JP2013163374A - Cartridge and printing material supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique that enables stable electrical connection of a cartridge side terminal group and an apparatus side terminal group, and also to provide a technique that enables downsizing of a cartridge, a printer and consequently a printing material supply system that is completed in a state where the cartridge is mounted in the printer.SOLUTION: A cartridge includes: first-fourth surfaces; a printing material supply port; a cartridge side terminal group that receives the force of the direction that has +Z axis direction component from an apparatus side terminal group; and a first cartridge side restriction part. The cartridge side terminal group includes a first terminal having a first outer part located closest to a +Y-axis direction side and a second terminal including a second outer part located closest to a -Y-axis direction side. The first cartridge side restriction part is located in the inside of the range without being located in the outside of the range between the first outer part and the second outer part about the Y-axis direction.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge and a printing material supply system including the cartridge and a printing apparatus.

  Currently, various mechanisms for attaching / detaching a cartridge to / from a printing apparatus have been proposed. For example, a technique is known in which a lever that elastically deforms is provided in a cartridge or a cartridge mounting portion, and a print cartridge is attached to and detached from the cartridge mounting portion using the lever (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

JP 2007-230249 A JP 2005-22345 A JP 2002-19142 A

  In the presence of such various mechanisms, there is a demand for downsizing the printer in order to make the printer easier to use and install. In order to reduce the size of a printer, it is necessary to reduce the number of constituent elements and related elements constituting the printer. The constituent elements and related elements include a cartridge to be mounted on the printer and a mounting portion for mounting the cartridge.

  In addition, in order to make the printer easier to use, information about the printing material stored in the cartridge (for example, information indicating the remaining amount of the printing material) is often displayed on a monitor of the printer. A cartridge mounted on such a printer includes a circuit board on which a memory for storing information about the printing material is mounted. On this circuit board, a terminal (cartridge side terminal) for transferring information to and from the printer side is provided. Through this terminal and the terminal on the printer side (device side terminal), the memory and the printer are connected. Information about the printing material is exchanged with the control unit. Therefore, it is necessary to stably maintain the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

  However, as will be explained below, none of the currently known mechanisms can fully satisfy this requirement.

  Note that the various problems as described above are not limited to cartridges that store ink for printing, and printing apparatuses that supply (eject) other types of printing materials (for example, toner) other than ink to the outside, and The cartridge for this purpose has the same problem.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can stably achieve electrical connection between a cartridge-side terminal group and a device-side terminal group. It is another object of the present invention to provide a technique capable of downsizing a cartridge, a printer, and thus a printing material supply system that is completed with the cartridge mounted on the printer.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

Application Example 1 (i) Device-side bottom wall, (ii) First device-side side wall provided in a direction intersecting with the device-side bottom wall, and (iii) Device-side bottom wall A second apparatus-side side wall provided so as to face the first apparatus-side side wall in a direction intersecting with
A printing material supply pipe having a proximal end portion provided on the apparatus-side bottom wall portion and a distal end portion connected to the cartridge, and for distributing the printing material accommodated in the cartridge to the head;
A device-side terminal group provided at a device-side corner portion where the device-side bottom wall portion and the first device-side side wall portion intersect;
A lever that is pivotally provided on the first apparatus side wall and is used for attaching and detaching the cartridge;
An axis parallel to the central axis C of the printing material supply pipe is a Z axis, a direction in which the printing material supply pipe and the device-side terminal group are arranged, and a direction orthogonal to the Z axis is an X axis, the Z axis, and The axis perpendicular to the X axis is the Y axis, and the direction from the base end portion to the tip end portion of the printing material supply pipe in the Z axis direction is the + Z axis direction, which is opposite to the + Z axis direction. -Z-axis direction, of the X-axis direction, the direction from the printing material supply pipe toward the device-side terminal group is the + X-axis direction, and the direction opposite to the -X-axis direction is the -X-axis direction, When the direction toward one of the Y-axis directions is the + Y-axis direction and the direction toward the other is the -Y-axis direction,
The device-side terminal group is in contact with the cartridge in a mounted state where the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, and applies a force to the cartridge in a direction having the + Z-axis direction component,
The lever has an operation portion at an end on the + Z-axis direction side, and locks the cartridge at an end on the −Z-axis direction side to restrict the movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction. A printing apparatus that has one apparatus-side regulating section and rotates about a position between the operation section and the first apparatus-side regulating section.
A cartridge that is detachably mounted,
When the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis for the cartridge in the mounted state are the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis of the cartridge, respectively,
Two surfaces facing each other in the Z-axis direction, a first surface located on the −Z-axis direction side and a second surface located on the + Z-axis direction side;
A second surface that intersects the first surface and the second surface and faces in the X-axis direction, a third surface located on the + X-axis direction side, and a fourth surface located on the −X-axis direction side; ,
A corner portion connecting the first surface and the third surface;
An inclined surface that constitutes a part of the corner portion and inclines toward a direction including components of the + X-axis direction and the -Z-axis direction;
A printing material supply port provided on the first surface to which the printing material supply pipe is connected;
A cartridge side terminal group comprising a plurality of cartridge side terminals provided corresponding to each device side terminal of the apparatus side terminal group, wherein the cartridge side terminal group is provided on the inclined surface from the device side terminal group in the + Z-axis direction. A cartridge-side terminal group that receives a force in a direction having a component;
A first cartridge side regulating portion that regulates movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction by being locked to the first device side regulating portion,
The first cartridge side regulating portion is provided on the third surface,
The cartridge side terminal group includes:
A first terminal including a first outer portion located closest to the + Y-axis direction;
A second terminal including a second outer portion located closest to the -Y-axis direction side,
About the Y-axis direction
The cartridge in which the first cartridge side regulating portion is located inside the range without being located outside the range between the first outer portion and the second outer portion.

  In the techniques of Patent Literatures 1 and 2, the lever of the cartridge is used to lock the cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion and release the lock. However, in the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is necessary to provide an engaging portion between the lever operating portion and the rotating shaft. However, in order to easily release the engagement state between the engaging portion and the cartridge mounting portion, the distance between the lever and the surface of the cartridge provided with the lever needs to be relatively large. For this purpose, it is necessary to increase the length of the lever and to provide the engaging portion on the side closer to the operating portion, and the cartridge cannot be reduced in size. This leads to an increase in the size of the printer to which the cartridge is attached and detached. In addition, since the cartridge cannot be reduced in size, the packaging material for transporting or selling the cartridge is also increased in size, which may increase the transportation cost or the part cost.

  Further, in the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2, since a lever capable of elastic deformation is integrally formed on the wall surface of the cartridge, the flexibility required for elastic deformation of the lever is satisfied in addition to the moldability of the wall surface and the lever. There is a problem that the material is limited to some materials (for example, polypropylene (PP)). Further, in the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2, since a material having flexibility required for elastic deformation of the lever is used, the lever is plastically deformed by the stress generated in the lever in a state where the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. Is more likely to do. When the lever is plastically deformed, the positions of the cartridge-side terminal and the cartridge mounting portion-side terminal may be shifted, resulting in poor conduction. Further, since the lever is elastically deformed, a device for preventing plastic deformation is required when packing the cartridge.

  In contrast to the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2, there is also an idea of reducing the size of the cartridge by providing a lever on the printer side as in the technique of Patent Document 3. In the technique of Patent Document 3, the cartridge side restricting portion locked to the lever is located on the + Z-axis direction side of the rotation axis of the lever. For this reason, in the mounted state, the force in the + Z-axis direction applied to the cartridge by the elastic member or the compressive force sealing member is easily converted into a force for releasing the engagement between the holding portion and the latch lamp. Therefore, the cartridge may be detached from the cartridge mounting portion while the printing apparatus is in use. Such an engagement structure described in the technique of Patent Document 3 has a possibility that the cartridge may come off from the cartridge mounting portion, so that the terminals of the cartridge and the cartridge mounting portion need to contact each other. It cannot be applied to technology. Further, as in the techniques of Patent Documents 1 and 2, due to the contact between the terminal groups, a force in the −X-axis direction is applied to the cartridge from the terminal group on the cartridge mounting portion side, and the cartridge moves in the −X-axis direction side. In such a case, there is a possibility that the technique of Patent Document 3 cannot keep the engaged state because the lever cannot be matched with the movement.

  On the other hand, according to the cartridge described in the application example 1, the first cartridge side regulating portion that is locked to the lever of the printing apparatus is provided. With such a configuration, there is no need to provide an engagement portion between the lever shaft and the operation portion as in Patent Documents 1 and 2 in which a lever is provided in the cartridge. Accordingly, the cartridge described in Application Example 1 can reduce the distance between the lever and the third surface of the cartridge, and thus can reduce the size of the printing apparatus and the printing material supply system including the cartridge and the printing apparatus in the X-axis direction. . Furthermore, since the length of the lever can be reduced, the size of the printing apparatus and the printing material supply system in the Z-axis direction can also be reduced. Therefore, the printing apparatus and the printing material supply system can be greatly reduced in size. Further, the size of packing materials such as paper and boxes used for packing the cartridge when the cartridge is transported or sold can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce transportation costs and parts costs.

  In addition, according to the cartridge described in the application example 1, the length of the lever of the printer can be shortened, and the first cartridge side regulating portion is provided in the cartridge so that the shape of the first cartridge side regulating portion is small and simple. It can be set as a simple structure. Therefore, the rigidity of the lever and the first cartridge side regulating portion can be increased as compared with Patent Documents 1 and 2. Furthermore, since a material having a relatively high rigidity can be selected as the material for the lever and the first cartridge side regulating portion, the possibility of plastic deformation of the lever and the first cartridge side regulating portion can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to keep the cartridge in the mounted state at an accurate position in the cartridge mounting portion. That is, the contact state between the cartridge-side terminal group and the apparatus-side terminal group can be maintained in a normal state, and conduction failure can be reduced. According to the cartridge described in Application Example 1, since the shape of the first cartridge side regulating portion can be made small and simple, a patent is required when packing the cartridge when transporting and selling the cartridge. Unlike the cartridges of Documents 1 and 2, it is not necessary to consider the plastic deformation of the lever, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

  In addition, the cartridge described in Application Example 1 includes an operation unit at the end on the + Z-axis direction side, a first device-side regulation unit at the end on the −Z-axis direction side, and a position therebetween. Is attached to and detached from a printing apparatus having a lever that rotates around the axis. And the 1st cartridge side regulation part of this cartridge is latched by the 1st device side regulation part. That is, the first cartridge side restricting portion is provided on the −Z-axis direction side of the lever shaft. Thus, even when a force acts in the direction having the + Z-axis direction component from the device-side terminal group in the mounted state and the cartridge tries to move in the + Z-axis direction, the movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction can be restricted by the lever. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the first cartridge side regulating portion is unlocked by the first device side regulating portion. Therefore, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group and the apparatus side terminal group can be stably achieved, and the conduction failure can be reduced. Further, even when a force in the −X-axis direction is applied to the cartridge from the device-side terminal group in the mounted state, the first device-side restricting portion is centered on the lever axis in accordance with the movement of the cartridge in the −X-axis direction. I can move. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the locking of the first cartridge side regulating portion and the first device side regulating portion is released.

  Further, according to the cartridge described in the application example 1, the first cartridge side regulating portion is not located outside the range (predetermined range) between the first outer portion and the second outer portion, Located inside the range. Thereby, after the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion, the cartridge side terminal group receives a force in the + Z-axis direction component from the apparatus side terminal group, whereby the tilt of the cartridge can be finely adjusted. That is, the direction in which the inclined surface on which the cartridge side terminal group is provided can be finely adjusted. Thereby, for example, even when the position of each device-side terminal of the device-side terminal group, the degree of inclination of the first cartridge-side restricting portion varies due to manufacturing errors, the direction in which the inclined surface faces is finely adjusted. Thus, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group and the apparatus side terminal group can be stably achieved.

[Application Example 2] The cartridge according to Application Example 1,
The first cartridge side regulating portion is a cartridge provided at a position close to an intersecting portion where the third surface and the inclined surface intersect.
According to the cartridge described in the application example 2, the first cartridge side regulating portion is close to the intersecting portion. Thereby, the cartridge can be fixed to the cartridge mounting portion at a position close to the contact point where the cartridge side terminal group and the apparatus side terminal group contact. Thereby, the position shift of the cartridge side terminal group with respect to the apparatus side terminal group can be suppressed. Therefore, conduction failure between the cartridge side terminal group and the apparatus side terminal group can be reduced. Further, even when the cartridge falls, the possibility that the cartridge side terminal group collides with the dropping surface by the first cartridge side regulating portion can be reduced. This can reduce the possibility of damage to the cartridge side terminal group. In particular, when the cartridge-side terminal group is mounted on a circuit board on which a storage device is mounted, it is possible to prevent damage to the storage device that is vulnerable to impacts, and thus the impact resistance is further improved. When the first cartridge side restricting portion is a protrusion, the effect of impact resistance is further exhibited. Further, since the first cartridge side restricting portion is provided at a position close to the intersecting portion, the lever of the cartridge mounting portion can be disposed at a position closer to the first surface. Thereby, there is a possibility that the size of the cartridge or the printing apparatus in the Z-axis direction can be reduced.

[Application Example 3] The cartridge according to Application Example 1 or Application Example 2, further comprising:
The cartridge side terminal group on the front surface has a circuit board provided with a storage device on the back surface,
The inclined surface is constituted by the surface of the circuit board;
The first cartridge side regulating portion is a cartridge that is close to a substrate end located on the + Z-axis direction side of the circuit board.
According to the cartridge described in the application example 3, the first cartridge-side regulating portion that is a member for mounting the cartridge on the cartridge mounting portion is close to the substrate end portion of the circuit board. In other words, the first cartridge side restricting portion is arranged so as to be as close as possible to the cartridge side terminal group. Since the first cartridge side regulating portion is locked to the lever, the position of the vicinity of the first cartridge side regulating portion is unlikely to fluctuate even if the cartridge receives an external force. Thus, by providing the cartridge side terminal group in a place where the position variation is very small, it is possible to further suppress the positional deviation of each terminal of the cartridge side terminal group with respect to the cartridge mounting portion. Therefore, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group and the apparatus side terminal group can be further stabilized.

[Application Example 4] The cartridge according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 3,
The first cartridge side regulating portion is provided at a position (predetermined position) that passes through the center of the width of the cartridge in the Y-axis direction and crosses a plane (predetermined plane) parallel to the Z-axis and the X-axis. The cartridge.
Here, in the mounted state, the cartridge receives a force in a direction having a + Z-axis direction component from the device-side terminal group. By this force, the first cartridge side regulating portion is pressed against the first device side regulating portion of the lever. According to the cartridge described in the application example 4, the first cartridge-side regulating portion is provided at a predetermined position, so that even when the cartridge rattles around the X axis or the Z axis due to external force, The position near the position intersecting with the predetermined plane in the cartridge side regulating portion hardly moves. Here, the first cartridge side restricting portion is disposed at a position close to the intersecting portion or a position close to the end portion of the substrate. By providing the first cartridge side restricting portion that moves little at a position very close to the cartridge side terminal group, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group and the apparatus side terminal group can be achieved more stably.

Application Example 5 In the cartridge according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 4, the cartridge is further locked to a second device side regulating portion provided on the second device side wall portion. A second cartridge side restricting portion that restricts the movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction.
The second cartridge side regulating portion is a cartridge provided on the fourth surface.
According to the cartridge described in the application example 5, the cartridge further includes the second cartridge side regulating portion that regulates the movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction on the fourth surface, so that the end of the cartridge in the + X-axis direction and the − Movement in the + Z-axis direction from both sides of the end in the X-axis direction can be restricted. Thereby, the position shift with respect to the cartridge mounting part of each terminal of a cartridge side terminal group can further be suppressed. Therefore, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group and the apparatus side terminal group can be further stabilized.

[Application Example 6] The cartridge according to Application Example 5,
The cartridge, wherein the second cartridge side restricting portion is a protrusion inserted into the second device side restricting portion which is a recess or a through hole.
According to the cartridge described in the application example 6, by inserting the second cartridge side regulating portion into the second apparatus side regulating portion, the cartridge is rotated around the vicinity of the second cartridge side regulating portion. A rotation fulcrum can be formed. Thereby, the cartridge can be easily attached to and detached from the cartridge mounting portion.

Application Example 7 The cartridge according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 6, wherein the first cartridge side regulating portion is located on the −X axis direction side of the shaft of the lever.
According to the cartridge described in Application Example 7, in the mounted state, the first cartridge-side regulating portion generates a rotational moment with respect to the lever in a direction opposite to the direction in which the lock is released with the lever shaft as the center. . Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the first cartridge side regulating portion and the first apparatus side regulating portion are unlocked. Therefore, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group and the apparatus side terminal group can be achieved more stably. For example, even when a force in the −X axis direction is applied from the device side terminal group to the cartridge and the cartridge moves to the −X axis direction side, the first device side regulating portion adjusts the movement of the cartridge to the −X axis direction. Can move to the side. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the locking between the first cartridge side regulating portion and the first device side regulating portion is released.

[Application Example 8] The cartridge according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 7,
The first cartridge side restricting portion is in contact with a first portion of the first device side restricting portion to thereby restrict the movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction; And a second abutting portion that restricts movement of the cartridge in the + X-axis direction by abutting with a second portion of the one apparatus-side regulating portion.
According to the cartridge described in the application example 8, the first cartridge side restriction portion includes the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and is opposite to the direction in which the lock is released with the lever shaft as the center. A rotational moment that rotates in the direction toward the side can be generated more reliably with respect to the lever. Thereby, it is possible to further reduce the possibility that the locking between the first cartridge side regulating portion and the first apparatus side regulating portion is released. Therefore, the conduction failure between the cartridge side terminal group and the apparatus side terminal group can be more reliably reduced.

Application Example 9 The cartridge according to any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 8,
A projecting portion to which a force including the + Z-axis direction component is applied by coming into contact with the operation portion of the lever when the cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting portion is removed from the cartridge mounting portion;
The cartridge, wherein the protrusion is provided on the + Z-axis direction side of the third surface with respect to the first cartridge side regulating portion.
According to the cartridge described in Application Example 9, the cartridge can be easily detached from the cartridge mounting portion using the operation portion and the protruding portion.

[Application Example 10] The cartridge according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 9,
The corner portion has a step surface extending in the + Z-axis direction from the first surface,
The step surface is located on the −X axis direction side and the −Z axis direction side with respect to the inclined surface,
The step surface is provided with a third cartridge-side restricting portion that restricts the movement of the cartridge in the Y-axis direction by contacting a third device-side restricting portion provided in the cartridge mounting portion. ,cartridge.
According to the cartridge described in Application Example 10, the third surface of the cartridge in the mounted state is provided by providing the third cartridge side regulating portion that regulates the movement in the Y-axis direction at the corner portion where the cartridge side terminal group is provided. Side movement in the Y-axis direction can be restricted.

[Application Example 11] The cartridge according to Application Example 10,
The third cartridge side restricting portion is a pair of projecting members that receive the third device side restricting portion projecting in the + Z-axis direction from the device side bottom wall portion,
The cartridge is a cartridge that protrudes in the + X-axis direction from the step surface.
According to the cartridge described in the application example 11, the movement in the Y-axis direction on the third surface side of the cartridge in the mounted state can be restricted with a simple structure in which a member protruding in the + X-axis direction from the step surface is provided.

[Application Example 12] The cartridge according to Application Example 10 or Application Example 11,
A cartridge in which a part of the third cartridge side regulating portion overlaps the inclined surface when the cartridge is viewed from the first surface side in the + Z-axis direction.
According to the cartridge described in Application Example 12, since the third cartridge side regulating portion and the inclined surface overlap each other, the movement of the third surface side of the cartridge around the printing material supply pipe in the Y-axis direction is prevented. Further suppression is possible.

[Application Example 13] The cartridge according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 12,
The printing material supply port is provided in a portion of the first surface that is closer to the fourth surface than the third surface.
According to the cartridge described in the application example 13, the possibility that the printing material adheres to the cartridge side terminal group is reduced as compared with the case where the printing material supply port is provided in the portion closer to the third surface than the fourth surface. it can. Therefore, conduction failure between the cartridge side terminal group and the apparatus side terminal group can be reduced.

[Application Example 14] The cartridge according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 13,
The cartridge in which the first cartridge side regulating portion is a protrusion.
According to the cartridge described in the application example 14, the shape of the first cartridge side regulating portion can be made small and simple.

[Application Example 15] The cartridge according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 14,
The cartridge side terminal group includes a cartridge side ground terminal that contacts a device side ground terminal connected to a ground line of the device side terminal group,
The cartridge-side ground terminal is provided at the center of the width in the Y-axis direction of the cartridge, and when the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the other cartridge-side terminals in the cartridge-side terminal group A cartridge configured to contact the device-side ground terminal before contacting the device-side terminal group.
According to the cartridge described in the application example 15, since the first force applied to the cartridge side terminal group from the cartridge mounting portion is generated at the center of the width in the Y-axis direction of the cartridge, the force applied to the cartridge side terminal group An action that acts as a force for tilting in the Y-axis direction can be suppressed. Thereby, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group and the apparatus side terminal group can be stably achieved. In addition, since the cartridge-side ground terminal comes into contact with the device-side ground terminal before other cartridge-side terminals, even if an unintended high voltage is applied to the cartridge side, , Can reduce the problems caused by high voltage.

[Application Example 16] The cartridge according to Application Example 15,
The cartridge-side ground terminal has a length in the Z-axis direction that is longer than the length of the other cartridge-side terminal in the Z-axis direction.
According to the cartridge described in Application Example 16, contact between the cartridge-side ground terminal and the apparatus-side ground terminal can be more reliably performed.

