 450 is exhausted (also called an ink end state) from the printer side 10. Specifically, the ink end condition is detected by detecting the offset of bar 662 using a sensor 138. Here, the ink end state is referred to as a state in which the ink inside the cartridge 4 runs out or a state in which there is little ink.

In addition, each terminal of a cartridge side terminal group (not shown) provided on the surface of a cartridge 4 circuit board 50 contacts the corresponding terminal of a side terminal group of the unit apparatus 721. cartridge mount 6. The side terminal group of the apparatus 721 is electrically connected to or with a connector 739, and the wires (not shown) connected to the connector 739 are electrically connected to the control unit 31 of the printer 10. Accordingly, a storage device of the circuit board 50 and the control unit 31 are electrically connected to each other, and thus the reception and transmission of the signal between the control unit 31 and the circuit board 50 becomes possible. Here, the side terminal group of apparatus 721 and connector 739 are the constituent members of a side terminal unit of apparatus 70. Furthermore, the detailed configuration of the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 will be described later.

A-2. Detailed Configuration of the Mounting Unit

Cartridge

The detailed configuration of the cartridge mounting unit 6 will be described using Figs. 5 to 9. Fig. 5 is a first external perspective view of the cartridge mounting unit 6. Fig. 6 is a second external perspective view of the cartridge mounting unit 6. Fig. 7 is a third external perspective view of the cartridge mounting unit 6. Fig. 8 is a fourth external perspective view of the cartridge mounting unit 6. Fig. 9 it is a fifth external perspective view of the cartridge mounting unit 6. Furthermore, in Figs. 5 and 8, tube 24 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 6 is illustrated. In addition, in Figs. 6, 7, and 9, the illustration of the partial configurations is omitted so that the internal configuration of the cartridge mounting unit 6 is visible. Furthermore, the cartridge mounting unit 6 in this example has the four cartridges 4 which are independently detachable and detachable and are configured so that the number of cartridges 4 attached and separated is increased depending on the specification of the printer 10. It is say, as illustrated in Fig. 6, on the direction side of the furthest + X axis, the reverse mounting spaces or members are provided so that the increased number of cartridges 4 can be mounted thereto.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, in the cartridge mounting unit 6, a cartridge housing chamber 61 housing the cartridges 4 is formed by six wall portions mentioned below. Cartridge housing chamber 61 has an approximate rectangular parallelepiped shape. The shape of the cartridge housing chamber corresponds to the external shape of the cartridges 4. Furthermore, in the cartridge housing chamber 61, each part housing one of the four cartridges 4 is called a slot.

Cartridge mounting unit 6 includes a front side wall portion of apparatus 62, a first lateral flank portion of apparatus 63, and a second lateral flank portion of apparatus 64. In addition, cartridge mounting unit 6 includes

I a third side flank portion of the apparatus 65, a fourth lateral flank portion of the apparatus 66, and an opening wall portion io 67. The cartridge housing chamber 61 is divided and formed by the six wall portions 62, 63, 64, 65,

66, and 67. Each of the outer shapes of the six wall portions 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67 is an approximately rectangular shape.

As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62 is positioned on the direction side of the -Y axis with respect to the cartridge housing chamber 61. The lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62 is a vertical wall portion in the printer usage state 10.

As illustrated in Fig. 6, at the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62, the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus 70, a recording material supply mechanism 640, and the bar 662 are provided. Specifically, in the Order directed from the + Z axis direction to the -Z axis direction, the apparatus side terminal unit 70, the impression material supply mechanism 640, and the bar 662 are arranged. Apparatus side terminal unit 70 and impression material supply mechanism 640 are provided on the surface on the direction side of the + Y axis (the side where the cartridge housing chamber 61 is placed) of the Lateral front wall of apparatus 62. In addition, bar 662 is provided to penetrate through the lateral front wall portion of apparatus 62 in the Y axis direction. On the steering side of the -Y axis (on the side opposite the chamber of the cartridge housing 61) of the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62, the pumping mechanism 7 is provided.

The print material supply mechanism 640 includes the print material supply tube 642 described above and is used to circulate the ink in the cartridge

4 to the printer 10. The appliance side terminal unit includes the appliance side terminal group 721 (Fig. 7) and connector 739 (Fig. 6) described above and is used to electrically connect cartridge 4 and printer 10 each. As illustrated in Fig. 6, the apparatus side terminal unit 70 is provided closer to the first side flank portion of the apparatus 63 (the + Z axis direction side) than the media supply tube 642. Bar 662 is used for detecting the ink end condition of the cartridge 4 by the printer side 10. That is, the bar 662 constitutes a part of a detection mechanism of the printer 10 described below. Furthermore, rod 662 also functions as a locating member to suppress a positional deviation from the correct mounting position when cartridge 4 is placed in cartridge mounting unit 6. In addition, the detailed configuration of each of the mounting unit side terminal of apparatus 70, impression material supply mechanism 640, and rod 662 will be described later.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the first side flank portion of the apparatus 63 is placed on the direction side of the + Z axis with respect to the cartridge housing chamber 61. The first side flank portion of the apparatus 63 in a direction that intersects the lateral front wall portion of apparatus 62. In this example, the first portion is provided

Side flange I5 of apparatus 63 in a direction orthogonal to the lateral front wall portion of apparatus 62. The first lateral flank portion of apparatus 63 is a horizontal wall portion in the in-use state of printer 10. The first portion Side flank of apparatus 63 constitutes the upper surface of cartridge mounting unit 6. Furthermore, in this specification, intersect means any state of (i) a state where two elements intersect each other and actually intersect, (ii) a state where one element intersects the other element when it is extended, and (iii) a state where the elements intersect each other in a case where each of the mutual elements extends.

As illustrated in Fig. 7, the first side flank portion of apparatus 63 has the first rails 682 to guide cartridges 4 to mounting positions. The first rails 682 are provided to correspond to at least the number of the cartridges 4 mounted. In this example, four corresponding to the number of the cartridges 4 actually mounted and a reserve, ie a total of five first lanes 682 is provided. The first rails 682 are the channels that extend in the direction of the Y axis and into which the parts of the cartridges 4 are inserted. In addition, an end portion is provided on the direction side of the -Y axis of the first rail. 682 with a flat spring 684 as a fixing member. In the assembled state, as the flat spring 684 secures the cartridge 4, the cartridge 4 is prevented from leaving the cartridge mounting unit 6.

As illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, and 9, the second lateral flank portion of the apparatus 64 is placed on the direction side of the -Z axis with respect to the cartridge housing chamber

61. The second lateral flank portion of the apparatus 64 opposes the first lateral flank portion of the apparatus 63 with the cartridge housing chamber 61 interposed therebetween. The second lateral flank portion of the apparatus 64 is provided in a direction that intersects the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62. In this example, the second lateral flank portion of the apparatus 64 is orthogonal to the lateral lateral wall portion of the apparatus 62. The second side flank portion of the apparatus 64 is a horizontal portion of the wall in the state of use of the printer 10. The second side flank portion of the apparatus 64 constitutes the bottom surface of the cartridge mounting unit 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the second side flank portion of apparatus 64 has second rails 602 to guide cartridges 4 to mounting positions. The second lanes 602 are provided to correspond to at least the number of cartridges 4 mounted. In this example, five second lanes 602 are provided as the first lanes 682. The second rails 602 are the channels extending in the direction of the Y axis and into which the parts of the cartridges 4 are inserted. In addition, an end portion is provided on the direction side of the -Y axis of the second rail 602. with a flat spring 604 as a fixing member. In the assembled state, as the flat spring 604 fixes the cartridge 4, the cartridge 4 is prevented from leaving the cartridge mounting unit 6. The first rail 682 and the second rail 602 are provided having the same cartridge 4 mounted therebetween in opposite positions to each other with the cartridge housing chamber 61 interposed therebetween.

The dimensions in the direction of the X axis of the first rail

682 and the second rail 602 are different from each other.

Specifically, the X axis direction dimension of the first rail 682 is smaller than that of the second rail 602. Accordingly, in a case where the cartridge 4 to be inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 6 while the dimension in the Z axis direction is reversed by error, a configuration in which cartridge 4 cannot be inserted between the first and second rails 682 and 602 is achieved. Accordingly, the possibility of the cartridge 4 being inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 6 in an incorrect state in which the direction in the Z-axis direction is reversed can be reduced.

Furthermore, as illustrated in Fig. 6, in the second lateral flank portion of the apparatus 64, at the positions close to the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62, the lateral identification members of the apparatus 610 are provided. the lateral identification members of the apparatus 610 to correspond to the number of the cartridges 4 mounted. In this example, four lateral identification members of apparatus 610 are provided. The side identification members of the apparatus 610 are used to independently identify yes or no the correct type (in this example, the ink color) of the cartridge 4 is mounted in each channel of the cartridge housing chamber 61. The identification members side of the 610 apparatus form different shapes depending on the colors of the ink in the mounted cartridges

Four. Specifically, each of the lateral identification members of apparatus 610 is formed by one or more protrusions and a pattern determined by the number of protrusions and their positions varies depending on the type of cartridge 4. In cartridge 4, provides an identification member (also designated as a cartridge side identification member) formed by the projections. The identification members of the cartridges 4 form different shapes depending on the colors of the hosted ink. Furthermore, in a case where the correct type of cartridge 4 is inserted into the channel, the side identification member of the apparatus 610 and the side identification member of the cartridge are adjusted to each other. On the one hand, in a case where an incorrect type of cartridge 4 is inserted into the channel, the side Identification member of the apparatus 610 and the side identification member of the cartridge cannot be adjusted together. Accordingly, the possibility of an incorrect type of the cartridge 4 being mounted in each of the channels of the cartridge mounting unit 6 may be reduced.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 6, in the second lateral flank portion of the apparatus 64, in the positions close to the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62, the restriction members 612 are provided. restriction 612 to correspond to the number of cartridges 4 mounted. In this example, although five constraint members 612 are provided, the number that is actually used is four. The restriction member 612 is contiguous on the cartridge 4 when the cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge housing chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting unit 6 towards the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62 on the drive side of the shaft -Y of insertion hole 69 (Fig. 5) on the side of the + Y axis and reaches the correct mounting position. Accordingly, the possibility of the cartridge 4 being further pushed from the correct mounting position can be reduced.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the opening wall portion is positioned on the direction side of the + Y axis with respect to the cartridge housing chamber 61. The opening wall portion 67 has the insertion hole 69 for passing cartridge 4 through it during attachment and detachment of cartridge 4. Opening wall portion 67 opposes lateral front wall portion of apparatus 62 with cartridge housing chamber 61 interposed between the themselves. The opening wall portion 67 is provided in the direction that the first lateral flank portion of the apparatus 63 and the second lateral flank portion of the apparatus 64 intersect. In this example, the opening wall portion 67 is orthogonal to the first Side flank portion of the apparatus 63 and to the second side flank portion of the apparatus 64. The opening wall portion 67 is a vertical wall portion in the state of use of the printer 1 0.

Opening wall portion 67 is provided with levers 672 that are movable in the Z-axis direction. Lever 672 moves in the -Z-axis direction after cartridge 4 is mounted to the cartridge mounting unit 6.

Accordingly, lever 672 locks on cartridge 4 and prevents cartridge 4 from being separated by mistake. The state in which the lever 672 is trapped in the cartridge 4 is a state shown by the three levers 672 that correspond to the three cartridges 4 positioned in the direction of the + X axis of Fig. 2.

io As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 8, the third lateral flank portion of the apparatus 65 is positioned on the direction side of the + X axis with respect to the cartridge housing chamber 61. The third lateral flank portion of the apparatus 65 is provided in a direction that It intersects the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62, the first lateral flank portion of the apparatus 63, the second lateral flank portion of the apparatus 64, and the opening wall portion 67. In this example, the third lateral flank portion of the apparatus 65 is orthogonal to the lateral frontal wall portion of the apparatus 62, to the first lateral flank portion of the apparatus 63, to the second lateral flank portion of the apparatus 64, and to the opening wall portion 67. The third side flank portion of apparatus 65 is a vertical wall portion in the in-use state of printer 10. The third side flank portion of the apparatus 65 constitutes the side surface of the cartridge mounting unit 6.

As illustrated in Fig. 5, the fourth side flank portion of the apparatus 66 is positioned on the steering side of the -X axis with respect to the cartridge housing chamber 61. The fourth side flank portion of the apparatus 66 is it opposes the third lateral flank portion of the apparatus 65 with the cartridge housing chamber 61 interposed therebetween. The fourth lateral flank portion of the apparatus 66 is provided in a direction that intersects the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62, the first lateral flank portion of the apparatus 63, the second lateral flank portion of the apparatus 64, and the portion opening wall 67. In this example, the fourth lateral flank portion of apparatus 66 is orthogonal to the lateral frontal wall portion of apparatus 62, to the first lateral flank portion of apparatus 63, to the second lateral flank portion of apparatus 64, and to the opening wall portion 67. The fourth side flank portion of apparatus 66 is a vertical wall portion in the used state of printer 10. The fourth side flank portion of apparatus 66 constitutes the side surface of cartridge mounting unit 6.

