Patent Description:
As a recording apparatus such as an inkjet printer and a laser beam printer, there is a recording apparatus to which a member (for example, an ink cartridge) including an electrode portion provided with a pad electrode can be mounted. When such a member is mounted on the recording apparatus, the pad electrode of the member is in a state in which it is electrically connected to the electric connection portion on the recording apparatus side.

<CIT> describes an ink cartridge provided with a circuit board (pad electrode) including a memory element. When this ink cartridge is mounted to the recording apparatus, the connection terminal of the recording apparatus and the pad electrode of the ink cartridge are brought into the electrical connection with each other. A generic member showing the features of the preamble of claim <NUM> is known from <CIT>. Further prior art members are shown in <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

It is an object of the present invention to further develop a cartridge or a member according to the preamble of claim <NUM>. This object is achieved by a member having the features of claim <NUM>. Advantageous further developments are set out in the dependent claims. An ink cartridge comprising such a cartridge is defined in claim <NUM>. A recording apparatus comprising such a member or such an ink cartridge is defined in claim <NUM>.

Further features of the present description will be apparent from the following description of the example with reference to the attached drawings.

According to the investigation by the inventors of the present invention, when the ink cartridge disclosed in <CIT> is mounted in the recording apparatus, if the mounting force is strong, the contact between the connection terminals of the recording apparatus and the pad electrodes of the ink cartridge may not be good enough in some cases.

That is, in the prior art, there is room for improvement on the member (ink cartridges) including the pad electrodes and the recording apparatus to which the member is mounted.

In the following, embodiments of the member, the ink cartridge, and the recording apparatus according to the present invention will be specifically described in conjunction with the drawings. Here, each of the following embodiments is a preferable example for carrying out the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the structures of such examples. In addition, the contents described in each embodiment can be combined with a part or parts of the description content.

First, an example in which an ink jet printer is used as a recording apparatus, and in which an ink cartridge is used as the mountable member will be described.

Referring to <FIG>, the overall structure of an inkjet printer <NUM> (hereinafter referred to as a recording apparatus <NUM>) as an example of a recording apparatus will be described <FIG> is an internal structure illustration of the recording apparatus <NUM>. In <FIG>, a x direction indicates the horizontal direction, a y direction (the direction perpendicular to the sheet of the drawing) indicates the direction in which the discharge openings are arranged in the recording head <NUM> described later, and the z direction indicates the direction of gravity (vertical direction). Here, the x direction, the y direction and the z direction shown in <FIG> are usable with the same meaning also in the drawings after <FIG>. For example, the x direction, the y direction and the z direction shown in Parts (a) and (b) of <FIG> are directions same as the x direction, the y direction and the direction shown in <FIG>, respectively.

The recording apparatus <NUM> is a multifunction machine including a printing portion <NUM> and a scanner portion <NUM> above the printing portion <NUM>, and various processes relating to a recording operation and a reading operation are individually or in interrelation with the printing portion <NUM> and the scanner portion <NUM> can be executed. The scanner portion <NUM> is equipped with ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) and FBS (Flat Bed Scanner), and it is possible to scan originals automatically fed by the ADF and to read originals placed on the platen of the FBS by the user. Here, <FIG> shows a multifunction peripheral including both the printing unit <NUM> and the scanner unit <NUM>, but the scanner unit <NUM> may not be provided. <FIG> shows a state in which the recording apparatus <NUM> is in a stand-by state in which neither the recording operation nor the reading operation is carried out.

In the printing unit <NUM>, a first cassette 5A and a second cassette 5B for storing a recording material (cut sheet) S are dismountably mounting at a bottom portion of the casing <NUM> downwardly in the gravity direction. Relatively small recording materials up to A4 size are accommodated in the first cassette 5A and relatively large recording materials up to A3 size are accommodated in the second cassette 5B in the form of a flat stack. In the neighborhood of the first cassette 5A, there is provided a first feeding unit 6A for separating and feeding the stored recording materials one by one. Similarly, in the neighborhood of the second cassette 5B, the second feeding unit 6B is provided. When the recording operation is carried out, the recording material S is selectively fed from one of the cassettes.

A feeding roller <NUM>, a discharge roller <NUM>, a pinch roller 7a, a spur 7b, a guide <NUM>, an inner guide <NUM> and a flapper <NUM> are feeding mechanisms for guiding to feed the recording material S in a predetermined direction. The feeding rollers <NUM> are disposed on an upstream side and a downstream side of the recording head <NUM> and are driving rollers driven by a feeding motor (not shown). The pinch roller 7a is a driven roller that rotates while nipping the recording material S together with the feeding roller <NUM>. The discharging roller <NUM> is a driving roller which is disposed on the downstream side of the feeding roller <NUM> and is driven by a feeding motor (not shown). The spur 7b sandwiches and feeds the recording material S together with the feeding roller <NUM> and the discharge roller <NUM> provided on the downstream side of the recording head <NUM>.

The guide <NUM> is provided in the feeding path of the recording material S and guides the recording material S in a predetermined direction. The inner guide <NUM> extends in the y direction, has a curved side surface, and guides the recording material S along the side surface. The flapper <NUM> is for switching the direction in which the recording material S is fed during the duplex recording operation. The discharge tray <NUM> is for stacking and holding the recording materials S discharged by the discharge roller <NUM> after completion of the recording operation.

The recording head <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a full-line type ink jet recording head, in which ejection openings for injecting ink in accordance with recording data are arranged in the y direction in <FIG>, and the number of ejection openings are enough to cover width of the recording material S. In addition, it is an inkjet recording head capable of color printing. When the recording head <NUM> is in the standby position, the ejection opening surface 8a of the recording head <NUM> is capped by the cap unit <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. When performing the recording operation, the direction of the recording head <NUM> is changed by the print controller so that the ejection opening surface 8a faces the platen <NUM>. The platen <NUM> is constituted by a flat plate extending in the y direction, and supports the recording material S on which the recording operation is performed by the recording head <NUM>, at the back side of the recording material S.

The recording head <NUM> need not necessarily be a full-line type recording head, but may be a serial-scan type recording head that reciprocates in a direction crossing the feeding direction of the recording material S.

A mounting portion <NUM> is a portion to which the ink cartridge is mounted. The mounting portion <NUM> may be made dismountable from the recording apparatus <NUM>. Here, in this example, four ink cartridges are mounted on the mounting portion <NUM>, and these ink cartridges store the four colors of ink to be supplied to the recording head <NUM>, respectively. The ink supply unit <NUM> is provided in the middle of a flow path connecting the mounting portion <NUM> and the recording head <NUM> and adjusts the pressure and the flow rate of the ink in the recording head <NUM> to appropriate levels. In addition, in this example, a circulation type ink supply "system" is employed, and the ink supply unit <NUM> adjusts the pressure of the ink supplied to the recording head <NUM> and the flow rate of the ink returning from the recording head <NUM> within appropriate ranges.

The maintenance unit <NUM> includes a cap unit <NUM> and a wiping unit <NUM> and operates at a predetermined timing to perform a maintenance operation on the recording head <NUM>.

Here, "ink" as used herein includes any liquid that can be used for image formation or processing of a recording material by being applied to a recording material. Therefore, "ink" as used herein includes any liquid that can be used for recording. In addition, the recording is not limited in particular, and it can be applied to industrial applications and the like. For example, they can be used for biochip production, electronic circuit printing, semiconductor substrate production, and so on.

