JP2017064918A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide means that can exactly determine that a printing fluid cartridge is refilled with printing fluid.SOLUTION: A calculating device 130, after determining based on a detected signal by a sensor 114 that ink stored in a storage chamber 36 is less than a predetermined remaining amount, executes: accumulated used-amount updating processing for memorizing accumulated amounts of used amounts of ink used by a recording head 21 every time when image recording is performed by the recording head 21; detected information memorizing processing for making an IC substrate 85 to memorize information showing that the accumulated amounts exceed a first threshold; and refilling determination processing for determining that the ink stored in the storage chamber 36 is not less than the predetermined remaining amount on the basis of the detected signal by the sensor 114 and determining that ink is refilled into the storage chamber 36 when the information is memorized in the IC substrate 85.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that performs image recording with a printing fluid supplied from a printing fluid cartridge mounted on a cartridge mounting unit.

  Conventionally, an image recording apparatus that records an image on a sheet using a printing fluid such as toner or ink is known. This image recording apparatus is provided with a replaceable cartridge in which a printing fluid is stored. When the printing fluid stored in the cartridge is consumed as the image is recorded, it is replaced with a new cartridge.

  It is desired that an appropriate printing fluid corresponding to the image recording apparatus is used. This is because the components and composition of the printing fluid are set in consideration of the quality of the recorded image and the influence on each part of the image recording apparatus. On the other hand, it is envisaged that recycled cartridges in which used cartridges are refilled with printing fluid are distributed in the market. The components and composition of the printing fluid that is refilled in the reproduction cartridge are not necessarily compatible with the image recording apparatus. For this reason, the use of the reproducing cartridge may deteriorate the quality of the recorded image or adversely affect each component of the image recording apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, it is proposed that a memory is provided in the cartridge, and empty information indicating that there is no remaining amount of printing fluid is written in the memory when the cartridge is used more than the planned number of prints. (See Patent Document 1). If empty information can be read from the memory of the cartridge when the cartridge is loaded into the image recording apparatus, it can be determined that the cartridge is a reproduction cartridge.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-100599

  In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, the remaining amount of printing fluid in the cartridge is determined based on a counter for the number of printed sheets. Therefore, if there are many recorded images that use a small amount of printing fluid, empty information may be written to the cartridge even though the printing fluid remains in the cartridge.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide means capable of accurately determining that the printing fluid cartridge is refilled with printing fluid.

  (1) An image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage chamber in which a printing fluid is stored, and a detected state whose state changes depending on whether the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber is less than a predetermined remaining amount. A printing fluid cartridge having a printing section, a first memory, a recording section for performing image recording with the printing fluid supplied from the printing fluid cartridge, a second memory, a control section, and a state of the detected section. And a sensor for detection. The control unit determines that the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber is less than a predetermined remaining amount based on a detection signal of the sensor, and then performs recording of the recording unit each time image recording is performed by the recording unit. The accumulated usage amount update process for storing the accumulated amount of the used amount of the printing fluid used in the second memory, and detection information indicating that the accumulated amount has exceeded a predetermined first threshold value is detected. Based on the detection information storage process stored in the memory and the detection signal of the sensor, it is determined that the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber is not less than a predetermined remaining amount, and the detection information is stored in the first memory. If it is, the refill determination process for determining that the printing fluid has been refilled in the storage chamber is performed.

  Based on the accumulated amount of print fluid used after the state of the detected portion of the print fluid cartridge is detected by the sensor, the control unit accurately determines the remaining amount of print fluid stored in the storage chamber of the print fluid cartridge. And it can be judged stably. Based on the detection information stored in the storage unit of the printing fluid cartridge and the result of the remaining amount determination based on the sensor, the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber of the printing fluid cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting unit is refilled. Can be determined.

  (2) Preferably, the first memory cannot rewrite the written detection information.

  According to the above configuration, the detection information written in the first memory is difficult to be tampered with.

  (3) Preferably, the detection information is a counter value indicating the number of times that the cumulative amount has been determined to exceed the first threshold, and the control unit uses the detection signal of the sensor in the refill determination process. If the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber is determined to be less than a predetermined remaining amount, and the counter value is stored in the first memory, the printing fluid is stored in the storage chamber. It is determined that the storage chamber has been refilled.

  According to the above configuration, when the counter value is 1 time as the detection information, it is possible to reliably determine that the printing fluid cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting unit is refilled with the printing fluid.

  (4) Preferably, in the detection information storing process, the control unit stores the first memory indicating one or more times as the count value based on a detection signal of the sensor. Based on the determination that the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber is less than a predetermined remaining amount, the number of times indicated by the count value is increased by one, and in the refill determination process, the counter value is stored in the first memory as the counter value. When what shows two or more times is memorize | stored, it determines with the said printing fluid having been refilled to the said storage chamber.

  For example, if the printing fluid is a liquid, the liquid may sway in the storage chamber of the printing fluid cartridge, which may cause a fluctuation in the result of determining the remaining amount of the printing fluid based on the sensor. However, since the count value indicating one time is changed based on the cumulative amount of printing fluid used, the timing at which the count value is changed is stable. Therefore, when the count value is two or more times, it can be considered that the printing fluid has been refilled in the storage chamber. Therefore, when the remaining amount of printing fluid can be determined by the sensor, the count value is immediately changed. Therefore, it is possible to determine early that refilling has been performed.

  (5) Preferably, the first memory is rewritable only to one of increasing or decreasing the count value.

  According to the above configuration, even if the count value written in the first memory is falsified, the determination result of the refill determination process is hardly affected.

  (6) Preferably, the control unit performs a display prompting replacement of the printing fluid cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting unit on condition that the cumulative amount is equal to or greater than a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value. Execute display processing.

