JP3145628B2 - Ink cartridge positioning method, ink cartridge and ink jet recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink cartridge positioning method for mounting an ink cartridge on an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink cartridge used in the method, and an ink jet recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a structure for positioning a detachable ink cartridge at a predetermined position in an ink jet recording apparatus is known from Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 63-155752 and 59-12855. I have.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a positioning structure of a conventional ink cartridge disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-15575, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a conventional ink cartridge disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-12855. It is a schematic diagram which shows a positioning structure.

The ink cartridge positioning structure shown in FIG. 6 has a positioning pin 62 provided in the ink cartridge 61 and a positioning groove 64 provided in the cartridge case 63.
The ink cartridge 6
The needle 66 is passed through the stopper while the stopper 66 and the needle 66 of the cartridge case 63 are positioned.
The ink is supplied from the ink supply port 65 of the cartridge case 63 through the stopper.

The ink cartridge positioning structure shown in FIG. 7 is such that the ink cartridge 71 is positioned by inserting and fitting the ink cartridge 71 into a supply pipe 73 for supplying ink to an ink tank 72. The structure is such that ink leakage from the cartridge 71 is prevented.

[0006]

However, the above-described conventional example has the following problems in positioning the ink cartridge.

In the conventional example described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-155752, the tip of a needle for guiding the ink in the ink cartridge into the ink jet head is sharp and dangerous. Therefore, it is sufficient to use a pipe-shaped pipe whose tip is not sharp, and to form a pilot hole in the plug in advance so that the pipe can easily pass through the plug of the ink cartridge. However, if there is a misalignment between the pilot hole and the tube,
The tube may be difficult to penetrate the stopper or may not penetrate at all.

In the conventional example disclosed in JP-A-59-12855, only an ink supply pipe for supplying ink to the ink tank when the ink cartridge is mounted is prepared. The part to be fitted at the time of mounting will be so-called darkness,
It is hard to wear. As a countermeasure, it is conceivable to provide a guide portion on the outer periphery of the ink cartridge or the like, and to guide a part to be finally fitted.

However, in the case of such a configuration, if the above-mentioned guide portion is provided to securely fit the ink cartridge into the above-mentioned ink supply tube, and if the dimensional processing accuracy of the ink cartridge is considerably increased, Even after the ink cartridge and the ink supply tube are positioned by fitting, the fitting portion of the ink cartridge is restrained, so that a load is applied to the support portion of the ink supply tube and the ink cartridge is frequently replaced. It is not preferable when considering. On the other hand, if the dimensional processing accuracy is loosened by increasing the gap between the above-mentioned guide portion and the ink cartridge, the above load is not applied, but the ink cartridge cannot be accurately guided to the part to be finally fitted. It becomes difficult to do. Further, when the ink cartridge is tilted by hand or the like, the gap is large, so that the ink cartridge is easily tilted, and as a result, a load is applied to the supply pipe and the supply pipe support.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to guide an ink cartridge accurately in mounting and positioning the ink supply tube until the ink supply tube and the ink cartridge start to be fitted. An object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge positioning method, an ink cartridge, and an ink jet recording apparatus that do not apply a load to a supply pipe, a supply pipe support, and the like.

