Patent ID: 7575310

Claim:
An ink cartridge attachment/detachment device, which loads an ink cartridge into a main body of a recording apparatus by sliding the ink cartridge, the ink cartridge attachment/detachment device comprising a cartridge holding mechanism that holds the ink cartridge upon insertion of the ink cartridge by a first predetermined stroke; and a power transmitting and converting mechanism that ensures pressing force required for loading the ink cartridge by using rotation of a lever arm and leverage principle, and converts the rotation of the lever arm into movement of a second predetermined stroke required for loading the ink cartridge held by the cartridge holding mechanism, wherein the power transmitting and converting mechanism includes, a first cam portion for moving the cartridge holding mechanism by the second predetermined stroke, and a rack, pinion and cam mechanism that includes; a first pinion that is attached to a base end of the lever arm to rotate together with the lever arm, a slide bar that has a first rack meshing with the first pinion and a second rack for transmitting movement of the first rack downstream along a transmission path, a second pinion that meshes with the second rack, a geared cam unit that has a gear meshing with the second pinion, together with the first cam portion for transmitting rotation of the gear downstream along the transmission path, and a first wall portion that is provided on the cartridge holding mechanism to be brought into contact with the first cam portion when the ink cartridge moves in an insertion direction.