[Application Example 17] A cartridge mounting portion to which a cartridge is attached and detached,
A printing material supply pipe having a proximal end portion provided at the bottom of the cartridge mounting portion and a distal end portion connected to the cartridge, and for distributing the printing material accommodated in the cartridge to the head;
A device-side terminal group in contact with the cartridge;
A lever used for attaching and detaching the cartridge,
An axis parallel to the central axis C of the printing material supply pipe is a Z axis, a direction in which the printing material supply pipe and the device-side terminal group are arranged, and a direction orthogonal to the Z axis is an X axis, the Z axis, and The axis perpendicular to the X axis is the Y axis, and the direction from the base end portion to the tip end portion of the printing material supply pipe in the Z axis direction is the + Z axis direction, which is opposite to the + Z axis direction. Is the -Z-axis direction, the X-axis direction is the direction from the printing material supply pipe toward the device-side terminal group is the + X-axis direction, and the opposite direction to the -X-axis direction is the -X-axis direction. sometimes,
The device-side terminal group is in contact with the cartridge in a mounted state where the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, and applies a force to the cartridge in a direction having the + Z-axis direction component,
The lever has an operation portion at an end on the + Z-axis direction side, and locks the cartridge at an end on the −Z-axis direction side to restrict the movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction. A printing apparatus that has one apparatus-side regulating section and rotates about a position between the operation section and the first apparatus-side regulating section.
A cartridge that is detachably mounted,
When the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis for the cartridge in the mounted state are the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis of the cartridge, respectively,
A printing material supply port located on the −Z-axis direction side and connected to the printing material supply pipe;
A cartridge-side terminal group that is located on the + X-axis direction side from the printing material supply port and includes a plurality of cartridge-side terminals provided corresponding to the device-side terminals of the device-side terminal group, A cartridge-side terminal group that is provided on an inclined surface that is inclined toward a direction including the components in the + X-axis direction and the −Z-axis direction, and receives a force in a direction having the component in the + Z-axis direction from the device-side terminal group; ,
A first cartridge side regulating portion that restricts movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction by being locked to the first device-side regulating portion, and is in the + X-axis direction from the printing material supply port. A first cartridge side regulating portion provided at a position on the side,
The cartridge side terminal group includes:
A first terminal including a first outer portion located closest to the + Y-axis direction;
A second terminal including a second outer portion located closest to the -Y-axis direction side,
About the Y-axis direction
The cartridge in which the first cartridge side regulating portion is located in the range without being located outside the range between the first outer portion and the second outer portion.

  According to the cartridge described in the application example 17, the first cartridge side regulating portion that is locked to the lever of the printing apparatus is provided. With this configuration, as in Application Example 1, there is no need to provide an engaging portion between the lever shaft and the operating portion. Therefore, the same effect as in Application Example 1 is achieved. For example, since the distance between the lever and the cartridge can be reduced in the cartridge described in the application example 17, the size in the X-axis direction of the printing apparatus and the printing material supply system including the cartridge and the printing apparatus can be reduced.

  Further, according to the cartridge described in the application example 17, the operation unit is provided at the end on the + Z axis direction side, the first device side regulation unit is provided on the end on the −Z axis direction side, It is attached to and detached from a printing apparatus having a lever that rotates about the position of. And the 1st cartridge side regulation part of this cartridge is latched by the 1st device side regulation part. That is, the first cartridge side restricting portion is provided on the −Z-axis direction side of the lever shaft. Thereby, similarly to Application Example 1, the movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction can be restricted by the lever. Therefore, the same effect as in Application Example 1 is achieved. For example, the electrical connection between the cartridge-side terminal group and the apparatus-side terminal group can be stably achieved, and conduction failure can be reduced.

  Further, according to the cartridge described in the application example 17, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is not located in the range (predetermined range) between the first outer portion and the second outer portion, Located inside the range. Thereby, similarly to the application example 1, the direction in which the inclined surface on which the cartridge side terminal group is provided can be finely adjusted. Thereby, for example, even when the position of each device-side terminal of the device-side terminal group, the degree of inclination of the first cartridge-side restricting portion varies due to manufacturing errors, the direction in which the inclined surface faces is finely adjusted. Thus, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group and the apparatus side terminal group can be stably achieved.

Application Example 18 A printing material supply system,
A printing device;
A cartridge according to any one of application examples to application examples 17,
The printing apparatus includes:
(I) a device side bottom wall, (ii) a first device side wall provided in a direction intersecting with the device side bottom wall, and (iii) a direction intersecting with the device side bottom wall. A cartridge mounting portion comprising: a second device side wall portion provided so as to face the first device side wall portion;
A printing material supply pipe having a proximal end portion provided on the apparatus-side bottom wall portion and a distal end portion connected to the cartridge, and for distributing the printing material accommodated in the cartridge to the head;
A device-side terminal group provided at a device-side corner portion where the device-side bottom wall portion and the first device-side side wall portion intersect;
A lever that is pivotally provided on the first apparatus side wall and is used for attaching and detaching the cartridge;
An axis parallel to the central axis C of the printing material supply pipe is a Z axis, a direction in which the printing material supply pipe and the device-side terminal group are arranged, and a direction orthogonal to the Z axis is an X axis, the Z axis, and The axis perpendicular to the X axis is the Y axis, and the direction from the base end portion to the tip end portion of the printing material supply pipe in the Z axis direction is the + Z axis direction, which is opposite to the + Z axis direction. Is the -Z-axis direction, the X-axis direction is the direction from the printing material supply pipe toward the device-side terminal group is the + X-axis direction, the opposite direction to the -X-axis direction is the -X-axis direction, When the direction toward one of the Y axis directions is the + Y axis direction and the direction toward the other is the −Y axis direction,
The device-side terminal group is in contact with the cartridge in a mounted state where the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, and applies a force to the cartridge in a direction having the + Z-axis direction component,
The lever has an operation portion at the end on the + Z-axis direction side, and restricts the movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction by locking the cartridge at the end on the −Z-axis direction side. A printing material supply system which has a first device side restricting portion and rotates around a position between the operation portion and the first device side restricting portion.

  According to the printing material supply system described in Application Example 18, since the cartridge described in any one of Application Examples 1 to 17 is provided, the sizes of the printing material supply system in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction are set. Can be small. Further, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the locking between the first apparatus side regulating portion and the first cartridge side regulating portion is released. Therefore, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group and the apparatus side terminal group can be stably achieved, and the conduction failure can be reduced.

  The form of the present invention is not limited to the cartridge and the printing material supply system. For example, the liquid cartridge, the liquid container, the printing material container, the cartridge adapter, the circuit board, the printing apparatus, the liquid ejecting apparatus, and the liquid The present invention can also be applied to other forms such as a liquid supply system including an ejection device and a liquid cartridge. Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a printing material supply system 10. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the holder 60 with which the cartridge 20 was mounted | worn. It is a perspective view which shows the holder 60 with which the cartridge 20 was mounted | worn. It is a top view which shows the holder 60 with which the cartridge 20 was mounted | worn. It is F4-F4 sectional drawing of FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the force that the lever 80 receives from the cartridge 20. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cartridge 20. FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the cartridge 20. FIG. It is F8-F8 sectional drawing of FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a detailed configuration of a circuit board 40. FIG. 4 is a rear view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 3 is a front view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 3 is a left side view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a holder 60. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a holder 60. FIG. 4 is a top view showing a configuration of a holder 60. FIG. It is F16-F16 sectional drawing of FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a contact mechanism 70. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a lever 80. FIG. It is a cross section cut along a plane parallel to the X axis and the Z axis of the shaft portion 850. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lever 80. FIG. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the holding member 690 and a perspective view of the lever 80. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure near the lever 80 in a state where the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the mounting operation of the cartridge 20. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the mounting operation of the cartridge 20. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the mounting operation of the cartridge 20. FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing the mounting operation of the cartridge 20. It is a block diagram which shows an electric structure. The connection state between the circuit board 40 and the mounting detection circuit 552 is shown. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an external force that the cartridge 20 receives in the mounted state of the cartridge 20. It is a figure for demonstrating the fine adjustment of the direction where the inclined surface 408 faces. It is a figure for demonstrating one of the effects. It is a figure for demonstrating the printer 50a of 2nd Embodiment. It is an external appearance perspective view of the cartridge 20b of 3rd Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the modification of the external shape of a cartridge. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the cartridge 20i which uses the adapter 299. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the cartridge 20j using the adapter 299j. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the cartridge 20k which uses the adapter 299k. It is a figure for demonstrating the lever 80a. It is a figure which shows the state with which the cartridge 20 was mounted | worn with the holder 60a. It is a figure which shows the modification of a terminal shape.

  In order to further clarify the configuration and operation of the present invention described above, a printing material supply system to which the present invention is applied will be described below.

A. First embodiment:
A-1. Overall configuration of printing material supply system:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the printing material supply system 10. In FIG. 1, XYZ axes orthogonal to each other are drawn. The XYZ axes in FIG. 1 correspond to the XYZ axes in the other drawings. The XYZ axes are attached to the drawings shown thereafter as necessary. The printing material supply system 10 includes a cartridge 20 and a printer 50 as a printing apparatus. In the printing material supply system 10, the cartridge 20 is detachably mounted on the holder 60 of the printer 50 by the user.

  The cartridge 20 of the printing material supply system 10 stores ink as a printing material therein. The ink as the printing material accommodated in the cartridge 20 is supplied to the head 540 via a printing material supply port and a printing material supply pipe, which will be described later. In the present embodiment, a plurality of cartridges 20 are detachably mounted on the holder 60 of the printer 50. In this embodiment, six types of cartridges 20 are attached to the holder 60 corresponding to six colors (black, yellow, magenta, light magenta, cyan, and light cyan), that is, a total of six cartridges 20 are mounted on the holder 60. .

  In other embodiments, the number of cartridges attached to the holder 60 may be six or less, or may be six or more. In other embodiments, the type of ink in the cartridge 20 may be 6 colors or less, or 6 colors or more. In another embodiment, two or more cartridges 20 may be mounted on the holder 60 corresponding to one color ink. Detailed configurations of the cartridge 20 and the holder 60 will be described later.

  The printer 50 of the printing material supply system 10 is a small inkjet printer for individuals. In addition to the holder 60, the printer 50 includes a control unit 510 and a carriage 520 having the holder 60. The carriage 520 includes a head 540. The printer 50 circulates ink from the cartridge 20 mounted in the holder 60 to the head 540 via a printing material supply pipe described later, and discharges (supplies) ink from the head 540 to a printing medium 90 such as paper or a label. To do. As a result, data such as characters, graphics, and images is printed on the print medium 90 using the head 540.

  The control unit 510 of the printer 50 controls each unit of the printer 50. The carriage 520 of the printer 50 is configured to be able to move the head 540 relative to the print medium 90. The head 540 of the printer 50 includes an ink ejection mechanism that ejects ink from the cartridge 20 mounted on the holder 60 onto the print medium 90. The controller 510 and the carriage 520 are electrically connected via a flexible cable 317, and the ink ejection mechanism of the head 540 operates based on a control signal from the controller 510.

  In the present embodiment, the carriage 520 includes a holder 60 together with the head 540. As described above, the type of the printer 50 in which the cartridge 20 is mounted in the holder 60 on the carriage 520 that moves the head 540 is also referred to as an “on-carriage type”. In another embodiment, the immovable holder 60 is configured in a different part from the carriage 520, and the ink from the cartridge 20 mounted on the holder 60 is supplied to the head 540 of the carriage 520 via the flexible tube. good. Such a printer type is also called an “off-carriage type”.

  In the present embodiment, the printer 50 includes a main scan feed mechanism and a sub scan feed mechanism for realizing printing on the print medium 90 by relatively moving the carriage 520 and the print medium 90. The main scanning feed mechanism of the printer 50 includes a carriage motor 522 and a driving belt 524, and transmits the power of the carriage motor 522 to the carriage 520 via the driving belt 524, thereby reciprocating the carriage 520 in the main scanning direction. The sub-scan feed mechanism of the printer 50 includes a transport motor 532 and a platen 534, and transmits the power of the transport motor 532 to the platen 534, thereby transporting the print medium 90 in the sub-scan direction orthogonal to the main scan direction. The carriage motor 522 of the main scan feed mechanism and the transport motor 532 of the sub scan feed mechanism operate based on a control signal from the control unit 510.

  In the present embodiment, in the use state (also referred to as “use posture”) of the printing material supply system 10, the axis along the sub-scanning direction (front-rear direction) for transporting the print medium 90 is the X axis, and the carriage 520 is reciprocated. An axis along the main scanning direction (left-right direction) to be moved is a Y-axis, and an axis along the gravity direction (up-down direction) is a Z-axis. The usage state of the printing material supply system 10 is the state of the printing material supply system 10 installed on a horizontal surface. In this embodiment, the horizontal surface is a surface parallel to the X axis and the Y axis (XY). Plane).

  In this embodiment, the sub-scanning direction (front direction) is the + X-axis direction, the opposite direction (rear direction) is the -X-axis direction, the direction from the lower side to the upper side of the gravity direction (upward direction) is the + Z-axis direction, The reverse direction (downward) is taken as the −Z-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the + X axis direction side (front side) is the front surface of the printing material supply system 10. In the present embodiment, the direction from the right side surface to the left side surface of the printing material supply system 10 is defined as + Y axis direction (left direction), and the opposite direction is defined as −Y axis direction (right direction). In the present embodiment, the arrangement direction of the plurality of cartridges 20 attached to the holder 60 is a direction along the Y axis (left and right direction, also simply referred to as “Y axis direction”). The direction along the X axis (front-rear direction) is also referred to as the “X-axis direction”, and the direction along the Z axis (up-down direction) is also referred to as the “Z-axis direction”.

A-2. Configuration in which the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60:
2 and 3 are perspective views showing the holder 60 to which the cartridge 20 is mounted. FIG. 4 is a top view showing the holder 60 to which the cartridge 20 is mounted. 2 to 4 show a state in which one cartridge 20 is correctly mounted in the designed mounting position in the holder 60. Note that “the state of being correctly mounted at the designed mounting position” means that each terminal of the cartridge-side terminal group, which will be described later, contacts each corresponding terminal of the terminal group of the contact mechanism of the printer 50. The state where is located.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the holder 60 of the printer 50 has five walls 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606. A concave portion formed by these five wall portions becomes a cartridge housing chamber 602 (also referred to as “cartridge mounting portion 602”). The cartridge housing chamber 602 is divided by a partition wall 607 into a plurality of slots (mounting spaces) that can receive the cartridges 20. Such a partition wall 607 functions as a guide when the cartridge 20 is inserted into the slot, but may be omitted. Each slot is provided with a printing material supply pipe 640, a contact mechanism 70, a lever 80, a second device-side restricting portion 620, and a protrusion 636 serving as a third device-side restricting portion. One side surface (+ Z-axis side surface; upper surface) of each slot is opened, and the cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the holder 60 through the opened one side surface (upper surface).

  The cartridge 20 is locked by the lever 80 and the second device-side regulating unit 620, and a printing material supply port, which will be described later, is connected to the printing material supply pipe 640, so that the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60. This state is also referred to as “a state where the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60” or “an attached state”. The printing material supply pipe 640 is connected to the printing material supply port of the cartridge 20, and thereby distributes the ink as the printing material stored in the cartridge 20 to the head 540. The printing material supply pipe 640 has a distal end portion (also referred to as “connection end portion”) 642 positioned on the + Z axis side and a proximal end portion 645 positioned on the −Z axis side. The base end portion 645 is provided on the bottom wall portion 601. The leading end 642 is connected to the printing material supply port of the cartridge 20. The central axis C of the printing material supply pipe 640 is parallel to the Z axis. The direction from the base end 645 toward the tip end 642 along the central axis C is the + Z axis direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an elastic member 648 is provided around the printing material supply pipe 640. The elastic member 648 seals the periphery of the printing material supply port of the cartridge 20 in the mounted state. Accordingly, the elastic member 648 prevents ink from leaking out from the printing material supply port. In the mounted state, the elastic member 648 applies a biasing force including a component in the + Z-axis direction to the cartridge 20.

  Further, in the mounted state, various information is transmitted between the cartridge 20 and the printer 50 by electrically connecting a terminal group provided on a circuit board (to be described later) of the cartridge 20 and the contact mechanism 70.

  5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F4-F4 of FIG. In addition, illustration of the protrusion part 636 is abbreviate | omitted. The printing material supply pipe 640 of the printer 50 is connected to the printing material supply port 280 of the cartridge 20 to supply the ink in the printing material container 200 to the head 540 via the printing material flow path 282.

  In the present embodiment, a porous body filter 644 that filters ink from the cartridge 20 is provided at the distal end 642 of the printing material supply pipe 640. As the porous filter 644, for example, a stainless mesh, a stainless nonwoven fabric, or the like can be used. In other embodiments, the porous filter may be omitted from the tip 642 of the printing material supply pipe 640.

  The contact mechanism 70 of the printer 50 is provided on the + X axis direction side of the printing material supply pipe 640 and is configured to be electrically connectable to a terminal group provided on the circuit board 40 of the cartridge 20. The mounted cartridge 20 receives a biasing force Pt including a component in the + Z-axis direction from the terminal of the contact mechanism 70 to the circuit board 40. Further, the mounted cartridge 20 receives a biasing force Ps in the + Z-axis direction from the elastic member 648 to the printing material supply port 280.

  The lever 80 used for attaching and detaching the cartridge 20 has an operation unit 830 at the end on the + Z-axis direction side and a first device-side regulating unit 810 at the end on the −Z-axis direction side. In the mounted state, the first device side restricting portion 810 (the first device side engaging surface described in detail later) is the first cartridge side restricting portion at the first engaging position 810L which is a predetermined engaging position. 210 can be locked. The first locking position 810L is located on the + Z axis direction side and the + X axis direction side from the position where the terminal group provided on the circuit board 40 and the contact mechanism 70 are in contact with each other. The first device-side restricting portion 810 restricts the movement of the cartridge 20 in the + Z-axis direction by engaging with the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210.

  The lever 80 rotates about a position between the operation unit 830 and the first device side regulating unit 810 as an axis 800c. The rotation shaft 800c of the lever 80 is located on the + Z axis direction side and the + X axis direction side from the first locking position 810L.

  The operation unit 830 of the lever 80 is used when the user removes the cartridge 20 from the holder 60. When removing the cartridge 20, the user pushes the operation unit 830 in the −X axis direction. At this time, a force Pr (also referred to as “operation force Pr”) from the + X axis direction side to the −X axis direction side is applied to the operation unit 830. Then, the lever 80 rotates about the shaft 800c, and the first device side regulating portion 810 moves from the first locking position 810L in the + X axis direction. As a result, the locking of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 by the first device side regulating portion 810 is released, and the cartridge 20 can be removed from the holder 60.

  A second device side regulating portion 620 is provided on the side wall portion 604. The second apparatus-side restricting portion 620 is configured to be able to lock the second cartridge-side restricting portion 220 at the second locking position 620L. In the present embodiment, the second device-side restricting portion 620 is a through hole formed in the side wall portion 604 of the holder 60. The second locking position 620L is located on the + Z-axis direction side and the −X-axis direction side of the printing material supply pipe 640. The second device side regulating unit 620 regulates the movement of the cartridge 20 in the + Z-axis direction by locking the second cartridge side regulating unit 220. Thus, in the mounted state, the cartridge 20 is restricted from moving in the + Z-axis direction on both sides of the end in the + X-axis direction and the end in the −X-axis direction.

  The second locking position 620 </ b> L where the second cartridge side regulating unit 220 and the second apparatus side regulating unit 620 come into contact serves as a rotation fulcrum when the cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the holder 60. That is, the cartridge 20 is attached and detached while rotating the cartridge 20 along the plane parallel to the Z axis and the X axis around the second locking position 620L. That is, the second cartridge side restriction unit 220 and the second device side restriction unit 620 function as a rotation fulcrum of the cartridge 20 when the cartridge 20 is attached or detached. Details of the attaching / detaching operation of the cartridge 20 with respect to the holder 60 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the mounted state, the first locking position 810L is positioned on the −Z axis direction side by a distance Dz from the second locking position 620L. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 and the first device side regulating portion 810 are unlocked by the urging forces Ps and Pt from the holder 60 to the cartridge 20. Thereby, the cartridge 20 can be stably held at the designed mounting position.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the force that the lever 80 receives from the cartridge 20 at the first locking position 810L. FIG. 6A shows the force F1 that the lever 80 receives from the cartridge 20 at the first locking position 810L when the first locking position 810L is positioned on the −Z-axis direction side of the second locking position 620L. Is illustrated. FIG. 6B shows the force F2 that the lever 80 receives from the cartridge 20 at the first locking position 810L when the first locking position 810L is located on the + Z-axis direction side of the second locking position 620L. Illustrated. The force F1 in FIG. 6A and the force F2 in FIG. 6B are the same magnitude.

  6A and 6B, the first locking position 810L, the second locking position 620L, and the rotation shaft 800c (also referred to as “rotation center 800c”) are on the X axis and the Z axis. The mutual positional relationship in FIG. The positional relationship between FIG. 6 (A) and FIG. 6 (B) is the same except that the position of the second locking position 620L on the Z-axis is different. An arc RT1 in FIGS. 6A and 6B is a rotation locus obtained by rotating the first locking position 810L about the rotation shaft 800c. An arc RT2 in FIGS. 6A and 6B is a rotation locus obtained by rotating the first locking position 810L around the second locking position 620L.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, since the first locking position 810L is located on the −Z-axis direction side of the second locking position 620L, the first locking position 810L acts in the tangential direction of the arc RT2. The force F1 acts in a direction including the + X axis component and the + Z axis component. A force obtained by resolving the force F1 in the tangential direction of the arc RT1 is F1t, and a force obtained by resolving the force F1 in the radial direction of the arc RT1 is F1r.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, since the first locking position 810L is located on the + Z axis direction side of the second locking position 620L, the force acting in the tangential direction of the arc RT2 at the first locking position 810L. F2 acts in a direction including a −X axis component and a + Z axis component. A force obtained by resolving the force F2 in the tangential direction of the arc RT1 is F2t, and a force obtained by resolving the force F2 in the radial direction of the arc RT1 is F2r.