Another object of the present invention is to engage a predetermined storage member for storing the ink cartridge with the ink cartridge up to a position where the fitting portion of the ink cartridge and the support portion of the ink supply pipe start fitting. By guiding the ink supply tube and the position of the ink cartridge with high precision without looseness, and by loosening the engagement state of the predetermined storage member and the ink cartridge after fitting, After the cartridge is completely mounted in the predetermined storage member, the ink cartridge positioning method, which can reduce the load on the supply pipe support without restraining the ink cartridge by the support of the ink supply pipe, the ink cartridge, and the ink jet recording apparatus Is to provide.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF to the first invention for achieving the above object, fitting of the fitting portion of the ink cartridge, an ink supply tube supporting portion of the ink supply tube provided in the ink cartridge receiving section A cartridge positioning method for mounting the ink cartridge in the ink cartridge storage section, wherein the ink cartridge storage section is mounted until the fitting section of the ink cartridge and the ink supply pipe support section start fitting. a step part and to guide the ink cartridge by the engagement between said ink cartridge to position the position of the position and the engagement portion of the ink cartridge of the ink supply tube, wherein the fitting portion of the ink cartridge After fitting with the ink supply tube support portion, the ink cartridge storage portion and the ink cartridge At least in part disengaging the to; and a mounting step of completing the ink cartridge into the ink cartridge receiving section.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus for performing recording on a recording medium using an ink jet head, wherein an ink cartridge for storing ink to be supplied to the ink jet head is housed. and an ink cartridge receiving section for, in order to supply the ink in the ink cartridge to the inkjet head, the ink supply pipe located matable fitted portion with the said ink cartridge to said ink cartridge housing unit And a supply pipe support located in the ink cartridge storage to support the ink supply pipe; and mounting the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is stored in the ink cartridge storage. Cartridge mounting surface for carrying out printing, and the ink cartridge When guiding di to the cartridge mounting surface comprises a guide member provided on the ink cartridge storage portion for guiding the ink cartridge engaged with said guide member, said in guiding initial It is characterized by comprising: a first guide portion that engages with the ink cartridge; and a second guide portion that at least partially releases the engagement with the ink cartridge at the end of the guide.

A third invention to achieve the above object, is housed in the ink cartridge storage portion of the ink jet recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium using an ink jet head, wherein the ink supply pipe into the ink cartridge receiving section And an ink cartridge for storing ink supplied to the ink jet head, wherein a supply tube support portion for supporting the ink supply tube and a cartridge mounting surface are located, A fitting portion for fitting the ink supply pipe to supply ink to the ink jet head, and engaging with the ink cartridge storage portion when the ink cartridge is guided to the cartridge mounting surface. And a guiding member for guiding the ink. A first guide part that engages the cartridges, and a second guide portion which at least partially release the engagement between said ink cartridge in the guide end, characterized in that it comprises a.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink cartridge having an ink sealed inside with a stopper made of an elastic member having a pilot hole, the ink cartridge being detachable from a predetermined storage member, A supply pipe arranged in the storage member for supplying ink in the cartridge to the ink jet recording head, a supply pipe support for supporting the supply pipe,
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a guide unit provided relatively to the predetermined storage member and the ink cartridge, for guiding the ink cartridge into the predetermined storage member; and It is provided near the stopper, and is fitted with the supply pipe support in the process of mounting the ink cartridge inside the predetermined storage member using the guide means,
Have a, and the ink cartridge fitting portion for positioning the position of the prepared hole of the stopper and the position of the supply tube, said guide
The means includes fitting the supply tube support to the ink cartridge.
The storage member and the ink cartridge are
It is characterized by canceling the guidance between the car and the car .

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the ink cartridge is mounted inside the predetermined storage member using the guide means, the ink cartridge is provided near the stopper for sealing the ink in the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge fitting portion is fitted with a supply tube support portion protruding from an ink jet recording head built in a predetermined storage member,
The position of the supply pipe is aligned with the position of the pilot hole.

In such a mounting process, the guide means guides the engagement between the predetermined storage member and the ink cartridge without play until the ink cartridge fitting portion and the supply pipe support portion start fitting. Therefore, the position of the supply pipe and the position of the pilot hole of the stopper are accurately positioned.
In addition, since the guide means loosens the engagement between the predetermined member and the ink cartridge from the time of the engagement, after the ink cartridge is completely mounted, the ink cartridge is not restrained, The load on the supply pipe support is also eliminated.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of an ink cartridge positioning structure of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, and shows a state when an ink cartridge is mounted.