From the arrangement of the wall portions 62, 63, 64, 65,

66, and 67, the following relationship can be defined. The direction in which the front side wall portion of the apparatus 62 and the opening wall portion 67 or the insertion hole 69 oppose each other is the direction of the Y axis. The direction directed from the opening wall portion 67 or the insertion hole 69 to the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62, i.e. the direction in which the cartridge 4 is inserted (mounted) into the mounting unit of Cartridge 6 is the direction of the -Y axis, and the reverse direction, that is, the direction in which cartridge 4 is pulled out of (separates from) the cartridge mounting unit 6 is the direction of the + Y axis. The direction in which the first lateral flank portion of apparatus 63 and the second lateral flank portion of apparatus 64 oppose each other is the direction of the Z axis. The direction directed from the first lateral flank portion of apparatus 63 to the second lateral flank portion of apparatus 64 is the -Z axis direction, and the reverse direction is the + Z axis direction. The direction in which the third lateral flank portion of the apparatus 65 and the fourth lateral flank portion of the apparatus 66 oppose each other is the direction of the X axis. The direction directed from the third lateral flank portion of the apparatus 65 to the Fourth lateral flank portion of apparatus 66 is the -X axis direction, and the reverse direction is the + X axis direction.

A-3. Detailed Configuration of Each Constituent Member of the Cartridge Assembly Unit

Next, detailed member settings

70, 640, and 662 provided on the side front wall portion of apparatus 62 will be described using Figs. 10-13. Fig. 10 is a first external perspective view of the lateral front wall portion of apparatus 62 and the peripheral members thereof. Fig. 11 is a second external perspective view of the lateral front wall portion of apparatus 62 and the peripheral members thereof. Fig. 12 It is a detailed perspective view of the side front wall portion of apparatus 62 and the peripheral members thereof. Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of Fig. 10.

As illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, for each of the channels of the cartridge mounting unit 6, there are provided io the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70, the impression material supply mechanism 640, and the bar 662 in the wall portion Lateral front of apparatus 62 in this order from the + Z axis direction in the -Z axis direction. As illustrated in Fig. 12, the front side wall portion of apparatus 62 includes a first front wall portion 690 and a second front wall portion 692. The first front wall portion 690 is mounted on the second front wall portion 692 by bolts BT.

A-3-1. Detailed Configuration of the Impression Material Supply Mechanism 640

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the impression material supply mechanism 640 includes a cover member 650, the impression material supply tube 642, a seal member 646, and a mounting member 649.

The impression material supply tube 642 is connected to a circulation tube 659 provided in the second front wall portion 692. Specifically, the impression material supply pipe 642 is inserted into the cylindrical mounting member 649 and is connected with the circulation tube 659 inserted into the mounting member 649 in the same way. Circulation tube 659 communicates with tube 24.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the impression material supply tube 642 has a supply passage 647 which has a circular passage cross section therein. The steering side of the + Y axis of the circumference of the impression material supply tube 642 is provided with a communication hole 648 which causes the exterior and supply passage 647 to communicate with each other. Cartridge ink 4

<td>I5</td><td>circulates</td><td>through the</td><td>communication hole</td><td>648, the passage of</td>

<td></td><td colspan="2">supply 647, and</td><td>internal passage of the tube</td><td>circulation 659 and</td>

<td></td><td>flows to</td><td>tube 24.</td><td></td><td></td>

<td></td><td>The</td><td>member of</td><td>seal 646 is placed</td><td>between the periphery</td>

outer circulation tube 659 and inner periphery of impression material supply tube 20 642. The seal member

646 it is an elastic member (eg rubber) and prevents ink from leaking out. Also, in this example, the mounting member 649 is a part of the first front wall portion 690.

Impression material supply tube 642 has a central axis C. As illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13, the impression material supply tube 642 has a base end portion 644 attached to the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62 and a tip end portion 643 connected to the cartridge 4. Here, the shaft parallel to the central axis C is the axis

Y. Furthermore, with respect to the direction along the Y axis (Y axis direction), the direction directed from the base end portion 644 to the tip end portion 643 is the + Y axis direction, and the inverse direction to the + Y axis direction is the -Y axis direction.

As illustrated in Fig. 12, cover member 650 is a member to reduce the possibility of ink dispersion outside of print media supply tube 642 (specifically, communication port 648) during bonding and cartridge separation 4. Cover member 650 includes an impulse member 652, an adjoining member 658, a dispersion prevention portion 653, and a communication portion 655. Adjacent member 658 has an approximately circular external shape. Adjacent member 658 is contiguous on cartridge 4. Adjacent member 658 is configured to be movable in the Y-axis direction. The center of adjoining member 658 is provided with a bore 656 through which the supply tube is inserted. impression material 642. The dispersion prevention portion 653 receives, in a case where the ink leaks from the print media supply tube 642, the leaking ink. Accordingly, the possibility of the ink spreading on the periphery of the print media supply tube 642 can be reduced. The dispersion prevention portion 653 has a concave shape. The Boost Member

652 it is a spiral spring. One end of the driving member

652 it is contiguous on the contiguous member 658, and the other end thereof is contiguous on the first front wall portion 690. In the assembled state, the push member 652 urges the contiguous member 658 to be pressed against the cartridge 4. When cartridge 4 is mounted to cartridge mounting unit 6, as cartridge 4 causes adjoining member 658 to advance in the -Y axis direction, the dispersion prevention portion 653 also moves in the axis direction - AND. The dispersion prevention portion 653 is placed on the direction side of the -Z axis (immediately below) of the impression material supply tube 642 regardless of the displacement between one state before cartridge 4 is mounted and the assembled state . Specifically, the dispersion prevention portion 653 is placed on the direction side of the -Z axis (immediately below) of the communication hole 648 of the adjoining member 658 regardless of the displacement between the state before the cartridge 4 is mounted and the been mounted. The ink received by the dispersion prevention portion 653 circulates within the communication portion 655 and achieves an absorbent material (not shown) provided in the cartridge mounting unit 6.

A-3-2. Detailed Configuration of Bar 662

As illustrated in Figs. 12 and 13, the rod 662 includes a central axis Cb parallel to the direction of the Y axis. The outer periphery of the rod 662 is provided with a drive member 665 and a rod cover 670. The rod cover 670 is cylindrical, insert bar 662 and drive member 665 therein. Bar cover 670 is a part of the first portion of front wall 690. Bar 662 is configured to be movable in the Y axis direction. Bar 662 includes an end portion 663 placed on the direction side of the + Y axis and the other end portion 664 placed on the direction side of the Y axis. As illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, one end portion

663 it protrudes from the bar cover 670 towards the 'I direction side of the + Y axis. In the assembled state, one end portion 663 is contiguous on the lever member 490 (Fig. 4) of the cartridge 4. The other end portion 664 is positioned closer to the direction side of the -Y axis than the wall portion side front of apparatus 62. The other end portion 664 has a light shielding portion 666. In addition, a sensor 138 is provided closer to the direction side of the -Y axis than the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62, and detecting the displacement of the light shielding portion 666 using sensor 138, the ink end state is detected by the unit!

control 31 of printer 10. Drive member 665 is a coil spring. Drive member 665 Drives rod 662 against the steering side of the + Y axis. Furthermore, a method for detecting the end of ink using bar 662 will be described later.

Bar 662 is placed in an intermediate position between the first lateral flank portion of the apparatus 63 and the second lateral flank portion of the apparatus 64 in the lateral frontal wall portion of the apparatus 62. Specifically, in the Z axis direction, the Bar 662 is provided at an intermediate position io of a line segment connecting the inner surface of the first lateral flank portion of apparatus 63 and the second lateral flank portion of apparatus 64. That is, as illustrated in Fig. 13, the central axis Cb of the bar 662 is placed in the intermediate position in the direction of the Z axis between the first lateral flank portion of the apparatus 63 and the second lateral flank portion of the Apparatus 64. Here, the intermediate position may not necessarily be entirely intermediate and cannot be positioned to be inclined towards any of the first and second lateral flank portions of the apparatus 63 and 64. For example, the intermediate position includes a position in an interval of 10% of the central position of the distance between the inner wall surfaces in the direction of the Z axis of the first lateral flank portion of the apparatus 63 and the second portion of the lateral flank of the apparatus 64.

A-3-3. Detailed Configuration of Terminal Unit

Device Side 70

As illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, the side terminal unit of apparatus 70 is provided in a terminal mounting portion 694. Specifically, as illustrated in

Fig. 12, the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 is mounted on the terminal mounting portion 694 as a pair of the terminal side adjusting portions 762 is fitted on the terminal mounting portion 694. Furthermore, the terminal unit side terminal of apparatus 70 is mounted in a state to be movable in the X axis direction and Z axis direction with respect to the lateral front wall portion of apparatus 62 (specifically, terminal mounting portion 694) . Specifically, the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 is mounted to be slightly movable in the X axis direction and the Z axis direction with respect to the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62.

Furthermore, the side terminal unit of apparatus 70 will be described using Figs. 14-18. Fig. 14 is a first detailed perspective view of the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70. Fig. 15 is a second detailed perspective view of the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70. Fig. 16 it is a first external perspective view of the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70. Fig. 17 it is a second external perspective view of the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70. Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 17-17 of Fig. 17. In addition, in Fig. 18 , a part of the first front wall portion 690 is illustrated by solid lines and a placement portion 756 is illustrated by a broken line for ease of understanding.

As illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, the apparatus side terminal unit 70 includes the apparatus side terminal group 721, a terminal block 724, and a fastener 750. In addition, the apparatus side terminal unit 70 includes a connector substrate 730 The connector substrate 730 includes a terminal group 732 (Fig. 15) provided on the surface and connector 739 provided on the rear surface. Terminal group 732 is comprised of a plurality of (in this example, nine) terminals and is electrically connected to connector 739.

The side terminal group of apparatus 721 includes a plurality of (in this example, nine) terminals. Each of the terminal terminals of the side terminal group of apparatus 721 is configured to be deformably elastic. Each of the terminal terminals of the side terminal group of apparatus 721 is configured of a flat U-shaped spring. One of the pointed ends of each of the terminal terminals is exposed from a surface 724fa of terminal block 724. The tip end portion exposed from the surface 724fa of the terminal block 724 becomes a terminal contact point 722 which contacts a corresponding cartridge side terminal on the circuit board 50 of the cartridge 4 in the been mounted. That is, terminal contact point 722 is provided on surface 724fa of terminal block 724. The other of the tip ends of each of the terminal ones is exposed from a rear surface 724fb of the terminal block 724. The tip end portion exposed from the rear surface 724fb of the terminal block 724 becomes a point of terminal 723 contact which contacts a corresponding terminal one in terminal group 732. That is, terminal contact point 723 is provided on the back surface 724fb of terminal block 724.

Terminal block 724 holds the side terminal group of apparatus 721. In addition, terminal block 724 holds the side terminal group of apparatus 721 such that a tip end portion constituting terminal contact point 722 is exposed from surface 724fa thereof. Furthermore, terminal block 724 clamps the side terminal group of apparatus 721 such that the other tip end portion constituting terminal contact point 723 is exposed from the rear surface 724fb thereof. Furthermore, as illustrated in Fig. 18, the terminal block 724 clamps the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 so that each of the terminals of the lateral terminal group of the apparatus 721 moves on an axis 721r parallel to the direction of the X axis through the elastic deformation. That is, the terminal block 724 supports the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 so that the terminal contact point 722 moves as each of the terminals of the lateral terminal groups of the apparatus 721 elastically deforms along a predetermined plane.

As illustrated in Figs. 14-18, fastener 750 holds terminal block 724 and connector substrate 730. io Specifically, fastener 750 has housing space 751, and terminal block 724 and connector substrate 730 are housed in space housing 751 as well as to be held by the holder 750. Furthermore, as illustrated in Fig. 18, fastener 750 holds terminal block 724 in a state (called a first state) where surface 724fa of terminal block 724 is in a direction parallel to the X axis while tilting in a direction that includes a steering component + Y axis and a -Z axis direction component. In other words, fastener 750 grips terminal block 724 such that surface 724fa of terminal block 724 is tilted with respect to the Y axis and Z axis. While the terminal block 724 is held by the fastener 750 in this state, the contact point 722 of the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 is provided on the surface 724fa inclined in the direction including the + Y axis steering component and the direction component of the -Z axis. Additionally, fastener 750 holds terminal block 724 in a state (called a second state) where axis 721r is positioned closer to the direction side of the + Y axis and to the direction side of the + Z axis than the point of contact. Terminal 722. As the fastener 750 holds the terminal block 724 while satisfying the first state and the second state, the terminal contact point 722 is in a state of being elastically deformable in the direction of an arrow YR1 as illustrated in Fig. 18 From a different point of view, the elastic deformation of the side terminal group of apparatus 721 will be described later. Fastener 750 holds terminal block 724 in a state where a predetermined plane in which each of the terminal terminals of the lateral terminal group of apparatus 721 elastically deforms is a plane (also called a YZ plane) parallel to the Y axis and to the Z axis. As the fastener 750 holds the terminal block 724 as such, each of the contact points 722 is in a state to be movable in the plane

AND Z.

As illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15, fastener 750 has a pair of wall portions 752 positioned on both sides in the X-axis direction of housing space 751 and a pair of placement portions 756 provided in wall portions 752. Here, one of the pair of wall portions 752 placed on the steering side of the + X axis with respect to housing space 751 is also called a first wall portion 752t, and the other of them placed on the steering side. The -X axis is also called a second 752w wall portion. Furthermore, one of the pair of laying portions 756 provided on the first wall portion 752t is also called a first laying portion 756t, and the other of the same provided on the second wall portion 752w is also called a second portion of 756w placement. Furthermore, in a case of using the first wall portion 752t and the second wall portion 752w without distinction therebetween, the wall portion 752 is used for the description. Furthermore, in a case of using the first laying portion 756t and the second laying portion 756w without distinction there between, the laying portion 756 is used for the description.

The first wall portion 752t and the second wall portion 752w are the walls that divide and form the housing space 751. The first placement portion 756t and the second placement portion 756w are respectively positioned on the drive side of the axis + X and the direction side of the -X axis of surface 724fa of terminal block 724. The first and second positioning portions 756t and 756w guide the cartridge 4 and the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 to the contact position where the terminals of the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 respectively contact those of the corresponding terminals from the cartridge side terminal group when cartridge 4 is mounted in cartridge mounting unit 6. Specifically, the first placement portion 756t and the second placement portion 756w are configured to begin inserting into the channels formed in the cartridge 4 prior to contact between the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 and the side terminal group of Cartridge is started when Cartridge 4 is mounted in Cartridge Mount Unit 6. Accordingly, the cartridge 4 and the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 can be moved to the contact position with good accuracy. The first placement portion 756t extends along the direction of the Y axis (the insertion direction of the cartridge 4). Furthermore, the first laying portion 756t protrudes from the first wall portion 752t in the direction of the + X axis. The second laying portion

756w extends along the direction of the Y axis (the insertion direction of cartridge 4). Also, the second placement portion 756w protrudes from the second wall portion 752w in the direction of the -X axis. In this example, to perform the first setup, as illustrated in Fig. 18, placement portion 7 56 is provided such that an end portion 757 on the direction side of the + Y axis of placement portion 756 is positioned closer to the direction side of the + Y axis than the contact point nearest 722. In addition, the end portion 757 has a reduced shape in which the dimension in the Z-axis direction increases in the -Y-axis direction of the + Y-axis direction. Accordingly, the positioning portion 756 can be easily inserted into a restriction portion of the cartridge 4 described below. Each of the placement portions 756t and 756w has four contact surfaces that contact the channel formed in the cartridge 4 in the assembled state in which the cartridge 4 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 6. In Figs. 16 and

<td></td><td>17 out of four</td><td>contact surfaces,</td><td>the</td><td>surfaces</td><td>of</td>

<td></td><td>contact 756wa,</td><td>756wb, 756wc, and 756wd</td><td>of</td><td>Serving</td><td>of</td>

<td> 10</td><td>756w placement</td><td>and only illustrated</td><td>the</td><td>surfaces</td><td>of</td>

756tb and 756td contact of the 756t laying portion. From the four contact surfaces, of the two surfaces that oppose each other in the direction of the Z axis, the surface

<td></td><td>placed</td><td>in</td><td>the</td><td>direction side</td><td>of the</td><td>axis + Z</td><td>I know</td><td>call one</td>

<td> 15</td><td>surface</td><td>TO</td><td colspan="2">756ta (Figs. 33 to 36)</td><td>and</td><td>756wa,</td><td>and the</td><td>surface</td>

<td></td><td>placed</td><td>in</td><td>the</td><td>direction side</td><td>of the</td><td>-Z axis</td><td>I know</td><td>call one</td>

surface B 756tb and 756wb. Also, the surface that intersects the X-axis direction is called a C surface 756tc (Figs. 33-36) and 756wc. Also, the front end surface in the + Y axis direction is called a D surface 756td and 756wd.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, fastener 750 has a pair of protrusions 759 projecting in a direction in which terminal contact points 722 of the side terminal group of apparatus 721 are exposed (the direction including the + Y axis steering component and -Z axis steering component of the pair of wall portions 752. Starting with projections 759, one provided on the first wall portion 752t is called a first projection 759t, and the other provided on the second wall portion 752w is called a second projection 759w. The first boss 759t is provided to protrude in a direction that includes a + Y axis steering component and a -Z axis steering component with respect to the surface 724fa of terminal block 724 from the + X axis steering side. of the side terminal group of the 721 device. The second protrusion 759w is provided to protrude in the direction that includes the + Y axis direction component and the -Z axis direction component with respect to the surface 724fa of terminal block 724 from the direction side of the -X axis. of the side terminal group of the apparatus 721.

The first projection 759t and the second projection 759w are received by a part (a concave bottom wall side portion 910 described below, see Fig. 27) of the cartridge 4 in the assembled state. Also, in a case of using the first boss 759t and the second boss 759w without distinction between them, boss 759 is used.

As illustrated in Figs. 10 through 12, fastener 750 is mounted to the lateral front wall portion of apparatus 62 in the state of clamping terminal block 724. Specifically, fastener 750 is mounted to terminal mounting portion 694 of the first portion of front wall 690. Terminal mounting portion 694 has a pair of support walls 696 that is opposite to each other in the X axis direction and a pair of adjusting holes 698 provided in the walls. On the one hand, the apparatus side terminal unit 70 is provided with the pair of terminal side adjustment portions 762 that are opposite each other in the direction of the X axis. While the terminal side adjustment portions 762 are adjusted in the For the adjusting holes 698 of the fastener 750, the appliance side terminal unit 70 mounts to the appliance side front wall portion 62. Herein, the X axis direction gaps are provided between the pair of terminal side adjusting portions 762 and the pair of support walls 696. Therefore, the side terminal unit of apparatus 70 is in a state of being slightly movable in the direction of the X axis with respect to the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62. In addition, the Y axis direction gaps are provided between the pair of terminal side adjusting portions 762 and the pairs of adjusting holes 698. Therefore, the lateral terminal unit of apparatus 70 is in a state of being slightly movable in the direction of the Z axis with respect to the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62.

Furthermore, the pair of the supporting walls 696 of the terminal mounting portion 694 respectively are provided with a pair of the coupling portions 696a and 696b that oppose each other in the direction of the Y axis. Furthermore, the pair of the Terminal side adjusting portions 762 of fastener 750 are respectively provided with a pair of coupling portions 762a and 762b that are opposite each other in the Y axis direction. When the terminal side adjusting portions 762 are adjusted in the pair of the adjusting holes 698 of the terminal mounting portion 649, the coupling portion 696a and the coupling portion 762a engage each other in the axis direction - Y, and the coupling portion 696b and the io coupling portion 762b are coupled to each other in the direction of the + Y axis. A gap is rarely present between the coupling portion 696a and the coupling portion 762a. Furthermore, substantially no gap is present even between the coupling portion 696b and the coupling portion 762b. Therefore, the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus 70 cannot substantially move in the direction of the Y axis with respect to the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62.

A-4. Cartridge External Configuration 4

Next, the schematic configuration of cartridge 4 will be described using Figs. 19 to 26. In addition, the X, Y, and Z axes indicated in the Figures illustrating cartridge 4 correspond to the X, Y, and Z axes for cartridge 4 in the assembled state. Fig. 19 is a first external perspective view of the cartridge

Four. Fig. 20 is a second external perspective view of cartridge 4. Fig. 21 is a front view of cartridge 4. Fig. 22 is a rear view of cartridge 4. Fig. 23 is a top view of cartridge 4 Fig. 24 is a bottom view of cartridge 4. Fig. 25 is a first side view of cartridge 4.

Fig. 26 is a second side view of cartridge 4.

As illustrated in Figs. 19 and 20, the external shape of the cartridge 4 is an approximate rectangular parallelepiped shape. In this example, cartridge 4 has dimensions that are reduced in the order of the Y-axis direction, the Z-axis direction, and the X-axis direction. Cartridge 4 includes a case 9 that houses the ink in the same. Case 9 is a housing formed by molding a synthetic resin. The cartridge includes a front surface 42, a rear surface 47, a first side surface 43, a second side surface

44, a third side surface 45, and a fourth side surface 46. In addition, the first side surface 43 is also called a top surface 43, the second side surface 44 is also called a bottom surface 44, the third side surface 45 is also called a straight lateral surface 45, and the fourth lateral surface 46 is also called a left lateral surface 46. The front surface 42 and the rear surface 47 oppose each other in the direction of the Y axis, and the front surface 42 is placed in the direction of the -Y axis and the rear surface 47 is placed in the direction of the + Y axis. The first side surface

43 and the second side surface 44 intersect the front surface 42 and the back surface 47 and oppose each other in the direction of the Z axis. The first side surface 43 is placed on the direction side of the + Z axis and the second side surface 44 it is placed in the direction of the -Z axis. The third lateral surface

Four. Five and the fourth side surface 46 intersect the front surface

42, the rear surface 47, the first side surface 43, and the second side surface 44 oppose each other in the direction of the X axis. The third side surface 45 is placed on the direction side of the + X axis and the fourth surface Side 46 is positioned on the steering side of the -X axis.

The shape of the front surface 42 is an approximate rectangle in which the dimension in the Z axis direction is greater than the dimension in the X axis direction. The front surface 42 is opposite to the side front wall portion of the apparatus 62 (Fig. 6) in the assembled state. Front surface 42 is provided with a rod insertion hole 420 and a supply tube insertion hole 424. Bar insert hole 420 is provided at an intermediate position between first side surface 43 and second side surface 44 on front surface 42. In other words, in the Z axis direction, bar insert hole is provided. 420 in the intermediate position connecting the first side surface 43 and the second side surface 44. That is, a central axis Ce of the rod insertion hole 420 is placed in the intermediate position in the direction of the Z axis between the first lateral surface 43 and the second lateral surface 44. Here, the intermediate position may not necessarily be entirely the intermediate and cannot be positioned to be inclined towards any of the first and second lateral surfaces 43 and 44. For example, the intermediate position includes a position in an interval of 10% of the center position of the distance between the first lateral surface 43 and the second lateral surface 44 in the direction of the Z axis.

In the assembled state, the impression material supply tube 642 (Fig. 12) is inserted into the supply tube insertion hole 424. In addition, into the supply tube insertion hole 424, the print material outlet 484 (Fig. 4) to circulate the ink in cartridge 4 to the outside. Since the print media supply tube 642 is connected to the print media outlet tube 484, the ink in cartridge 4 is able to circulate to the print media supply tube 642.

In the assembled state, rod 662 (Fig. 12) of which a portion of the outer periphery is covered with rod cover 670 is inserted into rod insertion hole 420. While rod 662 is inserted into the rod insertion hole 420, the entire cartridge 4 is positioned relative to the cartridge mounting unit 6, and thus a position from the correct mounting position is removed. Furthermore, in the assembled state, the bar 662 is contiguous on the lever member

490 (Fig. 4).

As illustrated in Figs. 19, 23, 25, and 26, the first side surface 43 has a first convex portion 432. The first convex portion 432 protrudes toward the + Z axis direction side of the first side surface 43. The first convex portion 432 extends along the direction of the Y axis. Specifically, as illustrated in Figs. 25 and 26, the first convex portion 432 extends from a position close to the front surface 42 to a position close to the io posterior surface 47 on the first lateral surface 43. More specifically, the first convex portion 432 is divided into a first part 432a on the steering side of the -Y axis and a second part 432b on the steering side of the + Y axis, and a first clamping portion 436 having a concave shape is formed therebetween. As illustrated in Figs. 24-26, the second side surface 44 has a second convex portion 442. The second convex portion 442 protrudes toward the directional side of the -Z axis from the second side surface 44. The second convex portion 442 extends along the Y-axis direction. Specifically, as illustrated in Figs. 25 and 26, the second convex portion 442 extends from a position close to the front surface 42 to a position close to the rear surface 47 on the second side surface 44.