  As is clear from the comparison between FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the force F1 and the force F2 are determined from the mutual positional relationship of the first locking position 810L, the second locking position 620L, and the rotating shaft 800c. Even if the relationship with the arc RT1 is “F1 = F2”, the tangential force relationship of the arc RT1 is “F1t <F2t”, and the radial force relationship of the arc RT1 is “F1r> F2r”. That is, in FIG. 6A, the force from the cartridge 20 toward the rotating shaft 800c of the lever 80 is larger than that in FIG. 6B, and the rotating shaft 800c is the center and rotates clockwise as viewed from the + Y-axis direction. The force for rotating the lever 80 is reduced. Therefore, when the first locking position 810L is located on the −Z axis direction side with respect to the second locking position 620L, the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 and the second locking position 810L are positioned on the + Z axis direction side. The possibility that the locking with the first device side regulating portion 810 is released can be reduced. In any case, since the force in the + X-axis direction, which is the direction in which the first locking position 810L is released, does not act, the relationship between the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 and the first device side restricting portion 810. It is possible to reduce the possibility that the stop will come off.

A-3. Detailed configuration of the cartridge 20:
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the cartridge 20. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the cartridge 20. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F8-F8 in FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a detailed configuration of the circuit board 40. FIG. 10A is a diagram of the circuit board 40 viewed from the arrow F9 in FIG. FIG. 10B is a diagram of the circuit board 40 viewed from the arrow F10 in FIG. In the present embodiment, the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis for the cartridge 20 in the mounted state are axes on the cartridge. In the present embodiment, the + X axis direction side is the front surface of the cartridge 20 in the mounted state. The plane Yc shown in FIG. 8 is a plane (ZX plane) that passes through the center of the width of the cartridge 20 in the Y-axis direction and is parallel to the Z-axis and the X-axis. A plane CX shown in FIG. 8 is a plane (ZX plane) that passes through the central axis C and is parallel to the Z axis and the X axis.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the cartridge 20 includes a printing material storage unit 200 that stores ink, an outer shell 22, a printing material supply port 280, a circuit board 40, and a first cartridge side regulation unit 210. . The mounting direction SD when mounting the cartridge 20 on the holder 60 is the −Z-axis direction (in the present embodiment, the vertically downward direction). Here, when the cartridge 20 is actually inserted into the holder 60, the state of the cartridge 20 is not always constant. In the middle of trying to attach the cartridge 20 to the holder 60, the state of the cartridge 20 may be tilted with respect to the Z axis. However, immediately before mounting and in the mounted state, the printing material supply port 280 receives the printing material supply pipe 640 having the central axis C parallel to the Z axis, and the state of the cartridge 20 is regulated by the printing material supply pipe 640. Will be. Therefore, it can be said that the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60 in the −Z-axis direction.

  The outer shell (also referred to as “cartridge main body”) 22 defines an internal space including the printing material accommodation unit 200 of the cartridge 20. The outer shell 22 constitutes at least a part of the outer wall surface of the cartridge 20. The outer shell 22 is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene (PP). The cartridge 20 has a prismatic shape with side surfaces having a congruent shape. Further, it can be said that the cartridge 20 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A part of the outer shell 22 may be formed of a resin film.

  The cartridge 20 has a length (length in the X-axis direction), width (length in the Y-axis direction), and height (length in the Z-axis direction) in the order of length, height, and width. The magnitude relationship between the length, width, and height of the cartridge 20 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the cartridge 20 may be increased in the order of height, length, and width, or may have the same height, length, and width. good.

  The outer shell 22 of the cartridge 20 has a first wall 201, a second wall 202, a third wall 203, a fourth wall 204, a fifth wall 205, a sixth wall 206, and a connection wall 209. . The connection wall 209 has a seventh wall 207 and an eighth wall 208 (FIG. 9). The first to eighth walls 201 to 208 define an internal space including the printing material accommodation unit 200 of the cartridge 20. In the following description, reference numerals 201 to 208 are also used to mean the outer surfaces (first to eighth surfaces 201 to 208) of the wall constituting the outer shell 22 of the cartridge. Outer surfaces (first to eighth surfaces) 201 to 208 of the first to eighth walls are generally flat. A substantially flat surface includes a case where the entire surface is completely flat and a case where a part of the surface is uneven. That is, it includes a case where the surface or wall constituting the outer shell of the cartridge 20 can be grasped even if there is some unevenness on a part of the surface. The outer shapes of the first to eighth surfaces 201 to 208 in plan view are all rectangular.

  Here, the first surface (first wall) 201 is also called a bottom surface (bottom wall), the second surface (second wall) 202 is also called an upper surface (upper wall), and the third surface (third wall) 203 is a front surface. (Front wall), the fourth surface (fourth wall) 204 is also called the back surface (rear wall), the fifth surface (fifth wall) 205 is also called the left side surface (left wall), and the sixth surface (sixth wall). Wall 206 is also referred to as the right side (right wall).

  The first surface 201 and the second surface 202 face each other in the Z-axis direction. The first surface 201 is located on the −Z axis direction side. The second surface 202 is located on the + Z axis direction side. The third surface 203 and the fourth surface 204 oppose each other in the X-axis direction. The third surface 203 is located on the + X axis direction side. The fourth surface 204 is located on the −X axis direction side. The fifth surface 205 and the sixth surface 206 face each other in the Y-axis direction. The fifth surface 205 is located on the + Y axis direction side. The sixth surface 206 is located on the −Y axis direction side.

  In the present embodiment, the first surface 201 located on the −Z-axis direction side is a surface that becomes the bottom surface in the mounted state. The first surface 201 is a horizontal surface in the mounted state. That is, the first surface 201 is a surface (XY plane) parallel to the X axis and the Y axis and perpendicular to the Z axis.

  The second surface 202 located on the + Z-axis direction side is a surface that is an upper surface in the mounted state. The second surface faces the first surface 201. The second surface 202 is a surface parallel to the first surface 201. That is, the second surface 202 is a surface parallel to the X axis and the Y axis and perpendicular to the Z axis. The second surface 202 is a horizontal surface (XY plane) in the mounted state.

  The third surface 203 located on the + X axis direction side is a surface that becomes a side surface in the mounted state. The third surface 203 is a surface that intersects the first surface 201 and the second surface 202 at a right angle. The third surface 203 is a surface (YZ plane) parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis and perpendicular to the X axis. Of the sides of the third surface 203, the side 290 located closest to the −Z-axis direction is also referred to as “first side 290” and the side 291 located closest to the + Z-axis direction is referred to as “second side 291”. Also called. In this specification, the two surfaces “intersect” means that the two surfaces intersect each other and actually intersect each other, the state where the extended surface of one surface intersects the other surface, and the mutually extended surfaces Means a state where the

  The fourth surface 204 located on the −X-axis direction side is a surface that becomes a side surface in the mounted state. The fourth surface 204 is a surface that intersects the first surface 201 and the second surface 202 at a right angle. The fourth surface 204 is a surface parallel to the third surface 203. The fourth surface 204 is a surface (YZ plane) parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis and perpendicular to the X axis.

  The fifth surface 205 located on the + Y-axis direction side and the sixth surface 206 located on the −Y-axis direction side are surfaces that become side surfaces in the mounted state. The fifth surface 205 and the sixth surface 206 are surfaces that intersect the first to fourth surfaces 201 to 204 at right angles, respectively. The fifth surface 205 and the sixth surface 206 are surfaces (XZ plane) parallel to the X axis and the Z axis and perpendicular to the Y axis. The sixth surface 206 is a surface parallel to the fifth surface 205.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the connection surface 209 is a surface that connects the first surface 201 and the third surface 203. The seventh surface 207 of the connection surface 209 is a surface that intersects the first surface 201 at a right angle. The seventh surface 207 is a surface (YZ plane) parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis. The seventh surface 207 as a step surface is a surface erected with respect to the first surface 201. That is, the seventh surface 207 is a surface extending in the + Z-axis direction from the first surface 201. The seventh surface 207 is located on the −X axis direction side and the −Z axis direction side with respect to the eighth surface 208. The eighth surface 208 is a surface connecting the seventh surface 207 and the third surface 203. The eighth surface 208 is a slope inclined toward the direction including the components in the + X axis direction and the −Z axis direction. The eighth surface 208 is a surface inclined with respect to the first surface 201 and the third surface 203. The eighth surface 208 is a surface that intersects the fifth surface 205 and the sixth surface 206 at a right angle. The eighth surface 208 is inclined with respect to the XY plane and the YZ plane, and intersects the XZ plane at a right angle. The eighth surface 208 is provided with a substrate installation portion 208T that protrudes outward from the eighth surface 208.

  From the relationship between the first to sixth surfaces 201 to 206, the following can be said. That is, the direction in which the first and second surfaces 201 and 202 face each other is the Z-axis direction, the direction in which the third and fourth surfaces 203 and 204 face each other is the X-axis direction, and the fifth and sixth surfaces 205, The direction in which 206 faces is the Y-axis direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the circuit board 40 is provided on the board installation portion 208 </ b> T on the eighth surface 208. Similar to the eighth surface 208, the surface 408 of the circuit board 40 is inclined in a direction including components in the + X-axis direction and the −Z-axis direction. The surface 408 is a surface inclined with respect to the first surface 201 and the third surface 203. The surface 408 is a surface that intersects the fifth surface 205 and the sixth surface 206 at a right angle. The surface 408 is inclined with respect to the XY plane and the YZ plane, and intersects the XZ plane at a right angle. That is, the surface 408 can also be referred to as an “inclined surface 408”. The surface 408 is provided with a cartridge-side terminal group 400 that comes into contact with the apparatus-side terminal group provided in the contact mechanism 70 (FIG. 2).

  Here, the seventh surface 207 and the surface 408 constitute a part of the outer surface of the cartridge 20. Further, the seventh surface 207 and the surface 408 are cartridge-side corner portions 265 (also simply referred to as “corner portions 265”) that connect the first surface 201 and the third surface 203 that constitute a part of the outer surface of the cartridge 20. Part of For easy understanding, the corner portion 265 is indicated by a bold line in FIG. Further, the third surface 203 and the corner portion 265 face a first device side wall portion 603 (FIG. 14) of the holder 60 described later in a state where the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60. Therefore, the third surface 203 and the corner portion 265 are also referred to as “first opposed outer wall surfaces”. In addition, the fourth surface 204 faces a second device-side side wall portion 604 (FIG. 15) of the holder 60 described later in the mounted state. Therefore, the fourth surface 204 is also referred to as “second opposed outer wall surface”.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, a boss groove 401 is formed at the end of the circuit board 40 on the + Z axis direction side, and a boss hole 402 is formed at the end of the circuit board 40 on the −Z axis direction side. ing. The circuit board 40 installed in the cartridge 20 is fixed to the eighth surface 208 of the cartridge 20 using the boss groove 401 and the boss hole 402. In the present embodiment, the boss groove 401 and the boss hole 402 are provided at a position where the boss groove 401 and the boss hole 402 intersect with the plane Yc passing through the center of the width (length in the Y-axis direction) of the cartridge 20. In other embodiments, at least one of the boss groove 401 and the boss hole 402 may be omitted from the circuit board 40 and the circuit board 40 may be fixed to the eighth surface 208 using an adhesive, or the eighth surface 208 may be fixed. The circuit board 40 may be fixed using an engaging claw (not shown) provided on the side.

  As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the circuit board 40 includes a cartridge-side terminal group 400 provided on the front surface 408 and a storage device 420 provided on the back surface 409. The front surface 408 and the back surface 409 are flat. Of the flat surface 408, the portion (one side) located closest to the + Z-axis direction side in the state attached to the cartridge 20 is also referred to as a substrate end 405.

  The cartridge side terminal group 400 includes nine terminals 431 to 439. The storage device 420 stores information related to ink in the cartridge 20 (for example, remaining ink amount and ink color) and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the nine cartridge-side terminals 431 to 439 are each formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and are arranged so as to form two rows substantially perpendicular to the mounting direction SD. The substantially vertical row is a row extending in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the cartridge 20. Of the two rows, the back row in the mounting direction SD is called the first terminal row R1 (lower row R1), and the front row in the mounting direction SD is the second terminal row R2 (upper row R2). Also called. That is, the position in the Z-axis direction is different between the first terminal row R1 and the second terminal row R2. Specifically, the first terminal row R1 is located on the −Z axis direction side with respect to the second terminal row R2. A contact portion cp that contacts the contact mechanism 70 is present at the center of each of the terminals 431 to 439. The first and second terminal rows R1 and R2 can be considered to be rows formed by a plurality of contact portions cp.

Each of the terminals 431 to 439 can be called as follows from the function (use). In addition, in order to make the distinction from the terminal on the printer 50 side, which will be described later, the “cartridge side” can be called before each name. For example, the “ground terminal 437” can also be referred to as the “cartridge side ground terminal 437”.
<First terminal row R1>
(1) Mounting detection terminal (first terminal) 435
(2) Power supply terminal 436
(3) Ground terminal 437
(4) Data terminal 438
(5) Mounting detection terminal (second terminal) 439
<Second terminal row R2>
(6) Mounting detection terminal (third terminal) 431
(7) Reset terminal 432
(8) Clock terminal 433
(9) Mounting detection terminal (fourth terminal) 434

  The contact portions cp of the terminals 435 to 439 forming the first terminal row R1 and the contact portions cp of the terminals 431 to 434 forming the second terminal row R2 are arranged alternately. Specifically, the contact portions cp are arranged in a so-called staggered pattern.

  The four mounting detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 detect the quality of electrical contact with the corresponding device side terminals provided in the contact mechanism 70, so that the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60 at the designed mounting position. It is used for detecting by the printer 50 whether or not it is properly attached to the printer. Therefore, the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 can also be referred to as “attachment detection terminal group”. In the present embodiment, the four cartridge-side terminals 431, 434, 435, 439 are electrically connected to each other inside the circuit board 40, and when the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60, the ground terminal 437 is connected. To the ground line (not shown) on the printer 50 side. A detection method using the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 will be described later.

  The other five cartridge side terminals 432, 433, 436, 437, and 438 are terminals for the storage device 420. Therefore, the five terminals 432, 433, 436, 437, 438 can also be referred to as “memory terminal group”.

  The reset terminal 432 receives supply of a reset signal RST to the storage device 420. The clock terminal 433 receives supply of the clock signal SCK to the storage device 420. The power supply terminal 436 receives supply of the power supply voltage VDD (for example, rated 3.3 V) to the storage device 420. The ground terminal 437 receives supply of the ground voltage VSS (0 V) to the storage device 420. The data terminal 438 receives supply of the data signal SDA to the storage device 420.

  The first terminal 435 that is one of the mounting detection terminal groups includes a first outer portion 435P that is located closest to the + Y-axis direction side in the cartridge-side terminal group 400. The second terminal 439 that is one of the mounting detection terminal groups includes a second outer portion 439 </ b> P that is located closest to the −Y-axis direction in the cartridge-side terminal group 400. The third terminal 431 that is one of the mounting detection terminal groups includes a third outer portion 431P that is located closest to the + Y-axis direction in the second terminal row R2. The fourth terminal 434 that is the mounting detection terminal group includes a fourth outer portion 434P that is located closest to the −Y-axis direction in the second terminal row R2.

  Of the contact portions cp of the terminals constituting the cartridge side terminal group 400, the ground terminal 437 having the contact portion cp provided at the center in the Y-axis direction passes through the center of the width of the cartridge 20 (the length in the Y-axis direction). It is provided at a position that intersects the plane Yc. The contact portions cp of the remaining terminals 431 to 436, 438, and 439 are provided at positions that are line symmetric with respect to an intersection line between the plane Yc and the ground terminal 437. The ground terminal 437 is configured to come into contact with the contact mechanism 70 prior to contact with the contact mechanism 70 by the other cartridge side terminals 431 to 436, 438, and 439 when the cartridge 20 is mounted in the holder 60. Yes. As a result, an urging force first applied from the holder 60 to the circuit board 40 is generated at the center of the width of the cartridge 20 in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the biasing force applied to the circuit board 40 is prevented from acting as a force for tilting the cartridge 20 in the Y-axis direction, and the cartridge 20 can be mounted at the designed mounting position. Further, since the ground terminal 437 contacts the contact mechanism 70 of the holder 60 before the other cartridge side terminals 431 to 436, 438, and 439, even when an unintended high voltage is applied to the cartridge 20 side. The grounding function of the ground terminal 437 can reduce problems caused by a high voltage.

  In the present embodiment, the ground terminal 437 is formed longer in the direction along the Z axis than the other cartridge side terminals 431 to 436, 438, and 439. Thereby, the contact between the ground terminal 437 and the contact mechanism 70 of the holder 60 can be performed more reliably. In another embodiment, all the cartridge side terminals 431 to 439 in the circuit board 40 may be formed to have the same size.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, the printing material supply port 280 is provided to protrude from the first surface 201 to the −Z axis direction side. The printing material supply port 280 communicates with the printing material container 200 through the printing material channel 282. The printing material supply port 280 is connected to the printing material supply pipe 640 of the printer 50, and distributes the ink in the printing material container 200 to the head 540. That is, the printing material supply port 280 opens toward the outside, and distributes the ink in the printing material storage unit 200 to the outside.

  The printing material supply port 280 is provided in a portion of the first surface 201 that is closer to the fourth surface 204 than the third surface 203. That is, in the X-axis direction, the distance between the outer surface of the printing material supply port 280 and the third surface 203 is larger than the distance between the outer surface of the printing material supply port 280 and the fourth surface 204.

  The front end of the printing material supply port 280 is open. A surface (opening surface) 288 formed by this opening is a horizontal surface in the mounted state. That is, the opening surface 288 is a surface (XY plane) parallel to the X axis and the Y axis.

  Inside the printing material supply port 280, a foam resin 284 is disposed on the inner side of the opening surface 288 on the + Z axis direction side. Specifically, the foam resin 284 is disposed in contact with the printing material flow path 282. In this embodiment, when the cartridge 20 is shipped from the factory, the opening surface 288 of the printing material supply port 280 is sealed with a sealing member (not shown) such as a cap or a film. When the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60, a sealing member (not shown) that seals the opening surface 288 is removed from the cartridge 20.

  In the present embodiment, the printing material supply port 280 protrudes in the −Z-axis direction with the central axis C of the printing material supply pipe 640 as the center. However, in other embodiments, the center of the printing material supply port 280 is the printing material. The supply pipe 640 may deviate from the central axis C. In the present embodiment, the opening surface 288 of the printing material supply port 280 viewed from the −Z-axis direction has an outline that is line-symmetric with respect to an axis parallel to the X axis and the Y axis, but in other embodiments, An asymmetric outline may also be used. In the present embodiment, the shape of the opening surface 288 viewed from the Z-axis direction is a shape obtained by rounding the corners of a rectangle. There may be.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is provided on the third surface 203. The first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is provided on the + Z axis direction side and the + X axis direction side from the printing material supply port 280 and the circuit board 40. The first cartridge side regulating unit 210 regulates the movement of the cartridge 20 in the mounted state by being locked to the lever 80 (FIG. 2). The first cartridge side restricting portion 210 is a protrusion that protrudes from the third surface 203 in the + X-axis direction (outward). Regarding the position in the Z-axis direction, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is provided closer to the first side 290 than to the second side 291. In the present embodiment, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is adjacent to the first side 290.

  The first cartridge side regulating portion 210 includes a first portion 212 extending in the Y-axis direction (width direction), a second portion 214 extending from the first portion 212 in the + Z-axis direction (vertically upward), A third portion 215 extending in the −Z-axis direction (vertically downward) from the first portion 212. The first portion 212 regulates the movement of the cartridge 20 in the mounted state in cooperation with the lever 80. The second portion 214 is provided to lock the first portion 212 at the correct portion of the lever 80 when the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60.

  The first portion 212 includes a first cartridge side locking surface 211 as a first contact portion and a second cartridge side locking surface 213 as a second contact portion. The first cartridge side locking surface 211 is a surface facing the + Z-axis direction. The second cartridge side locking surface 213 is a surface facing the + X axis direction. The third portion 215 is in contact with the first portion 212 and the first side 290.

  The cartridge 20 further includes a second cartridge side regulating portion 220 provided on the fourth surface 204, a protruding portion 260 provided on the third surface 203, and a third cartridge side provided on the seventh surface 207. And a restriction unit 250.

  The second cartridge side restricting portion 220 is a protrusion provided so as to protrude from the fourth surface 204 to the −X axis direction side. The second cartridge side regulating portion 220 is inserted into the second device side regulating portion 620 (FIG. 3) which is a through hole of the holder 60. When the user attaches / detaches the cartridge 20 to / from the holder 60, the cartridge 20 is rotated about the vicinity of the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 inserted into the second device side regulating portion 620 (FIG. 3). Let That is, the second device-side regulating unit 620 functions as a guide when the cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the holder 60. Thereby, the cartridge 20 can be easily attached to and detached from the holder 60. Further, in the mounted state of the cartridge 20, the second cartridge side regulating unit 220 is locked to the second device side regulating unit 620 and regulates the movement of the cartridge 20 in the mounted state. The second cartridge side regulating portion 220 is provided on the + Z axis direction side and the −X axis direction side from the printing material supply port 280 and the circuit board 40.

