CN108698408A

CN108698408A - Fluid cartridge

Info

Publication number: CN108698408A
Application number: CN201680080384.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 温井康介; 塘口卓; 小林哲郎; 冈崎真也; 高桥宏明
Original assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2016-01-29
Filing date: 2016-01-29
Publication date: 2018-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2036-01-29
Also published as: ES2760951T3; CN108698408B; EP3408102A1; EP3408102B1; WO2017130238A1; EP3611023B1; EP3611023A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to fluid cartridge, with antetheca (40), the rear wall opposed with antetheca (41), the liquid chamber (36) between antetheca and rear wall and across the liquid outlet (60) of antetheca.Fluid cartridge further includes actuator (77), detector and the limiting member that can be moved between the first position and the second position.Detector (59) is located in room, and detector can be moved from by restriction site with position is released, in being released position, external detection of the detector from fluid cartridge.Limiting member (88) is configured to move between releasing position and restriction site, and in the release position, detector, which can be moved into, is released position, and restriction site is for being located in detector by restriction site.Limiting member may be in response to movement of the actuator from first position to the second position and be moved to releasing position from restriction site;And limiting member may be in response to movement of the actuator from the second position to first position and be moved to restriction site from releasing position.

Description

Fluid cartridge

Technical field

Form described herein is related to a kind of fluid cartridge, the liquid that fluid cartridge storage viscosity changes over time.

Background technology

Image recording is situated between by known ink jet recording device by being stored in the ink in ink tank from nozzle injection in record In matter.In this ink jet recording device, the viscosity change for the ink being stored in ink tank may lead to spray nozzle clogging and/or image Record the deterioration of quality.

In order to avoid the generation of this problem, ink jet recording device calculates the viscosity for being stored in the ink in ink tank, and root Preliminary discharge appropriate is executed according to the result that black viscosity calculates.More specifically, ink jet recording device is based on remaining ink in ink tank Amount and time for being passed from being placed in ink jet recording device ink tank calculate black viscosity.

Invention content

[Ji Shuwenti ]

However, the variation degree of black viscosity be likely to be dependent on for example black type and/or store the temperature of the environment of ink tank and Differ widely.Known ink jet recording device may not be able to calculate to be stored in and have been moved off and be not attached to ink jet recording device Ink tank in ink viscosity.

[Wen Tixiejuefangan ]

Therefore, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a kind of fluid cartridge, which can enable to direct estimation It is stored in the viscosity of the liquid in its locker room.

In order to realize above and other purpose, according to a kind of form, the disclosure provides a kind of fluid cartridge, the fluid cartridge packet It includes:Antetheca;Rear wall;Liquid chamber;Liquid outlet;Actuator;Detector;And limiting member.The rear wall is opposed with the antetheca. The liquid chamber is between the antetheca and the rear wall.The liquid outlet passes through the antetheca, and the liquid discharge Mouth is configured to for liquid to be supplied to the outside of the liquid chamber from the inside of the room.The actuator can be in first position It is moved between the second position.The detector is located in the room.The detector can be from restriction site and being released Position is moved, and is released in position described, external detection of the detector from the fluid cartridge.The limiting member is by structure It causes to move between releasing position and restriction site, in the releasing position, the detector can be moved to the quilt Releasing position, the restriction site are described by restriction site for the detector to be located in.The limiting member can Movement in response to the actuator from the first position to the second position and be moved to from the restriction site described Releasing position.The limiting member can be in response to the actuator from the second position to the first position movement and It is moved to the restriction site from the releasing position.

According to fluid cartridge, when limiting member is moved from restriction site towards releasing position, detection means are from spare space It is moved towards test position.Detection means movement while receiving viscosity and the inertia resistance from liquid passes through liquid, by The movement speed of this detection means depends on black viscosity.Therefore, can by measure from limiting member reach releasing position when Time for passing is carved at the time of detection means reach test position to estimate the viscosity for the liquid being stored in fluid cartridge.According to Fluid cartridge, since limiting member returns to restriction site from releasing position, the movements of detection means spare space again by Limitation.Therefore, limiting member repeats that back to restriction site the viscous of the ink for repeating to estimate to be stored in print cartridge can be enabled to Degree.

For example, the deterioration that the construction can enable to the liquid that estimation is stored in print cartridge is horizontal, which does not have temporarily It is attached to liquid consuming apparatus.Various types of print cartridges with corresponding different viscosities can be handled in liquid consuming apparatus In the case of, which can enable to specify the type of each print cartridge.

The following position that can refer to fluid cartridge using position of fluid cartridge, for example, fluid cartridge is attached to during in the position Liquid consuming apparatus, or period checks the behavior for being detected part in the fabrication process in the position.In one example, it floats Son and detection means can be individual components, and can integrate or be arranged individually from one another each other.In another example, Float and detection means may be constructed unitary members and inseparable each other.In this case, one of detection means Point may be used as float or detection means itself may be used as float.

Preferably:The actuator can be in the first position and the liquid discharge that the liquid outlet is blocked It is moved between the second position that mouth is opened.