More specifically, the second convex portion 442 is divided into a first part 442a on the direction side of the -Y axis and a second part 442b on the direction side of the + Y axis, and a second fixing portion 446 having a shape concave is formed between them. When the cartridge 4 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 6, the first convex portion 432 is inserted into the first rail 682 (Fig. 7) and the second convex portion 442 is inserted into the second rail 602 (Fig. 6). . Accordingly, cartridge 4 can be gently forced into the corresponding channel of cartridge mounting unit 6.

Comoο As illustrated in Fig. 21, a dimension (width) XA in the X axis direction of the first convex portion 432 and a dimension (width) Xb in the X axis direction of the second convex portion 442 are different between yes. In this example, a relation of dimension Xa satisfies dimension Xb.

Furthermore, the second convex portion 442 has a larger dimension in the X axis direction than the first rail 682 (Fig. 7), and thus the second convex portion 442 cannot be inserted into the first rail 682. Accordingly, it can be the possibility of the cartridge 4 being mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 6 in a state where the directions of the first side surface 43 and the second side surface 44 are reversed reduced. Furthermore, in the assembled state, the flat spring 684 (Fig. 7) is inserted into the first fixing portion 436, and the flat spring 604 (Fig. 6) is inserted into the second fixing portion 446. Accordingly, the Cartridge 4 is negligently prevented from deviating from Cartridge Mount Unit 6.

As illustrated in Fig. 19, a label S1 adheres to the third side surface 45. On the label S1, the information (notice in use and the like) regarding the handling of the cartridge 4 is described.

As illustrated in Fig. 21, at a corner portion 88 at which the front surface 42 and the second side surface 44 intersect, a concave portion 49 and a pair of the restraint surfaces 421. are provided. concave portion 49, a cartridge side identification member 491 is provided. The cartridge side identification member 491 is formed by one or more protrusions and forms a different shape depending on the color of the ink accommodated. In addition, the cartridge side identification member 491 is attached to the side identification member of the apparatus 610 (Fig. 6) by being mounted in the right channel of the cartridge mounting unit 6. The pair of restriction surfaces is placed 421 on both sides in the X axis direction of the concave portion 49. The pair of the restriction surfaces 421 is contiguous on the restriction members 612 (Fig. 6) when the cartridge 4 achieves the correct mounting position.

As illustrated in Figs. 19 and 21, the cartridge 4 further includes a concave portion 90 provided at a corner portion 89 at which the front surface 42 and the first side surface 43 intersect. In other words, the concave portion 90 is provided on the front surface 42 and the first side surface 43. On the concave portion 90, the circuit board 50 is placed. A cartridge side terminal group 521 is formed on a surface 50fa (Fig. 21) of circuit board 50. Cartridge side terminal group 521 includes a plurality of terminals (in this example, nine). In the assembled state, each of the terminals of the cartridge side terminal group 521 is electrically connected to the corresponding terminal of the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 (Fig. 15).

Furthermore, the detailed configuration of the concave portion 90 will be described using Figs. 27 to 32. Fig. 27 is an external perspective view of the vicinity of the concave portion 90. Fig. 28 is a front view of the vicinity of the concave portion 90. Fig. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 28a-28a of Fig. 28. Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 28b-28b of Fig. 28. Fig. 31 it is a diagram for explaining a state of the connection between the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 and the circuit board 50. Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line

28a-28a in the assembled state.

As illustrated in Fig. 27, the concave portion 90 has an opening 982 provided along a surface orthogonal to the Y axis and an opening 984 provided along a surface orthogonal to the Z axis. In addition, the internal walls of the concave portion 90 consists mainly of a pair of flanks 902 (902t and 902w), a lower wall 988, and a rear wall 986. A terminal housing chamber 900 into which the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus 70 is inserted is divided and formed within the concave portion 90 by the inner walls 902, 986, and 988. The concave portion 90 is an approximate hexahedron formed through opening 982, io opening 984, the pair of flanks 902t and 902w, the lower wall

988, and back wall 986 as the main surfaces. The opening 982 and the rear wall 986 oppose each other in the direction of the Y axis, and the opening 982 is placed in the direction of the -Y axis and the rear wall 986 is placed in the direction of the + Y axis. Also, the pair of flanks 902t and 902w oppose each other in the X axis direction, and the first flank 902t is placed on the direction side of the + X axis and the second flank 902w is placed on the direction side of the X axis. Aperture 984 and bottom wall 988 oppose each other in a non-parallel state in the Z axis direction, and opening 984 is placed on the direction side of the + Z axis and bottom wall 988 is placed on the side of -Z axis direction. Aperture 982 is an inlet when the side terminal unit of apparatus 70 is inserted into concave portion 90 in the case where cartridge 4 is mounted to cartridge mounting unit 6. Bottom wall 988 intersects first flank 902t and second flank 902w. The bottom wall

988 intersect opening 982 on one side on the directional side -Z. Furthermore, the bottom wall 988 extends in the + Y axis direction while tilting in the + Z direction from the lateral position on the -Z direction side of the opening 982, and intersects the rear wall 986. The rear wall 986 intersects the bottom wall 988, the first flank 902t, and the second flank 902w. The opening 984 intersects the rear wall 986, the first flank 902t, the second flank io 902w, and the opening 982. Furthermore, in a case of using the first flank 902t and the second flank 902w without distinction between them, it is used flank 902.

Circuit board 50 is placed on bottom wall 988. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 29, surface 50fa of circuit board 50 is positioned to be tilted in a direction that includes an axis steering component - Y and a + Z axis direction component. That is, the surface 50fa of the circuit board 50 slopes with respect to the Y axis and the Z axis. Here, the surface 50fa corresponds to the inclined surface described in the Brief Description of the Invention. As described above, the surface 50fa includes the cartridge side terminal group 521. That is, the cartridge side terminal group 521 is provided on the inclined surface with respect to the direction of the axis -Y which is the direction of inserting cartridge 4 into cartridge mounting unit 6. In addition, a back surface 50fb of circuit board 50 includes a storage device 525. Storage device 525 stores information (eg, ink colors, date of manufacture, and the like) with respect to cartridge 4. Cartridge side terminal group 521 and storage device 525 are electrically connected to each other.

As illustrated in Figs. 27-30, the pair of flanks 902t and 902w that oppose each other in the X axis direction of the concave portion 90 are respectively provided with a pair of channels 906t and 906w. Channels 906t and 906w are provided to be opposite in the X-axis direction. In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 28, channels 906t and 906w are provided to be symmetrical with respect to a YZ 28c plane. The YZ 28c plane is a surface that constitutes the center of the dimension (width) in the X axis direction of the cartridge. Elements constituting each of circuit board 50 and concave portion 90 arranged in concave portion 90 are provided to be symmetrical with respect to the YZ plane.

28c. That is, the YZ 28c plane passes through the center of the dimension (width) in the X axis direction of the cartridge side terminal group 521. In addition, in the cartridge side terminal group 521, one of the terminal 521c provided in the center in the width direction of the cartridge side terminal group 521 intersects the YZ 28c plane. Also, the YZ plane

28c passes through the center of the dimension (width) in the X axis direction of the circuit board 50. In addition, the YZ plane 28c passes through the mounting portions 50a and 50b provided on the bottom wall 988 for mounting the circuit board 50 on the bottom wall 988. In addition, the YZ 28c plane passes through the terminal 521c provided in the central portion in the direction of the X axis in the cartridge side terminal group 521. The terminal 521c is a terminal which contacts a terminal 721c (see Fig. 16) or provided in the central portion in the direction of the X axis in the side terminal group of the apparatus 721. In addition, it is channels 906t and 906w of the concave portion 90 and of the pair of flanks 902t and 902w are provided to be symmetrical with respect to the YZ 28c plane. Furthermore, the YZ 28c plane passes through the centers of the dimensions (widths) in the X-axis direction of the first convex portion 432 (432a and

<td></td><td>432b) and</td><td>of</td><td>the second convex portion</td><td>442 (442a and 442b,</td><td>see them</td>

<td></td><td>Figs. twenty-one</td><td>and</td><td>25) previously described.</td><td>Also, although</td><td>I dont know</td>

<td></td><td>illustrate</td><td>in</td><td colspan="2">Fig. 28, the YZ 28c plane passes through</td><td>of the</td>

<td> 20</td><td>centers</td><td>of</td><td>dimensions (widths)</td><td colspan="2">in the direction of the Z axis</td>

of the first fixing portion 436 (Fig. 25) provided on the first side surface 43 and the second fixing portion 446 (Fig. 25) provided on the second side surface 44. In addition, the flat springs 684 and 604 (Figs 6 and 7) which secure the first fixing portion 436 and the second fixing portion 446 intersect the YZ 28c plane.

As illustrated in Figs. 27 and 30, the first flank 902t is provided with the first channel 906t as a first restriction portion. The first channel 906t is formed in a way in which a part of the first flank 902t is drilled in the direction of the + X axis. That is, the first channel 906t is slotted in the + X axis direction of the first edge 902t. The first channel 906t extends along the direction of the Y axis. Specifically, the first channel 906t extends along the + Y axis direction from one position of opening 982 toward rear wall 986. The first placement portion 756t (Fig. 16) is inserted into the first channel 906t. in the assembled state. The end surface on the direction side of the -Y axis and the surface on the direction side of the -X axis of the first channel 906t

I5 is open. As illustrated in Figs. 27 and 29, the second flank 902w is provided with the second channel 906w as a second restriction portion. The second channel 906w is formed in a way in which a part of the second flank 902w is drilled in the direction of the -X axis. I mean, the second channel

906w is slotted in the X-axis direction of the second flank

902w. The second channel 906w extends along the direction of the Y axis. Specifically, the second channel 906w extends along the direction of the + Y axis from one position from opening 982 to the rear wall 906 side. The end surface on the direction side of the -Y axis and the surface on the direction side of the + X axis of the second channel

906w are open.

As illustrated in Figs. 29 and 30, channels 906t and 906w respectively have openings 941 and 961 on the end surfaces on the direction side of the -Y axis. Channels 906t and 906w include input parts 916t and 916w that extend to the direction side of the + Y axis from openings 941 and 961 and contact parts 926t and 926w that extend to the direction side of the + axis And from the end portions in the direction of the + Y axis of the input parts 916t and 916w. The openings 941 and 961 of the end surfaces on the steering side of the -Y axis respectively are the inlets into which the locating portions 756t and 756w are inserted when the cartridge 4 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 6. Since openings 941 and 961 are formed closer to the direction side of the -Y axis than cartridge side terminal group 521, before initiating contact between the side terminal group of apparatus 721 and the side terminal group of cartridge 521, insertion of placement portions 756t and 756w into channels 906t and 906w begins.

The input parts 916t and 916w are the parts in channels 906t and 906w into which the placement portions 756t and 756w are initially inserted. As illustrated in Figs. 28-30, the dimensions in the Z axis direction of the input parts 916t and 916w are monotonically decreased in the + Y axis direction. Also, as illustrated in Fig. 28, the X axis direction dimensions of the input parts 916t and 916w are decreased in the + Y axis direction from the

<td>address of</td><td>Axis y.</td><td>That is, they are provided</td><td>the</td><td>parts of</td>

<td>5 input 916t</td><td colspan="2">and 916w to be conical,</td><td>to the</td><td>reduce them</td>

<td>gradually</td><td>in the</td><td>dimensions in the direction</td><td>of the</td><td>Z axis and</td>

<td>address of</td><td>X axis.</td><td>Also, in other words,</td><td>the</td><td>parts of</td>

Inlet 916t and 916w have the reduced forms in which the areas of openings 941 and 961 are larger.

Furthermore, as illustrated in Figs. 28-30, the inlet parts 902wa and 902ta of the flanks 902w and 902t of the concave portion 90 have the reduced shapes to correspond to the inlet parts 916t and 916w. That is, the distance (the interval in the X axis direction) between the flanks 902w and 902t at the input portions 902wa and 902ta is decreased in the + Y axis direction from the -Y axis direction.

The contact parts 926t and 926w respectively contact the locating portions 756t and 756w in the assembled state. As illustrated in Figs. 29 and 30, the contact parts 926t and 926w respectively have the contact surfaces 940 and 960 which contact the locating portions 756t and 756w in the assembled state. As illustrated in Fig. 30, the contact surface 940 which comes into contact with the first laying portion 756t, i.e. the contact surface 940 of the channel 906t has four surfaces 942, 946,

948, and 944. Similarly, as illustrated in FIG. 29, the contact surface 960 which contacts the second placement portion 756w, ie the contact surface 960 of the channel 906w also has four surfaces 962, 966,

968, and 964. The four contact surfaces respectively are called an A surface 942 and 962, a B surface 946 and 966, a C surface 944 and 964, and a D surface 948 and 968.