  Further, the protruding portion 260 is provided on the third surface 203 at a position on the + Z-axis direction side with respect to the first cartridge side regulating portion 210. In the present embodiment, the protruding portion 260 is provided in a portion of the third surface 203 that is located on the most + Z-axis direction side (uppermost side) including the second side 291.

  The third cartridge side regulating portion 250 is a pair of projecting members (regulating walls) projecting in the + X axis direction from both sides of the seventh surface 207 in the Y axis direction. The pair of projecting members 250 receives the projecting portion 636 (FIG. 2) therebetween, thereby restricting the movement of the cartridge 20 in the Y-axis direction in the mounted state in cooperation with the projecting portion 636.

  FIG. 11 is a rear view of the cartridge 20. The details of the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 will be described with reference to FIG. The second cartridge side restricting portion 220 includes a first restricting / engaging surface 222 as a first restricting / engaging portion, an inclined surface 224, a first restricting side surface 226, and a second restricting side surface 228. Have.

  The first restriction locking surface 222 is a surface facing the + Z-axis direction and is a horizontal surface in the mounted state. When the cartridge 20 is rotated and removed from the holder 60, the first restriction locking surface 222 comes into contact with the second device side restriction portion 620 (FIG. 3) to form a rotation fulcrum.

  Further, the first restriction locking surface 222 is locked to the second device side restriction portion 620 in the mounted state, thereby restricting the movement of the cartridge 20 in the + Z-axis direction in the mounted state. The first restricting / locking surface 222 is provided at a position crossing the plane Yc passing through the center of the width (length in the Y-axis direction) of the cartridge 20 and perpendicular to the plane Yc. As shown in FIG. 5, in the mounted state of the cartridge 20, the cartridge 20 receives urging forces Ps and Pt including components in the + Z axis direction from the holder 60. Then, the first restriction locking surface 222 is pressed against the second device side restriction portion 620 by such urging forces Ps and Pt. At this time, the second device-side restricting portion 620 contacts the first restricting / engaging surface 222 in parallel with the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the possibility that the cartridge 20 tilts around the X axis in the mounted state can be reduced.

  The inclined surface 224 is connected to the first restriction locking surface 222 and is inclined toward a direction including components in the + Z-axis direction and the −X-axis direction. Accordingly, when the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60, the first restriction locking surface 222 can be smoothly guided to the second device side restriction portion 620.

  The first restriction side surface 226 forms the side surface of the second cartridge side restriction portion 220 on the −Y axis direction side. The second restriction side surface 228 forms the side surface of the second cartridge side restriction portion 220 on the + Y axis direction side. The first regulating side surface 226 is a plane facing the −Y axis direction. The second restriction side surface 228 is a plane facing the + Y axis direction. The first and second regulating side surfaces 226 and 228 are planes parallel to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, respectively. The first and second restricting side surfaces 226 and 228 restrict the movement of the cartridge 20 in the Y-axis direction by interfering with the second device side restricting portion 620 in the mounted state of the cartridge 20.

  FIG. 12 is a front view of the cartridge 20. The first cartridge side restricting portion 210 will be further described with reference to FIG. The first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is provided at a position crossing the plane Yc. Further, the first cartridge side locking surface 211 is provided at a position crossing the plane Yc and perpendicular to the plane Yc.

  The first cartridge-side locking surface 211 has the first outer portion 435P and the second portion in the Y-axis direction (width direction) (when the cartridge 20 is viewed from the third surface 203 side in the −X-axis direction). It is located inside the range 40Y without being located outside the range 40Y between the outer portions 439P. In the present embodiment, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 including the first cartridge side locking surface 211 is positioned inside the range 40Y without being positioned outside the range 40Y. That is, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is located inside a region sandwiched between the first imaginary line 435PL including the first outer portion 435P and the second imaginary line 439PL including the second outer portion 439P. The first virtual line 435PL and the second virtual line 439PL are straight lines extending along the Z-axis direction, respectively.

  FIG. 13 is a left side view of the cartridge 20. The positional relationship of each member of the cartridge 20 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, a portion where the third surface 203 and the inclined surface 408 intersect is referred to as an intersecting portion 295. The intersecting portion 295 is a line parallel to the Y-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the intersecting portion 295 is located on a surface obtained by extending the third surface 203 to the −Z axis direction side. That is, the intersecting portion 295 is located on the −Z axis direction side with respect to the third surface 203. In addition, a midpoint of the length in the Z-axis direction of the third surface 203 is set as a midpoint 203P.

  The first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is close to the intersecting portion 295. From another viewpoint, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is close to the substrate end portion 405. As a result, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 can be brought closer to the cartridge side terminal group 400. That is, it is preferable that the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is provided on the third surface 203 in the first side 290 side relative to the second side 291, that is, in the range from the middle point 203 </ b> P to the first side 290. In particular, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is preferably provided at a position that is biased toward the first side 290 side.

  Of the first cartridge side restricting portion 210, a portion that is particularly effective for restricting the position of the cartridge side terminal group 400 is the first cartridge side engaging surface 211. Therefore, it is preferable that the first cartridge side locking surface 211 be as close as possible to the cartridge side terminal group 400. If the third portion 215 of the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 is omitted and the first portion 212 is disposed in contact with the first side 290, the first cartridge side locking surface 211 is made to intersect with the intersecting portion 295 or It can be brought closer to the substrate end 405.

  FIG. 13 shows a range 250X in the X-axis direction of the third cartridge side restricting portion 250 and a range 408X in the X-axis direction of the inclined surface 408. As can be understood from this figure, in the X-axis direction (when the cartridge is viewed from the first surface 201 side toward the + Z-axis direction), a part of the third cartridge side regulating portion 250 overlaps the inclined surface 408.

A-4. Detailed configuration of holder 60:
A-4-1. Overall configuration of holder 60:
14 and 15 are perspective views showing the configuration of the holder 60. FIG. FIG. 16 is a top view showing the configuration of the holder 60. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F16-F16 in FIG. In FIG. 17, the protrusion 636 shown in FIGS. 14 to 16 is not shown.

  As described above, the holder 60 of the printer 50 includes the five wall portions 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606 as wall surfaces that define the concave cartridge housing chamber 602 that receives the cartridge 20. The five wall portions 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606 are collectively referred to as “accommodating chamber forming wall portion 600”. In the present embodiment, the five wall portions 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606 are formed of resin plate-like members. In the present embodiment, the five wall portions 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606 are formed of a synthetic resin. In the present embodiment, the five wall portions 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606 are formed using modified polyphenylene ether (m-PPE).

  The wall portion 601 defines the bottom surface of the concave cartridge housing chamber 602. Each of the wall portions 603, 604, 605, and 606 defines a side surface of the concave cartridge housing chamber 602. The wall portion 601 is also referred to as “device-side bottom wall portion 601”. The wall portion 603 is also referred to as “first device side wall portion 603”. The wall portion 604 is also referred to as “second device side wall portion 604”. The wall portion 605 is also referred to as “third device side wall portion 605”. The wall portion 606 is also referred to as a “fourth device side wall portion 606”.

  A contact mechanism 70 including a printing material supply pipe 640 and a device-type terminal group is arranged on the wall portion 601 along the X-axis direction. The printing material supply pipe 604 is provided on the wall portion 604 side, and the contact mechanism 70 is provided on the wall portion 603 side. The printing material supply pipe 640 is provided closer to the wall 604 than the wall 603. The contact mechanism 70 is installed closer to the wall 603 than the printing material supply pipe 640.

  An elastic member 648 is provided in the wall portion 601 around the printing material supply pipe 640. As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic member 648 seals the periphery of the printing material supply port 280 of the cartridge 20 in a state where the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60, thereby causing ink from the printing material supply port 280 to the surroundings. Prevent leakage. The elastic member 648 generates an urging force Ps in a direction in which the printing material supply port 280 of the cartridge 20 is pushed back (+ Z-axis direction) in a state where the cartridge 20 is mounted in the holder 60.

  As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the side (upper surface side) facing the wall portion 601 across the cartridge housing chamber 602 is an opening OP. When the cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the holder 60, the cartridge 20 passes through the opening OP.

  The wall portion 603 is erected on the + X axis direction side of the wall portion 601. In the present embodiment, the outer wall 603W is provided on the most + X axis direction side of the wall portion 603. The outer wall 603W constitutes the front surface of the holder 60 when the printer 50 is in use. The outer wall 603W extends along the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) of the cartridges 20 when the plurality of cartridges 20 are mounted. The wall portion 603 is provided with a lever 80 that is used for attaching and detaching the cartridge 20. The lever 80 is rotatably fixed to the wall portion 603 via the holding member 690. In other words, the lever 80 is fixed to the holding member 690 constituting a part of the wall portion 603. The rotation axis of the lever 80 is parallel to the Y-axis direction.

  The holding member 690 is provided at a corner portion (apparatus side corner portion) 600C (FIG. 17) that intersects the side wall portion 603 and the bottom wall portion 601.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an operation unit 830 is provided at the end of the lever 80 on the + Z-axis direction side. When the user presses the operation unit 830 from the + X-axis direction side toward the −X-axis direction side (that is, the operation force Pr by the user is applied to the operation unit 830), the lever 80 moves the rotation axis. It rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the + Y-axis direction as the center. As a result, the lever 80 rotates on a plane (XZ plane) parallel to the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.

  The lever 80 is separate from the storage chamber forming wall portions 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606. The lever 80 is made of synthetic resin. In this embodiment, it is formed using polyacetal (POM). The lever 80 has sufficient rigidity to lock the cartridge 20. For example, it is preferable that the lever 80 has a rigidity that hardly deforms depending on the force (for example, 14.4 N) that the lever 80 receives from the cartridge 20 in the mounted state. For example, when an external force of 14.4 N is applied from the cartridge 20, the deformation is preferably about 0.5 mm or less. Moreover, it is preferable that the lever 80 does not have a part which has elastic deformation. Accordingly, the possibility that the lever 80 is greatly deformed by the force received from the cartridge 20 in the mounted state of the cartridge 20 can be reduced, and the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group 400 and the device side terminal group of the contact mechanism 70 can be established. It can be achieved stably. Thus, by making the lever 80 a separate body from the housing chamber forming wall portions 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606, the degree of freedom in selecting the material forming the lever 80 can be improved.

  Returning to FIGS. The wall portion 604 is erected on the −X axis direction side of the wall portion 601. The wall portion 604 faces the wall portion 603 with the cartridge housing chamber 602 interposed therebetween. In the present embodiment, the wall portion 604 constitutes the back surface of the holder 60 when the printer 50 is in use. The wall portion 604 extends along the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) of the cartridges 20 when the plurality of cartridges 20 are mounted. The wall 604 is provided with a second device-side regulating unit 620. The second device side restricting portion 620 is a through hole penetrating in the X-axis direction (FIG. 17). Note that the second device-side regulating portion 620 may be a concave portion that opens toward the cartridge housing chamber 602.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the second device-side restricting portion 620 is provided so as to be engageable with the second cartridge-side restricting portion 220. The second device-side regulating unit 620 functions as a guide when the cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the holder 60. In addition, the second device-side restricting portion 620 locks the second cartridge-side restricting portion 220 in a state where the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60. Specifically, the second apparatus-side restricting portion 620 is a second cartridge-side restricting portion at a second locking position 620L located on the + Z-axis direction side and the −X-axis direction side with respect to the printing material supply pipe 640. 220 is locked. In the present embodiment, the second device-side restricting portion 620 is a through hole having a size capable of receiving the second cartridge-side restricting portion 220 and has a device-side locking surface 622. The device-side locking surface 622 is a plane facing the −Z-axis direction, and locks the first restriction locking surface 222 (FIG. 11) of the second cartridge-side restriction portion 220. An end 624 on the + X-axis direction side of the apparatus-side locking surface 622 is a rotation fulcrum when removing the cartridge 20 by contacting the second cartridge-side regulating portion 220 when removing the cartridge 20 from the holder 60. Become.

  As shown in FIG. 17, a space 670 is provided on the second device side side wall portion 604 of the holder 60 on the + Z axis direction side of the second device side regulating portion 620. The space portion 670 forms a space for rotating the cartridge 20 around the second device side regulating portion 620 when the cartridge 20 is attached to or detached from the holder 60. In the present embodiment, the space portion 670 is a stepped portion in which the second device-side side wall portion 604 is lowered stepwise in the −X axis direction toward the + Z axis direction. In another embodiment, the space portion 670 may be an inclined surface in which the wall portion 604 is continuously lowered in the −X axis direction toward the + Z axis direction.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 14 to 16, the wall portion 605 is erected on the −Y axis direction side of the wall portion 601. In the present embodiment, the wall portion 605 forms the right side surface of the holder 60 when the printer 50 is in use. The wall portion 605 is connected to the wall portions 603 and 604. The wall portion 605 extends along the X-axis direction and intersects the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) of the cartridges 20.

  The wall portion 606 is erected on the + Y axis direction side of the wall portion 601. The wall portion 606 is opposed to the wall portion 605 with the cartridge storage chamber 602 interposed therebetween. In the present embodiment, the wall portion 606 forms the left side surface of the holder 60 when the printer 50 is in use. The wall portion 606 is connected to the wall portions 603 and 604. The wall portion 606 extends along the X-axis direction and intersects the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) of the cartridges 20.

  The following can be said from the relationship between the wall portions 601, 603 to 606. That is, the direction perpendicular to the wall portion 601 is the Z-axis direction, the direction in which the wall portion 603 and the wall portion 604 face each other is the X-axis direction, and the direction in which the wall portion 605 and the wall portion 606 face each other is the Y-axis direction. Direction. It can also be said that the direction in which the wall portion 601 and the opening OP face each other is the Z-axis direction.

  Further, a contact mechanism 70 is provided at a corner portion 600 </ b> C where the wall portion 601 and the wall portion 603 of the holder 60 intersect. The contact mechanism 70 is installed closer to the wall 603 than the printing material supply pipe 640. The contact mechanism 70 includes a plurality of device-side terminals that are in contact with the terminals 431 to 439 (FIG. 10) of the cartridge-side terminal group 400, and a terminal block that holds the plurality of device-side terminals.

A-4-2. Detailed configuration of the contact mechanism 70:
FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the contact mechanism 70. FIG. 18 illustrates the contact mechanism 70 in a state of being removed from the holder 60.

  The contact mechanism 70 includes a terminal block 709 and device-side terminals 731 to 739 held by the terminal block 709. The device side terminals 731 to 739 are elastic members having electrical conductivity, and the protruding portion from the device side inclined surface 708 is displaced by receiving an external force. The device side terminals 731 to 739 are elastic members having electrical conductivity. The device-side terminals 731 to 739 generate an urging force Pt in a direction in which the circuit board 40 of the cartridge 20 is pushed back (a direction including components in the + Z-axis direction and the −X-axis direction) with the cartridge 20 mounted in the holder 60. Let That is, the device-side terminals 731 to 739 protruding from the device-side inclined surface 708 by the cartridge 20 are pushed into the device-side inclined surface 708 side, and the urging force Pt is generated by the reaction force.

  The nine device-side terminals 731 to 739 are provided at positions corresponding to the nine cartridge-side terminals 431 to 439, respectively. Therefore, the device-side terminal 731 is also referred to as “mounting detection terminal (third terminal) 731”. The device side terminal 732 is also referred to as a “reset terminal 732”. The device side terminal 733 is also referred to as a “clock terminal 733”. The device-side terminal 734 is also referred to as “mounting detection terminal (fourth terminal) 734”. The device-side terminal 735 is also referred to as “mounting detection terminal (first terminal) 735”. The device side terminal 736 is also referred to as a “power supply terminal 736”. The device side terminal 737 is also referred to as a “ground terminal 737”. The device-side terminal 739 is also referred to as “mounting detection terminal (second terminal) 739”. Furthermore, in order to clarify the distinction from the terminal on the cartridge side, the above-mentioned names can be referred to with “device side” attached. For example, the “ground terminal 737” can also be referred to as the “device-side ground terminal 737”. The nine device side terminals 731 to 739 constitute a device side terminal group 700.

  The nine device-side terminals 731 to 739 constitute a first device-side terminal row and a second device-side terminal row having different positions in the Z-axis direction. The first device side terminal row includes five device side terminals 735 to 739. The second device side terminal row includes four device side terminals 731 to 734. The first device-side terminal row is located on the −Z-axis direction side with respect to the second device-side terminal row. Note that the number of device-side terminals is not limited to nine, and can be changed to any number according to the configuration of the circuit board 40, and may be nine or less, or nine or more. May be.

Of the nine device-side terminals 731 to 739, the device-side ground terminal 737 located at the center in the Y-axis direction is electrically connected to a ground line (not shown). The height at which the device-side ground terminal 727 protrudes from the device-side inclined surface 708 is higher than the other device-side terminals 731 to 736, 738, and 739. As a result, the device-side ground terminal 737 contacts the circuit board 40 of the cartridge 20 before the other device-side terminals 731 to 736, 738, and 739.
In the present embodiment, the apparatus side terminals 731 to 739 are held on the terminal block 709 and the contact mechanism 70 is assembled in the holder 60 in a unitized state so that the printer can be easily assembled. However, unitization of the contact mechanism 70 by the terminal block 709 is not essential. A structure in which the device side terminals 731 to 739 can be incorporated into the bottom wall portion 601 and the outer wall 603W of the holder may be integrally formed, and the device side terminals 731 to 739 may be incorporated therein. That is, the terminal block 709 is not essential.

A-4-3. Detailed configuration of lever 80:
FIG. 19 is an external perspective view of the lever 80. FIG. 20 is a cross section obtained by cutting the shaft portion 850 along a plane parallel to the X axis and the Z axis (XZ plane, plane perpendicular to the Y axis). FIG. 21 is a cross section cut through a plane parallel to the X axis and the Z axis (XZ plane, plane perpendicular to the Y axis) through the central portion of the lever 80 in the width direction (Y axis direction). FIG. 21 shows a cross-sectional state of the lever 80 in a state where the cartridge 20 is correctly mounted on the holder 60 at the designed mounting position.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 21, the lever 80 includes an operation unit 830, a pair of shaft portions 850, a guide unit 820, and a first device-side regulating unit 810. The lever 80 has an operation unit 830 at one end (the end in the + Z-axis direction) and a first device-side regulating unit 810 at the other end (at the end in the −Z-axis direction). In addition, the lever 80 has a rotation shaft 800 c between the operation unit 830 and the apparatus side regulating unit 810. That is, the lever 80 rotates around the position between the operation unit 830 and the apparatus side regulating unit 810 as the axis 800c.

  The operation unit 830 is a part of the lever 80 where an external force is applied by the user. As shown in FIG. 21, the operation unit 830 is provided at the end of the lever 80 in the + Z-axis direction. In addition, the operation unit 830 is located on the + Z-axis direction side of the rotation shaft 800c in a state where the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60. In addition, the operation unit 830 is located on the + Z-axis direction side of the first device side wall portion 603 (FIG. 15) of the holder 60.

  The operation unit 830 includes an operation surface 835 and an operation unit facing surface 831. The operation surface 835 is a surface on which an external force (symbol Pr in FIG. 5) is applied from the + X-axis direction side to the −X-axis direction side by the user when the cartridge 20 is removed from the holder 60. The operation unit facing surface 831 is a surface facing the cartridge 20 in a state where the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60.

  As shown in FIG. 19, a pair of shaft portions 850 is provided at a substantially intermediate position between both ends of the lever 80. The pair of shaft portions 850 form a rotation shaft 800 c of the lever 80. The rotation shaft 800c is parallel to the Y-axis direction (the arrangement direction of the cartridges 20). One shaft portion 850 a (also referred to as “first shaft portion 850 a”) of the pair of shaft portions 850 protrudes from the outer surface 893 of the lever 80 on the + Y axis direction side in the + Y axis direction. The other shaft portion 850b (also referred to as “second shaft portion 850b”) of the pair of shaft portions 850 protrudes from the outer surface 891 of the lever 80 on the −Y axis direction side in the −Y axis direction. ing. Here, the outer surfaces 891, 893 can also be referred to as side surfaces 891, 893. Since the lever 80 includes the pair of shaft portions 850, the rotation shaft 800c can be easily formed using a holding member described later.

  In the present embodiment, the pair of shaft portions 850 includes an inner arc surface 852, an outer arc surface 854, and radial side surfaces 856 and 858. Each surface 852, 854, 856, 858 constitutes a surface in the circumferential direction of the shaft portion 850. Here, the inner circular arc surface 852 is also referred to as “first curved surface 852”, and the outer circular arc surface 854 is also referred to as “second curved surface 854”. The center of the inner circular arc surface 852 and the outer circular arc surface 854 is the rotation axis 800c. The inner circular arc surface 852 is located closer to the second apparatus side side wall portion 604 (−X axis direction side) than the outer circular arc surface 854.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the inner circular arc surface 852 forms an arc having a radius R1a with the rotation axis 800c as the center in a cross section parallel to the X axis and the Z axis. The outer arc surface 854 forms an arc having a radius R2a around the rotation axis 800c in a cross section parallel to the X axis and the Z axis. The radius R1a is smaller than the radius R2a. As described above, the shaft portion 850 includes the outer arc surface 854 and the inner arc surface 852 positioned closer to the second apparatus side wall portion 604 than the outer arc surface 854 as the surfaces constituting the circumferential direction. And have. Accordingly, the rotating shaft 800c can be positioned closer to the portion where the cartridge 20 is located in the cartridge housing chamber 602 without causing interference with the cartridge 20. Accordingly, the cartridge 20 can be locked by the first device-side regulating portion 810 while suppressing the deviation from the first locking position 810L. That is, when the rotary shaft 800c is at a position away from the cartridge 20, and the lever 80 is deviated from the posture of the lever 80 when the cartridge 20 is correctly mounted at the designed mounting position, the first device-side regulating portion 810 is displaced more greatly in the Z-axis direction. On the other hand, by positioning the rotary shaft 800c closer to the cartridge 20, even if the lever 80 deviates from the posture of the lever 80 when the cartridge 20 is correctly mounted at the designed mounting position, the first The amount of displacement in the Z-axis direction of the apparatus-side regulating unit 810 can be reduced. Therefore, the cartridge 20 can be locked while further reducing the deviation from the first locking position 810L. In addition, by making the radius R2a of the outer arc surface 854 larger than the radius R1a of the inner arc surface 852, a decrease in strength of the shaft portion 850 can be suppressed. The “predetermined locking position (first locking position) 810L” refers to the first device-side locking surface 811 (when the cartridge 20 is mounted at a mounting position set as an ideal position in design. A contact position between the first device-side restricting portion 810 and the first cartridge-side locking surface 211 (the first contact portion of the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210).