The ink jet recording apparatus having the ink cartridge positioning structure of the present embodiment is for serially moving a predetermined ink cartridge accommodating member 9a on which the ink jet recording head 1 is mounted as shown in FIG. 1 along a recording area. A carriage 9 is provided. The storage member 9a is a member provided with the ink cartridge mounting surface 9b, and may be integrated with the carriage 9, or may be a separate member detachable from the carriage 9. In the present embodiment, a configuration in which the storage member 9a and the carriage 9 are integrated will be described. One end of the carriage 9 is slidable on the sliding shaft 12 and rotatably fitted around the sliding shaft 12, and the other end is engaged with the guide 13. The carriage 9
Is associated with a part of a timing belt (not shown), and can reciprocate along the sliding shaft 12 by driving the timing belt by a motor (not shown). During this reciprocating motion, the ink jet recording apparatus ejects ink from the ink jet recording head 1 at a predetermined timing to form a print image. In addition, the ink jet recording head 1 is an electrothermal converter (for converting electric energy into thermal energy) or an electromechanical converter (for converting electric energy into mechanical displacement) for generating energy for discharging ink from the ink discharge port. To convert to).

The cartridge accommodating member 9a is configured such that an ink cartridge 4 capable of storing ink is detachable, and a supply pipe 3 for guiding the ink in the ink cartridge 4 into the ink jet recording head 1 is provided. The support portion 2 is vertically projected. The supply pipe 3 and the supply pipe support 2 are not only fixed directly to the cartridge accommodating member 9a, but also provided with another member, for example, the supply pipe 3 and the supply pipe support 2 in the inkjet recording head 1. The ink cartridge 4 may be mounted in the cartridge storage member 9a after the inkjet recording head 1 is positioned and mounted in the cartridge storage member 9a. At least the supply pipe 3 and the supply pipe support 2 need only be positioned so as to be fittable with the ink cartridge 4 with respect to the cartridge storage member 9a.

A groove-shaped guided portion 5 is formed on the side surface of the ink cartridge 4. The cartridge accommodating member 9a is provided with a guide portion 10 having a tapered portion 11 on the ink cartridge mounting surface 9b side. The guided part 5 of the ink cartridge 4 can be inserted into the guide part 10, and only the groove width of the guided part 5 on the bottom side of the ink cartridge 4 is set in the engaged state of the guided part 5 and the guide part 10. It is set so that there is no play. In this example, the guided portion 5 is provided on the ink cartridge 4 and the guide portion 10 is provided on the carriage 9. However, the guide means including the groove-shaped guided portion and the guide portion that can be inserted into the groove portion is provided by an ink cartridge. 4 and the cartridge accommodating member 9a, that is, a groove-shaped guided portion is provided on the cartridge accommodating member 9a, and a guide portion that can be inserted into the guided portion is provided on the ink cartridge 4. Is also good. In addition, when a plurality of engagement portions between the above-described guided portion and the guide portion are provided, positioning with higher accuracy can be performed.

The ink cartridge 4 incorporates a plug 6 having a resilient property in which a prepared hole is previously formed with a needle or the like, and the ink inside the ink cartridge 4 is sealed by the plug 6. The ink cartridge 4 is provided with a stopper 6 through which a hole easily penetrates by pressing the tip of the supply pipe 3 and ink is sealed inside the ink cartridge 4. In the vicinity of the stopper 6, an ink cartridge fitting portion 7 is provided for fitting the supply tube support portion 2 after guiding the ink cartridge 4 along the guide portion 10.

The ink cartridge 4 includes a carriage 9
Is provided with a retaining portion 8 which is caught by the locking opening 14 provided in the carriage 9 and holds the ink cartridge 4 in the carriage 9. In this example, a plurality of ink cartridges 4
(Yellow, magenta, cyan, black) can be mounted on the carriage 9.

Next, the process of positioning the ink cartridge 4 and the supply pipe 3 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a mounting process and a method of mounting the ink jet cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The user inserts the guided portion 5 of the ink cartridge 4 into the guide portion 10 of the cartridge housing member 9a, and places the ink cartridge 4 along the guide portion 10 while holding the ink cartridge 4 on the cartridge mounting surface 9 of the cartridge housing member 9a.
Push in to b side.

Then, as shown in FIG. 2A, the supply pipe 3 is in the space of the ink cartridge fitting portion 7. At this time, the stopper 6 of the ink cartridge 4 has not yet reached the supply pipe 3, and the guided portion 5 is in an engaged state with the guide portion 10 without rattling.