Preferably:The detector includes float.When detector it is described by restriction site when, the float is determined Position is at lower than when the detector is in described be released in position.And work as the detector described by restriction site When, the float is submerged in the fluid accommodated in the chamber.

Preferably:The detector can rotate about the axis.

Preferably:The detector includes the first arm extended from the axis and the external detection from the fluid cartridge Detection part.The detection part is supported by first arm.

Preferably:The detector includes float and the second arm for extending from the axis.And the float is by institute State the support of the second arm.

Preferably:The detection part is from the axis distance L1 than the float from the axis distance L2 It is short.

Preferably:The detector further comprises contact portion.When the actuator is released described in position When, the limiting member is configured to detach with the contact portion in the releasing position.The contact portion is constructed At in response to the restricted part contact portion is contacted from the releasing position to the movement of the restriction site.

Preferably:The contact portion is configured to remoter from the axis than the float from the axis.

Preferably:The limiting member is engaged with the actuator.

Preferably:The limiting member includes first part and second part, the first part and the actuator Engagement.The second part is configured to:When the limiting member it is described by restriction site when, the second part is in institute It states and contacts the contact portion in restriction site.The second part is configured to:When the limiting member is in the release position When setting middle, the second part detaches in the releasing position with the contact portion.Also, the contact portion is constructed At in response to the restricted part contact portion is contacted from the releasing position to the movement of the restriction site.

Preferably:The fluid cartridge further comprises the pushing structure for pushing the actuator towards the first position Part.

Preferably:The fluid cartridge further comprises at least one guiding piece extended in an upward direction.It is described to draw Guiding element is configured to guide the detector from the movement for being released position described in by restriction site.

Preferably:The actuator includes inclining relative to from the antetheca towards what the direction of the rear wall tilted down Skewed surface.The limiting member is located at the top of the inclined surface in the restriction site.The limiting member is constructed It is detached with the inclined surface in the releasing position.The limiting member is configured to from the releasing position to institute The mobile period for stating restriction site keeps contacting with the inclined surface.

Preferably:The detector includes float.When detector it is described by restriction site when, the float is determined Position is at lower than when the detector is in described be released in position.When the detector it is described by restriction site when, institute Float is stated to be submerged in the fluid accommodated in the chamber.The float is formed with cavity, and the cavity limits the nauropemeter Face.

Preferably:The actuator includes inclining relative to from the antetheca towards what the direction of the rear wall tilted down Skewed surface.The limiting member is located in the restriction site on the detector.The limiting member is configured in institute It states in releasing position and is detached with the inclined surface.The actuator is configured to be released to described by restriction site from described It keeps contacting with the inclined surface during putting position movement.

Preferably:The limiting member is located on the detector being released in position.

Preferably:The detector includes weight.When detector it is described by restriction site when, the weight is determined Position is at higher than when the detector is in described be released in position.When the detector it is described by restriction site when, institute Weight is stated to be submerged in the fluid accommodated in the chamber.

Preferably:The weight can be moved in upper position and between the upper lower lower position in position. The detector can be in response to the weight from the upper position to the lower position movement and from described by restriction site It is released position described in being moved to.

Preferably:The detector includes the first arm extended from the axis and the external detection from the fluid cartridge Detection part.The detection part is supported by first arm.The detector can rotate about the axis.The detector packet The second arm for including the first arm extended from the axis and extending from the axis.The weight contacts second arm, will The detector is located in described by restriction site.

Preferably:The limiting member is located at the lower section of the weight, and the limiting member is in the agretope Set the middle contact weight.The limiting member is configured to detach with the weight in the releasing position.

Preferably:The weight is formed with cavity downwards, and the limiting member is located in the cavity.

Preferably:The cavity includes acclivitous inclined surface.The limiting member is located at the inclined surface Lower section, and the limiting member is configured in the case where keeping contacting with the inclined surface from the releasing position It is moved to the restriction site.

Preferably:The fluid cartridge further comprises the pushing for pushing the limiting member towards the restriction site Component.The cavity includes the inclined surface upwardly extended towards the rear wall.The actuator is located at the inclined surface Top, and the actuator is configured to be kept in contact with the inclined surface in the pushing force of the resistance biasing member In the case of from described be moved to by restriction site described be released position.

Preferably:A part for the detector being released in position be located at the limiting member in institute It states in the motion track between restriction site and the releasing position.The limiting member is configured in response to the limitation structure Part is applied to described limited from the restriction site to the movement of the releasing position to the part of the detector The power of position.

Preferably:Fluid cartridge further includes limiting member and is arranged at least one of room inner wall, and limiting member is by structure It causes to move between releasing position and restriction site, in releasing position, detector, which can be moved into, is released position, in agretope It sets, limiting member contact detector is being located at detector by restriction site.Detector includes float.It is limited when detector is in When position processed, float is positioned to lower than when detector is in and is released position.When detector is in by restriction site, float It is immersed in the fluid being contained in room.Inner wall limits the specific region that float moves in room, and along the shifting of float It is dynamic to extend.Inner wall is formed with opening, which is communicated to specific region the outside of the specific region in room.Float is configured to It is mobile so that detector is in one direction far from opening movement.

Preferably:At least one inner wall includes the particular wall towards liquid outlet, and the opening is formed State particular wall.