  The first apparatus-side regulating unit 810 is a part that locks the cartridge 20 in the mounted state and regulates the movement of the cartridge 20. As shown in FIG. 21, the first device-side regulating portion 810 is provided at the end of the lever 80 in the −Z axis direction. Further, the first device-side restricting portion 810 is located on the −Z axis direction side with respect to the rotation shaft 800 c in a state where the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the first device-side regulating unit 810 locks the first cartridge-side regulating unit 210 (see FIG. 5) with two parts. In other words, the first device side restricting portion 810 includes a first device side locking surface 811 as a first portion (first device side restricting portion), a groove portion 815, and a second portion (second portion). A second device-side locking surface 813 as a device-side restricting portion). In the present embodiment, the two device-side locking surfaces 811 and 813 of the first device-side restricting portion 810 are in a positional relationship where they intersect each other.

  The first device-side locking surface 811 is a curved surface that forms an arc centered on the rotation shaft 800c. That is, the first device-side locking surface 811 has an arc shape centered on the rotation axis 800c in a cross section parallel to the X axis and the Z axis (a cross section parallel to the XZ plane and a cross section perpendicular to the Y axis). . As a result, when the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60, the cartridge 20 can be locked by smoothly moving the first device side locking surface 811 to the predetermined locking position 810L. Further, when removing the cartridge 20 from the holder 60, the locking of the cartridge 20 by the first device side locking surface 811 can be smoothly released. That is, the operation when the cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the holder 60 can be performed smoothly.

  Further, the first device-side locking surface 811 is located close to the rotation shaft 800c in the X-axis direction when it is positioned at a predetermined locking position (first locking position) 810L. In other words, in the present embodiment, the first device-side locking surface 811 is positioned in the vicinity immediately below the rotating shaft 800c when positioned at a predetermined locking position (first locking position) 810L. Specifically, the first device-side locking surface 811 is positioned slightly on the −X axis direction side of the rotation shaft 800c when positioned at a predetermined locking position (first locking position) 810L. Thus, at the predetermined locking position 810L, the first device-side locking surface 811 is nearly perpendicular to the force in the + Z-axis direction that the cartridge 20 receives from the device-side terminal group 700 and the elastic member 648 in the mounted state. Surfaces that meet at an angle can be formed. In the present embodiment, at a predetermined locking position, a flat surface that is in contact with the first device-side locking surface 811 that is a curved surface is substantially horizontal. As a result, the possibility that the first cartridge side locking surface 211 and the first device side locking surface 811 of the cartridge 20 in the mounted state are unlocked can be reduced. From another point of view, the following can be said. That is, regarding the position in the X-axis direction, the first locking position 810L is preferably in the −X-axis direction and closer to the rotation shaft 800c than the rotation shaft 800c. Thereby, the plane in contact with the first device side locking surface 811 can be made substantially horizontal, and a force in the + X-axis direction is applied from the cartridge 20 to the first device side locking surface 811 in the mounted state. Can be prevented. Further, by bringing the first locking position 810L close to the rotation shaft 800c in the X-axis direction, the actual locking position between the first cartridge-side locking surface 211 and the first device-side locking surface 811 can be determined. Even when the position slightly deviates from the first locking position 810L, the shift of the locking position in the Z-axis direction can be suppressed. That is, the displacement of the cartridge 20 with respect to the holder 60 in the Z-axis direction can be suppressed, and electrical connection between the cartridge-side terminal group 400 and the apparatus-side terminal group 700 can be favorably achieved. For example, the first locking position 810L includes a straight line parallel to the Z-axis direction passing through the rotation shaft 800c, the rotation shaft 800c, and the first locking position in a cross section obtained by cutting the lever 80 along a plane parallel to the X axis and the Z axis. The angle A formed by the straight line connecting the position 810L is preferably 15 ° or less, more preferably 10 ° or less, and even more preferably 5 ° or less. The angle A is preferably 1 ° or more.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the guide portion 820 is formed between the operation portion 830 and the first device side regulating portion 810 from the end in the + Z-axis direction to the end in the −Z-axis direction. . When the cartridge 20 is mounted in the holder 60, the guide unit 820 restricts the movement of the cartridge 20 in the Y-axis direction while moving the first cartridge side regulating unit 210 (FIG. 12) to the first device side regulating unit 810. Lead. Accordingly, the cartridge 20 can be easily mounted at the designed correct mounting position using the guide portion 820.

  The guide portion 820 is a recess formed by a guide bottom wall surface 821 formed along the Y-axis direction and a pair of guide wall portions 860 erected from the guide bottom wall surface 821 in the −X-axis direction. The guide bottom wall surface 821 and the pair of guide wall portions 860 can easily form a recess that receives the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 that is a protrusion. The pair of guide wall portions 860 includes a first guide wall portion 860a provided on the + Y axis direction side and a second guide wall portion 860b provided on the −Y axis direction side. A shaft portion 850a is provided on the outer surface 893 of the first guide wall portion 860a, and a shaft portion 850b is provided on the outer surface 891 of the second guide wall portion 860b.

  The distance between the guide wall portions 860a and 860b (the distance between the inner surface of the wall portion 860a and the wall portion 860b) is smaller than the length of the cartridge 20 in the Y-axis direction, and the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 (FIG. 12). It is larger than the length in the Y-axis direction. When mounting the cartridge 20 in the holder 60, the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 is received in the guide portion 820, and the movement of the cartridge 20 in the Y-axis direction is restricted by the pair of guide wall portions 860a and 860b. Further, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 can be easily and surely guided to the first device side regulating portion 810 while regulating the movement of the cartridge 20 in the Z-axis direction by the guide bottom wall surface 821.

  A groove 870 for receiving the second portion 214 (FIG. 12) of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is provided on the first apparatus side regulating portion 810 side of the guide bottom wall surface 821. The groove portion 870 has a shape that is recessed in the + X-axis direction from the guide bottom wall surface 821. Further, the groove portion 870 is formed from the middle portion of the guide bottom wall surface 821 of the guide bottom wall surface 821 in the + Z axis direction to the end portion in the −Z axis direction.

  Further, the lever 80 is configured so that the first device-side locking surface 811 can move to the first locking position 810 </ b> L by its own weight when provided on the holder 60. That is, when the shaft portion 850 is held by the holding member 690, the lever 80 is inclined so that the first device-side locking surface 811 is on the −X-axis direction side with respect to the rotation shaft 800c (see FIG. 21). This state can be realized, for example, by positioning the center of gravity of the lever 80 on the −Z axis direction side and the −X axis direction side with respect to the rotation shaft 800c. For example, it can be realized by positioning the center of gravity of the lever 80 on the + Z-axis direction side and the + X-axis direction side of the rotation shaft 800c.

A-4-4. Detailed configuration of the holding member 690:
FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view of the holding member 690 and a perspective view of the lever 80. The lever 80 is rotatably attached to the holder 60 by being held by the holding member 690. FIG. 22 shows a partial configuration for holding one lever 80 instead of the entire holding member 690. The holding member 690 is configured by a combination of a first holding member 650 and a second holding member 680. The holding member 690 is made of synthetic resin. In the present embodiment, the holding member 690 is formed using ABS resin.

  The first holding member 650 includes a pair of standing portions 651 and a through hole 658. In the present embodiment, the holding member 650 is formed with a protrusion 636 serving as a third device-side regulating portion.

  The pair of upright portions 651 of the first holding member 650 are provided upright with an interval that can receive the lever 80 therebetween. Bearing portions 654 that can receive the shaft portion 850 of the lever 80 are respectively formed on the pair of standing portions 651. In the present embodiment, an engagement hole 656 that engages with the second holding member 680 is formed in each of the pair of standing portions 651.

  The second holding member 680 includes a pair of standing portions 681 and a through hole 688. In the present embodiment, an elastic member 682 is formed on the second holding member 680.

  The pair of standing portions 681 of the second holding member 680 are erected at the same interval as the pair of standing portions 651 of the first holding member 650. Each of the pair of standing portions 681 is formed with a sealing surface 684 that seals the bearing portion 654 so that the shaft portion 850 of the lever 80 does not come off from the bearing portion 654. In the present embodiment, the pair of standing portions 681 are respectively formed with engaging convex portions 686 that engage with the engaging holes 656 of the first holding member 650.

  When the lever 80 is assembled to the holder 60, the shafts 850 of the lever 80 are fitted into the bearings 654 of the pair of standing portions 651 of the first holding member 650, respectively. Installed between the standing portions 651. Thereafter, the holding members 650 and 680 are engaged with each other, whereby each bearing portion 654 in which the shaft portion 850 of the lever 80 is fitted is sealed with each sealing surface 684 of the holding member 680. Thereafter, the holding members 650 and 680 are fixed to the wall of the holder 60 with screws or the like using the through holes 658 and 688, so that the lever 80 can be rotatably assembled to the holder 60.

  FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure in the vicinity of the lever 80 in a state where the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60. With reference to this figure, the relationship between the shaft portion 852 of the lever 80 and the bearing portion 654 of the holding member will be described. FIG. 23 illustrates a cross section of the lever 80 that locks the cartridge 20 taken along a plane that passes through the apparatus-side locking surface 811 and is parallel to the X axis and the Z axis. In FIG. 23, the shape in which the shaft portion 850 of the lever 80 is projected is indicated by a broken line, and the shape in which the bearing portion 654 and the sealing surface 684 are projected is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  As can be seen from this figure, when the inner circular arc surface 852 and the outer circular arc surface 854 of the shaft portion 850 contact the bearing portion 654, the rotation shaft 800c of the lever 80 is positioned. When the lever 80 continues to rotate counterclockwise as viewed from the + Y axis direction, the radial side surface 856 of the shaft portion 850 contacts the bearing portion 654, so that the lever 80 rotates counterclockwise as viewed from the + Y axis direction. Is limited. When the lever 80 continues to rotate clockwise as viewed from the + Y-axis direction, the radial side surface 858 of the shaft portion 850 contacts the sealing surface 684, thereby restricting the rotation of the lever 80 clockwise as viewed from the + Y-axis direction. Is done. As a result, the lever 80 can be stably rotated, and the cartridge 20 can be held in a stable state at the designed mounting position.

  When the lever 80 rotates, the elastic member 682 abuts on the locking back surface portion 880 located on the −Z-axis direction side of the rotation shaft 800 c of the lever 80. As a result, the elastic member 682 restricts the rotation area of the lever 80 when the cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the holder 60. Further, when the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60, the elastic member 682 abuts on the locking back surface portion 880 of the lever 80 and elastically deforms, thereby causing the back surface portion 880 to move in a direction including a component in the −X axis direction. Press. Accordingly, the first device side regulating portion 810 of the lever 80 can be moved more reliably to a predetermined locking position (first locking position) 810L.

A-5. Attachment / detachment operation of the cartridge 20 with respect to the holder 60:
24 to 27 are explanatory diagrams illustrating an operation (mounting operation) when the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60. 24 to 27 are cross-sectional views corresponding to FIGS. 5 and 17. It is a time series in the order of FIGS.

  When the cartridge 20 is mounted in the holder 60, the cartridge 20 is inserted from the upper surface of the holder 60 as shown in FIG. Then, the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 is inserted into the second apparatus side regulating portion 620 while moving the cartridge 20 from the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 side to the inside of the holder 60 in the −Z axis direction. . In the state shown in FIG. 24, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 of the cartridge 20 is located on the + Z-axis direction side of the first device side regulating portion 810 in the lever 80 on the holder 60 side.

  Next, from the state shown in FIG. 24, the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 inserted into the second apparatus side regulating portion 620 is used as a rotation fulcrum, as viewed clockwise from the + Y-axis direction, that is, the third The cartridge 20 is rotated so that the wall 203 side is pushed toward the bottom wall portion 601 of the holder 60. Then, as shown in FIG. 25, the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 has a guide portion 820 of the lever 80, that is, a pair of guide wall portions 860a and 860b and a guide bottom wall surface 821 shown in FIG. Further, the movement in the −Z axis direction is performed while the movement in the X axis direction is limited.

  Further, when the cartridge 20 is rotated so as to push the third wall 203 side of the cartridge 20 from the state shown in FIG. 25, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is further pushed to the −Z axis direction side. Then, as shown in FIG. 26, the lever 80 is pushed in the −X-axis direction by the first cartridge-side regulating portion 210 and rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the + Y-axis direction. At that time, the lever 80 abuts against the elastic member 682 and receives a biasing force from the elastic member 682 in a direction in which the lever 80 is pushed back clockwise as viewed from the + Y-axis direction. This urging force is an external force including a component in the −X axis direction. That is, the rotation area of the lever 80 is limited by the elastic member 682. The state in which the lever 80 abuts against the elastic member 682 is maintained from the state shown in FIG. 26 until the cartridge 20 is further pushed in until the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 gets over the guide portion 820 of the lever 80. Is done.

  Further, when the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 gets over the guide portion 820 of the lever 80 by rotating the cartridge 20 so as to push in the third wall 203 side from the state shown in FIG. 26, as shown in FIG. The lever 80 rotates so that the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 moves to the −X axis direction side. As a result, the first device-side regulating portion 810 moves to the first locking position 810L and locks the first cartridge-side regulating portion 210. Specifically, as shown in the enlarged view at the lower right, the first device-side locking surface 811 (first portion) of the first device-side restricting portion 810 and the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 The movement of the cartridge 20 in the + Z-axis direction is restricted by the contact with the first cartridge-side locking surface 211 (first contact portion). More specifically, the second device-side locking surface 813 (second portion) of the first device-side regulating portion 810 and the second cartridge-side locking surface 213 of the first cartridge-side regulating portion 210. The movement of the cartridge 20 toward the + X-axis direction is restricted by the contact with the (second contact portion). The printing material supply port 280 of the cartridge 20 is connected to the printing material supply pipe 640, the second cartridge side restriction unit 220 and the second device side restriction unit 620 are engaged, and the first cartridge side restriction unit 210 Engagement with the first device-side regulating unit 810 completes the mounting of the cartridge 20 on the holder 60. In addition, when the cartridge is correctly mounted at the designed mounting position, the cartridge side terminal group 400 and the apparatus side terminal group 700 are electrically connected, and signals are transmitted between the cartridge 20 and the printer 50. .

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 27, the elastic member 682 is not in contact with the lever 80 and is not applied with an external force when the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the lever 80 is plastically deformed by an external force, and it is possible to reduce the possibility that the first device side regulating portion 810 is displaced from the first locking position 810L. Therefore, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group 400 and the apparatus side terminal group 700 can be further stabilized.

  The elastic member 682 may be configured to abut against the lever 80 in a state where the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60 and apply a force in a direction including a component in the −X axis direction. That is, the elastic member 682 may always apply a force to the lever 80 in a direction including a component in the −X axis direction regardless of the position of the lever 80. As a result, when the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60, the first device-side restricting portion 810 can be vigorously moved to the first locking position 810L. Thereby, it is possible to generate a stronger click feeling that allows the user to sense that the cartridge 20 has been locked by the first apparatus side regulating portion 810.

  In other embodiments, the elastic member 682 may be omitted. As a result, the number of parts can be reduced.

  Next, the operation when removing the cartridge 20 from the holder 60 will be described. When removing the cartridge 20 from the holder 60, the user pushes the operation unit 830 in the −X axis direction. That is, an external force Pr (FIG. 5) is applied to the operation unit 830 in a direction including the −X axis direction component. Then, the lever 80 moves the first device side regulating portion 810 around the rotation shaft 800c in a direction including the + X-axis direction component. At the same time, the first cartridge side locking surface 211 rotates in the direction of the arrow Y22 shown in FIG. As a result, the first device side regulating portion 810 and the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 are unlocked, and the restriction of the movement of the cartridge 20 in the + Z-axis direction on the third surface 203 side is released. When the restriction on the movement of the cartridge 20 in the + Z-axis direction is released, the third surface 203 side of the cartridge 20 moves to the + Z-axis direction side by the urging force Pt from the contact mechanism 70. That is, the state shown in FIG. 27 is changed to the state shown in FIG. From the state shown in FIG. 26, the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 inserted in the second apparatus side regulating portion 620 is used as a fulcrum, and it is counterclockwise when viewed from the + Y-axis direction, that is, the third wall 203 side. Is rotated away from the bottom wall portion 601 of the holder 60 to obtain the state of FIG. 25 and the state of FIG. At this time, the user can rotate the cartridge 20 by applying an external force including a −X-axis direction component to the protrusion 260. As a result of such an operation, the third surface 203 side moves counterclockwise and the third surface 203 side further moves to the + Z axis direction side when viewed from the + Y axis direction side. Finally, the user can pick up the cartridge 20 from the holder 60 by grasping the third surface 203 side of the cartridge 20 and pulling out the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 from the second device side regulating portion 620.

  Here, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 27, the operation portion 830 of the lever 80 is provided with an operation portion facing surface 831. The operation unit facing surface 831 comes into contact with the protrusion 260 when the user presses the operation unit 830 when removing the cartridge 20 in the mounted state from the holder 60. The operation portion facing surface 831 is inclined toward the direction having the −X axis direction component and the + Z axis direction component. When the lever 80 rotates about the rotation shaft 800c in the direction of the arrow Y27, the operation portion facing surface 831 comes into contact with the protrusion 260 and presses the protrusion 260 in the direction Yh having the −X axis direction and + Z axis direction components. To do. By doing so, for example, the cartridge 20 can be easily detached from the holder 60. In particular, when the cartridge 20 is caught by the member of the holder 60 and the first cartridge side locking surface 211 is moved from the first locking position 810L in the + X axis direction, the cartridge 20 does not move in the + Z axis direction side. Even so, the third surface 203 side of the cartridge 20 can be moved in the + Z-axis direction using the operation portion facing surface 831 and the protruding portion 260.

A-6. Wear detection method using wear detection terminals:
FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the circuit board 40 and the printer 50 of the cartridge 20 according to the first embodiment. The printer 50 includes a display panel 590, a power supply circuit 580, a main control circuit 570, and a sub control circuit 550. The display panel 590 is a display unit for performing various notifications such as the operation state of the printer 50 and the mounting state of the cartridge 20 to the user. The display panel 590 is provided in an operation unit (not shown) that is visible from the outside of the printer 50, for example. The power supply circuit 580 includes a first power supply 581 that generates a first power supply voltage VDD, and a second power supply 582 that generates a second power supply voltage VHV. The first power supply voltage VDD is a normal power supply voltage (rated 3.3 V) used in the logic circuit. The second power supply voltage VHV is a high voltage (for example, rated 42 V) used for driving the head 540 (FIG. 1) to discharge ink. These voltages VDD and VHV are supplied to the sub-control circuit 550, and are also supplied to other circuits as necessary. The main control circuit 570 has a CPU 571 and a memory 572. The sub control circuit 550 has a memory control circuit 551 and a mounting detection circuit 552. A circuit including the main control circuit 570 and the sub control circuit 550 can also be referred to as a “control circuit”.

  Of the nine terminals provided on the circuit board 40 (FIG. 10) of the cartridge, the reset terminal 432, the clock terminal 433, the power supply terminal 436, the ground terminal 437, and the data terminal 438 are electrically connected to the storage device 420. It is connected to the. The memory device 420 does not have an address terminal, and a memory cell to be accessed is determined based on the number of pulses of the clock signal SCK input from the clock terminal 433 and command data input from the data terminal. It is a non-volatile memory that receives data from the data terminal 438 or transmits data from the data terminal 438 in synchronization. The clock terminal 433 is used to supply the clock signal SCK from the sub control circuit 350 to the storage device 420. A power supply voltage (for example, a rating of 3.3 V) and a ground voltage (0 V) for driving the storage device are supplied from the printer 50 to the power supply terminal 436 and the ground terminal 437, respectively. The power supply voltage for driving the storage device 420 may be a voltage directly applied from the first power supply voltage VDD or a voltage generated from the first power supply voltage VDD and lower than the first power supply voltage VDD. . The data terminal 438 is used for exchanging the data signal SDA between the sub control circuit 550 and the storage device 420. The reset terminal 432 is used to supply a reset signal RST from the sub control circuit 550 to the storage device 420. The four mounting detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 are connected to each other via wiring in the circuit board 40 (FIG. 3) of the cartridge 20, and are all grounded. For example, the attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, 439 are grounded by being connected to the ground terminal 437. However, it may be grounded via a path other than the ground terminal 437. As can be understood from this description, the attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 may be connected to a part of the memory terminals (or the storage device 420), but the memory terminals other than the ground terminal 437 Or is not connected to the storage device 420. In particular, if the mounting detection terminal is not connected to the memory terminal or the storage device, signals and voltages other than the mounting inspection signal are not applied to the mounting detection terminal, which is preferable in that mounting detection can be performed more reliably. In the example of FIG. 28, the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 are connected by wiring, but a part of the wiring that connects them may be replaced by a resistor.