  According to the above configuration, the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber of the printing fluid cartridge can be used without waste. Further, even if the printing fluid cartridge is replaced before the display for prompting the replacement of the printing fluid cartridge, it is possible to determine that the printing fluid has been refilled in the refill determination processing. .

  (7) The present invention relates to a storage chamber in which the printing fluid is stored, a detected portion whose state changes depending on whether or not the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber is less than a predetermined remaining amount, And an image recording apparatus to which a printing fluid cartridge having a memory can be attached. The image recording apparatus includes a recording unit that performs image recording with the printing fluid supplied from the printing fluid cartridge, a second memory, a control unit, and a sensor that detects the state of the detected unit. The control unit determines that the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber is less than a predetermined remaining amount based on a detection signal of the sensor, and then performs recording of the recording unit each time image recording is performed by the recording unit. The accumulated usage amount update process for storing the accumulated amount of the used amount of the printing fluid used in the second memory, and detection information indicating that the accumulated amount has exceeded a predetermined first threshold value is detected. Based on the detection information storage process stored in the memory and the detection signal of the sensor, it is determined that the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber is not less than a predetermined remaining amount, and the detection information is stored in the first memory. If it is, the refill determination process for determining that the printing fluid has been refilled in the storage chamber is performed.

  According to the present invention, it can be accurately determined that the printing fluid cartridge is refilled with printing fluid.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an internal structure of a printer 10 including a cartridge mounting unit 110 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the cartridge mounting part 110. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the arithmetic device 130. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a process in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a state where the ink cartridge 30 is inserted to the overinsertion position. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a state where the ink cartridge 30 has been moved to the mounting position. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a method for determining the refilled ink cartridge 30 in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the refill determination process in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining the refilled ink cartridge 30 in the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a refill determination process according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example in which the present invention is embodied, and it is needless to say that the embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[First Embodiment]
[Overview of Printer 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 is an example of an image recording apparatus that records an image by selectively ejecting ink droplets onto a recording sheet based on an inkjet recording method. The printer 10 includes an ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 is provided with a cartridge mounting portion 110. An ink cartridge 30 (an example of a printing fluid cartridge) can be mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. An opening 112 is provided on one surface of the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into or removed from the cartridge mounting part 110 through the opening 112.

  The ink cartridge 30 stores ink (an example of a printing fluid) that can be used by the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 (an example of a recording unit) are connected by an ink tube 20 in a state where the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110. The recording head 21 is provided with a sub tank 28. The sub tank 28 temporarily stores the ink supplied through the ink tube 20. The recording head 21 selectively ejects the ink supplied from the sub tank 28 from the nozzles 29 by the ink jet recording method.

  The recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 15 to the transport path 24 by the paper feed roller 23 is transported onto the platen 26 by the transport roller pair 25. The recording head 21 selectively ejects ink onto a recording sheet that passes over the platen 26. Thereby, an image is recorded on the recording paper. The recording sheet that has passed through the platen 26 is discharged by a discharge roller pair 22 to a discharge tray 16 provided on the most downstream side of the transport path 24.

[Ink supply apparatus 100]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink supply device 100 is provided in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 supplies ink to the recording head 21 provided in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge mounting unit 110 in which the ink cartridge 30 can be mounted. FIG. 1 shows a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110.

[Ink cartridge 30]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink cartridge 30 is a container for storing ink. A space formed inside the ink cartridge 30 is a storage chamber 36 for storing ink. The storage chamber 36 is formed by the casing of the main body 31 of the ink cartridge 30. For example, the storage chamber 36 is formed by an internal frame that is a member different from the casing of the main body 31 forming the appearance of the ink cartridge 30. May be. On the surface of the ink cartridge 30, for example, an IC substrate 85 on which an IC including a ferroelectric memory 84 (an example of a first memory) as an example of a nonvolatile memory is mounted, and a detected portion 33 is provided. .

  The ink cartridge 30 is in the upright state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, that is, the bottom surface is the bottom surface and the top surface is the top surface. It is inserted and removed along the removal direction 52. The insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 are along the horizontal direction. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 while standing. This standing state corresponds to the mounting posture. Further, the downward direction 54 in the standing state corresponds to the direction of gravity.

  That is, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the insertion direction 51 and is extracted from the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the removal direction 52. In the present embodiment, the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 are along the horizontal direction. However, the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 are the gravity direction or a direction intersecting the horizontal direction and the gravity direction. Also good. If the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 are, for example, the gravitational direction, the front surface of the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51 is directed downward.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink cartridge 30 includes a main body 31 having a three-dimensional shape formed of a plane or a curved surface, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main body 31 is thin in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 as a whole, and the dimensions along the upper direction 53 and the lower direction 54 and the dimensions along the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58 are the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. It is a flat shape larger than the dimension along.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the wall of the main body 31 that is the front side of the insertion direction 51 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is the front wall 40, and the rear side of the insertion direction 51 is The wall of the main body 31 is the rear wall 41. The front direction 57 and the rear direction 58 in the present embodiment correspond to directions in which the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 face each other with the storage chamber 36 interposed therebetween. The front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 face each other in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. The front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 are connected to a pair of left and right side walls 37 and 38 extending in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. The upper wall 39 connects the side walls 37, 38 to the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41, and extends from the upper end of the front wall 40 to the upper end of the rear wall 41 along the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. It is spreading. The lower wall 42 extends along the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 from the lower end of the front wall 40 to the lower end of the rear wall 41. The insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 are parallel to the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a detected portion 33 is provided near the center of the upper direction 53 and the lower direction 54 on the front wall 40 of the main body 31. The detected portion 33 is a convex portion having a space in which the internal space is continuous with the storage chamber 36. The detected part 33 has translucency that transmits light having the same wavelength as the light output from the light emitting part of the sensor 114. The detected part 33 protrudes from the front wall 40 in the front direction 57.

  A member 60 to be detected is disposed in the storage chamber 36. The detected member 60 is supported by a rotation shaft 61 extending along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and is rotatable around the rotation shaft 61.