Parts (a) and (b) of <FIG> shows a view of the mounting portion <NUM> of the recording apparatus <NUM> of <FIG> as viewed obliquely from above in the direction of gravity, in which the mounting portion <NUM> is omitted. Part (a) of <FIG> is an illustration showing a state before the ink cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion <NUM>. Part (b) of <FIG> is an illustration showing a state after the ink cartridge <NUM> is mounted to the mounting portion <NUM>.

The mounting portion <NUM> shown in Parts (a) and (b) of <FIG> includes four cylindrical hole forming members 14a. Each hole forming member 14a forms a hole 14d. The ink cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the hole 14d formed by the hole forming member 14a of the mounting portion <NUM> and mounted to the mounting portion <NUM> of the recording apparatus. It is not always necessary to provide a plurality of hole forming members 14a. For example, one hole forming member may include a plurality of holes. It is preferred that the diameter of the hole 14d (the dimension measured in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the hole 14d) is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. Here, if the cross-section taken in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the hole 14d is not a perfect circle, the diameter of the hole 14d is assumed to be the circle equivalent diameter. Similarly, in the present specification, the "equivalent diameter" is taken as "diameter" unless otherwise specified.

On the back side of the hole forming member 14a, another hole forming member 14b different from the hole forming member 14a is provided. When mounting the ink cartridge, the side where the hole forming member 14a is provided is the front side, and the side provided with the hole forming member 14b is the rear side. The hole forming member 14b is also provided with a hole (not shown in Parts (a) and (b) of <FIG> ), and the hole 14d of the hole forming member 14a and the hole of the hole forming member 14b communicate with each other inside the mounting portion <NUM>. The ink cartridge <NUM> is inserted into this communicated hole. Here, the hole forming member 14a and the hole forming member 14b may not be provided as separate members, and, for example, two hole forming members may be integrated. Examples of materials for forming the hole forming member 14a include ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resin), PPO (modified polyphenylene oxide), HIPS (high impact polystyrene resin), and the like. Materials for forming the hole forming member 14b include PE (polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PPO (modified polyphenylene oxide), and the like.

At the opening on the front side of the hole 14d of the hole forming member 14a, an ID recess 14c is provided. The ID recess 14c is used for roughly aligning the ink cartridge <NUM> relative to the mounting portion <NUM> when the ink cartridge <NUM> is mounted. In Parts (a) and (b) of <FIG>, the circular opening of the hole 14d is partially recessed to form the ID recess 14c.

A plurality of electrical connecting portions (not shown in Parts (a) and (b) of <FIG> ) are provided in the mounting portion <NUM> so as to be in contact with the respective pad electrodes of the ink cartridge and to be electrically connected with the pad electrodes by physical contact therebetween. In Parts (a) and (b) of <FIG>, the electrical connecting portion is provided in the hole forming member 14b of the mounting portion <NUM>.

<FIG> schematically is an enlarged view of the hole forming member 14b around the electrical connecting portion. <FIG> is a view of a cross portion of the mounting portion <NUM> (hole forming member 14b) in a portion surrounded by a portion A in part (a) of <FIG>. Here, in <FIG>, a part of the mounting portion <NUM> including the hole forming member 14a is omitted, for simplicity of illustration.

As shown in <FIG>, the hole forming member 14b is a tubular member, and a hole 14f is formed inside the hole forming member 14b. The tubular ink receiving tube <NUM> projects from the rear side surface of the hole 14f (the bottom surface of the hole 14f formed by the hole forming member 14b). The surface on the rear side of the hole 14f is circular, and the ink receiving tube <NUM> projects from a center of the circular surface in a direction (extending direction) perpendicular to the surface. The ink receiving tube <NUM> is a tube for receiving the ink supplied from the ink cartridge mounted to the mounting portion <NUM>. The ink receiving tube <NUM> is connected to the recording head of the recording apparatus by way of the ink flow path, and supplies the ink received from the ink cartridge to the recording head. One ink receiving tube corresponds to one color ink. Therefore, it is preferable to provide ink receiving tubes for the ink color used, respectively. Examples of materials forming the ink receiving tube <NUM> include SUS (stainless steel), PPO (modified polyphenylene oxide) and the like. It is preferred that the diameter of the ink receiving tube <NUM> (the diameter in the cross-section perpendicular to the extending direction of the ink receiving tube <NUM>) is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. Further preferably, it is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. Here, it is preferred that the diameter of the hole 14f (the diameter measured in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the hole 14f) is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. It is preferred that the diameter of hole 14f is smaller than the diameter of hole 14d.

As shown in <FIG>, the mounting portion <NUM> is provided with a plurality of electrical connecting portions <NUM>. The electrical connecting portion <NUM> may be in the form of a connector pin or the like. The electrical connecting portion <NUM> is provided in the electrical connecting portion peripheral portion <NUM> which is a part of the mounting portion <NUM>. Copper alloy (gold-plated) or the like can be used as a material for forming the electric connecting portion <NUM>. Examples of materials forming the electrical connecting portion peripheral portion <NUM> include ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resin), PC (polycarbonate), and the like.

The plurality of electrical connecting portions <NUM> are interposed between walls 23a, 23b of the electrical connecting portion peripheral portion <NUM>. The walls 23a and 23b are opposed to each other with the plurality of electric connecting portions <NUM> interposed therebetween and at least one of the walls performs the function as a guide for rotating the electrode portion when mounting the ink cartridge as will be described hereinafter. As the material for forming the positioning walls 23a and 23b, PPO (modified polyphenylene oxide), ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer resin), SUS (stainless steel) and the like can be used. Here, the electrical connecting portion peripheral part <NUM> may be dismountably from the mounting portion <NUM>. In addition, the electrical connecting portion peripheral portion <NUM> may not be provided in the hole forming member 14b, but may be provided separately from the hole forming member 14b.

Next, the structure of the electrical connecting portion <NUM> and the electrical connecting portion peripheral portion <NUM> will be described in more detail. First, the view of the periphery of the electrical connection portion <NUM> in the direction of the arrow An in <FIG> is shown in part (a) of <FIG>. The direction of the arrow A in <FIG> is the direction (z direction) heading from the lower side to the upper side with respect to the direction of gravity in the attitude of using the recording apparatus. The attitude of using the recording apparatus is the attitude in which the recording apparatus is placed when recording is carried out by the recording apparatus, and it is the attitude shown in <FIG>. Here, "gravity direction" in this specification means the direction of gravity in the attitude in which the recording apparatus is used unless otherwise specified. In the direction of the arrow A, the hole forming member 14b and the electrical connecting portion <NUM> are visible. The hole forming member 14b visible here can support the pad electrode of the ink cartridge and can restrict the movement of the pad electrode in the vertical direction (gravity direction). By this restriction of movement, the hole forming member 14b serves as a supporting member for stabilizing the mounting of the ink cartridge (In this sense, the hole forming member 14b is a supporting member 14e). As shown in part (a) of <FIG>, as viewed in the direction of arrow A, the hole forming member 14b covers a part of the electric connecting portion <NUM>. Here, the hole forming member 14b is not limited to the form covering a part of the electric connecting portion <NUM> as shown here, but it may be formed so as not to cover the electric connecting portion <NUM> is viewed in the direction of part (a) of <FIG>.