  In FIG. 28, wiring names SCK, VDD, SDA, RST, OV1, OV2, DT1, and DT2 are attached to wiring paths that connect the device-side terminals 731 to 739 and the cartridge-side terminals 431 to 439 of the circuit board 40. Has been. Among these wiring names, the same names as the signal names are used for the wiring paths for the storage device.

  FIG. 29 shows a connection state between the circuit board 40 and the mounting detection circuit 552. The four mounting detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 of the circuit board 40 are connected to the mounting detection circuit 552 via corresponding device-side terminals 731, 734, 735, and 739. The four mounting detection terminals 431, 434, 435, 439 of the circuit board 40 are grounded. Wirings connecting the device side terminals 731, 734, 735, 739 and the attachment detection circuit 552 are connected to the power supply voltage VDD (rated 3.3 V) in the sub-control circuit 550 through pull-up resistors.

  In the example of FIG. 29, three terminals 431, 434, 435 among the four mounting detection terminals 431, 434, 435, 439 of the circuit board 40 are in good connection with the corresponding device-side terminals 731, 734, 735. It is in. On the other hand, the fourth attachment detection terminal 439 is in poor contact with the corresponding device-side terminal 739. The voltage of the wiring of the three device side terminals 731, 734, and 735 with good connection state is L level (ground voltage level), while the voltage of the wiring of the device side terminal 739 with poor connection state is H level ( Power supply voltage VDD level). Therefore, the mounting detection circuit 552 can determine the quality of the contact state for each of the four mounting detection terminals 731, 734, 735, and 739 by examining the voltage levels of these wirings.

  The contact portions cp of the four mounting detection terminals 431, 434, 435, 439 of the circuit board 40 are arranged outside the first region 400P of the contact portions cp of the terminals 432, 433, 436, 437, 438 for the storage device. Has been. The contact portions cp of the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 are disposed outside the first region 400P. Further, the contact portions cp of the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, 439 are arranged at the four corners of the quadrangular second region 400T including the first region 400P. The shape of the first region 400P is preferably a quadrangular shape having the smallest area including the contact portions cp of the terminals 432, 433, 436, 437, and 438 for the five storage devices. The shape of the second region 400T is preferably a quadrangular shape having the smallest area including all of the contact portions cp of the cartridge side terminal groups 431 to 439.

  When the contact states of the four mounting detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 are all good, the cartridge 20 does not have a large inclination, and the contact states of the storage device terminals 432, 433, 436, 437, and 438 are also good. It is. On the other hand, when the contact state of one or more of the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, 439 is poor, the cartridge has a large inclination, and the storage device terminals 432, 433, 436 , 437, and 438, the contact state of one or more terminals may be poor. When one or more of the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 is in a poor contact state, the attachment detection circuit 552 displays information (characters or images) indicating the unattached state on the display panel 390. ) Is preferably displayed to notify the user.

  The reason why the contact detection portions cp of the attachment detection terminals are provided at all four corners around the first region 400P of the contact portion cp of the storage device terminal is that the cartridge 20 is mounted even when the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60. This is because the circuit board 40 of the cartridge 20 and the contact mechanism 70 of the holder 60 may be inclined with respect to each other due to the degree of freedom of tilting to some extent. For example, the cartridge 20 is tilted so that the terminal groups 431 to 434 (the contact portion group) of the upper row R2 of the circuit board 40 are more from the contact mechanism 70 than the terminal groups 435 to 439 (the contact portion group) of the lower row R1. When it leaves | separates, the contact of the terminal groups 431-434 of upper row | line | column R2 may become bad. When the cartridge 20 is tilted and the terminal groups 435 to 439 of the lower row R1 of the circuit board 40 are further away from the contact mechanism 70 than the terminal groups 431 to 434 of the upper row R2, 5 of the upper row R2 of the circuit board 40 is obtained. There is a possibility that the contact between the two terminals 435 to 439 becomes defective. Further, when the cartridge 20 is tilted and the left end of the circuit board 40 in FIG. 10 is further away from the contact mechanism 70 than the right end, the contact of the terminals 431, 432, 435, 436, and 437 on the left side of the circuit board 40 becomes poor. there is a possibility. Conversely, if the right end of the circuit board 40 is farther from the contact mechanism 70 than the left end, there is a possibility that the contacts of the terminals 433, 434, 437, 438, and 439 on the right side of the circuit board 40 will be poor. When such a contact failure occurs, an error may occur when reading data from the storage device 420 or writing data to the storage device 420. Therefore, as described above, the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 arranged at the four corners around the outside of the first region 400P of the contact portion cp of the memory terminals 432, 433, 436, 437, and 438 are arranged. If it is confirmed whether or not the contact state of the contact part cp is all good, it is possible to prevent a contact failure and an access error of the storage device due to such an inclination.

A-7. Effect A-7-1 of this embodiment. Comparison with Patent Documents 1 to 3 The effect of this embodiment when compared with Patent Documents 1 to 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the printing material supply system 10 according to the present embodiment, the lever 60 is provided in the holder 60, and the first cartridge side regulating unit 210 is provided in the cartridge 20. The cartridge side restricting portion 210 is provided on the −Z-axis direction side with respect to the rotation shaft 800c of the lever. With such a configuration, in this embodiment, unlike Patent Documents 1 and 2 in which a lever is provided in the cartridge, there is no need to provide an engaging portion with a holder between the rotation shaft of the lever and the operation portion. Therefore, a very large distance is not required between the lever and the side surface of the cartridge. That is, in the present embodiment, the distance between the lever 80 and the third surface 203 of the cartridge can be reduced, and the size in the X-axis direction can be reduced. In addition, since the length of the lever can be shortened, the size in the Z-axis direction can also be reduced. Therefore, the printer 50 and the printing material supply system 10 can be very downsized. Further, since the size of the packing material used for packing the cartridge when the cartridge 20 is transported or sold can be reduced, the transportation cost and the part cost can be reduced. Such an effect cannot be obtained simply by providing the lever not on the cartridge but on the holder side of the printer as in Patent Document 3. The rotating shaft 800c of the lever 80 is provided between the operation unit 830 and the first device side regulating unit 810, and the cartridge side regulating unit 210 is provided on the −Z axis direction side of the rotating shaft 800c of the lever 80. This is the first time it is obtained.
Further, in the printing material supply system 10 of the present embodiment, the length of the lever can be shortened, and the shape of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 can be small and a simple configuration (protrusion in the present embodiment). . Therefore, the rigidity of the lever 80 and the cartridge side regulating portion 210 can be increased as compared with Patent Documents 1 and 2. In addition, a material having a relatively high rigidity can be selected as the material of the lever 80 and the cartridge side regulating portion 210 (cartridge 20). Therefore, the possibility of plastic deformation of the lever 80 and the cartridge side regulating portion 210 can be suppressed to an extremely low level. Therefore, the cartridge 20 in the mounted state can be kept at an accurate position in the holder 60, and the contact state between the cartridge side terminals 431 to 439 and the apparatus side terminals 731 to 739 can be maintained in a normal state. It is possible to reduce conduction defects. In addition, according to this embodiment, since the shape of the cartridge side regulation part 210 can be made small and simple, when the cartridge 20 is transported and sold, it is packed (particularly, the inside of the packing material is decompressed). When packaging is performed, it is not necessary to consider the plastic deformation of the lever as in the cartridges of Patent Documents 1 and 2, and the convenience for the user can be improved. In particular, in order to obtain such an effect, it is preferable to use the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 as a protrusion as in the present embodiment.
Furthermore, in the printing material supply system 10 according to the present embodiment, the cartridge side regulating unit 210 is provided on the −Z side with respect to the rotation shaft 800 c of the lever 80. As described above, the device-side terminals 731 to 739 generate the urging force Pt in a direction in which the circuit board 40 is pushed back (a direction including components in the + Z-axis direction and the −X-axis direction) in the mounted state of the cartridge 20. Therefore, the cartridge 20 in the mounted state 20 tends to move in the + Z-axis direction. However, in the printing material supply system 10 according to the present embodiment, the rotation shaft 800c of the lever 80 is provided in the −Z-axis direction with respect to the cartridge-side regulating portion 210. To the -Z axis direction side.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the cartridge side regulating portion 210 is provided on the −Z axis direction side and the −X axis direction side with respect to the rotation shaft 800 c of the lever 80. Therefore, when the cartridge 20 is about to move in the + Z-axis direction, a rotational moment as shown by the arrow M in FIG. This moment acts so that the apparatus-side restricting portion 810 further strongly presses the cartridge-side restricting portion 210 in the −X axis direction. This moment also acts to match the movement of the device-side regulating portion 810 of the lever with the movement of the cartridge 20 about to move in the −X-axis direction by the X-axis direction component of the urging force Pt. Therefore, a force that is pressed against the apparatus-side bottom wall 601 and the second apparatus-side wall 604 acts on the cartridge 20 in the mounted state. Therefore, in this embodiment, the cartridge 20 is unlikely to be detached from the holder 60. In addition, the contact state between the cartridge side terminals 431 to 439 and the apparatus side terminals 731 to 739 can be maintained in a normal state, and the conduction failure can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 27, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 regulates the movement of the cartridge 20 in the + Z-axis direction by contacting the first portion 811 of the first device side regulating portion 810. The second cartridge side locking that restricts the movement of the cartridge 20 in the + X-axis direction by coming into contact with the first cartridge side locking surface 211 and the second portion 812 of the first device side regulating portion 810 It has a surface 213. Thereby, the rotational moment as shown by the arrow M in FIG. 5 can be generated more reliably, and the conduction failure between the cartridge side terminals 431 to 439 and the apparatus side terminals 731 to 739 can be more reliably reduced.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 has a second portion 214. When the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60 by the second portion 214, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is positioned and locked to the −Z axis direction side from the first device side regulating portion 810. The possibility of being reduced can be reduced. That is, when the cartridge 20 is mounted in the holder 60, the user may push the cartridge 20 further into the −Z axis direction side than the state of FIG. Even in such a case, the second cartridge portion 214 comes into contact with the second device-side locking surface 813 of the lever 80, so that the first cartridge-side regulating portion 210 is more than the first device-side regulating portion 810. -It can suppress positioning in the Z-axis direction side. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is locked to the first device side regulating portion 810 at an unintended locking position.

A-7-2. FIG. 30 is a diagram for explaining the external force that the cartridge 20 receives in the mounted state of the cartridge 20. When the printer 50 performs printing or the like, the holder 60 and the cartridge 20 move in the main scanning direction (Y-axis direction, width direction of the cartridge 20). That is, the cartridge 20 receives an external force (inertial force) in the width direction. When the cartridge 20 receives an external force, the cartridge 20 may try to rotate in the rotation direction including the width direction component (Y-axis direction component) around the printing material supply port 280 (FIG. 27) and the printing material supply pipe 640. is there. Specifically, the third surface 203 side may rotate in the direction of the arrow YR1, and the fourth surface 204 side may attempt to rotate in the direction of the arrow YR2. Further, the second surface 202 side of the cartridge 20 may try to rotate toward the arrow YR3 side. The directions of the arrows YR1 and YR2 are rotational directions including the Y-axis direction (width direction) centering on the Z-axis. An arrow YR3 is a rotation direction including the Y-axis direction (width direction) centering on the X-axis.

  When the cartridge 20 tries to move in the direction of the arrow YR3, one of the fifth surface 205 side and the sixth surface 206 side of the cartridge 20 tends to float in the + Z-axis direction side. However, as described above, such movement in the + Z-axis direction is confined by the lever 80. In particular, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is close to the intersecting portion 295. In other words, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is close to the substrate end portion 405 of the circuit board 40. That is, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is disposed so as to be as close as possible to the cartridge-side terminal group 400. Since the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is locked to the lever 80, the position of the vicinity of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is unlikely to fluctuate even when an external force is applied. Since the cartridge side terminal group 400 is provided in a place where the positional fluctuation is extremely small as described above, it is possible to efficiently suppress the positional deviation of the terminals 431 to 439 of the cartridge side terminal group 400 with respect to the holder 60. Therefore, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group 400 and the apparatus side terminal group 700 can be stably achieved. In order to obtain such an effect more reliably, in the Y-axis direction (width direction) (when the cartridge 20 is viewed from the third surface 203 side toward the −X-axis direction), the first cartridge side It is preferable that at least a part of the restricting portion 210 (particularly, the first cartridge side locking surface 211) is positioned between the first outer portion 435P and the second outer portion 439P.

As shown in FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the corner portion 265 of the cartridge 20 has a step surface (seventh surface) 207 extending from the first surface 201 in the + Z-axis direction. The seventh surface 207 is located on the −X axis direction side and the −Z axis direction side with respect to the inclined surface (eighth surface) 208. In addition, a third cartridge side restricting portion 250 is provided on the seventh surface 207. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 14 to 16, the cartridge mounting portion 60 is provided with a third device-side regulating portion (projecting portion) 636. The third cartridge side regulating portion 250 is in contact with the protruding portion 636. Thereby, the movement in the width direction on the third surface 203 side around the printing material supply pipe 640 and the printing material supply port 280 can be further suppressed. Note that, as in the present embodiment, the third cartridge side regulating portion 250 is configured to be a pair of projecting members projecting from the seventh surface 207 in the + X-axis direction, and to receive the projecting portion 636 therebetween. Is preferred. With such a configuration, the movement in the width direction on the third surface 203 side around the printing material supply pipe 640 and the printing material supply port 280 can be reliably suppressed with a simple structure.
As shown in FIG. 13, in the present embodiment, the surface 408 of the circuit board 40 and the third cartridge in the X-axis direction (when the cartridge 20 is viewed from the first surface 201 side toward the + Z-axis direction). The side regulating portions 250 are arranged so as to partially overlap (FIG. 13). Therefore, the movement of the cartridge 20 in the arrow YR1 direction can be further suppressed, and the movement (displacement) of the cartridge side terminal group 400 with respect to the holder 60 can be further suppressed.

  Here, although the inertial force accompanying the movement in the main scanning direction is given as the external force in the width direction received by the cartridge 20, the external force received by the cartridge 20 is not limited to this. For example, in the above-described off-carriage type printer, only the print head moves in the main scanning direction, and the cartridge 20 mounted on the stationary holder 60 does not move in the main scanning direction. However, even in such an off-carriage type printer, the cartridge 20 may receive an external force. Specifically, in an off-carriage type printer, an external force (inertial force) may be applied to the cartridge 20 due to vibrations generated by the print head moving in the main scanning direction.

A-7-3. As shown in FIG. 12, in the present embodiment, the first cartridge-side regulating portion 210 is a plane that passes through the center of the width (the length in the Y-axis direction) of the cartridge 20. It is provided so as to cross Yc. As shown in FIG. 5, in the mounted state of the cartridge 20, the cartridge 20 receives urging forces Ps and Pt including components in the + Z axis direction from the holder 60. The first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is pressed against the first device side regulating portion 810 provided on the lever 80 by such urging forces Ps and Pt. Thus, even when the cartridge 20 rattles around the X axis or the Z axis by an external force in the mounted state, the position near the position where the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 intersects the plane Yc hardly moves.
Here, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is close to the intersecting portion 295. Alternatively, it can be said that the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is close to the substrate end portion 405. By providing the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 with little movement at a position very close to the cartridge side terminal group 400, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group 400 and the contact mechanism 70 can be stably achieved. .
Of the first cartridge side restricting portion 210, a portion that is particularly effective for restricting the position of the cartridge side terminal group 400 is the first cartridge side engaging surface 211. Therefore, it is preferable that the first cartridge side locking surface 211 be as close as possible to the cartridge side terminal group 400. If the third portion 215 of the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 is omitted and the first portion 212 is disposed in contact with the first side 290, the first cartridge side locking surface 211 is made to intersect the portion 295, Alternatively, it can be brought closer to the substrate end 405. Then, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group 400 and the contact mechanism 70 can be achieved more stably.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, among the contact portions cp of the terminals constituting the cartridge side terminal group 400, the terminal 437 having the contact portion cp provided at the center in the Y-axis direction is the plane Yc. It is provided at a position where it intersects. The contact portions cp of the remaining terminals 431 to 436, 438, and 439 are provided at positions that are line symmetric with respect to an intersection line between the plane Yc and the ground terminal 437. Since the position of the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 is fixed, the plane Yc moves particularly little. The cartridge side terminal group 400 is thus arranged on the plane Yc where there is little movement and in the vicinity thereof. In addition to providing the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 at a position very close to the cartridge side terminal group 400, the terminal group 400 is arranged on or near the plane Yc, so that the cartridge side terminal group 400, the contact mechanism 70, It is possible to achieve more stable electrical connection.

A-7-4. In the present embodiment, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 (strictly, the first cartridge side locking surface 211) is arranged in the cartridge side terminal group 400 in the Y-axis direction. Of the first outer portion 435P located most on the + Y-axis direction side and the second outer portion 439P located on the most −Y-axis direction side in the cartridge-side terminal group 400 outside the range 40Y. It is located inside the range 40Y without being located. Thus, after the cartridge 20 is mounted in the holder 60, the tilt of the cartridge 20 can be finely adjusted by the cartridge-side terminal group 400 receiving a force in the + Z-axis direction component from the device-side terminal group 700. That is, the direction in which the inclined surface 408 provided with the cartridge side terminal group 400 faces can be finely adjusted. Thereby, for example, the position of each of the device side terminals 731 to 739 from the device side inclined surface 708, the level of the first cartridge side locking surface 211 of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210, etc. Even if there is variation, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group 400 and the apparatus side terminal group 700 can be stably achieved by finely adjusting the direction in which the inclined surface 408 faces.

  FIG. 31 is a diagram for explaining fine adjustment in the direction in which the inclined surface 408 faces. The cartridge 20 at a position after the attitude of the cartridge 20 is finely adjusted is indicated by a broken line. For example, consider a case where the attachment detection terminal 731 in the device-side terminal group 700 protrudes from the device-side inclined surface 708 (FIG. 18) toward the + Z-axis direction side from the designed position. In this case, the inclined surface 408 receives a force Ph from the attachment detection terminal 731 in a direction including the + Z-axis direction component. Here, since the first cartridge side locking surface 211 is positioned in the range 40Y, the rotation of the cartridge 20 around the X axis can be further permitted. That is, the posture of the cartridge 20 can be finely adjusted when the inclined surface 408 receives the force Ph. In the case of FIG. 31, the cartridge 20 is finely adjusted so as to be inclined to the sixth surface 206 side.

A-7-5. Effects Related to Second Cartridge Side Restricting Section 220 The cartridge 20 has the second cartridge side regulating section 220 on the fourth surface 204 (FIG. 27). As a result, the movement of the cartridge 20 in the + Z-axis direction from both sides in the + X-axis direction can be restricted. Thereby, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group 400 and the apparatus side terminal group 700 can be further stabilized.

  In the present embodiment, the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 is a projection provided so as to project from the fourth surface 204 to the −X axis direction side. Then, the second cartridge side restriction portion 220 is inserted into the second device side restriction portion 620 (FIG. 3) that is a through hole of the holder 60. When the user attaches / detaches the cartridge 20 to / from the holder 60, the cartridge 20 is rotated about the vicinity of the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 inserted into the second device side regulating portion 620 (FIG. 3). Let That is, the second device-side regulating unit 620 functions as a guide when the cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the holder 60. Thereby, the cartridge 20 can be easily attached to and detached from the holder 60. Further, by using the second cartridge side restricting portion 220 as a protrusion, the second cartridge side restricting portion can be easily formed on the fourth surface.

A-7-6. Effect of Protrusion 260 As shown in FIG. 27, in this embodiment, the cartridge 20 has a protrusion 260 on the third surface 203 on the + Z-axis direction side of the first cartridge side restricting portion 210. When removing the cartridge 20 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 60, the operation unit 830 comes into contact with the protrusion 260 by applying a force to the operation unit 830 of the lever 80 from the + X axis direction side to the −X axis direction side. Thus, the protruding portion 260 is pressed in the direction Yh having a component including the + Z-axis direction component, that is, a force of the + Z-axis direction component can be applied to the protruding portion 260. Thereby, the cartridge 20 can be easily detached from the holder 60 using the operation unit 830. In particular, when the cartridge 20 is caught by the member of the holder 60 and the first cartridge side locking surface 211 is moved from the first locking position 810L in the + X axis direction, the cartridge 20 does not move in the + Z axis direction side. Even so, it is possible to easily move the third surface 203 side of the cartridge 20 in the + Z-axis direction by using the protrusion 260.
In the present embodiment, the external force is directly applied to the protrusion 260 by the operation unit 830 as described above, but the external force from the operation unit 830 is not necessarily applied to the protrusion 260. When the operation unit 830 is rotated, the first device side regulating unit 810 and the first cartridge side regulating unit 210 are unlocked, and the movement of the cartridge 20 on the third surface 203 side in the + Z-axis direction is regulated. Is released. When the restriction on the movement of the cartridge 20 in the + Z-axis direction is released, the third surface 203 side of the cartridge 20 moves to the + Z-axis direction side by the urging force Pt from the contact mechanism 70. At this time, the protrusion 260 of the cartridge 20 also moves in the direction Yh. Thereafter, the user can easily remove the cartridge 20 from the holder 60 by manually pinching the vicinity of the protrusion 260 moved in the direction Yh. That is, even if an external force is not directly applied to the protruding portion 260 by the operating portion 830, the operability when removing the cartridge 20 from the holder 60 can be improved if the protruding portion 260 is provided.