  The detected member 60 has a float 63. The float 63 has a specific gravity smaller than that of the ink stored in the storage chamber 36. Accordingly, in the storage chamber 36, the float 63 generates buoyancy in a state where it exists in the ink. In a state where the storage chamber 36 is substantially filled with ink, the detected member 60 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3 due to the buoyancy of the float 63. The detector 62 which is a part of the detected member 60 has entered the detected portion 33, and the detector 62 comes into contact with the wall defining the lower end 54 of the detected portion 33, thereby The attitude of the detection member 60 is maintained. In this state, the detected member 60 blocks the light of the sensor 114 traveling in the right direction 55 or the left direction 56 through the detected portion 33.

  The detector 62 may be any element that absorbs, reflects, or refracts at least a part of the light output from the light emitting unit of the sensor 114, and determines the intensity of light from the light emitting unit detected by the light receiving unit of the sensor 114. What is necessary is just to make it less than predetermined intensity | strength (for example, zero).

  When the ink level is lowered in the storage chamber 36 and the liquid level of the ink is lowered from the position of the float 63 in the posture when the detected member 60 blocks the light traveling through the detected portion 33, the float 63 becomes the liquid level of the ink. It descends with. As a result, the detected member 60 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. By this clockwise rotation, the detector 62 in the detected part 33 is removed from the optical path from the light emitting part to the light receiving part of the sensor 114. Thereby, the intensity of the light reaching the light receiving part of the sensor 114 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined intensity. The sensor 114 detects such a change in the translucent state of the detected portion 33, and the arithmetic device 130 determines that the remaining amount of ink in the storage chamber 36 has become less than a predetermined amount. The light emitted from the sensor 114 may be infrared light or visible light.

  An ink supply unit 34 is provided below the detected portion 33 on the front wall 40 side of the main body 31. The ink supply unit 34 has a cylindrical outer shape and protrudes from the front wall 40 in the front direction 57. An ink supply port 71 is formed at the protruding end of the ink supply unit 34.

  In the internal space of the ink supply unit 34, an ink flow path 72 is formed extending in the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58 to connect the ink supply port 71 and the storage chamber 36. One end of the ink flow path 72 is opened to the outside of the main body 31 at the ink supply port 71, and extends in the backward direction 58 from the ink supply port 71 to the inside of the main body 31. The ink supply port 71 is configured to be opened and closed by an ink supply valve 70 biased to the ink supply port 71 by a coil spring 73. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink needle 117 (see FIG. 4) provided on the cartridge mounting portion 110 is inserted into the ink supply port 71, and ink is supplied against the urging force of the coil spring 73. The valve 70 is separated from the ink supply port 71. As a result, the ink in the storage chamber 36 flows out to the ink needle 117 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the ink flow path 72.

  The ink supply port 71 is not necessarily limited to a configuration that can be opened and closed by the ink supply valve 70. For example, the ink supply port 71 is closed with a film or the like, and the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. The ink supply port 71 may be opened when the ink needle 117 breaks through the film. In addition, although not shown in the present embodiment, the main body 31 may be provided with an air communication port for setting the atmospheric pressure of the storage chamber 36 in a state maintained at a negative pressure to the external atmospheric pressure.

  A locking portion 45 is formed from the vicinity of the center in the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58 on the upper wall 39 of the main body 31 to the rear wall 41. The locking portion 45 has a groove extending in the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58 in the upper wall 39. The locking portion 45 has a locking surface 46 that extends in the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58 of the ink cartridge 30 as well as the upward direction 53 and the downward direction 54 at the end of the groove insertion direction 51. An engaging member 145 (see FIG. 4) described later is engaged with the locking surface 46 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. The locking surface 46 receives an external force opposite to the urging force that pushes the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52, that is, a force from the engaging member 145 in this embodiment. An end of the groove removal direction 52 opens to the outside of the main body 31.

  A rotation member 80 is provided on the locking portion 45 of the main body 31. The rotating member 80 has, for example, a bent flat plate shape, and is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is along the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58. The rotating member 80 has a shaft 83 at the bent position. The rotating member 80 can rotate around the shaft 83. The distal end portion 81 of the rotating member 80 extends from the shaft 83 to the locking surface 46 side. The rear end portion 82 of the rotating member 80 extends from the shaft 83 to the rear wall 41 side.

  When the rotation member 80 is rotated until the distal end portion 81 is positioned on the uppermost side, the distal end portion 81 projects outward from the upper wall 39 of the main body 31. When the distal end portion 81 of the rotating member 80 is pushed downward, the rotating member 80 rotates clockwise in FIG. In a state in which the rotating member 80 is rotated most clockwise, the distal end portion 81 is located near the lower end of the locking surface 46. The rotating member 80 may be integrated with the main body 31. Further, the rotating member 80 may be urged clockwise by a coil spring, or may be rotated to one side by its own weight.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an IC substrate 85 is provided on the front wall 40 side of the locking portion 45 in the upper wall 39 of the main body 31. Electrodes 86, 87, 88 are formed on the upper surface of the IC substrate 85. Each of the electrodes 86, 87, 88 extends in the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58 on the upper surface of the IC substrate 85, and is spaced apart from each other in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. The electrodes 86, 87, 88 are, for example, a HOT electrode, a GND electrode, and a signal electrode. The IC substrate 85 is provided with an IC (not shown) electrically connected to the electrodes 86, 87 and 88. The IC is a semiconductor integrated circuit, and stores information relating to the ink cartridge 30, for example, data indicating information such as a lot number, date of manufacture, ink color, and the like that can be written and read. There is a non-rewritable area in the storage area in the IC. Here, “unrewritable” means that it is necessary to input a password or PIN code or an electrical connection with a specific electronic device in order to rewrite the written information. It doesn't have to be impossible. For example, the flag indicating ink low can be rewritten only once from off to on.

