Detector unit and ink cartridge incorporated in recording apparatus, and method of judging presence of the ink cartridge using the detector unit

摘要

Recording paper fed from a paper feed section comes in contact with a paper detection member 12 of a detector unit 8 and is rotated about a first fulcrum 35, shading the optical axis of an optical sensor 16. On the other hand, when the recording paper passes through and the paper detection member 12 is brought out of contact with the recording paper, the paper detection member 12 is restored to the former position by the urging force of an spring 37 and does not shade the optical axis. A carriage/cartridge detection member 15 of the detector unit 8 comes in contact with a carriage engagement part and a cartridge engagement part placed in a carriage and is rotated about a second fulcrum 43, shading the optical axis of the optical sensor 16. On the other hand, when the carriage/cartridge detection member 15 is brought out of contact with the engagement parts, the carriage/cartridge detection member 15 is restored to the former position by the urging force of an spring 44 and does not shade the optical axis.