A-7-7. Effect Regarding Position of Printing Material Supply Port 280 As shown in FIG. 27, in the present embodiment, the printing material supply port 280 is provided in a portion of the first surface 201 closer to the fourth surface 204 than the third surface 203. . That is, in the X-axis direction, the distance between the outer surface of the printing material supply port 280 and the third surface 203 is larger than the distance between the outer surface of the printing material supply port 280 and the fourth surface 204. On the other hand, the cartridge side terminal group 400 is provided on the surface 408 adjacent to the third surface 203. That is, the printing material supply port 280 is provided at a position away from the cartridge side terminal group 400. Thereby, the possibility that ink adheres to the cartridge side terminal group 400 can be reduced. Therefore, the occurrence of contact failure between the cartridge side terminal group 400 and the apparatus side terminal group 700 can be suppressed.

A-7-8. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, among the contact portions cp of the terminals constituting the cartridge-side terminal group 400, the ground terminal 437 having the contact portion cp provided in the center in the Y-axis direction is as shown in FIG. The cartridge 20 is provided at a position that intersects the plane Yc passing through the center of the width (length in the Y-axis direction) of the cartridge 20. The ground terminal 437 is configured to come into contact with the contact mechanism 70 prior to contact with the contact mechanism 70 by the other cartridge side terminals 431 to 436, 438, and 439 when the cartridge 20 is mounted in the holder 60. Has been. As a result, an urging force first applied from the holder 60 to the circuit board 40 is generated at the center of the width of the cartridge 20 in the Y-axis direction. Therefore, the biasing force applied to the circuit board 40 is prevented from acting as a force for tilting the cartridge 20 in the Y-axis direction, and the cartridge 20 can be mounted at the designed mounting position. Further, since the ground terminal 437 contacts the contact mechanism 70 of the holder 60 before the other cartridge side terminals 431 to 436, 438, and 439, even when an unintended high voltage is applied to the cartridge 20 side. The grounding function of the ground terminal 437 can reduce problems caused by a high voltage.

A-7-9. Effects on the shape of the first device-side locking surface 811 As shown in FIG. 21, the first device-side locking surface 811 is centered on the rotation axis 800c in a cross section parallel to the X axis and the Z axis. A curved surface having an arc shape. Thereby, the operation | movement at the time of attaching or detaching the cartridge 20 to the holder 60 can be performed smoothly. Further, by forming the first device side locking surface 811 as a curved surface, the amount pushed back to the + Z-axis direction side by the elastic member 648 (FIG. 27) when the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60 can be reduced. Thereby, electrical contact between the cartridge side terminal group 400 and the apparatus side terminal group 700 can be favorably achieved.

  FIG. 32 is a diagram for explaining one of the effects. The vertical direction in FIG. 32 is the Z-axis direction. Further, the upper side of the drawing is the + Z-axis direction, and the lower side of the drawing is the -Z-axis direction. FIGS. 32A to 32C are views showing a mounting mode of the cartridge when the first device-side locking surface 811 is a curved surface. FIGS. 32D to 32F are views showing a mounting mode of the cartridge when the first device-side locking surface 811t is a flat surface. 32A to 32C are time series in this order, and FIGS. 32D to 32F are time series in this order.

  As shown in FIG. 32A, when the cartridge 20 is mounted in the holder 60, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 moves to the −Z-axis direction side while contacting the guide bottom wall surface 821. As shown in FIG. 32 (B), when the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 moves to the −Z axis direction side from the guide bottom wall surface 821, the first device side locking surface 811 moves in the direction of the arrow Y32. . At this time, when the user strongly pushes the cartridge 20 in the −Z-axis direction, the first cartridge-side regulating portion 210 is positioned on the −Z-axis direction side with respect to the first device-side locking surface 811. When the user releases his / her hand from the cartridge 20, the cartridge 20 is pushed up to the + Z-axis direction side by the urging forces Ps and Pt of the elastic member 648 and the device-side terminal group 700. As shown in FIG. 32C, when the first device side locking surface 811 is a curved surface, the amount by which the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 of the cartridge 20 is pushed up is D1.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 32D to 32F, when the first device-side locking surface 811t is a flat surface, the amount by which the first cartridge-side regulating portion 210 is pushed up is D2. Here, D1 is a value smaller than D2.

  That is, in the present embodiment, since the first device-side locking surface 811 is a curved surface, the first device-side locking surface in the mounted state compared to the case where the first device-side locking surface 811t is a flat surface. The surface 811 can be positioned more on the −Z axis direction side. Thereby, the amount by which the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is pushed up can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the first device-side locking surface 811 is located close to the rotation shaft 800c in the X-axis direction when positioned at the predetermined locking position 810L (FIG. 21). Thereby, even when the actual locking position deviates from the first locking position 810L in the X-axis direction, the movement distance in the Z-axis direction of the first device-side locking surface 811 can be reduced. Thereby, the shift | offset | difference of the cartridge 20 with respect to the holder 60 in the Z-axis direction can be suppressed.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 33 is a diagram for explaining the printer 50a of the second embodiment. FIG. 33 corresponds to the cross section of FIG. 17 of the first embodiment. The difference from the printer 50 of the first embodiment is that the holding member 690 a does not have the elastic member 682. Since the configuration of the other printing material supply system 10 is the same as that of the printer 50 of the first embodiment, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The configuration of the cartridge 20 mounted on the printer 50a is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 33, the holding member 690a does not have an elastic member, and does not bias the lever 80 in a direction including a component in the −X axis direction. However, since the lever 80 is configured such that the first device-side locking surface 811 is positioned at the first locking position 810L by its own weight, the first cartridge-side locking surface 211 of the cartridge 20 is moved to the lever 80. The first device side locking surface 811 can be locked.

  The printer 50a of the second embodiment can reduce the possibility of the holding member 690a being damaged because the holding member 690a does not have an elastic member in addition to the effects exhibited by the printer 50 of the first embodiment. Further, since the holding member 690a does not have an elastic member, the number of parts can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the printer 50a can be suppressed.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 34 is an external perspective view of the cartridge 20b of the third embodiment. The difference from the cartridge 20 (FIG. 7) of the first embodiment is the size of the cartridge 20b. Since the other cartridge configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and descriptions thereof are omitted. Further, in the printer of the third embodiment, the holder 60 and the member (for example, the lever 80) provided in the holder 60 have the same configuration.

  The cartridge 20b is larger in size than the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment, and can accommodate a large amount of ink inside. The cartridge 20b can be mounted on a cartridge mounting portion of a large-sized ink jet printer capable of printing large format paper (A2 to A0 size or the like). The mounting direction SD when the cartridge 20b is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion of the large inkjet printer is the -Z-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the −Z-axis direction is the horizontal direction. When the cartridge 20b is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the X-axis direction is the vertical direction. Specifically, the + X axis direction is the vertically upward direction, and the −X axis direction is the vertically downward direction.

D. Variations on cartridge configuration:
35 to 37 show modifications regarding the configuration of the cartridge. The configuration of the printing material supply system 10 is the same as that of the printer 50 of the first embodiment. Further, the same components as those of the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

D-1. Modification Example of External Shape of Cartridge FIG. 35 is a conceptual diagram showing the shape of the cartridge in another embodiment. An outer shell 22c of the cartridge 20c shown in FIG. 35A has an elliptical or oval side surface. Further, the cartridge 20c has a first cartridge side regulating portion 210 and a circuit board 40 on the front side thereof. Further, a printing material supply port 280 is formed on the bottom surface side of the cartridge 20c, and a second cartridge side regulating portion 220 is formed on the back surface side. The cartridge 20c has a certain width when viewed from the front side. Even in the cartridge 20c, if the first and second cartridge side regulating portions 210 and 220, the circuit board 40, and the printing material supply port 280 are configured to be connected to corresponding members of the printer 50, It is possible to ensure compatibility with the cartridge 20 shown in FIG.

  The cartridge 20d shown in FIG. 35B has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as in FIG. A major difference from the cartridge 20 of FIG. 7 is that the eighth surface 208 is not provided continuously at the lower end of the third surface 203. The cartridges 20e and 20f shown in FIGS. 35C and 35D are different from the cartridge 20 of FIG. 7 in that they do not have a seventh surface. In the cartridge 20g shown in FIG. 35 (E), the circuit board 40 is attached to the eighth surface 208 via a spring. In the cartridge 20h shown in FIG. 35F, a surface 208h corresponding to the eighth surface 208 is movable, and the circuit board 40 is provided on the surface 208h. Also in these cartridges 20c to 20g, the first and second cartridge side regulating portions 210 and 220, the circuit board 40, and the printing material supply port 280 are configured to be connected to corresponding members of the printer 50. Therefore, compatibility with the cartridge 20 shown in FIG. 7 can be ensured.

  As can be understood from the various examples shown in FIG. 35, various modifications can be considered for the outer shape of the cartridge. Even when the outer shape of the cartridge has a shape other than a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, as shown by dotted lines in FIGS. 35A and 35D, for example, six surfaces of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped, that is, FIG. 8, a bottom surface 201 (first surface), a top surface 202 (second surface), a front surface 203 (third surface), a back surface 204 (fourth surface), a left side surface 205 (fifth surface), and a right side surface 206 ( 6th surface) can be considered virtually. In this specification, the term “plane” refers to both such a virtual plane (also referred to as a virtual plane or a non-real plane) and a real plane as described in FIG. 7 or FIG. It can be used in the meaning including. Further, the term “surface” is used to include both a flat surface and a curved surface.

D-2. Cartridge Using Adapter FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cartridge 20i using an adapter. The cartridge 20 i can be separated into a housing member 200 i having a printing material housing portion 200 and an adapter 299. When the printing material in the storage unit 200 runs out, the user replaces the storage member 200i with a new one or refills the printing material there. The adapter 299 can be reused. This cartridge 20i is compatible with the cartridge 20 (see FIG. 7) of the first embodiment.

  The outer shell 22i of the cartridge 20i is configured by a combination of the outer shell of the housing member 200i and the outer shell of the adapter 299i. The storage member 200i includes a printing material storage unit 200 that stores ink, a printing material flow path 282 for supplying the printing material to the printing material supply port, and a foam resin 284. The housing member 200i includes a second surface 202i corresponding to the second surface 202 of the cartridge 20i. The accommodating member 200i includes a first surface 201i, a third surface 203i, a fourth surface 204i, and a fifth surface (not shown) corresponding to the first surface 201 and the third to eighth surfaces 203 to 208 of the cartridge 20i. , A sixth surface 206i, a seventh surface 207i, and an eighth surface 208i. The first surface 201i and the second surface 202i face each other in the Z-axis direction, and the first surface 201i is located on the −Z-axis direction side and the second surface 202i is located on the + Z-axis direction side. The third surface 203i and the fourth surface 204 face each other in the X-axis direction, the third surface 203i is positioned on the + X-axis direction side, and the fourth surface 204i is positioned on the −X-axis direction side. The fifth surface (not shown) and the sixth surface 206i face each other in the Y-axis direction, the fifth surface (not shown) is located on the + Y-axis direction side, and the sixth surface 206i is located on the −Y-axis direction side. The seventh surface 207i and the eighth surface 208i form a connection surface that connects the first surface 201i and the third surface 203i. The seventh surface 207i is a surface that intersects the first surface 201i at a right angle. The seventh surface 207i is a surface (YZ plane) parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis. The seventh surface 207i as the step surface is a surface erected with respect to the first surface 201i. That is, the seventh surface 207i is a surface extending in the + Z-axis direction from the first surface 201i. The seventh surface 207i is located on the −X axis direction side and the −Z axis direction side with respect to the eighth surface 208i. The eighth surface 208i is a surface that connects the seventh surface 207i and the third surface 203i. The eighth surface 208i is a slope inclined toward the direction including components in the + X-axis direction and the -Z-axis direction. The eighth surface 208i is a surface inclined with respect to the first surface 201i and the third surface 203i. The eighth surface 208i is a surface that intersects the fifth surface (not shown) and the sixth surface 206i at a right angle. The eighth surface 208i is inclined with respect to the XY plane and the YZ plane, and intersects the XZ plane at a right angle.

  The adapter 299 includes surfaces corresponding to the first surface 201, the third surface 203, the fourth surface 204, the fifth surface 205, the sixth surface 206, the seventh surface 207, and the eighth surface 208 of the cartridge 20i. . A surface corresponding to the second surface 202 of the cartridge 20 i is an opening 202. Inside the adapter 299, a space for receiving the housing member 200i is formed. A printing material supply port 280 is provided on the first surface 201 of the adapter 200. In addition, about another part, including a modification, it is comprised similarly to the cartridge 20 (FIG. 7) of 1st Embodiment. As described above, the cartridge 20 i may be configured by the housing member 200 i and the adapter 299.

  FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cartridge 20j in another form using an adapter. The cartridge 20j can be separated into a housing member 200j having a printing material housing portion 200 and an adapter 299j. When the printing material in the storage unit 200 runs out, the user replaces the storage member 200j with a new one or refills the printing material there. The adapter 299j can be reused. This cartridge 20j is compatible with the cartridge 20 (see FIG. 7) of the first embodiment.

  The outer shell 22j of the cartridge 20j is configured by a combination of the outer shell of the housing member 200j and the outer shell of the adapter 299j. The storage member 200j includes a printing material storage unit 200 that stores ink and a printing material supply port 280. The housing member 200j includes a second surface 202j and a sixth surface 206j corresponding to the second surface 202 and the sixth surface 206 of the cartridge 20j, respectively. In addition, the housing member 200j includes first surfaces 201j, corresponding to the first surface 201, the third surface 203, the fourth surface 204, the fifth surface 205, the seventh surface 207, and the eighth surface 208 of the cartridge 20j, respectively. A third surface 203j, a fourth surface 204j, a fifth surface (not shown), a seventh surface 207j, and an eighth surface 208j are provided. The first surface 201j and the second surface 202j are opposed to each other in the Z-axis direction, and the first surface 201j is located on the −Z-axis direction side and the second surface 202j is located on the + Z-axis direction side. The third surface 203j and the fourth surface 204j face each other in the X-axis direction, the third surface 203j is positioned on the + X-axis direction side, and the fourth surface 204j is positioned on the −X-axis direction side. The fifth surface (not shown) and the sixth surface 206j face each other in the Y-axis direction, the fifth surface (not shown) is located on the + Y-axis direction side, and the sixth surface 206j is located on the −Y-axis direction side. In addition, the seventh surface 207j and the eighth surface 208j form a connection surface that connects the first surface 201j and the third surface 203j. The seventh surface 207j is a surface that intersects the first surface 201j at a right angle. The seventh surface 207j is a surface (YZ plane) parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis. The seventh surface 207j as the step surface is a surface erected with respect to the first surface 201j. That is, the seventh surface 207j is a surface extending in the + Z-axis direction from the first surface 201j. The seventh surface 207j is located on the −X axis direction side and the −Z axis direction side with respect to the eighth surface 208j. The eighth surface 208j is a surface connecting the seventh surface 207j and the third surface 203j. The eighth surface 208j is a slope inclined toward the direction including the components in the + X axis direction and the −Z axis direction. The eighth surface 208j is a surface inclined with respect to the first surface 201j and the third surface 203j. The eighth surface 208j is a surface that intersects the fifth surface (not shown) and the sixth surface 206j at a right angle. The eighth surface 208j is inclined with respect to the XY plane and the YZ plane, and intersects the XZ plane at a right angle.

  The adapter 299j includes surfaces corresponding to the first surface 201, the third surface 203, the fourth surface 204, and the fifth surface 205 of the cartridge 20j. The surfaces corresponding to the second surface 202 and the sixth surface 206 of the cartridge 20j are openings. A space for receiving the housing member 200j is formed inside the adapter 299j. The adapter 299j has an opening in a part of the first surface 201. The printing material supply port 280 provided in the housing member 200j is exposed from the opening provided in the first surface 201 of the adapter 299j and is connected to the printing material supply pipe 640 (see FIG. 2 and the like). As compared with the first embodiment (see FIG. 7), in the cartridge 20j of the present embodiment, the shape of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is simplified, but the same shape as in the first embodiment. It is also good. Further, the height (length in the Z-axis direction) of the third surface 203 and the fourth surface 204 is lower (shorter) than the third surface 203 and the fourth surface 204 of the first embodiment. The height (length) may be the same as in the first embodiment. Furthermore, although the protrusion part 260 is abbreviate | omitted, you may provide the protrusion part 260 similarly to 1st Embodiment. In addition, about another part, including a modification, it is comprised similarly to the cartridge 20 (FIG. 7) of 1st Embodiment. As described above, the cartridge 20j may be configured by the housing member 200j and the adapter 299j.

  FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cartridge 20k in still another embodiment using an adapter. The cartridge 20k includes an adapter 299k, an external tank 200T, a tube 200L, and an auxiliary adapter 200S. The adapter 299k has the same configuration as the adapter 299j described in the embodiment of FIG. A printing material is accommodated in the external tank 200T. The external tank 200T is placed outside the printer 50 shown in FIG. The auxiliary adapter 200S includes a printing material supply port 280k. The tube 200L supplies the printing material from the external tank 200T to the auxiliary adapter 200S. The external tank 200T, the auxiliary adapter 200S, and the tube 200L function as a storage member 200k that stores ink. That is, as indicated by a dotted line in the drawing, the cartridge 20k of the present embodiment can be regarded as having the accommodating member 200k. Therefore, the cartridge 20k of this embodiment can also be separated into the housing member 200k and the adapter 299k, similarly to the cartridges 20i and 20j in the embodiment of FIGS. When the printing material in the tank 200T runs out, the user replaces the tank 200T with a new one or replenishes the printing material there. The adapter 299k can be reused. This cartridge 20j is compatible with the cartridge 20 (see FIG. 7) of the first embodiment.

  The outer shell 22k of the cartridge 20k is configured by a combination of the outer shell of the virtual housing member 200k and the outer shell of the adapter 299k. The configuration of the virtual housing member 200k and the configuration of the adapter 299k are the same as the cartridge 20j of FIG. In addition, about another structure, including a modification, it is comprised similarly to the cartridge 20 (FIG. 7) of 1st Embodiment. As described above, the cartridge 20k may be configured by the housing member 200k and the adapter 299k.

E. Lever variants:
In the above embodiment, the elastic member 682 is provided separately from the lever 80 (FIG. 22), but the lever 80 itself may be a member that can be elastically deformed. 39 and 40, another embodiment of the lever will be described.

  FIG. 39 is a diagram for explaining the lever 80a. FIG. 39A is a first external perspective view of the lever 80a. FIG. 39B is a second side view of the lever 80a. The difference from the lever 80 of the first embodiment is that an arm 890 is newly provided and the lever 80a can be elastically deformed. The lever 80a is different from the lever 80 in the shape of the operation unit 830a. The lever 80a does not include the groove portion 870. About another structure, it is the same as the lever (FIG. 19) of 1st Embodiment. The lever 80a is formed of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene.

  FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60a. Note that the second portion 214 (FIG. 12) of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210a of the cartridge 20 of the present embodiment is omitted. The shaft portion 850 is attached to the first device side wall portion 603. When the lever 80a rotates around the shaft portion 850, the arm portion 890 comes into contact with the protrusion portion 603t that is a part of the first device side wall portion 603 and elastically deforms.

F. Modified example of cartridge side terminal group:
FIG. 41 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the terminal shape of the circuit board. These substrates 40c-40e differ only in the surface shape of the board | substrate 40 shown to FIG. 10 (A), and the terminals 431-439. In the substrates 40c and 40d in FIGS. 41A and 41B, the shape of each terminal is not substantially rectangular but has an irregular shape. In the substrate 40e of FIG. 41C, nine terminals 431 to 439 are arranged in a line, and the attachment detection terminals 435 and 439 are arranged at both ends thereof. The attachment detection terminals 431 and 434 are disposed between the attachment detection terminal 435 and the power supply terminal 436 and between the attachment detection terminal 439 and the data terminal 438, respectively. Also in these boards 40c-40e, arrangement | positioning of the contact part cp with the apparatus side terminal corresponding to each terminal 431-439 is the same as the board | substrate 400 of FIG. 10 (A). As described above, the surface shape of each terminal can be variously modified as long as the arrangement of the contact portions cp is the same.

G. Other variations:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

G-1. First modification:
In the above-described embodiment, the second cartridge side restricting portion 220 is provided on the fourth surface 204, but the second cartridge side restricting portion 220 may be omitted. For example, if the clearance between the cartridge 20 and the slot of the holder 60 is relatively small, all or part of the outer surface of the fourth surface 204 may be the second surface even without the second cartridge side restricting portion 220. By abutting on the apparatus side wall 604, the movement of the cartridge 20 toward the + Z-axis direction on the fourth surface 204 side is restricted. Thereby, the cartridge 20 can be held in the holder 60. Further, for example, an elastic member such as rubber is provided between the fourth surface 204 of the cartridge 20 and the wall portion 604 of the holder 60, and friction between the fourth surface 204 and the second device side wall portion 604 and the elastic member is provided. Therefore, the movement of the fourth surface 204 side toward the + Z-axis direction may be restricted. This elastic member may be a member different from the cartridge 20 or the holder 60, or may be attached to the fourth surface 204 of the cartridge 20 or the side wall 604 of the holder 60. In addition, when the 2nd cartridge side regulation part 220 is abbreviate | omitted, the 2nd apparatus side regulation part 620 (FIG. 15) of the 2nd apparatus side side wall part 604 can also be abbreviate | omitted.