[Cartridge mounting part 110]
As shown in FIG. 4, the case 101 constituting the housing of the cartridge mounting unit 110 has an opening 112 on the front side of the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the case 101 through the opening 112. The case 101 can accommodate four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, but FIG. 4 shows the space of the case 101 that can accommodate one ink cartridge 30. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the case 101 has an opening 112 and an end surface 102 that faces the opening 112 in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. A connection portion 103 is provided below the end surface 102. The connection unit 103 is disposed on the end surface 102 at a position corresponding to the ink supply unit 34 of each ink cartridge 30 attached to the case 101.

  The connection unit 103 includes an ink needle 117 and a holding groove 116. The ink needle 117 is made of a tubular resin needle. The ink needle 117 is connected to the ink tube 20 on the outer surface side that is opposite to the end surface 102 of the case 101. Each ink tube 20 connected from the respective ink needles 117 on the outer surface side that forms the front and back surfaces of the case 101 is pulled upward along the outer surface of the case 101, and then ink is supplied to the recording head 21 of the printer 10. The distribution is extended. In FIG. 4, the ink tube 20 is omitted.

  The holding groove 116 is a cylindrical groove formed in the end surface 102. An ink needle 117 is disposed in the center of the holding groove 116. As shown in FIG. 8, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110, the ink supply unit 34 is inserted into the holding groove 116. At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical ink supply unit 34 comes into contact with the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the end surface 102 constituting the holding groove 116. When the ink supply unit 34 is inserted into the holding groove 116, the ink needle 117 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply unit 34. As a result, the ink stored in the storage chamber 36 can flow out to the outside. The ink that has flowed out of the storage chamber 36 is supplied to the recording head 21 through the ink needle 117 and the ink tube 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a sensor 114 is provided on the end surface 102 of the case 101 above the connection portion 103. The sensor 114 includes a light emitting element provided at one end of a horseshoe-shaped housing and a light receiving element provided at the other end. The light emitting element is, for example, an LED or the like, and irradiates light in a horizontal direction (right direction 55 or left direction 56) perpendicular to the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. The light receiving element is, for example, a phototransistor or the like, and receives light emitted from the light emitting element. The detected portion 33 of the ink cartridge 30 can enter the space between the light emitting element and the light receiving element. When the detected part 33 enters the optical path of the sensor 114, the sensor 114 can detect a change in the amount of transmitted light by the detected part 33. As shown in FIG. 5, the detection signal of the sensor 114 is output to the arithmetic device 130.

  As shown in FIG. 4, on the top surface 104, three contact points 124 are provided side by side in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 at positions facing the electrodes 86, 87, 88 provided on the upper surface of the IC substrate 85. It has been. As shown in FIG. 5, the IC substrate 85 is electrically connected to the arithmetic device 130 (an example of a control unit) via each contact 124. The arithmetic device 130 includes a CPU 132, a ROM 133, a RAM 134 (an example of a second memory), and the like. The arithmetic device 130 may be disposed as a control board inside the apparatus housing as a control unit of the printer 10, or may be controlled by the printer 10. The case 101 or the like may be provided as a separate control board independent of the unit. When one contact 124 and the HOT electrode 86 are electrically connected, a voltage supplied from the power supply 131 is applied to the HOT electrode 86. When the one contact 124 and the GND electrode 87 are electrically connected, the GND electrode 87 is grounded. Electric power is supplied to the IC on the IC substrate 85 by the conduction between the contact 124 and the HOT electrode 85 and the GND electrode 86. When the contact 124 and the signal electrode 87 are electrically connected, data stored in the IC (ferroelectric memory 84) can be accessed. The output from the IC substrate 85 is input to the arithmetic device 130.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the engaging member 145 is provided in the case 101. The engaging member 145 is for holding the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 in a mounted state. For example, the engaging member 145 is formed to be swingable about a support shaft 147 provided on the opening 112 side of the case 101. Thus, the engaging member 145 is configured to be rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise about the support shaft 147. An engagement end 146 is disposed at the end of the engagement member 145 opposite to the support shaft 147. The engagement end 146 can be engaged with the locking surface 46 of the ink cartridge 30. The engaging end 146 engages with the locking surface 46 to hold the ink cartridge 30 in the mounting position of the case 101 against the force that moves the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52.

  The position of the engagement member 145 (see FIG. 8) at which the engagement end 146 and the engagement surface 46 can be engaged is referred to as the lock position, and the engagement end 146 and the engagement portion 45 are not engaged. The position of the engaging member 145 (see FIG. 6) is referred to as the unlock position. The engagement member 145 rotates downward in the direction of gravity due to its own weight. When the distal end portion 81 of the rotating member 80 moves upward, the engaging member 145 rotates upward about the support shaft 147 and moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[Installation operation of ink cartridge 30]
The operation of mounting the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting unit 110 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the insertion direction 51 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the engagement member 145 is rotated upward by the upper wall 39 of the main body 31, and the engagement member 145 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted to a position where the ink supply unit 34 contacts the holding groove 116, the ink needle 117 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply unit 34. The ink supply valve 70 pushed by the ink needle 117 is separated from the ink supply port 71 against the biasing force of the coil spring 73. Further, the IC substrate 85 moves the contact 124 upward in the insertion direction 51. As a result, the electrodes 86, 87, 88 and the respective contacts 124 are brought into contact with each other, and the IC of the IC board 85 and the arithmetic device 130 on the printer 10 side are electrically connected.

  The engaging member 145 that has reached the locking portion 45 of the main body 31 is not supported by the upper wall 39 of the main body 31 and rotates downward to reach the lock position. Then, in the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58, the engagement end 146 and the locking surface 46 face each other. The ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 7 is in an overinserted state (overshoot) in which the tip of the ink supply unit 34 abuts against the end surface of the holding groove 116, and the engagement end 146 and the locking surface 46 are in contact with each other. It is in a state of being separated in the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58.