As illustrated in Fig. 30, surface A 942 and surface B 946 of channel 906t oppose each other in the io direction of the Z axis, and surface A 942 is placed on the direction side of the + Z axis and surface B 946 is placed on the steering side of the -Z axis. The surface D 948 of the channel 906t is opposed to the opening 941 in the direction of the Y axis, and the opening 941 is placed on the direction side of the axis -Y and the surface D 948 is placed 15 on the direction side of the axis + Y. In addition, surface D 948 intersects surface A 942 and surface B 946. As illustrated in Fig. 28, surface C 944 of channel 906t is opposite to an extension surface 902te of the first flank

902t and is placed on the direction side of the + X axis with respect to 20 the extension surface 902te of the first flank 902t. Also, surface C 944 intersects surface A 942, surface B

946, and surface D 948. Surface A 942 of channel 906t contacts the end portion on the direction side of the + Z axis of the first placement portion 756t (Fig. 16). Surface B 946 contacts the end portion on the direction side of the -Z axis of the first laying portion 756t. The first surface D 948 contacts the end portion on the direction side of the + Y axis of the first laying portion 756t. The first surface C 944 contacts the end portion on the direction side of the + X axis of the first laying portion 756t.

As illustrated in Fig. 29, surface A 962 and surface B 966 of channel 906w oppose each other in the Z axis direction, and surface A 962 is placed on the direction side of the + Z axis and surface B 966 is placed on the steering side of the -Z axis. Surface D 968 of channel 906w is opposed to opening 961 in the Y axis direction, and opening 961 is placed on the direction side of the -Y axis and surface D 968 is placed on the direction side of the + axis AND. In addition, surface D 968 intersects surface A 962 and surface B 966. As illustrated in Fig. 28, surface C 964 of channel 906w opposes an extension surface 902we of second flank 902w and is positioned on the direction side of the -X axis with respect to the extension surface 902te of the second flank 902w. In addition, surface C 964 intersects surface A 962, surface B 966, and surface D 968. The surface A 962 of the channel 906w contacts the end portion on the direction side of the + Z axis of the second laying portion

756w (Fig. 16). Surface B 966 contacts the end portion on the direction side of the -Z axis of the second placement portion 756w. Surface D 968 contacts the end portion on the direction side of the + Y axis of the second laying portion 756w. The surface

C 964 contacts the end portion on the direction side of the -X axis of the second placement portion 756w.

Here, in a case of using the first channel 906t and the second channel 906w without distinction between them, they are simply called channel 906. Also, in a case of using the first contact part 926t and the second contact part 926w. without distinction between them, they are simply called the contact part 926. Furthermore, in a case of using the first input part 91 6t and the second input part 916w without distinction between them, they are simply called the input part

916.

As illustrated in Fig. 27, on the bottom wall 988, a pair of the bottom wall side concave portions 91 Ot and 910w respectively are formed between the inclined surface 50fa and the first flank 902t and between the inclined surface 5Ofa and the second flank 902w. As illustrated in Fig. 31, the pair of the concave lower wall side portions 910t and 910w are configured to respectively receive the torque of the projections 759t and 759w (Fig. 16) of the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 in the assembled state. Furthermore, the pair of the bottom wall side concave portions 910t and 910w are collectively called a first bottom wall side concave portion

910.

TO 5. Contact Mode between the Cartridge Side Terminal Group 521 and the Device Side Terminal Group 721

Next, an embodiment of contact between the cartridge side terminal group 521 and the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 when the cartridge 4 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 6 will be described using Figs. 33 to 36. Fig. 33 is a first diagram illustrating the modality of contact. Fig. 34 is a second diagram illustrating the modality of contact. Fig. 35 is a third diagram illustrating the modality of the contact. Fig. 36 It is a fourth diagram that illustrates the modality of contact. A shape of the cartridge 4 during assembly is illustrated in time series in the order of the figures in Figs. 33 to 36. In addition, Figs. 33 through 36 are illustrated by focusing on a single cartridge side terminal 521a from the cartridge side terminal group 521 and a single side terminal of the apparatus 721a from the side terminal group of the apparatus 721. In addition, the other terminals have the same mounting form. Since the shapes of the first and second placement portions 756t and 756w are the same and the first and second channels 906t and 906w are the same, for ease of understanding, the reference numbers 756t and 756w are described together and the numbers Reference 906t and 906w are described together in Figs. 33 to 36.

As illustrated in Fig. 33, when the cartridge 4 (Fig. 19) is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 6 (Fig. 5), the cartridge 4 is forced to advance into the groove of the mounting unit of Cartridge 6 in the direction of the -Y axis. Here, as illustrated in Fig. 34, before the cartridge side terminal 521a contacts the terminal contact point 722a of the side terminal of the apparatus 721a, insertion of the placement portion is initiated. 756 on channel 906. Here, even in a case where the io 6 cartridge mounting unit has a slight manufacturing error, the apparatus side terminal unit 70 is guided in the concave portion 90 of the cartridge 4 while absorbing the error by moving in the direction of the axis X and the direction of the Z axis. As the cartridge 4 is forced to advance in the direction of the -Y axis while the locating portion 756 contacts the surface of the inlet part 916 of the channel 906, the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus 70 is guided into position wherein the side terminal of the cartridge 521a and the side terminal of the apparatus 721a contact each other. In Fig. 34, a way in which the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 is guided in the concave portion 90 (Fig. 27) is illustrated while moving slightly in a direction (Z-axis direction) indicated by arrow V1.

As illustrated in Fig. 35, the cartridge 4 is further forced to advance in the Y-axis direction, and when the positioning portions 756t and 756w are inserted into the contact parts

926t and 926w of channel 906, the C surfaces 756tc and 756wc of the laying portions 756t and 756w respectively contact the C 944 and 964 surfaces of channels 906t and 906w and thus movement in the axis direction is restricted

X of the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 (Fig. 10). In addition, here, surfaces A 756ta and 756wa of laying portions 756t and 756w respectively contact surfaces A 942 and 962 of channels 906t and 906w, and surfaces B 756tb and 756wb respectively contact io with the surfaces B 946 and 966, thereby restricting movement in the Z-axis direction of the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70. Accordingly, the positions in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction of the cartridge side terminal 521a and the contact point of the i5 terminal 722a are determined. Furthermore, after the insertion of the positioning portion 756 into the contact part 926, immediately before completing the complete insertion, the terminal contact point 722a initially comes into contact with the cartridge side terminal point 521a. At this point in time, it is possible to advance cartridge 4 as long as the tip end surfaces 756td and 756wd of the placement portions 756t and 756w do not contact the D surfaces 948 and 968 of channels 906t and 906w. When the cartridge 4 is further advanced in the direction of the -Y axis of the state illustrated in Fig. 35, that of the lateral terminal of the apparatus

721a elastically deforms, and the contact point 722a of the side terminal of the apparatus of the 721a moves in the direction of the arrow YR1a while contacting that of the cartridge side terminal 521a. Here, the apparatus side terminal group and the cartridge side terminal group lightly rub against each other. Furthermore, finally, as illustrated in Fig. 36, the tip end surfaces 756td and 756tw of the laying portions 756t and 756w contact the surfaces D 948 and 968 of channels 906t and 906w and thus the positions in the Y axis direction between the cartridge side terminal 521a and terminal contact point 722a. In this state, the mounting of the cartridge 4 in the cartridge mounting unit 6 is completed. Furthermore, during assembly completion and in the assembled state, as in the assembly end cap illustrated in Fig. 36, surfaces A 756ta and 756wa of placement portions 756t and 756w contact surfaces A 942 and 944 from channels 906t and 906w in the + Z axis direction. In addition, surfaces B 756tb and 756wb contact surfaces B 946 and 966 of channels 906t and 906w in the direction of the -Z axis. In addition, the C 756tc surface of the first laying portion contacts the C 944 surface of the first channel 906t in the direction of the + X axis, and the C 756wc surface of the second laying portion contacts the C surface. 964 of the second channel 906w in the direction of the -X axis. Therefore, movements in the Z axis direction and the X axis direction of the positioning portions 756t and 756w are restricted by channels 906t and 906w. Accordingly, in the position where the contact between the side terminal of the apparatus 721a and that of the cartridge side terminal 521a is successfully achieved, both 721a and 521a can be clamped.

A-6. Other Cartridge Configurations 4

Fig. 37 is a detailed perspective view of cartridge 4. As illustrated in Fig. 37, case 9 houses the impression material housing portion 450 and the cartridge side passage member 480. The portion impression material housing 450 houses the ink therein. Furthermore, the impression material housing portion 450 is a bag body having flexibility. In this example, the recording material housing portion 450 is formed from an aluminum laminated multilayer film in which an aluminum layer is laminated and formed into a resin film layer. Cartridge side passage member 480 forms a passage (also called an impression material exit passage) that forces the impression material housing portion 450 to communicate with the outside. That is, one end portion of the cartridge side pass member 480 is connected to the impression material housing portion 450, and the impression material outlet tube 484 provided in the other end portion thereof is connected with the impression material supply tube 642 (Fig. 4). A detection chamber 482 was tested in the middle of the print material exit passage. In detection chamber 482, a coil spring 496 is housed as a driving member, a check valve 495, and a pressure receiving plate 493. In addition, an opening which is on a side surface of detection chamber 482 it is covered with a 492 film that has flexibility. The pressure receiving plate 493 is placed between the coil spring 496 and the io film 492. Coil spring 496 drives pressure receiving plate 493 to increase the volume of detection chamber 482. Case 9 further houses a lever member 490. Lever member 490 contacts the film

492 from outside of detection chamber 482. The volume of detection chamber 482 changes according to a change in internal pressure. Lever member 490 is displaced by the change in volume of detection chamber 482. As described above, bar 662 (Fig. 4) is contiguous on lever member 490. In a case where the interior of the printing material housing portion 450 is sucked by the pumping mechanism 7 in a state where the ink is accommodated in the printing material housing portion 450, the ink is also supplied in the 482 detection chamber along with suction. Accordingly, the pressure in detection chamber 482 is maintained at a predetermined pressure. Here, since the volume of the detection chamber 482 is held to be large, the bar 662 (Fig. 4) is in a state of being pressed in the Y-axis direction by the lever member 490 against the force of momentum applied by the driving member 665 (Fig. 4). On the one hand, in a case where the interior of the printing material housing portion 450 is sucked by the pumping mechanism 7 in a state where the ink of the printing material housing portion 450 is exhausted, the interior of the detection chamber ío 482 has a negative pressure. Through the interior of the detection chamber 482 having a negative pressure, the volume of the interior of the detection chamber 482 is reduced more than when at a predetermined pressure, and thus the lever member 490 is displaced. Accordingly, it is rod 662 (Fig. 4) displaced in the direction of the + Y axis by the driving force exerted by the driving member 665 (Fig. 4). As the displacement of the bar 662 (Fig. 4) accompanied by the displacement of the lever member 490 is detected by the sensor 138 (Fig. 4), the state of the ink end can be detected by the control unit 31. In addition, the detection chamber 482, the spring in Spiral 496, Pressure Receiver Plate 493, Film 492, and Lever Member 490 constitute a detection mechanism used to detect the end of ink condition on the printer side 10. Furthermore, the cartridge side-pass member 480 further has an injection passage 483 for injecting the ink into the recording material housing portion 450 from the outside. After the ink is injected into the impression material housing portion 450, the injection passage 483 is blocked.

A-7. Effects

First, as described with reference to Figs. 10-12, in this example, the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 is movable in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, as illustrated in Figs. 27-30, the cartridge 4 has io the concave portion 90 into which the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus 70 is inserted. Accordingly, even in the case where the cartridge mounting unit 6 or the cartridge 4 has a manufacturing error, the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus 70 is guided in the concave portion 90 of the cartridge 4 while absorbing the error by moving when the Cartridge 4 mounts to Cartridge Mount Unit 6 (Fig. 34). In addition, finally, the positioning of the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 and of the cartridge side terminal group 521 is performed by the first and second restriction portions 906t and 906w provided in the concave portion 90. That is, during completion of assembly and in the assembled state, the first and second restriction portions 906t and 906w provided in concave portion 90 of cartridge 4 restrict movements in the Z axis direction and the X axis direction of the first and second placement portions 756t and 756w of the apparatus side terminal unit 70, thereby positioning the apparatus side terminal group 721 and the cartridge side terminal group 521. Therefore, the contact between the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 and the cartridge side terminal group

521 can be successfully accomplished.