Next, the periphery of the electrical connecting portion <NUM> as viewed in the direction of the arrow B in <FIG> is shown in part (b) of <FIG>. The direction of the arrow B in <FIG> is the direction from the upper side to the lower side with respect to the direction of gravity. In addition, the periphery of the electrical connecting portion <NUM> as viewed in the direction of the arrow C in <FIG> is shown in part (c) of <FIG>. The direction of the arrow C is an oblique direction from the upper side to the lower side with respect to the direction of gravity. In the direction of the arrow B and the direction of the arrow C, the electrical connecting portion <NUM> is not seen, and the connector 22a extending toward the inside of the recording apparatus from the electrical connecting portion <NUM> is seen. The connector 22a extends from the electrical connecting portion <NUM> and has the function of wiring that enables the electrical connecting portion <NUM> to be electrically connected to the inside of the recording device. As a material for forming the connector 22a, copper alloy (gold plating) and the like are available.

A cross-section taken along line A - A' of part (b) of <FIG> is shown in part (d) of <FIG>. As described above, the ink receiving tube <NUM> projects from the rear side surface of the hole 14f formed by the hole forming member 14b. In addition, the plurality of electrical connecting portions <NUM> are interposed between the walls 23a, 23b.

Next, <FIG> shows the periphery of the electrical connecting portion <NUM> of the mounting portion as viewed in the direction of the arrow D in <FIG>. The direction of the arrow D in <FIG> is the direction from the front side to the back side when mounting the ink cartridge to the mounting portion. In addition, it is also the extending direction of the hole (hole 14d and hole 14f) formed by the hole forming member 14a and the hole forming member 14b. Furthermore, it is the y direction, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity. As viewed in the direction of arrow D, the ink receiving tube <NUM> is visible on the rear side of the hole 14f formed by the hole forming member 14b. In addition, the wall 23a, and the wall 23b as another wall arranged so as to partially overlap the wall 23a on the far side of the wall 23a are seen. Here, the hole forming member 14a is omitted, but when the hole forming member 14a is provided, the hole forming member 14a is seen in front of the hole forming member 14b. And, the ink receiving tube <NUM> is seen on the rear side of the hole formed by connecting the holes (the hole 14d and the hole 14f) formed by the hole forming member 14a and the hole forming member 14b. To the ink receiving tube <NUM>, the ink cartridge is inserted from the front side to the rear side (y direction) along the inserting direction.

Parts (a) and (b) of <FIG> is a view of the periphery of the electric connecting portion <NUM> as viewed another angular direction. Part (a) of <FIG> shows the periphery of the electrical connecting portion <NUM> as viewed in the direction of the arrow E in <FIG>. Part (b) of <FIG> shows the periphery of the electrical connecting portion <NUM> as viewed in the direction of the arrow F in <FIG>. The arrow E direction and the arrow F direction obliquely extend from the lower side to the upper side in the gravy direction around the electric connecting portion <NUM>. As described in part (a) of <FIG>, a part of the electrical connecting portion <NUM> of the electrical connecting portion <NUM> is covered with the hole forming member 14b in the downward direction of the electrical connecting portion <NUM>. In addition, in Parts (a) and (b) of <FIG>, the four electrical connecting portions <NUM> are all in the form of connector pins. Each connector pin has a triangular shape. The connector pin is deformed so that the apex of the triangle contacts the pad electrode of the ink cartridge to be collapsed, by which an electrical contact point is provided. The electrical contact point can be thought of as the center of gravity position of the connector pin that is in contact with the pad electrode when the mounting is completed. In this electrical contact point, the pad electrode and the connector pin (electrical connecting portion) can be electrically connected. The pad electrode and the electrical connecting portion are electrically connected and electricity flows through the electrical contact point, so that the recording apparatus can detect the mounting of the ink cartridge, for example. Besides, for example, the recording apparatus reads the information (ink property information such as ink color information and/or ink remainder information) the ink cartridge provided in a chip or the like, and the recording apparatus can recognize the type of the mounted ink cartridge.

An ink cartridge which can be mounted to the recording apparatus shown in <FIG> will be described.

<FIG> shows an outer appearance of the ink cartridge. Part (a) of <FIG> is an illustration showing the outer appearance of the ink cartridge <NUM>. Parts (b) to (d) of <FIG> are illustrations of the ink cartridge <NUM> shown in part (a) of <FIG> as viewed in another angle.

One ink cartridge <NUM> shown in <FIG> contains one color ink. However, a plurality of colors of ink may be stored separately in one ink cartridge <NUM>, or the stored color inks may be supplied to different ink receiving tubes, respectively. In addition, as a set of the ink cartridges <NUM>, a plurality of ink cartridges may store the same color ink.

As shown in <FIG>, the ink cartridge <NUM> includes a cylindrical shaped casing indicated by reference numerals 20a to 20c. As described above, the ink cartridge <NUM> is constituted with the casing as a base member. As will be described hereafter, the shape of the casing is not limited to a circular cylindrical shape, and may be a polygonal cylindrical shape such as a triangular cylindrical shape or a quadrangular cylindrical shape. Or, the shape may be a cone, or may be a polygonal pyramid shape such as a triangular pyramid shape or a quadrangular pyramid shape.

The ink cartridge <NUM> (casing) includes at least a first portion 20a, a second portion 20b, and a third portion 20c as portions facing the outside of the ink cartridge <NUM>. The portion on the side where the insertion portion <NUM> is provided is the first portion 20a. The portion opposite to the first portion 20a is the second portion 20b. And, the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b are connected by the third portion 20c. The third portion 20c is between the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b, and in <FIG>, the third portion 20c is perpendicular to the first portion 20a and to the second portion 20b. The first portion 20a, the second portion 20b, and the third portion 20c may be respective surfaces, as shown in <FIG>. Or, at least one of the first portion 20a, the second portion 20b, and the third portion 20c may not be a surface. For example, when the ink cartridge <NUM> has a triangular pyramid shape, it is possible that the first portion 20a is a bottom surface of the triangular pyramid, the second portion 20b is the apex on the bottom surface of the triangular pyramid, and the third portion 20c is a side surface of the triangular pyramid. In such a case, the second portion 20b is an apex, not a surface.

The portion facing the outside of the ink cartridge <NUM> is the portion facing away from the central axis of the ink cartridge <NUM> (an axis extending through the center of gravity of the ink cartridge <NUM> and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the ink cartridge <NUM>). For example, the side surface of the casing of the cylindrical ink cartridge <NUM> shown in <FIG>. On the other hand, for example, the surface of the electrode unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> opposite to the side on which the electrode portion <NUM> is provided (more clearly, the back surface 31b of part (b) of <FIG>) is exposed to an outside of the ink cartridge <NUM> (a gap below the electrode unit <NUM>). However, since it faces in the direction approaching the central axis of the ink cartridge <NUM>, it is not a portion facing the outside of the ink cartridge <NUM>, but a portion facing the inside of the ink cartridge <NUM>.

The first portion 20a of the ink cartridge <NUM> is provided with an insertion portion <NUM> through which the ink receiving tube <NUM> shown in <FIG> is inserted. Therefore, it can be said first portion 20a is a front portion of the ink cartridge <NUM>. In <FIG>, the first portion 20a is a surface. The insertion portion <NUM> may be provided with a seal member having an opening. When the seal member is provided, the ink receiving tube is inserted into the opening of the seal member of the insertion portion <NUM>. It is preferable that a diameter of the insertion portion <NUM> (diameter measured in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the ink receiving tube is inserted) is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. It is preferable that a diameter of the first portion 20a including the insertion portion <NUM> is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less.