  When the force for pushing the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51 disappears from the state of FIG. 7, the ink cartridge 30 is pulled out to the position where the engagement end portion 146 and the locking surface 46 are in contact with each other, as shown in FIG. Retreat to 52. Thus, the engaging member 145 holds the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 against the force pushing the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52. 8 is located below the engaging member 145. The tip 81 of the rotating member 80 in FIG. Further, the rear end portion 82 of the rotating member 80 is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the groove of the locking portion 45 and is positioned above the upper wall 39 of the main body 31. Thus, the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting unit 110 is completed. Hereinafter, the position of the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 8 is referred to as a mounting position.

  The tip of the ink supply unit 34 at the mounting position is slightly separated from the end surface of the holding groove 116. In the mounting position, the ink needle 117 is in a state where the ink supply valve 70 is separated from the ink supply port 71. Therefore, the ink can flow out of the storage chamber 36 through an ink inlet (not shown) provided at the tip of the ink needle 117. The detected portion 33 at the mounting position is located at the detection position of the sensor 114.

  The arithmetic device 130 determines whether the ink cartridge 30 has reached the mounting position. Specifically, it is determined that the ink substrate 30 has reached the mounting position by detecting that the IC substrate 85 and the contact point 125 are electrically connected, or an optical sensor (not shown) is used for the ink cartridge 30. It is determined that the ink cartridge 30 has reached the mounting position by detecting a part of the ink cartridge 30.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the rear end portion 82 of the rotating member 80 is pushed downward by the user. As a result, the distal end portion 81 of the rotating member 80 moves upward and is separated from the bottom surface of the locking portion 45. As the tip 81 moves, the engaging member 145 is turned upward from the locked position to the unlocked position, and the ink cartridge 30 is not held by the engaging member 145.

  When the engagement member 145 is moved to the unlock position, the ink cartridge 30 is moved in the removal direction 52 by a force pushing the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 moves in the removal direction 52, the ink needle 117 comes out of the ink supply unit 34. As a result, the ink supply valve 70 is pushed by the restoring force of the coil spring 73 to close the ink supply port 71.

  Further, when the ink cartridge 30 moves in the removal direction 52, the IC substrate 85 moves in the removal direction 52 together with the main body 31, and the electrodes 86, 87, 88 and the respective contacts 124 are separated from each other. The electrical connection between the IC on the side and the arithmetic device 130 on the printer 10 side is released. The detected part 33 deviates from the detection position of the sensor 114.

[Determination of remaining amount of ink cartridge 30]
If it is determined that the ink cartridge 30 has reached the mounting position, the arithmetic device 130 emits light from the sensor 114 toward the detected portion 33. As shown in FIG. 8, in a state where the storage chamber 36 is substantially filled with ink, the detector 62 of the detected member 60 moves the detected portion 33 in the right direction 55 or the left direction 56 due to the buoyancy of the float 63. For example, the light of the sensor 114 traveling forward is blocked. The sensor 114 receives the amount of light blocked by the detector 62 at the light receiving unit, and outputs a low level signal. The arithmetic unit 130 determines that the storage chamber 30 is filled with a predetermined amount or more of ink on condition that a low level signal is received from the sensor 114, and the storage chamber 30 is filled with a predetermined amount or more of ink. In order to display on the display or the like, a signal indicating this is output.

  When the ink in the storage chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 is consumed, the ink level in the storage chamber 36 drops to the float 63 of the detected member 60. When the ink level further falls, the float 63 also descends while rotating around the rotation shaft 61 as indicated by a broken line in FIG. By this rotation of the detected member 60, the detector 62 moves toward the upper end of the detected portion 33 and deviates from the optical path emitted from the sensor 114. Therefore, the light receiving unit of the sensor 114 receives the amount of light not blocked by the detector 62 and outputs a high level signal.

  After receiving the high level signal from the sensor 114, the arithmetic device 130 calculates and stores a cumulative value of the amount of ink used by the recording head 21. The amount of ink used by the recording head 21 includes the amount of ink discharged from the recording head 21 in image recording, as well as flushing (empty discharge) and purge (forced ink from the nozzles of the recording head 21). This includes the amount of ink used in maintenance such as suction. The amount of ink used can be calculated by, for example, the arithmetic device 130 counting the size (capacity) and number of ink droplets ejected from the recording head 21.

  When the arithmetic device 130 determines that the cumulative value of the ink usage exceeds the first threshold value that is determined and stored in advance, the ink in the storage chamber 36 has become less than the predetermined amount, that is, the ink is low. It is determined that there is, and an electronic signal (an example of detection information) indicating that the remaining amount of ink is less than a predetermined amount corresponding to the first threshold value, that is, ink low, is output to be displayed on the display or the like of the printer 10. . Further, the arithmetic device 130 writes electronic information indicating that the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 is ink low in the memory area of the IC substrate 85 of the ink cartridge 30. That is, the ink low flag is turned on from off. The first threshold is within the range of the remaining amount of ink assumed to remain in the storage chamber 36 when the high level signal is output from the sensor 114, and before the ink is almost exhausted in the storage chamber 36, It is set in advance in consideration of the remaining amount of ink corresponding to an appropriate grace time for warning the user that the ink cartridge 30 needs to be replaced.

  When the arithmetic device 130 determines that the accumulated value of the ink usage exceeds the second threshold value that is stored in advance, the arithmetic device 130 determines that the ink in the storage chamber 36 has run out, that is, is empty, In order to display on the display or the like of the printer 10, a signal indicating that the remaining amount of ink has run out, that is, is empty is output (an example of display processing). Note that the second threshold value is set in advance so as to correspond to approximately the same amount of ink remaining that is assumed to remain in the storage chamber 36 when the high level signal is output from the sensor 114. Therefore, the second threshold is greater than the first threshold.