Furthermore, in the example, as illustrated in Fig. 13, bar 662 is provided having the central axis Cb parallel to the direction of the Y axis in the intermediate position between the first side flank portion of the apparatus 63 and the second The lateral flank portion of the apparatus 64 in the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the rod insertion hole 420 into which the rod 662 is inserted is provided in the intermediate position in the Z axis direction between the first and second lateral surfaces 43 and 44 on the front surface 42 of the cartridge 4. In this embodiment, as rod 662 is inserted into rod insertion hole 420, placement of the entire cartridge 4 relative to the cartridge mounting unit 6 is performed, and thus a positional deviation from the position is suppressed. correct mounting. Therefore, a positional deviation near the rod insertion hole 420 can be correctly suppressed. However, the cartridge side terminal group 521 (Fig. 21) provided in the corner portion 89 of the front surface 42 and the rod insertion hole 420 are in the positions spaced from each other, and so there may be cases where it is difficult to suppress a positional deviation of such a member being in a separate position from rod insertion hole 420. In particular, since the cartridge 4 in this example is the large capacity type cartridge 4 used in the printer 10 for large printing, the size of the cartridge is large, and the cartridge side terminal group 521 and the hole bar insert 420 are in positions somewhat apart from each other. However, as described above, employing the configurations of the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 io which is movable in the Z axis direction and the X axis direction and the concave portion 90 into which the terminal unit is inserted side of the apparatus 70, the positioning of the cartridge side terminal group 521 and the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 can be performed with good accuracy. That is, according to this example, even with the large capacity type cartridge 4 having a large size, it is possible to place the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 and the side terminal group of the cartridge 521 while performing the placement of the entirety of cartridge 4 and the absorption of a manufacturing error in cartridge 4.

Further, in this embodiment, the impression material supply tube 642 is provided between the bar 662 and the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 (Fig. 13). In addition, the supply tube insertion hole 424 is provided into which the impression material supply tube is inserted.

642 between rod insertion hole 420 and concave portion 90 (Fig. 21). That is, the impression material supply tube 642 is provided at a position close to the bar 662. In addition, the supply tube insertion hole 424 is provided at a position close to the bar insertion hole 420. Therefore, a positional deviation between the impression material supply tube 642 and the supply tube insertion hole 424 can be correctly suppressed.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 18, the side terminal group of apparatus 721 is provided on surface 724fa inclined in one direction including the + Y axis steering component and the -Z axis steering component. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 29, the cartridge side terminal group 521 is provided on the inclined surface 50fa tilted in the direction including the -Y-axis steering component and the + Z-axis steering component. That is, both the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 and the side terminal group of the cartridge 521 are provided on the inclined surfaces with the same inclination in the direction of the -Y axis which is the direction of insertion of the cartridge 4 in the unit. Cartridge Mounting 6. As previously described with reference to Figs. 33 to 36, when cartridge 4 is inserted into cartridge mounting unit 6, cartridge 4 proceeds in the Y-axis direction. Here, the cartridge side terminal group 521 also proceeds in the Y-axis direction and slowly approaches the side terminal group of the apparatus 721. However, the two do not contact each other immediately prior to completion of assembly. In the end cap of the assembly, after the apparatus side terminal unit 70 is inserted into the concave portion 90 of the cartridge 4, the apparatus side terminal group 721 and the side terminal group 521 lightly rub the cartridge against each other immediately before finishing the assembly (Figs. 35 and 36). Furthermore, during the completion of assembly and in the assembled state, the first and second restriction portions 906t and 906w provided in concave portion 90 of cartridge 4 restrict movements in the Z axis direction and the X axis direction of the first and second placement portions 756t and 756w of the apparatus side terminal unit 70, thereby positioning the apparatus side terminal group 721 and the cartridge side terminal group 521. As such, while the side terminal group of apparatus 721 and cartridge side terminal group 521 rarely rub against each other during mounting of cartridge 4, the side terminal group of apparatus 721 and cartridge side terminal group 521 slightly rub against each other immediately before finishing mounting the cartridge 4, thereby reducing the chance that chips that are generated as the side terminal group of apparatus 721 will rub against case 9 and the like of cartridge 4 during mounting of cartridge 4. Furthermore, even in a case where dust is present near the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 and is interposed between the lateral terminal group of the apparatus 721 and the cartridge lateral terminal group 521, the lateral terminal group of the apparatus 721 it comes into contact while linearly rubbing on the surface of the cartridge side terminal group 521 and thus exhibits an effect for discharging the powder from the contact portion (a sweeping effect), thereby reducing the possibility that the powder is interposed between the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 and the cartridge side terminal group 521.

Furthermore, according to the example described above, as illustrated in Figs. 16, 17, and 36, the end portions on the direction side of the + Z axis of the first and second positioning portions 756t and 756w of the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 are provided with the surfaces A 756ta and 756wa , and the end portions on the direction side of the -Z axis thereof are provided with the B surfaces 756tb and 756wa. Furthermore, as illustrated in Figs. 28 At 30 and 36, channels 906t and 906w are provided as the first and second restriction portions provided in concave portion 90 respectively with surfaces A 942 and 962 and surfaces B 946 and 966. As illustrated in Fig. 36, surfaces A 942 and 962 of channels 906t and 906w contact surfaces A 756ta and 756wa provided in the end portions on the steering side of the + Z axis of the first and second placement portions 756t and 756w in the assembled state. The surfaces B 946 and 966 of the channels 906t and 906w contact the surfaces B 756tb and 756wb provided in end portions on the direction side of the -Z axis of the first and second placement portions 756t and 756w in the been mounted. That is, the first and second restriction portions 906t and 906w restrict movements in the ± Z direction of the first and second io placement portions 756t and 756w. Accordingly, positioning in the Z axis direction of the cartridge side terminal group 521 relative to the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 can be performed with good accuracy. Therefore, contact between the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 and the cartridge side terminal group 521 can be more correctly achieved. Furthermore, since the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus 70 can be clamped on both sides in the + Z-axis direction and the -Z-axis direction, even when vibration or impact from outside is exerted during use From the printer 10, a deviation of the contact position between the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 and the cartridge side terminal group 521 due to vibration and shock can be suppressed.

Furthermore, according to the Example described above, as illustrated in Figs. 16, 17, 27, and 28, the movement in the

100 The + X axis direction of the first placement portion 756t is restricted by contact with the first channel 906t as the first restriction portion, and movement in the X axis direction of the second placement portion 756w is restricted by the contact the second channel 906w as the second restriction portion. That is, movements in the ± X axis direction of the side terminal unit of apparatus 70 are restricted by the first channel 906t and the second channel 906w. Accordingly, positioning in the X-axis direction of the cartridge side terminal group 521 with respect to the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 can be done with good accuracy. Therefore, contact between the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 and the cartridge side terminal group 521 can be more correctly achieved. Furthermore, since the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus 70 can be clamped on both sides in the + X axis direction and the -X axis direction, even when vibration or impact from outside is exerted during use of the printer 10, a deviation of the contact position between the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 and the cartridge side terminal group 521 due to vibration and shock can be further suppressed.

On the other hand, in the example described above, as illustrated in the Flgs. 28-30 and 36, channels 906t and 906w as the first and second restriction portions have

101 respectively the D surfaces 948 and 968 which come into contact with the D surfaces 756td and 756wd of the end portions on the direction side of the + Y axis of the first and second laying portions. Accordingly, the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 can be avoided from strongly impacting the bottom wall 988 in the concave portion of the cartridge 90 due to proceeding in the direction of the + Y axis when the cartridge 4 is inserted into the mounting unit of cartridge 6. Accordingly, the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 can be prevented from breaking.

Also, in the example described above, as illustrated in

Figs. 27-30, as channels 906t and 906w are formed respectively on the first and second flanks 902t and 902w, the first and second restriction portions to restrict the movements of the first and second placement portions 756t and 756w can be easily formed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as illustrated in Figs. 27-30, the constituent elements of the cartridge 4 attached and separated by the user are channels 906, and as illustrated in Figs. fifteen and 17, the constituent elements of the cartridge mounting unit 6 which are stationary are the protruding members

756. Therefore, the possibility of printer 10 or cartridge 4 to be damaged as the first and second restriction portions 906t and 906w of the impact of cartridge 4 on the constituent members of printer 10 during bonding and

102 separation may be reduced.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, as illustrated in Figs. 29, 30, and 33 to 36, the first and second restriction portions 906t and 906w respectively include the inlet parts 916t and 916w which extend in the direction of the + Y axis of the openings 941 and 961 provided on the surfaces from end to direction side of the -Y axis and of which the dimensions in the Z axis direction are decreased in the + Y axis direction. That is, the input parts 916t and 916w are provided to be reduced by gradually being decreased in dimensions in the direction of the Z axis. Accordingly, even in a case where the cartridge 4 or the cartridge mounting unit 6 has a manufacturing error in the Z-axis direction, the restriction portion 906 provided in the concave portion 90 of the cartridge 4 easily guides the portion of the placement 756 of the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 which is movable in the direction of the Z axis (Fig. 34). Furthermore, the first and second restriction portions 906t and 906w have the contact parts 926t and 926w that extend from the + Y axis direction end portions of the input parts 916t and 916w, have constant dimensions on the Z axis direction, and respectively contact the first and second laying portions 745t and 745w in the assembled state. Accordingly, as the 745t and 745w placement portions of the side terminal unit of the

103 apparatus 70 are guided to input parts 916t and 916w and subsequently advanced to contact parts 926t and 926w, the positioning of the side terminal group of apparatus 721 relative to the cartridge side terminal group 521 can be done with good accuracy .

Furthermore, as illustrated in Fig. 28, in the example described above, the dimensions in the X-axis direction of the input part 916 are decreased in the + Y-axis direction from the -Y-axis direction. Accordingly, even in the io case where the cartridge 4 or the cartridge mounting unit 6 has a manufacturing error in the X-axis direction, the restriction portion 906 can easily guide the positioning portion 756. However, since the dimension (width) in the X axis direction of each of the channels of the cartridge 4 or the cartridge mounting unit 6 is significantly smaller than the dimension in the Z axis direction thereof. , the manufacturing error in the X axis direction is thought to be relatively smaller than the manufacturing error in the Z axis direction. Therefore, it is possible to sufficiently achieve an effect to facilitate the guiding of the positioning portions 756t and 756w only by providing the reduced portions in the Z axis direction of the input parts 916, without providing the reduced portions in the axis direction X.

On the other hand, as illustrated in Figs. 28 to 30, in this mode, the entrance parts 902wa and 902ta of the flanks

104

902w and 902t of concave portion 90 also have the reduced forms to correspond to input parts 916t and 916w. That is, the distance (the interval in the X axis direction) between the flanks 902w and 902t in the parts of the input parts

902wa and 902ta are reduced in the + Y axis direction from the -Y axis direction. As such, by widening the openings receiving the apparatus side terminal unit 70 in the inlet portions 902wa and 902ta of the concave portion 90, it is possible to easily guide the apparatus side terminal unit 70 to the concave portion 90 of the cartridge. Four.

Furthermore, as illustrated in Fig. 27, in the embodiment described above, on both lateral parts in the direction of the X axis of the surface 50fa on the bottom wall 988 of the concave portion 90, i.e. between the inclined surface 50fa provided with the cartridge side terminal group 521 and the first and second flanks 902t and 902w of the concave portion 90, the pair of the concave bottom wall side portions 91 Ot and 910w are provided in which the fastener parts are inserted. Due to the torque of the bottom wall side concave portions 910t and 910w, approximately the triangular surfaces are exposed on the direction side of the + X axis and the direction side of the -X axis of the cartridge side terminal group 521. Accordingly , in the case where the cartridge side terminal group 521 is provided on the circuit board 50, it is easily possible to mount or remove

105 of the circuit board 50. In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 16, the torque of the protrusions 759t and 759w are provided on the direction side of the + X axis and the direction side of the -X axis of the terminal group side of apparatus 721 to protrude in the direction including the + Y axis direction component and the -Z axis direction component with respect to surface 724fa. The lower wall side concave portions 91 Ot and 910w provided in the concave portion 90 are the spaces that respectively receive the projections 759t and 759w. In addition, io as the projections 759t and 759w are received by the concave lower wall side portions 910t and 910w, in addition to the placement of or suppression of a positional deviation between the cartridge side terminal group 521 and the side terminal group. of apparatus 721 by restriction portion 906 and placement portion 756, it is possible to position the two or to suppress a positional deviation between them even in the positions close to the cartridge side terminal group 521 and the side terminal group of the apparatus 721. Accordingly, the contact between the lateral terminal group of the apparatus 721 and the cartridge side terminal group 521 can be more successfully accomplished.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, as illustrated in Fig. 28, the elements constituting each of the circuit board 50 and the concave portion 90 are provided to be symmetrical with respect to the YZ 28c plane constituting the center

106 of the dimension in the X axis direction of cartridge 4. In addition, although not shown in Fig. 28, the YZ 28c plane passes through the centers of the dimensions (widths) in the Z axis direction of the first fixing portion 436 (Fig. 25) provided on the first side surface 43 and the second fixing portion 446 (Fig. 25) provided on the second side surface 44. In addition, the flat springs 684 and 604 (Figs. 6 and 7) fixing the first fixing portion 436 and the second fixing portion 446 intersect the YZ 28c plane. Therefore, a force is exerted by the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus 70, the flat springs 604 and 684 (Figs. 6 and 7), and the like on the cartridge 4 with a good balance in the state where the cartridge 4 it is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 6, and thus the cartridge 4 is not easily tilted. Even in accordance with this, it is possible to more correctly achieve contact between the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 and the cartridge side terminal group 521.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the cartridge mounting unit 6 has fastener 750 that holds terminal block 724 (Figs. 14 to 16). That is, in the embodiment described above, the terminal block 724 is not directly mounted to the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62 but is mounted to the lateral front wall portion of the apparatus 62 through the fastener 750. Therefore , terminal block 724 and side terminal group of apparatus 721 are components

107 they have excellent flexibility. That is, there may be cases where the positioning portion 756 for positioning the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 and the cartridge side terminal group 521 vary depending on the specification of the cartridge 4 or the printer 10. Placement portion 756 that needs a design change is not provided in terminal block 724 but is provided in fastener 750, and thus the forms of terminal block 724 and side terminal group of apparatus 721 carried in the block Terminal 724 can be made constant. Accordingly, terminal block 724 and side terminal group of apparatus 721 are components that have excellent flexibility.