Ink is stored inside the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM>. The ink stored in the ink cartridge <NUM> is supplied into the recording device through the ink receiving tube inserted into the insertion portion <NUM> (or the opening of the sealing member when there is a sealing member) and is used for recording. As described above, the insertion portion <NUM> is a portion for leading out the ink stored in the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM>, and therefore, it can also be called an ink lead-out portion.

The casing of the ink cartridge <NUM> includes a large-diameter portion having a relatively larger diameter (than that of the small-diameter portion) and a small-diameter portion having a relatively smaller diameter (than that of the large-diameter portion). Here, the diameter is an equivalent circle diameter of the cross-section of the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM> taken along a plane perpendicular to the direction from the first portion 20a toward the second portion 20b. The casing of the ink cartridge <NUM> in <FIG> has a cylindrical shape, and has a circle diameter in a cross-section taken along a plane perpendicular to a height direction of the cylinder. The portion on the side where the insertion portion <NUM> is provided in the small diameter portion is the first portion 20a. The second portion 20b is provided in the large diameter portion. The third portion 20c connecting the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b with each other is a surface which extends between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion and which has a step between the large diameter portion and the small diameter portion. The casing of the ink cartridge <NUM> may not have a large-diameter portion or a small-diameter portion, and may have an even diameter, in other words the third portion 20c may have a shape without a step. The casing of the ink cartridge <NUM> shown in <FIG> has a cylindrical shape, the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b are the bottom surfaces of the cylinder, and the third portion 20c is the side surface of the cylinder. As described in the foregoing, the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM> is not limited to a cylindrical shape. The first portion 20a and/or the second portion 20b may have a stepped shape.

It is preferable that the diameter of the large diameter portion of the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM> is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. It is preferable that the diameter of the small diameter portion of the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM> is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. The casing of the ink cartridge <NUM> may have different diameters depending on the amount and type of ink stored therein. For example, in the ink cartridge set, for large-capacity ink cartridges, the diameter of the large diameter portion is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less (for example, <NUM>). And, for a small-capacity ink cartridge, the diameter of the large-diameter portion is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less (for example, <NUM>). However, it is preferable that the diameters of the small diameter portions are the same among the ink cartridges from the standpoint of mounting to the main assembly of the recording apparatus. Therefore, for example, in both the large-capacity ink cartridge and the small-capacity ink cartridge, the diameter of the small-diameter portion is set to <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less (for example, <NUM>). As described above, in an ink cartridge set in which the amounts or types of ink stored are different, it is preferable that the diameter of the small-diameter portion is the same and the diameter of the large-diameter portion is different among the ink cartridges.

It is preferable that the length of the large-diameter portion of the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM> in the direction parallel to the direction from the first portion 20a to the second portion 20b is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. It is preferable that the length of the diameter portion of the casing of the ink cartridge measured in the direction parallel to the direction the first portion 20a to the second portion 20b is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. From the standpoint of mounting to the main assembly of the recording apparatus, the lengths of the large-diameter portion and the small-diameter portion of the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM> are the same, even if the amounts and types of stored inks are different from each other as in the above-described ink cartridge set. Here, in this specification, the direction from the first portion 20a of the ink cartridge <NUM> (the casing thereof) to the second portion 20b (the direction from the second portion 20b to the first portion 20a) is the direction in which the shortest line connecting the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b with each other extends. This direction is a direction along the longitudinal direction of the ink cartridge <NUM> (the casing thereof) in <FIG>. In addition, this is a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the ink cartridge <NUM> (the casing thereof).

Next, the projection <NUM> and the ID projection <NUM> will be described. The projecting portion <NUM> and the ID projection <NUM> are provided on a third portion 20c of the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the projecting portion <NUM> is provided in the small diameter portion of the third portion 20c, and projects from the periphery of the projecting portion <NUM> constituting the third portion 20c.

In <FIG>, the projecting portion <NUM> is provided in the small diameter portion of the third portion 20c, and projects beyond the periphery of the projecting portion <NUM> constituting the third portion 20c. That is, the projecting portion <NUM> is the projecting portion in the third portion 20c. Here, the periphery of the projecting portion <NUM> is the side surface (circumferential surface portion) of the cylinder, and the projecting portion <NUM> projects beyond the side surface of the cylinder.

An electrode unit <NUM> is mounted to the projection <NUM> so as to be rotatable in a horizontal plane (on an x-y plane) and movable in the vertical direction (z direction). Part (a) of <FIG> is a perspective view of the electrode unit <NUM>. As shown in part (a) of <FIG>, the electrode unit <NUM> includes a base member <NUM> and a chip-shaped electrode portion <NUM> including a memory element which stores ink color information and/or remaining amount information. The electrode portion <NUM> has a plurality of pad electrodes <NUM> (pad electrodes 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d) which are contactable contacts with the electrical connecting portions <NUM> of the recording apparatus (mounting part) and to be electrically connected to the electrical connecting portion <NUM>. Here, the pad electrode <NUM> and the electrode portion <NUM> including the chip may be provided at positions separated from each other, and in such a case, it will suffice if they are electrically connected with each other by wiring or the like. The electrode portion <NUM> is provided in the third portion 20c of the casing of the ink cartridge. The plurality of pad electrodes <NUM> provided in the electrode portion <NUM> are also provided in the third portion 20c. As will be described hereafter, the plurality of pad electrodes <NUM> are mounted to the casing, and are rotatable relative to the casing. In addition, as will be understood from parts (a) of <FIG> and <FIG>, in the ink cartridge <NUM>, it is preferable that the electrode portion <NUM> and the pad electrode <NUM> are located at the third portion 20c closer to the first portion 20a than the second portion 20b. With this arrangement, the mountability is further improved.

It is preferable that the plurality of pad electrodes <NUM> includes four or more pad electrodes. In the example shown in part (a) of <FIG>, there are four pad electrodes which the ink cartridge is provided with (two for the power line for accessing information stored in the memory element of the electrode portion <NUM>, two for the information line). As described above, more preferably, the ink cartridge has four pad electrodes <NUM>. In more detail, one is a reference terminal on the circuit, which is a pad electrode for ground, and which is basically always at zero potential. In addition, there is a pad electrode for the clock signal which produces pulses at a certain frequency and serves as the minimum unit of data transmission. Furthermore, there are a power supply pad electrode which has a positive potential by the power supply for operating the IC and so on, and a data signal pad electrode which operates the circuit by sending <NUM>/<NUM> signals according to the data. Here, in the pad electrodes shown in part (a) of <FIG>, the pad electrode 33a is for the data signal, the pad electrode 33b is for the power supply, the pad electrode 33c is for the clock signal, and the pad electrode 33d is for the electrical grounding. It is preferable to make the pad electrode 33d for ground larger than other pad electrodes. This is because it is difficult to stabilize the operation without first connecting the ground pad electrode and keeping the reference potential constant, and therefore, this is to make the connection stable.

The base member <NUM> and the electrode portion <NUM> may be integrally formed by insert molding or the like, or the electrode portion <NUM> may be fixed to the base member <NUM> by clamping or the like. Here, if the electrode unit <NUM> including the pad electrode is rotatable relative to the casing, the projection <NUM> is not necessarily provided. In addition, even when the projection <NUM> is provided, the electrode unit <NUM> may be provided at a place other than the projection <NUM>. However, for stable mounting, it is preferable that the projection <NUM> is provided, and the electrode unit <NUM> is provided on the projection <NUM>.