  By displaying empty on the display or the like, the user recognizes that all the ink in the storage chamber 36 has been consumed. Then, the user removes the used ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting unit 110 and mounts a new ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting unit.

[Determination of Ink Cartridge 30 Refilled with Ink]
The arithmetic device 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 has been installed in the cartridge mounting unit 110, or a unit of image recording, that is, the timing at which one page of image recording is completed, or the completion of image recording for one pass. At this timing, it is determined whether the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110 has been refilled with ink. In the following description, an example of a flowchart for determining whether the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110 has been refilled with ink at the timing when one unit of image recording is completed will be described. Is done. In the following description, only one ink cartridge 30 is described, but it goes without saying that the same determination is made for a plurality of ink cartridges 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110.

  As shown in FIG. 9, at the timing when image recording is started, the arithmetic unit 130 turns on the ink low flag from the memory area of the IC substrate 85 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110. / OFF is read and the state of the ink low flag is stored (step S10). For example, in the case of a new ink cartridge 30 that has not been refilled with ink, the ink low flag is off in the IC substrate 85. On the other hand, if the ink cartridge 30 has already been consumed with ink and has become ink low, or if the ink cartridge 30 has been refilled with ink and filled into the storage chamber 36, the ink low on the IC substrate 85. • The flag is on. Thereafter, the arithmetic device 130 performs image recording for one unit based on the print data (step S11).

  When the image recording for one unit is completed, the arithmetic device 130 determines whether the output from the sensor 114 is a low level signal or a high level signal (step S12). If the member 60 to be detected does not rotate from the state in which the ink is filled in the storage chamber 36, the sensor 114 outputs a low level signal (step S12: NO). In that case, the arithmetic unit 130 performs a refill determination process (step S20).

  If the detected member 60 rotates until the liquid level of the ink drops from the state where the ink is filled in the storage chamber 36 and the detector 62 of the detected member 60 is removed from the optical path of the sensor 114, the sensor 114 outputs a high level signal (step S12: YES). In that case, the arithmetic unit 130 adds the amount of ink used in the image recording for one unit to the accumulated value and stores it (step S13: an example of accumulated usage amount update processing).

  The arithmetic device 130 determines whether the accumulated value after the addition is less than the first threshold, greater than or equal to the first threshold, less than the second threshold, or greater than or equal to the second threshold (step S14). When the arithmetic device 130 determines that the accumulated value after the addition is less than the first threshold value, that is, it is not ink low, it performs a refill determination process (step S20).

  The arithmetic device 130 determines that the accumulated value after addition is equal to or greater than the first threshold value and less than the second threshold value, and the ink low flag is off in the memory area of the IC substrate 85 of the ink cartridge 30. Sometimes (step S15: NO), the arithmetic device 130 turns on the ink low flag in the memory area of the ink cartridge 30IC substrate 85 mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110 (step S16: an example of detection information storage processing). ). Thereafter, the arithmetic device 130 performs a refill determination process (step S20). On the other hand, when the ink low flag is on in the memory area of the IC substrate 85 of the ink cartridge 30 (step S15: YES), the arithmetic unit 130 performs a refill determination process (step S20).

  If the arithmetic device 130 determines that the cumulative value after addition is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, the arithmetic device 130 updates the cumulative value to an initial value, for example, zero (step S17), and confirms that the ink cartridge 30 is empty. The image is displayed on the display of the printer 10 (step S18). When the ink cartridge 30 is replaced (step S19), a refill determination process is performed (step S20).

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the refill determination process, the arithmetic device 130 reads the ink low flag on the IC substrate 85 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 (step S30). When the ink low flag is off (step S30: OFF), the arithmetic unit 30 determines that the ink cartridge 30 is not refilled (step S31), and the ink cartridge 30 is refilled (step S31). A flag indicating that it has not been refilled is stored (step S32).

  If the ink low flag in the memory area of the IC substrate 85 is on (step S30: ON), the arithmetic unit 30 determines the output signal of the sensor 114 (step S33). When the output signal of the sensor 114 is a high level signal, the arithmetic unit 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 has not been refilled (step S33: YES), and the ink cartridge 30 has not been refilled. A flag indicating this is stored (step S32).

  When the output signal of the sensor 114 is a low level signal (step S33: NO), the arithmetic device 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 has been refilled (step S34). Then, the arithmetic unit 130 displays on the display or the like whether or not the ink cartridge 30 has been refilled (step S35).

[Effects of First Embodiment]
According to the first embodiment, based on the accumulated amount of ink used after the state of the detected portion 33 of the ink cartridge 30 is detected by the sensor 114, the state is stored in the storage chamber 36 in the arithmetic device 130. The remaining amount of ink can be determined accurately and stably. Further, based on the electronic information stored in the memory area of the IC substrate 85 of the ink cartridge 30, that is, the result of the remaining amount determination based on the output signal of the sensor 114, the storage chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 is stored. It can be determined whether the stored ink is refilled.

  Further, since the memory area of the IC substrate 85 of the ink cartridge 30 can be rewritten only once when the ink low flag is turned off to on, the electronic information stored in the memory area of the IC board 85 is stored in the ink cartridge 30. It is hard to be tampered with.

  In addition, the calculation device 130 performs a display for prompting replacement of the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 on condition that the cumulative amount of ink used is equal to or greater than a second threshold value that is greater than the first threshold value. Since the process is executed, the ink stored in the storage chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 is used without waste. Even if the ink cartridge 30 is replaced before the display for prompting replacement of the ink cartridge 30 is displayed, it can be determined in the refill determination process that the ink has been refilled.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the ink low flag is written in the memory area of the IC substrate 85 of the ink cartridge 30, but the memory area of the IC substrate 85 has a count indicating the number of times the ink low or mechanical empty has occurred. A value may be written. In the memory area of the IC substrate 85, the count value can be rewritten only by counting up. The count value may be shown, for example, counted down from the initial value. In that case, the count value written in the memory area of the IC substrate 85 can be rewritten only by countdown. The second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for the determination of the ink cartridge 30 that has been refilled with ink. Therefore, the description of the configuration of the printer 10 and the ink cartridge 30 is omitted.