B. Modified Modality of the Restriction Portion

Figs. 38A-46B are schematic diagrams illustrating the various modified embodiments of the restriction portion provided in the concave portion 90. FIG. 38A is a front view of a first modified embodiment. Fig. 38B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 38-38 of Fig. 38A. Fig. 39A is a front view of a second modified embodiment. Fig. 39B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 39-39 of Fig. 39A. Fig. 40A is a front view of a third modified embodiment, and Fig. 40B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 40-40 of Fig. 40A. Fig. 41A is a front view of a fourth modified embodiment. Fig.

108

41Β is a cross-sectional view taken along line 41-41 of Fig. 41A. Fig. 42A is a front view of a fifth modified embodiment. Fig. 42B is a cross sectional view taken along line 42-42 of Fig.

42A. Fig. 43A is a front view of a sixth modified embodiment. Fig. 43B is a cross sectional view taken along line 43-43. Fig. 44A is a front view of a seventh modified embodiment. Fig. 44B is a cross sectional view taken along line 44-44 io of Fig. 44A. Fig. 45A is a front view of an eighth modified embodiment. Fig. 45B is a cross sectional view taken along line 45-45 of Fig. 45A. Fig. 46A is a front view of a ninth modified embodiment. Fig. 46B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 46-46 of Fig. 46A. In Figs. 38A-46B, the front views schematically illustrate the concave portion 90 and the vicinity thereof, and the cross-sectional views schematically illustrate the concave portion 90 and the vicinity thereof. With respect to all the modified modalities of Figs. 38A to 46B, the configurations except for the configuration of the restriction portion in which the positioning portion 756 of the fastener 750 is inserted are the same as those of the first example. Furthermore, in Figs. 38A to 46B, similar elements in the same configurations as those of the first

109 Examples are indicated by similar reference numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the configuration of the printer 10 is the same as the configuration of the first example. Furthermore, since the first and second restriction portions have the same shape, in the cross-sectional views in Figs. 38A to 46B, for ease of understanding, reference numbers illustrating the first restriction portion in addition to reference numbers illustrating the second restriction portion are described together.

io In all the modified modalities of Figs. 38A to

46B, the convex portions projecting in the -X axis direction from the first flank of the concave portion 90 and the convex portions projecting in the + X axis direction of the second flank are provided, and the first and second portions of constraint are configured by the convex portions. The convex portions can be provided separately from the first and second flanks of the concave portion 90 and can also be provided integrally.

In the first modified embodiment illustrated in Figs.

38A and 38B, channels 906ta1 and 906wa1 having shapes similar to the first example are formed by convex portions 906ta and 906wa and flanks 902ta and 902wa, and placement portions 756t and 756w of the side terminal unit of the apparatus. 70 are inserted into channels 9O6ta1 and

906wa1. The input parts 916a of the

110 channels 906ta1 and 906wa1 with the shapes reduced only in the direction of the Z axis. The restriction of the movements in the ± Z direction of the positioning portions 756t and 756w of the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus 70 is carried out by the surfaces A (surfaces on the direction side of the axis + Z) and the surfaces B ( surfaces on the direction side of the -X axis) of channels 906ta1 and 906wa1, and the restriction of movements in the direction of the + Y axis is performed by the surfaces D (surfaces on the direction side of the + Y axis) of channels io 906ta1 and 906wa1. The restriction of movements in the direction of the ± X axis is performed by the surfaces C formed by the flanks 902ta and 902wa. That is, the surfaces C are formed by the flank parts 902ta and 902wa.

In the second modified embodiment illustrated in Figs.

39A and 39B, a pair of the convex portions are provided

906tb1 and 906tb2 projecting in the -X axis direction from a first flank 902tb of concave portion 90 and a pair of convex portions 906wb1 and 906wb2 protruding in the + X axis direction of a second 902wb flank. The convex portions 906tb1, 906tb2, 906wb1, and 906wb2 correspond to the omission of surfaces D (the surfaces on the direction side of the + Y axis) of channels 906ta1 and 906wa1 of the first modified embodiment illustrated in Figs. 38A and 38B.

The restriction of movements in the + Z direction of the placement portions 756t and 756w of the terminal unit

111 side of apparatus 70 is made by convex portions 906tb1 and 906wb1. The restriction of movements in the -Z direction of the laying portions 756t and 756w of the

<td></td><td>unit of</td><td>terminal</td><td>side of</td><td>apparatus</td><td> 70</td><td>is</td><td>made</td><td>by</td><td>the</td>

<td> 5</td><td>servings</td><td>convex</td><td>906tb2 and</td><td>906wb2.</td><td></td><td>The</td><td>restriction</td><td>of</td><td>the</td>

<td></td><td colspan="2">movements in the</td><td>direction</td><td>From the axis</td><td>-X</td><td>is</td><td>made</td><td>by</td><td>the</td>

902tb and 902wb flanks.

In the third modified embodiment illustrated in Figs. 40A and 40B, a pair of the convex portions are provided

906tc1 and 906tc2 projecting in the -X axis direction from a first flank 902tc of the concave portion 90 and a pair of convex portions 906wc1 and 906wc2 protruding in the + X axis direction of a second 902wc flank. The third modified embodiment is different from the second modified embodiment illustrated in Figs. 39A and 39B in which the opening ends in the y-axis direction of the convex portions 906tc1, 906tc2, 906wc1, and 906wc2 are provided in the position of the opening 982 of the concave portion 90 and the end portions in the direction The + Y axis extend to the position of the rear wall 986 of the concave portion 90, but other points are common to the second modified embodiment.

In the fourth modified embodiment illustrated in Figs. 41A and 41B, there is provided a convex portion 906td protruding in the X-axis direction from a first flank 902td from concave portion 90 and from a convex portion 906wd protruding from the

112 axis direction + X from a second edge 902wd. In the fourth modified embodiment, the convex portions 9O6tc2 and 906wc2 that restrict movements in the Z-axis direction of the positioning portions 756t and 756w of the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 are removed from the third modified embodiment illustrated in the Figs. 40A and 40B. Movements in the + Z direction of the positioning portions 756t and 756w of the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 can be restricted by the convex portions 906td and 906wd. io Since movement in the Z-axis direction is restricted as the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 and the cartridge side terminal group 521 come into contact with each other, it is possible to omit the function of restricting the movement in the direction -Z axis. Furthermore, the constraint in the ± X axis direction is performed by flanks 902td and 902wd.

In the fifth modified embodiment illustrated in Figs. 42A and 42B, there is provided a convex portion 906te projecting in the -X axis direction from a first flank 902te of concave portion 90 and a convex portion 906we projecting in the + X axis direction of a second flank 902we. In the fifth modified embodiment, the surfaces D restricting movements in the + Y axis direction of the positioning portions 756t and 756w of the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 are added to the convex portions 906td and 906wd of the fourth embodiment modified illustrated in Figs. 41A and 41B.

113

Other points are common to the fourth modified modality.

In the sixth to ninth modalities of Figs. 43A to 46B, the input parts 916b to 916e formed in the reduced forms respectively are omitted from the second to fifth modified modalities illustrated in Figs. 38A to 42B. Other points are common from the second to the fifth modified modalities.

The same effects as those of the first example can also be obtained by the modified modalities as described above. However, it is natural that the effect of the restriction of movements in the -Z direction is not obtained by the restriction portions of the fourth, fifth, eighth, and ninth modified modes in which the function of restricting movements in the -Z axis direction of the positioning portions 756t and 756w of the side terminal unit of the apparatus 70 is not provided, and the effect of the restriction of movements in the + Y direction is not obtained by the restriction portions of the second to the fourth and sixth to eighth modified modes in which the function of restricting the movements in the + Y direction is not provides. Furthermore, in accordance with the modified examples described above, since the convex portions projecting in the X-axis direction respectively are provided to the first flank and the second flank, the first laying portion and the second laying portion can be easily formed .

114

C. Modified Example

While the sole example of the invention has been described above, the invention is not limited to the example and may employ various configurations without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the following modifications can be made.

C-1. First Modified Example

In the example described above, cartridges 4 and 4a have the print material receiving portion 450. However, case 9 can directly house the ink.

ío C-2. Second Modified Example

In the example described above, placement portion 756 is provided on fastener 750. However, placement portion 756 may be provided on terminal block 724 by simplifying the configuration of fastener 750. In addition, in the example described above, the side terminal group of apparatus 721 is employed which elastically deforms. However, the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 that elastically does not deform can be used. Although the side terminal group of the apparatus 721 elastically does not deform, the lateral terminal group of the apparatus 721 moves slightly in the direction of the + Z axis after coming into contact with the cartridge side terminal group 521 when inserted in the concave portion 90, and thus there is a possibility of the aforementioned sweeping effect being obtained.

C-3 Third Modified Example

115

In addition, the cartridge can be configured by the following mode.

First Modality

A cartridge removably mounted to a printing apparatus including a cartridge mounting unit for mounting a cartridge, a side terminal unit of the apparatus having an inclined surface with respect to a direction when the cartridge is mounted and a side terminal of the apparatus that has a contact point exposed from the surface, is placed inside the cartridge mounting unit, is the side of the apparatus to be mounted to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction with respect to the cartridge mounting unit, the cartridge includes:

A case which has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape that houses an impression material therein and has a concave portion in a part where two surfaces from among a plurality of surfaces constituting the case intersect each other; and a cartridge side terminal one which contacts the point of contact of the side terminal of the apparatus in a mounted state in which the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit and is provided on an inclined surface which it is tilted with respect to the insertion direction of between the surfaces that divide and form the concave portion, where the concave portion is a restricting portion in the

116 which part of the side terminal unit of the apparatus is inserted to restrict movement of the side terminal unit of the apparatus, and in which the part of the side terminal unit of the apparatus is inserted before initiating contact between that of cartridge side terminal and side terminal of the device.

Even in the cartridge of the first embodiment, the same effect as that of Application Example 1 is exhibited.

In addition, the first embodiment may employ the configurations described in Application Examples 1 through 8. For example, as in Application Example 2, the restriction portion (first and second restriction portions) may include the contact surfaces with which the parts (first and second positioning portions) of the side terminal unit of the apparatus come into contact, and the contact surfaces may include a + Z-axis direction lateral contact surface which contacts a + Z-axis direction lateral end portion of the parts of the lateral terminal unit of the apparatus, and a surface of Z-axis steering side contact contacting the Z-axis steering side end portion of the parts of the side terminal unit of the apparatus.

Furthermore, for example, as in Application Example 3, the restriction portion (first and second restriction portions) may include an input part and a

117 Contact.

C-4. Fourth Modified Example

The invention is not limited to the inkjet printer and the ink cartridges thereof, and can also be applied to arbitrary printing apparatuses that eject liquids with the exception of ink and cartridges thereof.