Part (b) of <FIG> is an illustration of the electrode unit <NUM> shown in part (a) of <FIG> as viewed from below (in the arrow direction of part (a) of <FIG>). As shown in part (a) of <FIG>, the electrode portion <NUM> is provided on the roof surface 31a side of the base member <NUM>. The roof surface 31a is a portion facing the outside of the ink cartridge <NUM>. And, since the roof surface 31a is a part of the portion which connects the first portion 20a and the second portion 20b with each other, it is a part of the third portion 20c. Therefore, it can be said electrode portion <NUM> and the pad electrode <NUM> provided on the roof surface 31a are provided on the third portion 20c of the casing. The electrode portion <NUM> may be constituted only by the pad electrode <NUM>. In this case, the pad electrode <NUM> is provided directly on the roof surface 31a of the projection <NUM>.

On the back surface 31b opposite from the roof surface 31a of the electrode unit <NUM>, a rotation restricting portion <NUM> for restricting portion of the rotation of the electrode unit <NUM> is provided. The rotation restricting portion <NUM> projects downward in the vertical direction (-z direction in part (a) of <FIG>). As described in the foregoing, the back surface 31b is not a surface facing the outside of the ink cartridge <NUM>, but a surface facing the inside of the ink cartridge <NUM>.

As will be described in detail hereinafter, the base member <NUM> is provided with a side wall 31c which contacts the wall 23b of the mounting portion, and a side wall 31d which is continuous from the side wall 31c and connected to the side wall 31c. An urging member <NUM> is mounted to the side wall 31d. In addition, the base member <NUM> is provided with a shaft hole <NUM> for passing through a shaft <NUM> of the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM>.

Part (a) of <FIG> is an illustration of a state before the electrode unit <NUM> including a plurality of pad electrodes is mounted in the ink cartridge <NUM>. Here, as shown in part (a) of <FIG>, an example in which the shaft <NUM> and a cover member <NUM> are used to fix the electrode unit <NUM> will be described. The shaft <NUM> which projects from the projection roof surface <NUM> is provided on the projection roof surface <NUM> of the projection <NUM> which is a portion of the casing. The shaft hole <NUM> of the base member <NUM> of the electrode unit <NUM> is fitted around the shaft <NUM>. Thereafter, a connecting surface 300a of the cover member <NUM> is connected to the projecting portion roof surface <NUM> of the projecting portion <NUM> by welding or the like so that the shaft hole <NUM> does not disengage from the end of the shaft <NUM>. At this time, the outer diameter of the shaft <NUM> is made smaller than the inner diameter of the shaft hole <NUM>. By doing so, the electrode unit <NUM> can rotate on a horizontal plane (on the x-y plane) relative to the casing, with the shaft <NUM> (the shaft hole <NUM>) as the rotation center (rotation axis). In this manner, the electrode unit <NUM> is mounted to the projecting portion <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM>. That is, the plurality of pad electrodes <NUM> are mounted to the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM>. When the electrode unit <NUM> is rotated relative to the casing, the electrode portion <NUM> and the plurality of pad electrodes <NUM> of the electrode unit <NUM> are rotated relative to the casing on the casing.

A view of the neighborhood of the base member <NUM> in the x direction of part (b) of <FIG> is shown in part (c) of <FIG>. As shown in part (c) of <FIG>, a gap larger than the thickness of the base member <NUM> (and the electrode unit <NUM>) is provided between the roof surface 31a of the base member <NUM> and the bottom surface 300b of the cover member <NUM>. In this manner, the electrode unit <NUM> can move in the vertical direction (z direction) by the amount of the gap.

It is preferable that the electrode unit <NUM> and the pad electrode are provided at least partially between the casing and a gap. In part (c) of <FIG>, a gap <NUM> is provided between the electrode unit <NUM> and the third portion 20c of the casing. The gap <NUM> is provided below the electrode unit <NUM> and the pad electrode. The lower portion of the electrode unit <NUM> and the pad electrode is based on the direction from the electrode unit <NUM> and the pad electrode towards the center of gravity in a cross-sectional plane along a direction perpendicular to the direction toward the second portion 20b from the first portion 20a of the ink cartridge <NUM>. Into the gap <NUM>, a support member (not shown in part (c) of <FIG>) of the mounting portion is inserted. By this, the electrode unit <NUM> and the pad electrode on the gap <NUM> are supported by the support member at the bottom thereof, and therefore, the downward movement thereof can be restricted, and the positional relationship between the electrical connecting portion <NUM> and the pad electrode can be stabilized.

In addition to stabilizing the positional relationship between the electrical connecting portion <NUM> and the pad electrode, the gap <NUM> can also perform another function. For example, heat may be generated at the electrical contact between the electrical connecting portion <NUM> and the pad electrode. It is preferable that this heat is prevented from affecting the ink receiving tube <NUM> and the insertion portion <NUM> as much as possible to stabilize the ink supply. The gap <NUM> can act as a portion promoting heat radiation. That is, the heat generated at the electrical contacts can be released from the gap <NUM> to the outside.

On the other hand, when the ink cartridge <NUM> is formed of a highly heat-conductive member, the gap <NUM> functions as a heat insulating member, making it difficult to transfer the heat generated at the electrical contact to the ink receiving tube <NUM> and the insertion portion <NUM>.

In addition, the gap <NUM> may have a shape in which the lower side of the gap <NUM> is opened. That is, the structure may be such that there is a gap below the pad electrode, and no component such as a casing of the ink cartridge exists below the gap.

The gap <NUM> may be provided in the ink cartridge side in a state that the ink cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion. For example, even if the gap <NUM> is filled with a member before the ink cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion, it will suffice if such a member is retracted during the mounting process, and the gap is provided in the mounted state. In addition, even if the support member which is a member other than the ink cartridge is inserted into the gap so as to fill the gap, in such a manner, the ink cartridge is deemed to have the gap <NUM>. The gap <NUM> can also be called a recess of the ink cartridge.

Next, the ID projection <NUM> will be described. The ID projection <NUM> is provided on the large diameter portion of the third portion 20c. The ID projection <NUM> projects beyond the outer periphery of the ID projection <NUM> in the third portion 20c. The periphery of the ID projection <NUM> is the side surface of the cylindrical ink cartridge casing, and the ID projection <NUM> projects from this side surface.

It is preferable that the portion of the ID projection <NUM> on the first portion 20a side is located at a position <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less from the first portion 20a in a distance in a direction parallel to the direction from the first portion 20a of the ink cartridge <NUM> toward the second portion 20b. In addition, further preferably, it is disposed at a position of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less from the first portion 20a. On the other hand, it is preferable that the portion on the second portion 20b side of the ID projection <NUM> is located at a position of <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less from the first portion 20a in a distance in a direction parallel to the direction from the first portion 20a of the ink cartridge <NUM> toward the second portion 20b.

In addition, it is preferable that the height of the ID projection <NUM> is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. The height of the ID projection <NUM> is further preferably <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less. Here, the height of the ID projection <NUM> is the height of the ID projection <NUM> projecting from the periphery, in the vertical direction, from the periphery thereof, and is a length of a portion indicated by "B" in part (d) of <FIG>. If there is a portion with a different height in the ID projection portion <NUM>, the average value at <NUM> points randomly distributed in the ID projection portion <NUM> is used.

Examples of the material forming the projection <NUM> and the base member <NUM> include PE (polyethylene) and PP (polypropylene). Examples of the material for forming the electrode portion <NUM> include glass epoxy and polyimide flexible printed boards. Examples of the material for forming the pad electrodes 33a to 33d include Ni and Au. Examples of the material forming the ID projection <NUM> include PE (polyethylene) and PP (polypropylene).