When the ink cartridge 4 is further pushed downward from the state shown in FIG. 2A (toward the cartridge mounting surface 9b), as shown in FIG. In a state where the tip of the ink cartridge fitting portion 7 has reached the tip of the supply pipe support portion 2,
And the supply pipe support 2 is fitted. At this time, since the tapered portion 11 is provided on the bottom side of the cartridge accommodating member 9a of the guide portion 10, the engagement between the guided portion 5 and the guide portion 10 tends to start loosening. In FIG. 2B, the plug 6 does not reach the supply pipe 3 even in this state, but the plug 6 and the supply pipe 3 may be in contact with each other.

When the ink cartridge 4 is further pushed downward, the ink cartridge fitting portion 7 and the supply tube support portion 2 are inserted by fitting as shown in FIG. 2C. The engagement between the guided portion 5 and the guide portion 10 is completely loose.

Thereafter, when the ink cartridge 4 is completely mounted on the cartridge mounting surface 9b of the carriage 9, the stopper 6 reaches the supply pipe 3, and the supply pipe 3 closes the stopper 6 or the lower hole of the stopper 6. 1, the retaining portion 8 shown in FIG. 1 is hooked on the locking opening 14, and the mounting of the ink cartridge 4 is completed.

As described above, the state in which the tip of the ink cartridge fitting portion 7 of the ink cartridge 4 has reached the tip of the supply tube support portion 2, that is, the fitting of the ink cartridge fitting portion 7 and the supply tube support portion 2 From the state where is started,
Since the engagement between the guided portion 5 and the guide portion 10 starts to loosen, the ink cartridge 4 is not restrained by the guide portion 10 even after the ink cartridge 4 is mounted.

Accordingly, the ink cartridge 4 can be smoothly mounted, and the load on the supply pipe support 2 after the ink cartridge 4 is mounted is eliminated. In particular, the supply pipe support 2 is provided directly on the ink jet recording head. In this configuration, adverse effects on the supply pipe support 2 and the internal flow path of the inkjet recording head 1 and the inclination of the face surface of the inkjet recording head 1 can be minimized, and a clear printed image can be obtained.

The retaining portion 8 integrally formed with the ink cartridge 4 has a spring property, and pushes the ink cartridge 4 in. The retaining portion 8 is moved into the locking opening 1.
Before engaging the ink cartridge 4, the ink cartridge 4 is brought into contact with a portion near the locking opening 14 so that the ink cartridge 4 is guided.
At the moment when the force acts in the direction of pressing to 0, the engagement between the guided portion 5 and the guide portion 10 becomes loose, there is a possibility that the fitting and insertion of the ink cartridge fitting portion 7 and the supply pipe support portion 2 may be prevented. .

Accordingly, by setting the position where the spring property of the retaining portion 8 starts to act after the ink cartridge fitting portion 7 and the supply tube support portion 2 are fitted,
Further accurate positioning and operability can be improved.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of the ink cartridge positioning structure of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a cartridge case 33 as a storage member
The ink cartridge 2 is attached to the ink tank 34 of the inkjet recording head 21 mounted on the carriage 28.
4 is a configuration example in which the ink inside 4 is supplied through a tube 35.

As in the first embodiment, the carriage 28 has one end slidable on the sliding shaft 31 and the sliding shaft 31
And the other end is engaged with the guide 32. The carriage 28 is associated with a part of a timing belt (not shown), and is capable of reciprocating along the sliding shaft 31 by driving the timing belt by a motor (not shown). During this reciprocating motion, the ink jet recording apparatus ejects ink from the ink jet recording head 21 at a predetermined timing to form a print image.

Tube 3 connected to ink tank 34
The other end of the supply tube 5 opposite to the one end is connected to the supply tube support portion 22 of the supply tube 23 provided at the back of the cartridge case 33. Further, the periphery of the supply pipe 23 is surrounded by a wall 36 larger than the supply pipe 3, and the ink cartridge fitting portion 27 is provided.
And the wall 36 are fitted.

The cartridge case 33 is provided with a pair of guide portions 29 vertically above and below the drawing. On the ink cartridge 24 side, a groove-shaped guided portion 25 corresponding to each of the guide portions 20 is provided. ing.