For example, the invention can be applied to various printing apparatus and cartridges thereof as follows:

<td></td><td> (1)</td><td>Image recording devices such as</td>

<td></td><td> (2)</td><td>Printing devices that eject materials</td>

<td></td><td>color a</td><td>be used to make the color filters for</td>

image display devices such as liquid crystal displays (3) printing apparatus that ejects the electrode materials to be used to form the electrodes of organic EL (electroluminescence) displays, field emission displays, and the like (4) Printing apparatus that expel the liquid containing the biological organic materials used for the manufacture of biochips (5) Specimen printing apparatus such as precision pipettes (6) Lubricating oil printing apparatus (7) Apparatus resin liquid printing

118 (8) Printing apparatus that expel lubricating oil to precision machinery such as watches or cameras with dot precision (9) Printing apparatus that expel transparent 5 resin liquids such as UV curable resin liquids on substrates to form the microhemispheric lenses (optical lenses) or the like used for the optical communication elements or the like (10) Printing apparatuses that expel acid etching agents or alkaline for engraving substrates or the like (11) Printing apparatus including liquid ejecting heads that discharge a quantity per minute of other arbitrary liquid droplets

In addition, liquid droplets represent the liquid states discharged from the recording apparatus, the liquid states including granular, granular, tear-like, and trail-like threads. The liquid mentioned herein can be any material that can be expelled by the printing apparatus. For example, liquid can be a material in a state where the material has a liquid phase, and materials in a liquid state with high or low viscosities, solenoid, gel water, liquid state materials such as inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions , liquid resin, and liquid metal (metallic fusion), and the like belong

119 to the liquid. In addition to liquids as the state of a material, a material in which the particles of functional materials made of solids such as pigments or metal particles dissolve, disperse, or mix with the solvent also belongs to the liquid. As a representative example of the liquid, there is the ink described above in the embodiment or liquid crystals. Here, the ink can include various kinds of compositions such as liquid such as general water based ink, oil based ink, gel ink, and heat fused ink.

List of Reference Signs

1 ... Impression material supply system

4.4a ... cartridge

<td></td><td> 5...</td><td>cap member</td>

<td> 15</td><td> 6...</td><td>cartridge mounting unit</td>

<td></td><td> 7...</td><td>pumping mechanism</td>

<td></td><td> 10.</td><td>... printer</td>

<td></td><td> 11 .</td><td>..front surface cover</td>

<td> 20</td><td> 13.</td><td>... exchange cover</td>

<td></td><td> 15.</td><td>..operation button</td>

<td></td><td> 24.</td><td>... tubes</td>

<td> 25</td><td> 30.</td><td>..drive mechanism</td>

120

31 ... control unit

32 ... timing belt

34 ... drive motor

42 ... front surface

43 ... first lateral surface (upper surface)

44 ... second side surface (bottom surface)

45 ... third lateral surface (right lateral surface)

46 ... fourth lateral surface (left lateral surface)

47 ... back surface

49 ... concave portion

50 ... circuit board

50a ... mounting portions

50fa ... surface (inclined surface)

50fb ... back surface

61 ... cartridge housing chamber

62 ... side portion of the appliance front wall

63 ... first lateral flank portion of the apparatus

64 ... second portion of lateral flank of apparatus

65 ... third portion of lateral flank of apparatus

66 ... fourth portion of lateral flank of apparatus

67 ... opening wall portion

69 ... .0.ifice

70 ... appliance side terminal unit

88, 89 ... corner portions

90 ... concave portion

121

38 ... sensor

420 ... .0. Rod insertion hole

421 ... restriction surface

424 ... supply tube insertion hole

432 ... first convex portion

436 ... first or fixing portion

446 ... second fixing portion

450 ... portion of impression material housing

480 ... cartridge side step member

482 ... detection chamber

483 ... injection step

484 ... impression material outlet tube

490 ... lever member

491 ... cartridge side identification member

492 ... movie

493 ... pressure receiving plate

495 ... retention valve

496 ... spiral spring

521 ... cartridge side terminal group

521 to ... cartridge side terminal

525 ... storage device

602 ... second lane

604 ... flat spring

0 ... side identification member of the device

612 ... restriction member

122

640 ... print media supply mechanism

642 ... impression material supply tube

643 ... tip end portion

644 ... base end portion

646 ... stamp member

647 ... supply pass

648 ... .0. communication port

649 ... mounting member

650 ... deck member

652 ... driving member

653 ... dispersion prevention portion

655 ... communication portion

656 ... through hole

658 ... contiguous member

659 ... circulation tube

662 ... bar

663 ... end portion

664 ... .0.ras end portions

665 ... driving member

666 ... light protection portion

670 ... bar cover

672 ... lever

680 ... bar member

682 ... first lane

684 ... flat spring

123

690 ... first portion of front wall

692 ... second portion of front wall

694 ... terminal mounting portion 694A, 694b ... coupling portion

698 ... adjusting hole

721 ... device side terminal group 721 to ... device side terminal

721 r ... axis

722 ... terminal contact point 722a ... terminal contact point

723 ... terminal contact points

724 ... terminal block

724fa ... surface

724fb ... back surface

730 ... connector substrate

732 ... terminal group

739 ... connector

750 ... bra

751 ... accommodation space

752 ... wall portion

752t ... first portion of wall

752w ... second wall portion

756 ... placement portion

756t ... first laying portion 756w ... second laying portion

124

756ta, 756wa ... surface A 756tb, 756wb ... surface B 756tc, 756wc ... surface C 756td, 756wd ... surface D

757 ... end portion

759 ... outgoing

<td>759t ..</td><td>.outgoing</td>

<td>759t ..</td><td>.first outgoing</td>

<td>759w.</td><td>..second outgoing</td>

io 762 ... terminal side adjustment portion

762a, 762b ... coupling portion

900 ... terminal housing chamber

902 ... flank

902t, 902ta-ti ... first flank 15 902w, 902wa-902wi ... second flank

906 ... channel (restriction portion)

<td>906a.</td><td>..restriction portion</td>

<td>906t ..</td><td>.first channel (first restriction portion)</td>

<td>906w.</td><td>..second channel (second restriction portion)</td>

91 0 ... lateral concave portions of the lower wall

Ot ... first lateral concave portion of lower wall 91 Ow ... second lateral concave portion of lower wall 906ta, 906wa ... convex portion

906ta1, 906wa 1 ... convex portion

906tb1, 906tb2, 906wb1, 906wb2 ... convex portion

125

906tc1, 906tc2, 906wc1, 906wc2 ... convex portion 906td, 906te, 906wd, 906we ... convex portion 906tf1, 906tf2, 906wf1, 906wf2 ... convex portion 906tg1, 906tg2, 906wg2, 906wg2 ... 906ti, 906wh, 906w¡ ... convex portion

6,916ae ... input part

6t ... first part of entry

6w ... second part input

926 ... contact part

926t ... first contact part

926w ... second contact part

940 ... first contact surface

941 ... opening

952a ... first convex

952b ... second convex

960 ... contact surface

961 ... opening

972a ... third convex

972b ... convex room

982 ... opening

984 ... opening

986 ... back wall

988 ... lower wall

C ... central axis

942 ... surface A

126

<td> 946.</td><td>..surface</td>

<td> 944.</td><td>..surface</td>

<td> 948.</td><td>..surface</td>

<td> 962.</td><td>..surface</td>

<td> 966.</td><td>..surface</td>

<td> 964.</td><td>.. surface</td>

<td> 968.</td><td>..surface</td>

<td>S1 ...</td><td>. label</td>

<td>BT ..</td><td>. cap screw</td>

<td>FOR..</td><td>.dimension</td>

<td>Cb ..</td><td>.central axis</td>

<td>Xb ..</td><td>.dimension</td>

<td>EC..</td><td>.central axis</td>

127

Contents6

149 members in 19 offices

This recordMember, by publication datePriority claim9 more offices are in the list below

Priority claims7

Priority claims
Document	Office	Kind	Date
2012005347	Japan	–	2012-01-13
2012005347	Japan	A	2012-01-13
2012013238	Japan	–	2012-01-25
2012013238	Japan	A	2012-01-25
201222819	Japan	–	2012-02-06
2012022819	Japan	A	2012-02-06
2013000066	Japan	W	2013-01-10

Members149

Family members, oldest first
Document	Office	Kind
JP2012116202A	Japan	A	2012-06-21
JP2012140011A	Japan	A	2012-07-26
JP2012140012A	Japan	A	2012-07-26
JP2012153140A	Japan	A	2012-08-16
GB201304967D0	United Kingdom	D0	2013-05-01
CA2806674A1	Canada	A1	2013-07-13
CA2912560A1	Canada	A1	2013-07-13
CA2981784A1	Canada	A1	2013-07-13
CN103203995A	China	A	2013-07-17
CN103203996A	China	A	2013-07-17
CN103203997A	China	A	2013-07-17
CN103203998A	China	A	2013-07-17
US2013182050A1	United States of America	A1	2013-07-18
US2013182051A1	United States of America	A1	2013-07-18
WO2013105504A1	World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)	A1	2013-07-18
US2013186513A1	United States of America	A1	2013-07-25
US2013187993A1	United States of America	A1	2013-07-25
AU2013201489A1	Australia	A1	2013-08-01
US2013194357A1	United States of America	A1	2013-08-01
TW201332791A	Taiwan Province of China	A	2013-08-16
JP2013159025A	Japan	A	2013-08-19
JP2013159026A	Japan	A	2013-08-19
JP2013159027A	Japan	A	2013-08-19
JP2013163375A	Japan	A	2013-08-22
JP2013173354A	Japan	A	2013-09-05
CN103313857A	China	A	2013-09-18
KR20130118304A	Republic of Korea	A	2013-10-29
MX2013003181AThis record	Mexico	A	2014-01-09
CN203391473U	China	U	2014-01-15
CN203410164U	China	U	2014-01-29
US8646889B2	United States of America	B2	2014-02-11
US2014104351A1	United States of America	A1	2014-04-17
EP2727733A1	European Patent Office (EPO)	A1	2014-05-07
GB2509789A	United Kingdom	A	2014-07-16
GB2509789A8	United Kingdom	A8	2014-07-30
KR20140104022A	Republic of Korea	A	2014-08-27
IL233345A0	Israel	A0	2014-08-31
IL233345D0	Israel	D0	2014-08-31
EP2727733A4	European Patent Office (EPO)	A4	2014-09-03
AU2014246601A1	Australia	A1	2014-10-30
DE112013000550T5	Germany	T5	2014-10-30
SG11201403082WA	Singapore	A	2014-10-30
US2014340454A1	United States of America	A1	2014-11-20
US8931887B2	United States of America	B2	2015-01-13
DE202013012026U1	Germany	U1	2015-02-03
JP5664772B2	Japan	B2	2015-02-04
DE202013012027U1	Germany	U1	2015-02-09
US2015042734A1	United States of America	A1	2015-02-12
US8955951B2	United States of America	B2	2015-02-17
US8960871B2	United States of America	B2	2015-02-24
JP2015051640A	Japan	A	2015-03-19
US9004659B2	United States of America	B2	2015-04-14
JP5700168B2	Japan	B2	2015-04-15
JPWO2013105504A1	Japan	A1	2015-05-11
CN104608496A	China	A	2015-05-13
CN103203995B	China	B	2015-07-08
CN103203998B	China	B	2015-07-08
AU2013201489B2	Australia	B2	2015-07-09
JP2015128904A	Japan	A	2015-07-16
CN103313857B	China	B	2015-07-29
US9108417B2	United States of America	B2	2015-08-18
EP2907665A2	European Patent Office (EPO)	A2	2015-08-19
SG10201505447RA	Singapore	A	2015-08-28
CN103203997B	China	B	2015-09-02
KR101551552B1	Republic of Korea	B1	2015-09-08
AU2015227539A1	Australia	A1	2015-10-08
CN104999799A	China	A	2015-10-28
CN204801244U	China	U	2015-11-25
JP5831266B2	Japan	B2	2015-12-09
CN103203996B	China	B	2015-12-23
EP2907665A3	European Patent Office (EPO)	A3	2016-01-13
US2016031224A1	United States of America	A1	2016-02-04
CA2806674C	Canada	C	2016-02-16
US9266337B2	United States of America	B2	2016-02-23
RU2013111839A	Russian Federation	A	2016-03-10
JP5919858B2	Japan	B2	2016-05-18
JP5927954B2	Japan	B2	2016-06-01
JP5942450B2	Japan	B2	2016-06-29
US9440755B2	United States of America	B2	2016-09-13
CN105946368A	China	A	2016-09-21
JP6028338B2	Japan	B2	2016-11-16
JP6032301B2	Japan	B2	2016-11-24
MX344094B	Mexico	B	2016-12-05
EP3109048A2	European Patent Office (EPO)	A2	2016-12-28
CN104608496B	China	B	2017-01-04
RU2606078C2	Russian Federation	C2	2017-01-10
JP6065371B2	Japan	B2	2017-01-25
JP2017024423A	Japan	A	2017-02-02
CN104999799B	China	B	2017-04-12
AU2015227539B2	Australia	B2	2017-06-01
EP3109048A3	European Patent Office (EPO)	A3	2017-06-14
JP6161868B2	Japan	B2	2017-07-12
AU2017221788A1	Australia	A1	2017-09-21
CA2912560C	Canada	C	2017-11-21
US9821557B2	United States of America	B2	2017-11-21
EP2907665B1	European Patent Office (EPO)	B1	2017-11-29
EP2727733B1	European Patent Office (EPO)	B1	2018-01-10
US2018043692A1	United States of America	A1	2018-02-15
ES2659411T3	Spain	T3	2018-03-15
EP3296116A1	European Patent Office (EPO)	A1	2018-03-21

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