It is preferable that the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM> is formed in a two-layer structure including an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer is the outside layer visible in part (a) of <FIG> and is preferably made of a highly rigid material. On the other hand, the inner layer is the inside layer and is preferably made of a flexible material. Thus, it is preferable that the outer layer is more rigid than the inner layer. It is preferable that the outer and inner layers are made of separate materials, and separable from each other. The inner layer has a flexible bag shape, for example, and the ink is stored inside (inside) the inner layer, and the outer layer covers the outside of the inner layer.

The ink cartridge can be mounted on the mounting portion of the recording apparatus. The mounting operation when mounting the ink cartridge to the mounting portion of the recording apparatus will be described.

<FIG> is an illustration of a process of mounting the ink cartridge in the mounting portion. In <FIG>, a portion of the mounting portion <NUM> of the recording apparatus is schematically indicated by dotted lines from the standpoint of easy illustration.

Before reaching the state shown in part (a) of <FIG>, the portion of the ink cartridge <NUM> on the first portion 20a side is put into a hole of a hole forming member. And, the positions of the ink cartridge <NUM> and the mounting portion <NUM> are aligned by the ID projection <NUM> of the ink cartridge <NUM> and the ID recess portion 14c of the mounting portion <NUM>. When an ink cartridge other than the ink cartridge which should be inserted is going to be inserted into the hole of the hole forming member, the ID projection <NUM> and the ID recess portion 14c do not align with each other, and therefore, the insertion is prevented. For example, when an ink cartridge for storing magenta is going to be inserted into the hole in which the cyan ink cartridge is to be inserted, the shapes of the ID projection <NUM> and the ID recess portion 14c do not match with each other, and therefore, the ink cartridge cannot be inserted into the hole. On the other hand, for example, when an ink cartridge for storing cyan is going to be inserted into a hole in which a cyan ink cartridge is to be inserted, the shapes of the ID projection <NUM> and the ID recess portion 14c match with each other, and the ink cartridge can be inserted into the hole.

When the shape of the ID projection <NUM> matches the shape of the ID recess portion 14c, the ink cartridge <NUM> is inserted into the hole of the mounting portion <NUM> along the inserting direction with the first portion 20a as the leading side. Part (a) of <FIG> is an illustration showing a stage in the middle of the insertion process. It can be said inserting direction of the ink cartridge <NUM> is the direction in which the first portion 20a is the leading side, and also the direction in which the insertion portion <NUM> is the leading side. In the following, the inserting direction with the first portion 20a of the ink cartridge <NUM> as the leading side is expressed simply as "the inserting direction of the ink cartridge (<NUM>)". In part (a) of <FIG>, the inserting direction of the ink cartridge <NUM> is indicated by an arrow. The inserting direction of the ink cartridge <NUM> is the same as the direction from the second portion 20b of the ink cartridge <NUM> toward the first portion 20a thereof (and the longitudinal direction of the ink cartridge <NUM>).

As shown in part (a) of <FIG>, the ID recess portion 14c of the mounting portion <NUM> extends along the extending direction of the hole formed by the hole forming member, and after the alignment established before insertion, the ink cartridge <NUM> is inserted while the ID projection <NUM> is kept aligned with the ID recess portion 14c.

Part (b) of <FIG> shows a state at a point of time when the ink cartridge <NUM> is further inserted and the electrode unit <NUM> reaches the wall 23b (not shown, <FIG>) of the mounting portion of the main assembly. Here, from the start of insertion to just before the electrode unit <NUM> comes into contact with the wall 23b, the force for rotating the electrode unit <NUM> is not particularly applied to the electrode unit <NUM>. Therefore, the electrode unit <NUM> does not rotate relative to the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM>. That is, from the start of insertion, the electrode unit <NUM> advances in the same direction as the inserting direction of the ink cartridge <NUM> (the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM>) and reaches the wall 23b. When the electrode unit <NUM> reaches the wall 23b, the electrode unit <NUM> comes into contact with the wall 23b, receives a force from the wall 23b, and starts to rotate relative to the casing thereon. The electrode unit <NUM> may rotate before it contacts the wall 23b. However, in order to perform more stable mounting, it is preferable that the electrode unit <NUM> does not rotate from the start of insertion of the ink cartridge <NUM> to the position shown in part (b) of <FIG>, that is, from the start of insertion until the electrode unit <NUM> contacts the wall 23b.

Part (c) of <FIG> shows a state in which the ink cartridge is inserted, the electrode unit <NUM> is further rotated relative to the casing on the casing, and the mounting is finally completed. When the mounting is completed, the electrode unit <NUM> is already rotated relative to the ink cartridge <NUM> in a horizontal plane (x-y plane) and already changes the orientation thereof. And, each of the pad electrodes 33a to 33d of the electrode portion <NUM> is in a state the it can be electrically connected to the electrical connecting portion <NUM> on the main assembly side (for example, in a contact state).

When the mounting shown in Part (c) of <FIG> is completed, the preferred position of the leading end of the ink receiving tube <NUM> will be explained. That is, it is preferable that the position is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less from the first portion 20a of the ink cartridge <NUM> in a distance parallel to the direction from the first portion 20a of the ink cartridge <NUM> toward the second portion 20b. Further preferably, it is <NUM> or more and <NUM> or less from the first portion 20a. Here, in <FIG>, the direction from the first portion 20a toward the second portion 20b is the same as the longitudinal direction and the inserting direction of the ink cartridge <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the rotation of the electrode unit <NUM> during the mounting operation of the ink cartridge <NUM> shown in parts (b) and (c) of <FIG> will be described in detail. <FIG> is an enlarged view of the periphery of the electrical connecting portion <NUM> in <FIG> as viewed from the direction of the arrow shown in part (b) of <FIG>. Here, from the standpoint of better illustration, the mounting portion <NUM> is shown only by the hole forming member 14b. Parts (a) to (c) in <FIG> show a cross-sectional views around the electrical connecting portion <NUM> (cross-sectional views taken along a line 9A-9A in part (a) of <FIG>), in parts (a) to (c) in <FIG>. Here, the inserting direction of the ink cartridge <NUM> is the +y direction in each Figure.

Part (a) in <FIG> and part (a) in <FIG> show the state when the ink cartridge <NUM> is inserted and the electrode unit <NUM> reaches the wall 23b (the state in part (b) in <FIG>). At this point of time, as shown in part (a) of <FIG>, the side wall 31c of the base member <NUM> of the electrode unit <NUM> is in contact with the wall 23b at a point 11A. When the side wall 31c has a rounded shape, the side wall 31c and the wall 23b are in contact with each other only at the point 11A. The wall 23b extends so as to incline toward the +y direction as it advances in the +x direction in the Figure. Therefore, when the ink cartridge <NUM> is further advanced in the inserting direction (+y direction) while the side wall 31c of the base member <NUM> is in contact with the wall 23b at the point 11A, the side wall 31c receives the force including a component in the +x direction from the wall 23b at the point 11A. By this force, the base member <NUM>, that is, the electrode unit <NUM> rotates about the shaft <NUM> in the direction of the arrow shown in part (b) of <FIG>.