In this embodiment, the supply pipe 23 is covered with the wall 36, so that the supply pipe 23 is hardly touched by the hand. As a result, there is shown a configuration in which dust or the like is not attached or an excessive force is not applied. I have.

Next, a process and a method for positioning the ink cartridge 24 and the supply pipe 23 will be described with reference to FIG.

The user inserts the guided portion 25 of the ink cartridge 24 into the guide portion 29 of the cartridge case 33 , and pushes the ink cartridge 24 deep into the cartridge case 33 while following the guide portion 29.

Then, with the tip of the ink cartridge fitting portion 27 reaching the tip of the supply tube 23,
The state where the fitting between the ink cartridge fitting portion 27 and the wall 36 is started. At this time, since the tapered portion 30 is provided at the end of the guide portion 29 on the inner side of the cartridge case 33, the engagement between the guided portion 25 and the guide portion 29 tends to start loosening. Also in this state, the stopper 26 has not reached the supply pipe 23.

When the ink cartridge 24 is further pushed in, the ink cartridge fitting portion 27 and the wall 36 are fitted, and in this state, the engagement between the guided portion 25 and the guide portion 29 becomes completely loose. As a result, the ink cartridge 24 is not strongly restrained by the guide portion 29 at the back of the cartridge case 33.

Thereafter, when the ink cartridge 24 is further pushed in, the stopper 26 reaches the supply tube 23, and the supply tube 23 passes through the stopper 26 or the lower hole of the stopper 26, and the mounting of the ink cartridge 24 is completed. .

(Third Embodiment) This embodiment has a configuration in which no further load is applied to the supply pipe in the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of a supply pipe of a third embodiment of the ink cartridge positioning structure of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention. In this figure, the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and in the description of this example, the description of the same parts as those in the second embodiment will be omitted.

In FIG. 4, projections 38 are formed on both sides of the plug 26a to provide a sealing property, and a slope 37 is formed in a lower hole of the plug 26a at the tip end of the ink cartridge fitting portion 27. . The stopper 26a is provided with a gap 39.
And is incorporated in the ink cartridge 24, so that it is easy to move in the direction of the arrow.

As described above, since the stopper 26a can be easily moved in the direction of the arrow even after being incorporated into the ink cartridge 24, the stopper 26a is fitted and inserted in the process in which the ink cartridge fitting portion 27 and the wall 36 are fitted and inserted. Slope 37 and gap 3
9, the stopper 26a moves with respect to the supply pipe 23,
The supply pipe 23 and the prepared hole of the plug 26a are positioned more accurately without applying a load, and the operability is not reduced.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 5 is a view showing an ink cartridge fitting portion which is a fourth embodiment of the ink cartridge positioning structure of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

This embodiment is different from the first or second embodiment shown in FIG.
By forming a notch 41 in the ink cartridge fitting portion shown in the embodiment, the fitting piece 40 has a spring property. By using this configuration,
In comparison with the first and second embodiments described above, it is possible to further reduce the load on the supply tube support and the ink jet recording head.

[0053]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

(1) In order to connect the ink cartridge and the ink jet recording head via a supply pipe, when the ink cartridge is mounted on a predetermined storage member,
A guide means is used to guide the ink cartridge, and in the ink cartridge, an ink cartridge fitting part provided in the vicinity of a stopper for sealing ink is provided with a supply pipe support part projecting from a predetermined storage member, Alternatively, by fitting with a wall surrounding the supply pipe protruding from the inside of the predetermined storage member, the position of the supply pipe and the position of the stopper or the lower hole of the stopper are determined, The operability is improved, and the position of the supply pipe and the position of the stopper or the lower hole of the stopper can be positioned with high precision.

(2) In the process of mounting the ink cartridge, when it reaches a position where the ink cartridge fitting portion and the supply tube support portion start to be fitted, the ink cartridge and the predetermined storage member that have not been loosened up to that point. The guide means is configured to loosen the engagement state of the ink cartridge, so that damage to the supply tube support portion due to frequent mounting and detachment of the ink cartridge can be suppressed. In particular, in a configuration in which the supply pipe support is provided directly on the inkjet recording head, it is possible to minimize the adverse effect on the internal flow path of the inkjet recording head and the inclination of the face of the inkjet recording head. A good printed image can be obtained.