  Further, the second cartridge side restricting portion 220 is a protrusion, but is not limited to this, and may be a concave portion. In this case, the second device-side regulating portion 620 of the second device-side side wall 604 is a protrusion. Further, a member that presses the fourth surface 204 side of the second surface 202 of the cartridge 20 toward the −Z-axis direction side may be provided in the holder 60. For example, a slidable rod-shaped member may be provided in the holder 60, and after the cartridge 20 is accommodated in the cartridge housing chamber 602, the fourth surface 204 side of the second surface 202 of the cartridge 20 may be pressed by the rod-shaped member.

G-2. Second modification:
In the above embodiment, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is close to the intersecting portion 295. However, the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 is not particularly limited to this. It can be provided (FIG. 12). Even in this case, since the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is positioned in the range 40, the direction in which the inclined surface on which the cartridge side terminal group is provided can be finely adjusted. Thereby, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group and the apparatus side terminal group can be stably achieved.

G-3. Third modification:
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, the lever 80 is provided with a pair of shaft portions 850 and the holding member 690 is provided with a bearing portion 654. Conversely, the lever 80 is provided with a bearing portion, and the holding member A shaft portion may be provided at 690. In the present embodiment, the lever 80 and the holding members 680 and 690 are assembled into the holder 60 in a united state so that the printer can be easily assembled. However, members such as the holding members 680 and 690 are not essential. A configuration may be adopted in which the bearing portion of the lever 80 is integrally provided on the outer wall 603W of the holder and the lever is fixed thereto.

G-4. Fourth modification:
The present invention can be applied not only to an ink jet printer and its ink cartridge, but also to any liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid other than ink and its liquid container. For example, the present invention can be applied to the following various liquid ejecting apparatuses and the liquid storage containers.
(1) Image recording device such as a facsimile machine (2) Color material injection device used for manufacturing a color filter for an image display device such as a liquid crystal display (3) Organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, surface emitting display (Field Electrode material injection device used for electrode formation such as Emission Display (FED), etc. (4) Liquid injection device for injecting liquid containing biological organic material used for biochip manufacturing (5) Sample injection device as a precision pipette (6) Lubrication Oil injection device (7) Resin liquid injection device (8) Liquid injection device for injecting lubricating oil pinpoint to precision machines such as watches and cameras (9) Micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements, etc. ), Etc., to inject a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin liquid onto the substrate (10) Acid or to etch the substrate A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects alkaline of the etching solution (11) any other liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head ejecting a minute amount of liquid droplet

  The “droplet” refers to the state of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting apparatus, and includes those that have tails in the form of particles, tears, and threads. The “liquid” here may be any material that can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, the “liquid” may be a material in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a material in a liquid state having high or low viscosity, and sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, Liquid materials such as liquid resins and liquid metals (metal melts) are also included in the “liquid”. Further, “liquid” includes not only a liquid as one state of a substance but also a liquid obtained by dissolving, dispersing or mixing particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles in a solvent. Further, representative examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes various liquid compositions such as general water-based ink and oil-based ink, gel ink, and hot-melt ink.

G-5. Fifth modification:
In addition, the present invention can be implemented as the following modifications. In addition, the code | symbol attached | subjected with the parenthesis with each element of each deformation | transformation aspect respond | corresponds to the code | symbol of each element described in 1st Embodiment.
First variant:
A cartridge (20) detachably mounted on the printing device (50),
A first surface (201) constituting an outer surface of the cartridge, the first surface (201) provided with a printing material supply port (280) connected to the printing apparatus;
A second surface (202) facing the first surface (201);
One side (291) is the third surface (203) connected to the second surface (202), and the other side (290) opposite to the one side (291) is the first side (291). A third surface (203) positioned between the first surface (201) and the second surface (202) in a facing direction (Z-axis direction) in which the surface (201) and the second surface (202) face each other;
A fourth surface (204) facing the third surface (203), the fourth surface (204) intersecting the first surface (201) and the second surface (202);
A fifth surface (205) intersecting the first surface (201), the second surface (202), the third surface (203), and the fourth surface (204);
A sixth surface (206) facing the fifth surface (205), a corner portion (265) which is an outer surface (265) connecting the first surface (201) and the third surface (203);
A cartridge-side terminal group (400) provided at the corner portion (265), wherein the cartridge (20) is mounted on the printing apparatus (50), and the apparatus side of the printing apparatus (50) is mounted. A cartridge side terminal group (400) to which an external force is applied so as to push up the cartridge from the terminal group (700);
A first cartridge side restricting portion that is provided on the third surface (203) and restricts movement of the cartridge in the pushing-up direction by being locked to the lever (80) of the printing apparatus in the mounted state. (210)
About the direction (Y-axis direction) in which the fifth surface (205) and the sixth surface (206) face each other,
The first cartridge side regulating portion (210) is located in the range (40Y) without being located outside the range (40Y) where the cartridge side terminal group (400) is located.

Second variant:
A cartridge (20) detachably mounted on the printing device (50),
A printing material supply port (280) connected to the printing apparatus;
A cartridge-side terminal group (400) provided on the outer surface of the cartridge, the device-side terminal of the printing device (50) when the cartridge (20) is attached to the printing device (50) A cartridge side terminal group (400) to which an external force is applied so as to push up the cartridge from the group (700);
A first cartridge side engagement restricting portion (211) disposed on the same side as the side on which the cartridge side terminal group (400) is provided on the outer surface, and in the mounted state, the lever ( 80), and a first cartridge side restricting portion (210) that restricts movement of the cartridge in the pushing-up direction (+ Z-axis direction) by being locked to 80),
About the width direction of the cartridge,
The first cartridge side regulating portion (211) is located outside the range (40Y) where the printing material cartridge side terminal group (400) is located, and is located in the range (40Y). .

  According to the first or second modification, the cartridge-side terminal group receives a force in the direction of pushing up from the apparatus-side terminal group, so that the direction in which the portion where the cartridge-side terminal group is provided can be finely adjusted. Thereby, the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal group and the apparatus side terminal group can be stably achieved. In the first or second modification, it is preferable that the first cartridge side restricting portion is located below the shaft around which the lever rotates. The lower side is, for example, the −Z-axis direction side, and is the direction opposite to the pushing-up direction, for example.

  In addition to the first or second modification, the requirements described in the application examples of the means for solving the invention may be added to the first or second modification.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printing material supply system 20, 20b-20g ... Cartridge 22 ... Outer shell 22c, 22j, 22k ... Outer shell 40 ... Circuit board 40Y ... Range 50, 50a ... Printer 60 ... Holder 70 ... Contact mechanism 80 ... Lever 90 ... Printing Medium 200 ... Printing material container 200i, 200j, 200k ... Housing member 200L ... Tube 200S ... Auxiliary adapter 200T ... External tank 201 ... First surface (first wall, bottom surface, bottom wall)
201i, 201j... First surface (first wall, bottom surface, bottom wall)
202 ... 2nd surface (2nd wall, upper surface, upper wall)
202i, 202j ... 2nd surface (2nd wall, upper surface, upper wall)
203 ... Third surface (third wall, front, front wall)
203i, 203j ... Third surface (third wall, front, front wall)
203P ... Middle point 204 ... Fourth surface (fourth wall, back surface, rear wall)
204i, 204j ... 4th surface (4th wall, back surface, rear wall)
205 ... 5th surface (5th wall, left side surface, left wall)
206 ... 6th surface (6th wall, right side surface, right wall)
206i, 206j ... Sixth surface (sixth wall, right side surface, right wall)
207 ... 7th surface (7th wall)
207i, 207j ... 7th surface (seventh wall)
208 ... 8th surface (8th wall)
208i, 208j ... 8th surface (8th wall)
208T ... Board installation part 209 ... Connection surface (connection wall)
210: first cartridge side regulating portion 211: first cartridge side locking surface (first contact portion)
212 ... 1st part 213 ... 2nd cartridge side latching surface (2nd contact part)
214 ... 2nd part 215 ... 3rd part 220 ... 2nd cartridge side regulation part 222 ... 1st regulation locking surface 224 ... inclined surface 226 ... 1st regulation side surface 228 ... 2nd regulation side surface 250 ... Third cartridge side regulating portion (protruding member)
260 ... Projection part 265 ... Corner part 280 ... Printing material supply port 282 ... Printing material flow path 284 ... Foam resin 288 ... Opening surface 290 ... First side 291 ... Second side 295 ... Intersection 299, 299j ... Adapter 302 ... Conveyance motor 314 ... Driving belt 316 ... Platen 317 ... Flexible cable 318 ... Carriage motor 350 ... Sub-control circuit 390 ... Display panel 400 ... Cartridge side terminal group 400P ... First region 400T ... Second region 401 ... Boss groove 402 ... Boss hole 405 ... substrate end 408 ... inclined surface (surface)
408X ... range 409 ... back surface 420 ... storage device 431 ... mounting detection terminal (third terminal)
431P ... third outer portion 432 ... memory terminal 433 ... clock terminal 434 ... mounting detection terminal (fourth terminal)
434P ... fourth outer portion 435 ... mounting detection terminal (first terminal)
435P ... first outer portion 435PL ... first virtual line 436 ... power supply terminal 437 ... cartridge side ground terminal 438 ... data terminal 439 ... mounting detection terminal (second terminal)
439P ... second outer portion 439PL ... second virtual line 510 ... control unit 520 ... carriage 540 ... head 550 ... sub control circuit 551 ... memory control circuit 552 ... mounting detection circuit 570 ... main control circuit 571 ... CPU
572 ... Memory 580 ... Power supply circuit 581 ... First power supply 582 ... Second power supply 590 ... Display panel 600 ... Storage chamber forming wall portion 600C ... Corner portion 601 ... Device side bottom wall portion 602 ... Cartridge storage chamber 603 ... First device Side wall portion 603W ... outer wall 604 ... second device side wall portion 605 ... third device side wall portion 606 ... fourth device side wall portion 607 ... partition wall 620 ... second device side regulating portion 620L ... second Locking position 622 ... Device side locking surface 624 ... End 636 ... Projection 640 ... Printing material supply pipe 642 ... Tip end 644 ... Porous filter 645 ... Base end 648 ... Elastic member 650 ... Holding member 651 ... Standing up Part 654 ... Bearing part 656 ... Engagement hole 658 ... Through hole 670 ... Space part 680 ... Holding member 681 ... Standing part 682 ... Elastic member 684 ... Sealing surface 686 ... Joint convex portion 688 ... through hole 690 ... holding member 690a ... holding member 700 ... device-side terminal group 708 ... device-side inclined surface 709 ... terminal block 727 ... device-side ground terminal 731-739 ... device-side terminal 800c ... rotating shaft (turn) Center of motion)
810: First device side regulating portion 810L: First locking position 811: First device side locking surface 811t: First device side locking surface 813: Second device side locking surface 815: Groove portion 820 ... guide portion 821 ... guide bottom wall surface 830 ... operation portion 831 ... operation portion facing surface 835 ... operation surface 850 ... shaft portion 850a ... first shaft portion 850b ... second shaft portion 852 ... first curved surface 854 ... second Curved surface 856 ... Radial side surface 858 ... Radial side surface 860 ... Guide wall portion 860a ... First guide wall portion 860b ... Second guide wall portion 870 ... Groove portion 880 ... Locking back surface portion 891 ... Outer surface 893 ... Outer surface C ... Center axis M ... Rotational moment SD ... Mounting direction cp ... Contact part

Claims (18)

(I) a device side bottom wall, (ii) a first device side wall provided in a direction intersecting with the device side bottom wall, and (iii) a direction intersecting with the device side bottom wall. A cartridge mounting portion comprising: a second device side wall portion provided so as to face the first device side wall portion;
A printing material supply pipe having a proximal end portion provided on the apparatus-side bottom wall portion and a distal end portion connected to the cartridge, and for distributing the printing material accommodated in the cartridge to the head;
A device-side terminal group provided at a device-side corner portion where the device-side bottom wall portion and the first device-side side wall portion intersect;
A lever that is pivotally provided on the first apparatus side wall and is used for attaching and detaching the cartridge;
An axis parallel to the central axis C of the printing material supply pipe is a Z axis, a direction in which the printing material supply pipe and the device-side terminal group are arranged, and a direction orthogonal to the Z axis is an X axis, the Z axis, and The axis perpendicular to the X axis is the Y axis, and the direction from the base end portion to the tip end portion of the printing material supply pipe in the Z axis direction is the + Z axis direction, which is opposite to the + Z axis direction. -Z-axis direction, of the X-axis direction, the direction from the printing material supply pipe toward the device-side terminal group is the + X-axis direction, and the direction opposite to the -X-axis direction is the -X-axis direction, When the direction toward one of the Y-axis directions is the + Y-axis direction and the direction toward the other is the -Y-axis direction,
The device-side terminal group is in contact with the cartridge in a mounted state where the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, and applies a force to the cartridge in a direction having the + Z-axis direction component,
The lever has an operation portion at an end on the + Z-axis direction side, and locks the cartridge at an end on the −Z-axis direction side to restrict the movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction. A printing apparatus that has one apparatus-side regulating section and rotates about a position between the operation section and the first apparatus-side regulating section.
A cartridge that is detachably mounted,
When the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis for the cartridge in the mounted state are the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis of the cartridge, respectively,
Two surfaces facing each other in the Z-axis direction, a first surface located on the −Z-axis direction side and a second surface located on the + Z-axis direction side;
A second surface that intersects the first surface and the second surface and faces in the X-axis direction, a third surface located on the + X-axis direction side, and a fourth surface located on the −X-axis direction side; ,
A corner portion connecting the first surface and the third surface;
An inclined surface that constitutes a part of the corner portion and inclines toward a direction including components of the + X-axis direction and the -Z-axis direction;
A printing material supply port provided on the first surface to which the printing material supply pipe is connected;
A cartridge side terminal group comprising a plurality of cartridge side terminals provided corresponding to each device side terminal of the apparatus side terminal group, wherein the cartridge side terminal group is provided on the inclined surface from the device side terminal group in the + Z-axis direction. A cartridge-side terminal group that receives a force in a direction having a component;
A first cartridge side regulating portion that regulates movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction by being locked to the first device side regulating portion,
The first cartridge side regulating portion is provided on the third surface,
The cartridge side terminal group includes:
A first terminal including a first outer portion located closest to the + Y-axis direction;
A second terminal including a second outer portion located closest to the -Y-axis direction side,
About the Y-axis direction
The cartridge in which the first cartridge side regulating portion is located inside the range without being located outside the range between the first outer portion and the second outer portion. The cartridge according to claim 1,
The first cartridge side regulating portion is a cartridge provided at a position close to an intersecting portion where the third surface and the inclined surface intersect. The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:
The cartridge side terminal group on the front surface has a circuit board provided with a storage device on the back surface,
The inclined surface is constituted by the surface of the circuit board;
The first cartridge side regulating portion is a cartridge that is close to a substrate end located on the + Z-axis direction side of the circuit board. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The cartridge, wherein the first cartridge side regulating portion is provided at a position passing through the center of the width of the cartridge in the Y-axis direction and across a plane parallel to the Z-axis and the X-axis. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cartridge is further locked by a second device side regulating portion provided on the second device side wall portion. A second cartridge side restricting portion for restricting movement in the + Z-axis direction;
The second cartridge side regulating portion is a cartridge provided on the fourth surface. The cartridge according to claim 5,
The cartridge, wherein the second cartridge side restricting portion is a protrusion inserted into the second device side restricting portion which is a recess or a through hole.   The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first cartridge side restricting portion is positioned on the −X axis direction side of the shaft of the lever. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
The first cartridge side restricting portion is in contact with a first portion of the first device side restricting portion to thereby restrict the movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction; And a second abutting portion that restricts movement of the cartridge in the + X-axis direction by abutting with a second portion of the one apparatus-side regulating portion. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A projecting portion to which a force including the + Z-axis direction component is applied by coming into contact with the operation portion of the lever when the cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting portion is removed from the cartridge mounting portion;
The cartridge, wherein the protrusion is provided on the + Z-axis direction side of the third surface with respect to the first cartridge side regulating portion. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The corner portion has a step surface extending in the + Z-axis direction from the first surface,
The step surface is located on the −X axis direction side and the −Z axis direction side with respect to the inclined surface,
The step surface is provided with a third cartridge-side restricting portion that restricts the movement of the cartridge in the Y-axis direction by contacting a third device-side restricting portion provided in the cartridge mounting portion. ,cartridge. The cartridge according to claim 10, wherein
The third cartridge side restricting portion is a pair of projecting members that receive the third device side restricting portion projecting in the + Z-axis direction from the device side bottom wall portion,
The cartridge is a cartridge that protrudes in the + X-axis direction from the step surface. The cartridge according to claim 10 or 11, wherein
A cartridge in which a part of the third cartridge side regulating portion overlaps the inclined surface when the cartridge is viewed from the first surface side in the + Z-axis direction. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
The printing material supply port is provided in a portion of the first surface that is closer to the fourth surface than the third surface. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
The cartridge in which the first cartridge side regulating portion is a protrusion. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 14,
The cartridge side terminal group includes a cartridge side ground terminal that contacts a device side ground terminal connected to a ground line of the device side terminal group,
The cartridge-side ground terminal is provided at the center of the width in the Y-axis direction of the cartridge, and when the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the other cartridge-side terminals in the cartridge-side terminal group A cartridge configured to contact the device-side ground terminal before contacting the device-side terminal group. The cartridge according to claim 15, wherein
The cartridge-side ground terminal has a length in the Z-axis direction that is longer than the length of the other cartridge-side terminal in the Z-axis direction. A cartridge mounting part to which the cartridge is attached and detached,
A printing material supply pipe having a proximal end portion provided at the bottom of the cartridge mounting portion and a distal end portion connected to the cartridge, and for distributing the printing material accommodated in the cartridge to the head;
A device-side terminal group in contact with the cartridge;
A lever used for attaching and detaching the cartridge,
An axis parallel to the central axis C of the printing material supply pipe is a Z axis, a direction in which the printing material supply pipe and the device-side terminal group are arranged, and a direction orthogonal to the Z axis is an X axis, the Z axis, and The axis perpendicular to the X axis is the Y axis, and the direction from the base end portion to the tip end portion of the printing material supply pipe in the Z axis direction is the + Z axis direction, which is opposite to the + Z axis direction. Is the -Z-axis direction, the X-axis direction is the direction from the printing material supply pipe toward the device-side terminal group is the + X-axis direction, and the opposite direction to the -X-axis direction is the -X-axis direction. sometimes,
The device-side terminal group is in contact with the cartridge in a mounted state where the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, and applies a force to the cartridge in a direction having the + Z-axis direction component,
The lever has an operation portion at an end on the + Z-axis direction side, and locks the cartridge at an end on the −Z-axis direction side to restrict the movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction. A printing apparatus that has one apparatus-side regulating section and rotates about a position between the operation section and the first apparatus-side regulating section.
A cartridge that is detachably mounted,
When the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis for the cartridge in the mounted state are the X axis, Y axis, and Z axis of the cartridge, respectively,
A printing material supply port located on the −Z-axis direction side and connected to the printing material supply pipe;
A cartridge-side terminal group that is located on the + X-axis direction side from the printing material supply port and includes a plurality of cartridge-side terminals provided corresponding to the device-side terminals of the device-side terminal group, A cartridge-side terminal group that is provided on an inclined surface that is inclined toward a direction including the components in the + X-axis direction and the −Z-axis direction, and receives a force in a direction having the component in the + Z-axis direction from the device-side terminal group; ,
A first cartridge side regulating portion that restricts movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction by being locked to the first device-side regulating portion, and is in the + X-axis direction from the printing material supply port. A first cartridge side regulating portion provided at a position on the side,
The cartridge side terminal group includes:
A first terminal including a first outer portion located closest to the + Y-axis direction;
A second terminal including a second outer portion located closest to the -Y-axis direction side,
About the Y-axis direction
The cartridge in which the first cartridge side regulating portion is located in the range without being located outside the range between the first outer portion and the second outer portion. A printing material supply system,
A printing device;
A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 17,
The printing apparatus includes:
(I) a device side bottom wall, (ii) a first device side wall provided in a direction intersecting with the device side bottom wall, and (iii) a direction intersecting with the device side bottom wall. A cartridge mounting portion comprising: a second device side wall portion provided so as to face the first device side wall portion;
A printing material supply pipe having a proximal end portion provided on the apparatus-side bottom wall portion and a distal end portion connected to the cartridge, and for distributing the printing material accommodated in the cartridge to the head;
A device-side terminal group provided at a device-side corner portion where the device-side bottom wall portion and the first device-side side wall portion intersect;
A lever that is pivotally provided on the first apparatus side wall and is used for attaching and detaching the cartridge;
An axis parallel to the central axis C of the printing material supply pipe is a Z axis, a direction in which the printing material supply pipe and the device-side terminal group are arranged, and a direction orthogonal to the Z axis is an X axis, the Z axis, and The axis perpendicular to the X axis is the Y axis, and the direction from the base end portion to the tip end portion of the printing material supply pipe in the Z axis direction is the + Z axis direction, which is opposite to the + Z axis direction. Is the -Z-axis direction, the X-axis direction is the direction from the printing material supply pipe toward the device-side terminal group is the + X-axis direction, the opposite direction to the -X-axis direction is the -X-axis direction, When the direction toward one of the Y axis directions is the + Y axis direction and the direction toward the other is the −Y axis direction,
The device-side terminal group is in contact with the cartridge in a mounted state where the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, and applies a force to the cartridge in a direction having the + Z-axis direction component,
The lever has an operation portion at the end on the + Z-axis direction side, and restricts the movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction by locking the cartridge at the end on the −Z-axis direction side. A printing material supply system which has a first device side restricting portion and rotates around a position between the operation portion and the first device side restricting portion.

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