As long as the side wall 31c of the base member <NUM> is in contact with the wall 23c, the base member <NUM> (electrode unit <NUM>) continues to rotate as the ink cartridge <NUM> is inserted. Eventually, when the ink cartridge <NUM> is inserted and the electrode unit <NUM> is rotated and the contact portion with the wall 23b reaches the side wall 31d of the base member <NUM>, the urging member <NUM> mounted on the side wall 31d presses against the wall 23b. By this, the rotation of the electrode unit <NUM> is further promoted. Thereafter, by proceeding with the insertion of the ink cartridge in the inserting direction, as shown in part (c) of <FIG>, the electrical connecting portion <NUM> and the pad electrode <NUM> come into contact with each other so that electrical connection becomes possible, and mounting is completed. As will be understood by comparing part (a) in <FIG> and part (c) in <FIG>, the electrode unit <NUM> rotates on the x-y plane relative to the ink cartridge to change the orientation thereof after insertion of the ink cartridge, relative to the orientation thereof before the insertion.

<FIG> shows a view in which, portion of the electrode portion <NUM> and the base member <NUM> is made transparent (dotted line part) in the state of part (c) of <FIG>, so that the rotation restricting portion <NUM> provided on the back surface 31b of the base member <NUM> is made visible. As shown in <FIG>, in the mounting completion state, the rotation restricting portion <NUM> is in contact with the rotation restricting wall <NUM> of the hole forming member 14b. Therefore, the rotation of the electrode unit <NUM> is stopped, and the excessive rotation is suppressed, so that good mounting operation is accomplished.

<FIG> is a view of the behavior of rotation of the electrode unit <NUM> as viewed from the first portion 20a side of the ink cartridge <NUM>. Part (a) of <FIG> shows the initial state of rotation of the electrode unit <NUM>, and Part (b) of <FIG> shows the state of the end of rotation of the electrode unit <NUM>, that is, a state when the mounting of the ink cartridge <NUM> is completed. As in part (a) of <FIG>, the electrode unit <NUM> is at a position spaced apart from the electrical connecting portion <NUM> on the main assembly side in the z direction at the initial stage of rotation. Thereafter, as the electrode unit <NUM> rotates, the rotation restricting portion <NUM> of the base member <NUM> ascends in the z direction as if it climbs on the second portion 20c while contacting the outer periphery of the second portion 20c of the ink cartridge <NUM>. Finally, the pad electrodes of the electrode unit <NUM> reach a position where it can come into contact with the electrical connecting portion <NUM> on the main assembly side. With such a structure, it is less likely for the electrode unit <NUM> and the electrical connecting portion <NUM> on the main assembly side to come into contact with each other from the beginning of the rotation of the electrode unit <NUM>, and therefore, a damage to the electrical connecting portion <NUM> and the latch or resistance against the rotation of the electrode unit <NUM> is suppressed. Here, as shown in <FIG>, it is preferable that the ID projection <NUM> is located inside the ID recess portion 14c from the beginning of rotation of the electrode unit <NUM> to the end of rotation (completed mounting). With this structure as described above, the rotation of the ink cartridge <NUM> itself is suppressed, and only the electrode unit <NUM> is rotated relative to the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM>, and therefore, a more reliable electrical connection is accomplished.

<FIG> shows a trace of the pad electrodes 33a to 33d from the start of rotation of the electrode unit <NUM> described above to the end of the rotation. As the electrode unit rotates, the pad electrode provided in the electrode unit also rotates in the same manner. In <FIG>, the pad electrodes 33ai to 33di indicate the positions thereof at the initial stage of the rotation. In addition, the pad electrodes 33af to 33df are shown when the rotation is completed, that is, this is the position of each pad electrode when mounting is completed. The inserting direction of the ink cartridge <NUM> is the +y direction. As shown in the Figure all the pad electrodes 33a to 33d move in a direction different from the inserting direction (+y direction) of the ink cartridge <NUM> (a direction inclined from the +y direction to the +x direction), and come into contact with the electrical connecting portion <NUM> on the main assembly side. As described above, when the ink cartridge <NUM> is mounted, the pad electrode <NUM> is rotated by the rotation of the electrode unit, and the pad electrode <NUM> is moved in a direction different from the inserting direction of the ink cartridge <NUM>. For this reason, even if the ink cartridge <NUM> is strongly inserted in the inserting direction, when the pad electrode <NUM> comes into contact with the electrical connecting portion <NUM> on the main assembly side, the impact due to the insertion is less likely to be received. Therefore, the impact received by the pad electrode <NUM> and the electrical connecting portion <NUM> can be reduced.

In contrast, a case will be considered in which the ink cartridge <NUM> is inserted in the inserting direction, the pad electrode <NUM> does not rotate but moves only in the same direction as the inserting direction of the ink cartridge <NUM>, and the pad electrode <NUM> is electrically connected to the electrical connecting portion <NUM>. For example, this is such a case that the electrode unit and the pad electrode <NUM> are fixed to the ink cartridge <NUM> and do not rotate, and the ink cartridge <NUM> itself is inserted only linearly in the inserting direction without rotation. In this case, the impact due to the insertion of the ink cartridge <NUM> in the inserting direction tends to be directly transmitted to the pad electrode <NUM> in contact with the electrical connecting portion <NUM>. The insertion speed of the ink cartridge <NUM> in the inserting direction tends to be high. As described above, if the impact due to insertion in the inserting direction is easily transmitted to the pad electrode <NUM> and the electrical connecting portion <NUM> when the pad electrode <NUM> and the electrical connecting portion <NUM> are connected, the contact between the pad electrode <NUM> and the electrical connecting portion <NUM> may not be good. As a result, deformation or the like of the pad electrode <NUM> or the electrical connecting portion <NUM> may occur.

As long as it is intended only to make different the inserting direction of the ink cartridge <NUM> and the moving direction of the pad electrode <NUM> from each other, there is no need to rotate the electrode unit. For example, the electrode unit can also be arranged so that it can move freely within a certain range without using a rotating shaft in the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM>. However, as in the present invention, by rotating the electrode unit, with use of the rotation axis, relative to the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM>, the rotation of the pad electrode <NUM> is stabilized, in the deformation of the electrical connection unit <NUM> can be suppressed more stably.

In addition, the pad electrode <NUM> may not be rotated at any position in the case of the ink cartridge, and by rotating the pad electrode <NUM> relative to the casing on the casing, the deformations of the pad electrode and the electrical connecting portion can be suppressed. Furthermore, from the standpoint of suppressing deformation of the pad electrode and the electrical connecting portion, it is preferable that a plurality of pad electrodes are provided on the chip-shaped electrode portion, and the electrode portion and the pad electrode are rotated without changing the facing direction of the surface of the electrode portion on which the pad electrode is provided.

Any method may be used to remove the ink cartridge from the mounting portion, but it is preferable to operate in the reverse manner relative to the above-described mounting operation. By doing so, it is preferable that the pad electrode <NUM> rotates in the opposite direction to that of the rotation described above, and finally returns to the original position on the casing.

Embodiment <NUM> will be described with a focus on the points different from Embodiment <NUM>. In the following description of embodiments, the characteristic portion of each embodiment will be focused, and the description of the common portion may be omitted for the sake of simplicity. In Embodiment <NUM>, the rotation movement of the electrode unit is different from that in Embodiment <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the structure of the ink cartridge <NUM> in Embodiment <NUM>. The ink cartridge <NUM> has an electrode unit <NUM> on the projecting portion <NUM> of the casing. The electrode unit <NUM> can rotate on the x-y plane relative to the casing of the ink cartridge <NUM> and can move in the z direction.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of the electrode unit <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the electrode unit <NUM> includes a base member <NUM> and an electrode portion <NUM>. The electrode portion <NUM> includes a plurality of pad electrodes <NUM> (pad electrodes 43a, 43b, 43c) which is capable of coming into contact with the electrical connecting portion <NUM> of the recording apparatus (mounting part) and is electrically connectable to the electrical connecting portion <NUM>. As compared with the electrode unit <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the shape of the base member and the arrangement of the electrode portion and the pad electrode are different.