(3) The ink cartridge is provided with a retaining portion having a spring property, and the position where the spring property of the retaining portion of the ink cartridge starts to act is determined by the fitting state of the ink cartridge fitting portion and the supply pipe support portion. By setting after, the operability is further improved.

(4) By providing a cutout in the ink cartridge fitting portion to have a spring property, it is possible to further reduce the load on the supply tube support portion and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first embodiment of an ink cartridge positioning structure of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining a mounting process and a method of mounting an ink jet cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a second embodiment of the ink cartridge positioning structure of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a peripheral portion of a supply pipe of a third embodiment of an ink cartridge positioning structure of an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an ink cartridge fitting portion which is a fourth embodiment of the ink cartridge positioning structure of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing an example of a conventional ink cartridge positioning structure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing another example of a conventional ink cartridge positioning structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 21 Inkjet recording head 2, 22 Supply pipe support 3, 23 Supply pipe 4, 24 Ink cartridge 5, 25 Guided part 6, 26 Plug 7, 27 Ink cartridge fitting part 8 Retaining part 9, 28 Carriage 9a Cartridge storage member 9b Ink cartridge mounting surface 10, 29 Guide portion 11, 30 Taper portion 12, 31 Sliding shaft 13, 32 Guide 14 Locking opening 15, 33 Cartridge case 16, 34 Ink tank 17, 35 Tube 36 Wall 37 Slope 38 Projection 39 Gap 40 Fitting piece 41 Notch

Claims (20)