[Determination of Ink Cartridge 30 Refilled with Ink]
The arithmetic device 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 has been installed in the cartridge mounting unit 110, or a unit of image recording, that is, the timing at which one page of image recording is completed, or the completion of image recording for one pass. At this timing, it is determined whether the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110 has been refilled with ink. In the following description, an example of a flowchart for determining whether the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110 has been refilled with ink at the timing when one unit of image recording is completed will be described. Is done. In the following description, only one ink cartridge 30 is described, but it goes without saying that the same determination is made for a plurality of ink cartridges 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110.

  As shown in FIG. 11, at the timing when image recording is started, the arithmetic unit 130 stores whether or not ink low has already been determined for the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110. (Step S40). Further, the arithmetic device 130 stores electronic information indicating the output signal of the sensor 114, that is, a low level signal or a high level signal (step S40). That is, the arithmetic unit 130 stores information indicating whether ink is low and the output signal of the sensor 114 before recording one unit of image. Thereafter, the arithmetic device 130 performs image recording for one unit based on the print data (step S40).

  When the image recording for one unit (for example, one page) is completed, the arithmetic unit 130 determines whether the output from the sensor 114 is a low level signal or a high level signal (step S42). If the member 60 to be detected does not rotate from the state where the ink is filled in the storage chamber 36, the sensor 114 outputs a low level signal (step S42: NO). In that case, the arithmetic unit 130 performs a refill determination process (step S53).

  If the detected member 60 rotates until the liquid level of the ink drops from the state where the ink is filled in the storage chamber 36 and the detector 62 of the detected member 60 is removed from the optical path of the sensor 114, the sensor 114 outputs a high level signal (step S42: YES). In that case, the arithmetic unit 130 adds the amount of ink used in image recording for one unit to the accumulated value and stores the accumulated value (step S43: an example of accumulated usage amount update processing).

  When the output signal of the sensor 114 before recording one unit of image is a low level signal (step S44: YES), the arithmetic device 130 uses the count value stored in the memory area of the IC substrate 85 of the ink cartridge 30. Read (step S45). If the count value is one or more times (step S45: YES), the count value is counted up in the memory area of the IC substrate 85 (step S46: an example of the detection information storage process), and then the refill determination process is performed. (Step S53). That is, for the ink cartridge 30 for which ink low has already been determined, the arithmetic unit 130 indicates that the output signal of the sensor 114 has changed from a low level signal to a high level signal before and after one unit of image recording. Based on the above, the count value is counted up in the memory area of the IC substrate 85.

  If the count value read from the memory area of the IC board 85 is less than once, that is, zero (step S45: NO), the arithmetic unit 130 determines whether to refill without counting up the memory area of the IC board 85. Processing is performed (step S53). That is, for the ink cartridge 30 for which ink / low has not yet been determined, the arithmetic unit 130 indicates that the output signal of the sensor 114 has changed from a low level signal to a high level signal before and after one unit of image recording. Does not count up the count value.

  When the output signal of the sensor 114 before performing one unit of image recording is a high level signal (step S44: NO), the arithmetic device 130 has a cumulative value after addition less than the first threshold, greater than or equal to the first threshold, and It is determined whether it is less than the second threshold value or more than the second threshold value (step S47). When the arithmetic device 130 determines that the accumulated value after addition is less than the first threshold value, that is, it is not ink low, it performs a refill determination process (step S53).

  When the arithmetic unit 130 determines that the accumulated value after the addition is equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold, the ink low determination is performed on the ink cartridge 30 before performing one unit of image recording. If zero is stored as a count value in the memory area of the IC substrate 85 (step S48: YES), the arithmetic unit 130 increments the count value in the memory area of the IC substrate 85, That is, it is set once (step S49: an example of detection information storage processing). That is, for the ink cartridge 30 for which ink / low has not yet been determined, the arithmetic unit 130 changes the ink / low determination before and after the image recording of one unit, and in the memory area of the IC substrate 85. When zero is stored as the count value, the count value is counted up. Thereafter, the arithmetic device 130 performs a refill determination process (step S53).

  When the arithmetic unit 130 determines that the accumulated value after the addition is equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold, the ink low determination is performed on the ink cartridge 30 before performing one unit of image recording. Or when the count value other than zero is stored in the memory area of the IC substrate 85 (step S48: NO), the arithmetic unit 130 performs the refill determination process without counting up the count value. This is performed (step S53).

  If the arithmetic unit 130 determines that the cumulative value after addition is equal to or greater than the second threshold, the arithmetic unit 130 updates the cumulative value to an initial value, for example, zero (step S50), and confirms that the ink cartridge 30 is empty. The image is displayed on the display of the printer 10 (step S51). When the ink cartridge 30 is replaced (step S52: YES), a refill determination process is performed (step S53).

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the refill determination process, the arithmetic unit 130 uses the electronic information stored in the memory area of the IC substrate 85 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110, that is, the count value. Read (step S60). When the calculation device 30 reads zero as the count value from the memory area of the IC substrate 85 (step S60: 0), it determines that the ink cartridge 30 is not refilled (step S61), and the ink cartridge A flag indicating that 30 is refilled is stored (step S62).

  When the arithmetic device 30 reads one time as the count value (step S60: 1), it determines the output signal of the sensor 114 (step S63). When the output signal of the sensor 114 is a high level signal (step S63: YES), the arithmetic unit 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 is not refilled (step S61), and the ink cartridge 30 is refilled. A flag indicating that the data is not correct is stored (step S62). On the other hand, when the output signal of the sensor 114 is a low level signal (step S63: NO), the arithmetic unit 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 has been refilled (step S64). Then, the arithmetic unit 130 displays on the display or the like whether or not the ink cartridge 30 has been refilled (step S65).