The base member <NUM> will be described in detail hereinafter, but there are a side wall 41c (broken line portion) in contact with the wall 23b and a side wall 41d connected to the side wall 41c continuously from the side wall 41c. The side wall 41c has a rounded shape throughout, and the side wall 41d has a flat shape. In addition, the urging member employed in Embodiment <NUM> is not provided. The urging member <NUM> is for promoting the rotation, but by making the entire portion (side wall 41c) that becomes the contact portion with the wall 23b of the base member <NUM> into a rounded shape, the base member <NUM> can be continuously rotated without using an urging member. The pad electrode <NUM> is provided along the side wall 41c on the side of the side wall 41c in the electrode unit <NUM>. In addition, the shaft hole <NUM> is provided at a position more remote than the pad electrode <NUM> with respect to the side wall 41c.

The position of the center of gravity of each of the plurality of pad electrodes 43a to 43d in <FIG> and <FIG> will be described. The positions of the centers of gravity of these electrodes are arranged on the roof surface 41a of the base member <NUM> along a direction inclined from the direction from the second portion 20b of the ink cartridge <NUM> toward the first portion 20a, toward the direction perpendicular to this direction. The direction from the second portion 20b toward the first portion 20a is the +y direction in <FIG>. In addition, the orthogonal direction is the x direction in <FIG>. It is preferable that The positions of the centers of gravity of the electrodes are arranged in a direction inclined, in the direction perpendicular to this direction, in the range from <NUM> ° to <NUM> ° from the direction from the first portion 20a to the second portion 20b of the ink cartridge <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> the rotation of the electrode unit <NUM> during the mounting operation of the ink cartridge <NUM> of this embodiment, will be described in detail. <FIG> is a view illustrating the periphery of the electrical connecting portion <NUM>. Here, from the standpoint of better illustration, only the hole forming member 14b is shown for the mounting portion <NUM>. Parts (a) to (c) of <FIG> are cross-sectional views around the electrical connecting portion <NUM> of taken along a line 17a-17a in parts (a) to (c) of <FIG>). Here, the inserting direction of the ink cartridge <NUM> is the +y direction in each Figure. Part (b) of <FIG> and Part (b) of <FIG> show the state in the middle of the rotation process of the electrode unit <NUM>, part (c) of <FIG> and Part (c) of <FIG> show the state of the time when the mounting operation is completed.

The side wall 41c of the base member <NUM> of the electrode unit <NUM> has a rounded shape. As shown in part (a) of <FIG> the side wall 41c of the base member <NUM> is in contact with the wall 23b at the point 18A. The wall 23b extends so as to incline in the +y direction as it advances in the +x direction in the Figure. Therefore, when the ink cartridge <NUM> is further advanced in the inserting direction (+y direction) with the side wall 41c of the base member <NUM> in contact with the wall 23b at the point 18A, the side wall 41c receives a force having a component in the +x direction from the wall 23b at the point 18A. By this force, the base member <NUM>, that is, the electrode unit <NUM> is rotated in the direction of an arrow shown in Part (b) of <FIG> about the shaft <NUM>.

Until the mounting is completed, the wall 23b and the side wall 41c of the base member <NUM> are kept in contact with each other at a certain point (point 18A). For this reason, as the ink cartridge <NUM> is inserted, the base member <NUM> (electrode unit <NUM>) continues to rotate. Eventually, when the contact portion (the point of contact) with the wall 23b approaches to the side wall 41d of the base member <NUM>, the base member <NUM> is difficult to rotate, even if the ink cartridge <NUM> is inserted, because the side wall 41d has a flat shape there. At this point of time, the ink cartridge <NUM> is completely mounting. When the mounting is completed, the pad electrode <NUM> is connected to the electrical connecting portion <NUM> and is in an electrically connectable state. Here, instead of providing the side wall 41d, a rotation restricting portion <NUM> may be provided on the back surface of the base member <NUM> on the main assembly side as in Embodiment <NUM>, so that the rotation is stopped by contacting the rotation restricting wall <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the trace of the pad electrodes 43a to 43d from the start to the end of the rotation of the electrode unit described above. As the electrode unit rotates, the pad electrode provided in the electrode unit also rotates in the same manner. Part (a) of <FIG> shows the trace of the pad electrode 43a, and Part (b) of <FIG>, part (c) of <FIG>, and Part (d) of Figure Shows the trace of the pad electrodes 43b, 43c, 43d. In the Figures, white arrows indicate the inserting direction of the ink cartridge <NUM>. In <FIG>, the positions of the pad electrodes 43ai to 43di are the initial positions of the pad electrodes, respectively. In addition, the pad electrodes 43af to 43df are the respective positions of the pad electrodes when the rotation is completed, that is, when mounting operation is completed.

As shown in Figure when the ink cartridge <NUM> is mounted, the pad electrodes 43a to 43d are rotated by the rotation of the electrode unit, and the pad electrodes <NUM> are moved in a direction different from the inserting direction of the ink cartridge <NUM>. Furthermore, in Embodiment <NUM>, the electrical connecting portion <NUM> is connected while moving including movement component in the direction opposite to the inserting direction of the ink cartridge <NUM>. The rotation angle of the electrode unit and the pad electrode is <NUM> degrees or less in Embodiment <NUM>, but it exceeds <NUM> degrees in Embodiment <NUM>. For this reason, even if the ink cartridge <NUM> is strongly inserted in the inserting direction, the impact due to the insertion is less likely received, when the pad electrode <NUM> comes into contact with the electrical connecting portion <NUM> on the main assembly side. Therefore, the impact received by the pad electrode <NUM> and the electrical connecting portion <NUM> can be reduced.

In Embodiment <NUM> and Embodiment <NUM>, the member which can be mounted to (mountable to) the mounting portion is the ink cartridge which stores ink. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the member may be the one that does not contain ink. For example, the ink cartridge shown in Embodiment <NUM> or Embodiment <NUM> is a member that does not contain ink. And, this member is mounted on the mounting portion by rotating the electrode unit or the pad electrode with respect to the casing, in the same manner as described in Embodiment <NUM> or Embodiment <NUM>. Thereafter, a member which stores ink or a tube which supplies ink can be mounted to the member mounted on the mounting portion.

Up to this point, an example has been shown in which the rotation of the electrode unit and the pad relative to the casing is performed using contact with the wall of the mounting portion on the main assembly side. The method of rotating the electrode unit or pad electrode relative to the casing is not limited to this example. The casing may have a power source that generates rotational energy so that the electrode unit and pad electrode can automatically rotate without contacting the wall of the mounting portion on the main unit side. Or, a member connected to the electrode unit may be provided in the casing, and the user may operate the member to rotate the electrode unit and the pad electrode relative to the casing.

Claim 1:
A cartridge (<NUM>) or a member to which a cartridge is mountable, said cartridge (<NUM>) or member being mountable to a recording apparatus and comprising a casing (20a, 20b, 20c) and an electrode unit (<NUM>) being provided in the casing (20a, 20b, 20c),
wherein the electrode unit (<NUM>) has a plurality of pad electrodes (<NUM>; <NUM>),
characterized in that
the electrode unit (<NUM>) is rotatable relative to the casing (20a, 20b, 20c) in a plane parallel to the plurality of pad electrodes (<NUM>; <NUM>).