(57) [Claims] And 1. A fitting portion of the ink cartridge, by fitting the ink supply tube supporting portion of the ink supply tube provided in the ink cartridge storage portion, when mounting the ink cartridge on the ink cartridge storage portion A cartridge positioning method, wherein the ink cartridge is guided by the engagement of the ink cartridge accommodating portion and the ink cartridge until the fitting portion of the ink cartridge and the ink supply tube support portion start to be fitted. the position of the ink supply pipe
Engagement of the step of positioning the position of the engaging portion of the ink cartridge, after fitting of the fitting portion of the ink cartridge the ink supply tube supporting portion, and the ink cartridge and the ink cartridge receiving section At least partially releasing the ink cartridge to the ink cartridge accommodating portion to complete the mounting of the ink cartridge. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the positioning step guides the ink cartridge so that the ink cartridge accommodating portion and the ink cartridge are not loosely engaged with each other, and fits the position of the ink supply pipe to the ink cartridge. The position of a part is positioned with high precision.
3. The ink cartridge positioning method according to claim 1. 3. The mounting completion step includes the step of loosening an engagement state between a guide portion provided in the ink cartridge storage portion and a guided portion provided in the ink cartridge , and mounting the ink cartridge in the ink cartridge storage portion. and the draft <br/> the constraining Shinano said ink cartridge to said guide portion
2. The ink cartridge positioning method according to claim 1, wherein the mounting in the ink cartridge storage section is completed. 4. The ink cartridge storage section is provided in an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium using an ink jet head that discharges ink.
The ink cartridge positioning method according to claim 1. 5. The ink cartridge positioning method according to claim 4, wherein the ink cartridge storage section is provided on a carriage that serially moves a recording area. Wherein said ink jet head comprises an electrothermal transducer for generating energy for discharging ink, an ink cartridge positioning method according to claim 4. 7. The ink jet recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium using an inkjet head, ink car <br/> cartridge housing for housing an ink cartridge for storing ink to be supplied to said ink jet head An ink supply pipe positioned to be fittable with a fitting part of the ink cartridge with respect to the ink cartridge storage part so as to supply the ink in the ink cartridge to the ink jet head; a supply tube supporting portion located in said ink Katori <br/> Tsu di housing portion for supporting the tube, for the ink cartridge is placed on the ink cartridge when it is housed in the ink cartridge storage portion A cartridge mounting surface, and the ink cartridge to the cartridge mounting surface A guide member provided in the ink cartridge accommodating portion for engaging and guiding with the ink cartridge when guiding, wherein the first guide member engages with the ink cartridge at an initial stage of the guide. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a guide section; and a second guide section that at least partially releases engagement with the ink cartridge at the end of the guide. 8. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first guide portion guides the ink cartridge so that the ink cartridge storage portion and the ink cartridge are not loosely engaged with each other, and guides the position of the ink supply pipe and the position of the ink cartridge. 8. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the position of the fitting portion is positioned with high accuracy. 9. The second guide section guides the ink cartridge by loosening an engagement state between the ink cartridge accommodating section and the ink cartridge so that the ink cartridge is not restrained by the second guide section. 9. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is mounted on the ink cartridge storage section. 10. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second guide has a tapered shape for loosening an engagement state with the ink cartridge. 11. The ink cartridge storage section is provided on a carriage that serially moves a recording area.
An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 8. 12. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the ink jet head includes an electrothermal transducer for generating energy for discharging ink. 13. An ink cartridge which is housed in an ink cartridge accommodating section of an ink jet recording apparatus which performs recording on a recording medium using an ink jet head, wherein the ink cartridge accommodating section has an ink supply pipe and the ink supply pipe. An ink cartridge for storing ink to be supplied to the inkjet head, wherein a supply pipe supporting portion for supporting the ink cartridge and a cartridge mounting surface are located, wherein the ink in the ink cartridge is stored in the inkjet head. A fitting portion for fitting to the ink supply pipe to supply the ink cartridge to the ink supply tube; and a guide for engaging and guiding the ink cartridge storage portion when the ink cartridge is guided to the cartridge mounting surface. A first member that engages with the ink cartridge at an early stage of guiding. Parts and the ink cartridge, characterized in that it comprises a second guide portion which at least partially release the engagement between said ink cartridge in the guide end. 14. The ink supply device according to claim 1, wherein the first guide unit guides the ink cartridge so that the ink cartridge storage unit and the ink cartridge are not loosely engaged with each other to guide the position of the ink supply pipe and the position of the ink cartridge. 14. The ink cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the position of the fitting portion is positioned with high precision. 15. The ink supply device according to claim 15, wherein the second guide portion guides the ink cartridge by loosening an engagement state between the ink cartridge accommodating portion and the ink cartridge so that the ink cartridge is not restrained by the second guide portion. 14. The ink cartridge is mounted in the ink cartridge storage section.
An ink cartridge according to claim 1. 16. The ink cartridge according to claim 13, wherein said second guide portion has a tapered shape for loosening an engagement state with said ink cartridge storage portion. 17. The ink cartridge accommodating section is provided on a carriage that serially moves a recording area.
The ink cartridge according to claim 13. 18. The ink cartridge according to claim 13, wherein said ink jet head includes an electrothermal converter for generating energy for discharging ink. 19. An ink cartridge detachably attached to a predetermined storage member, wherein ink is sealed inside by a stopper made of an elastic member having a prepared hole, and ink in the ink cartridge is supplied to an ink jet recording head. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising: a supply pipe arranged in the storage member for supplying the ink to the storage member; and a supply pipe supporter for supporting the supply pipe. Guide means for guiding the ink cartridge into the predetermined storage member; and a guide provided near the stopper of the ink cartridge, wherein the ink cartridge is provided inside the predetermined storage member using the guide means. In the process of being mounted on the supply pipe, the supply pipe is fitted with the support section, and the position of the supply pipe and the position of the pilot hole of the stopper are positioned. Possess an ink cartridge fitting portion to perform, the said guide means, said supply tube supporting portion and the ink cart Li
When the housing member and the ink cartridge are
An ink jet recording apparatus for canceling a guide to a cartridge . 20. In the process of mounting the ink cartridge on the predetermined storage member, the guide means may be used when the leading end of the ink cartridge fitting portion reaches the leading end of the supply tube support portion, and up to that time. 20. The ink cartridge according to claim 19, wherein the engagement state between the predetermined storage member and the ink cartridge without looseness is loosened.
3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1.