  When the arithmetic unit 30 reads the count value twice or more (step S60: 2 or more), it determines that the ink cartridge 30 is refilled (step S64), and the ink cartridge 30 is refilled. A display indicating whether or not it is a thing is performed on a display or the like (step S65).

[Effects of Second Embodiment]
Also according to the second embodiment, in the arithmetic device 130, the remaining amount of ink stored in the storage chamber 36 is accurately and stably determined, and the ink stored in the storage chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 is refilled. Can be determined.

  In addition, when the count value stored in the memory area of the IC substrate 85 of the ink cartridge 30 is 1, the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 is refilled with ink. It can be determined with certainty.

  Further, the ink swaying in the storage chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 may cause the detected member 60 to alternately rotate clockwise and counterclockwise, and the output signal of the sensor 114 may fluctuate (chatter). is there. However, since the count value indicating one time is changed based on the cumulative amount of ink used, the timing at which the count value is changed is stable. Therefore, when the count value becomes two times or more, it can be considered that the ink is refilled in the storage chamber 36. Therefore, when the remaining amount of ink can be determined by the sensor 114, the count value is immediately changed. Therefore, it is possible to determine early that refilling has been performed.

  In addition, since the memory area of the IC substrate 85 can be rewritten only to increase or decrease the count value, even if the count value written in the memory area is falsified, the determination result of the refill determination process hardly occurs. .

[Modification]
In each of the embodiments described above, the detected portion 33 is optically detected by the sensor 114. However, the detection of the ink remaining amount in the detected portion 33 is not limited to an optical one. For example, The remaining amount of ink may be detected based on another physical quantity such as magnetism.

  Further, the determination as to whether or not the ink cartridge 30 has been refilled is displayed on the display of the printer 10 or the like, but this determination may be used in addition to the display. For example, maintenance processing such as flushing or purging may be changed depending on whether or not the ink cartridge 30 has been refilled, or information indicating that the refilled ink cartridge 30 is being used. It may be transmitted to a cloud server or the like.

  Further, when the arithmetic unit 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 is not refilled, it stores a flag indicating that the ink cartridge 30 is not refilled. For example, the arithmetic device 130 may rewrite variables stored in the arithmetic device 130 for controlling the operation of the printer unit 10 such as operations for maintenance such as purging.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ink is described as an example of the printing fluid, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, powder such as toner may be used as the printing fluid instead of liquid such as ink.

10 Printer (image recording device)
21 Recording head (recording unit)
30 Ink cartridge (printing fluid cartridge)
33 Detected part 36 Storage chamber 84 Ferroelectric memory (first memory)
114 Sensor 130 Computing device (control unit)
134 RAM (second memory)

Claims (7)

A printing fluid having a storage chamber in which printing fluid is stored, a detected portion whose state changes depending on whether the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber is less than a predetermined remaining amount, and a first memory A cartridge,
A recording unit for recording an image with a printing fluid supplied from the printing fluid cartridge;
A second memory;
A control unit;
A sensor for detecting the state of the detected part,
The control unit
After determining that the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber is less than a predetermined remaining amount based on the detection signal of the sensor, every time image recording is performed by the recording unit, printing used by the recording unit A cumulative usage amount update process for storing a cumulative amount of fluid usage in the second memory;
Detection information storage processing for storing detection information indicating that the accumulated amount has exceeded a predetermined first threshold in the first memory;
When it is determined that the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber is not less than a predetermined remaining amount based on the detection signal of the sensor, and the detection information is stored in the first memory, the printing fluid is An image recording apparatus that executes refill determination processing for determining that the storage chamber has been refilled.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first memory cannot rewrite the written detection information. The detection information is a counter value indicating the number of times the cumulative amount has been determined to exceed the first threshold,
In the refill determination process, the control unit determines that the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber is not less than a predetermined remaining amount based on a detection signal of the sensor, and stores the counter value in the first memory. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when one indicating one is stored, it is determined that the printing fluid is refilled in the storage chamber. The control unit
In the detection information storage process, when the count value stored at least once is stored in the first memory, the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber based on the detection signal of the sensor is a predetermined value. Based on the determination that it is less than the remaining amount, the number of times indicated by the count value is increased by one,
In the refill determination process, when the counter value stored more than once is stored in the first memory, it is determined that the printing fluid is refilled in the storage chamber. 4. The image recording apparatus according to 3.   5. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first memory is rewritable by only increasing or decreasing the count value. 6.   The control unit executes display processing for performing a display prompting replacement of the printing fluid cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting unit on condition that the cumulative amount is equal to or greater than a second threshold value that is greater than a first threshold value. Item 6. The image recording apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 5. A printing fluid having a storage chamber in which printing fluid is stored, a detected portion whose state changes depending on whether the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber is less than a predetermined remaining amount, and a first memory An image recording apparatus to which a cartridge can be attached,
A recording unit for recording an image with a printing fluid supplied from the printing fluid cartridge;
A second memory;
A control unit;
A sensor for detecting the state of the detected part,
The control unit
After determining that the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber is less than a predetermined remaining amount based on the detection signal of the sensor, every time image recording is performed by the recording unit, printing used by the recording unit A cumulative usage amount update process for storing a cumulative amount of fluid usage in the second memory;
Detection information storage processing for storing detection information indicating that the accumulated amount has exceeded a predetermined first threshold in the first memory;
When it is determined that the printing fluid stored in the storage chamber is not less than a predetermined remaining amount based on the detection signal of the sensor, and the detection information is stored in the first memory, the printing fluid is An image recording apparatus that executes refill determination processing for determining that the storage chamber has been refilled.

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