Preferably:Inner wall further includes multiple ribs, and the multiple finned surface is to float.

Preferably:Detector can rotate about the axis.Detector includes the first arm extended from the axis, from fluid cartridge External detection detection part and the second arm for extending from the axis, detection part supports by the first arm, and float by Second arm supports.

Preferably:At least one inner wall includes the particular wall being arranged between the axis and float.Float packet The particular surface towards specific inner wall is included, and is first curvature radius.Particular wall includes the particular surface towards float, and It is the second curvature radius different from first curvature radius.

Preferably:First curvature radius is more than second curvature radius.

Preferably:Opening is formed at the lower edge of interior wall.

Preferably:Fluid cartridge further includes the antetheca comprising outlet, the rear wall opposite with antetheca and in antetheca and rear wall Between bottom wall.Opening is connected to bottom wall.

Preferably:A part for float projects through opening.

Preferably:Limiting member is configured to move through opening.

According to another form, the present invention provides a kind of fluid cartridges comprising:Antetheca;The rear wall opposite with antetheca;Antetheca Roof between rear wall;And the bottom wall opposed with roof.Liquid outlet passes through antetheca.Liquid chamber is limited by wall.Detector It can be rotated from the first (by limiting) position and second (being released) position around the axis in room.Detector includes being located above roof Detection part, by detection part with the first arm that the axis connects, be positioned to compared with the axis closer to rear wall Float by float with the second arm that the axis connects, below the axis and is positioned to more lean on compared with the axis Nearby the contact surface of wall, second (can be beaten what the first (closing) position and liquid outlet that liquid outlet is blocked were opened Open) valve that moves between position;Biasing member (87), the biasing member push valve towards first position;Limiting member, the limitation Component is arranged between the axis and valve, and the limiting member is configured to together with valve in restriction site and releasing position Between move, in restriction site, limiting member contact detector is being located at detector by restriction site, in releasing position In, float is positioned to compared in the float by restriction site closer to bottom wall.Contact surface be released position by positioned at In motion track of the limiting member between restriction site and releasing position.

Preferably:Detection part is arranged above roof and from the external detection of fluid cartridge.

According to another form, present disclose provides a kind of fluid cartridges comprising:Liquid chamber;Liquid outlet, the liquid outlet It is configured to for liquid to be supplied to the outside of liquid chamber from the inside of room;Actuator (valve), the actuator (valve) (can be closed first Close) it is moved between position and second (opening) position;Detector, the detector are located at the viscous of the liquid in room and in sensing chamber Degree;And limiting member, the limiting member are configured to move between releasing position and restriction site, are detected in releasing position Device, which can be moved into, is released position, in restriction site limiting member contact detector being located at detector by restriction site.Inspection Survey device may be in response to actuator and (be released from the first (by limiting) position and second from the closed to the movement of open position Put) position movement.Also, detector may be in response to movement of the actuator from first position to the second position and (be released from second Put) position is moved to first (by limiting) position.

Preferably:Actuator includes valve, what which can open in the first position that liquid outlet is closed and liquid outlet It is moved between the second position.

Preferably:Fluid cartridge can removably be attached to liquid consuming apparatus, which includes Release component, the release component are configured to actuator being moved to the second position from first position.

Preferably:Liquid consuming apparatus is configured to the viscosity of liquid in detection chambers.

According to another form, the present invention provides a kind of liquid consuming apparatus comprising:Fluid cartridge;Liquid consuming section, The liquid consuming section is configured to consume the liquid from fluid cartridge via export supply;Release component;Sensor;Controller, The controller is configured to:Based on the detection signal measurement physical quantity exported from sensor, can be specified based on the physical quantity The speed of the detection part of the fluid cartridge moved in room, and determine physical quantity whether in threshold range.

Preferably:Controller is configured as moving between two points of the physical quantity detector in mobile route It is dynamic required to pass through the time.

Preferably:Liquid consuming apparatus further includes installation section.Fluid cartridge is configured to removably be installed to Installation section.Release component is configured to, when fluid cartridge is installed to installation section, discharge from the limitation by limiting member Movable member.

Preferably:Sensor is configured to selectively export the first detection that instruction detection part is in test position Signal and instruction detection part are not at the second detection signal of test position, and controller is configured as passing through the time Measurement exports the first signal from sensor and exported for the second time for detecting signal to sensor.

Preferably:Controller is configured at least one of following:When controller is determined through the time not in threshold value When in range, the information about fluid cartridge is notified;And when controller is determined through the time not in threshold range, limitation is logical Cross the liquid-consumed of liquid consuming section.

[Fa Mingyouyixiaoguo ]

According to one or more forms of the disclosure, the viscosity for being stored in the liquid in fluid cartridge can be by measuring from limitation The time passed at the time of reaching test position to detection means at the time of component reaches releasing position is estimated.Limiting member from The viscosity for the liquid that releasing position can enable to repeat to estimate to be stored in fluid cartridge back to restriction site.

Description of the drawings

Each form of the disclosure is shown by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings, wherein identical reference numeral refers to Show similar element.

Fig. 1 be describe according to the illustrative embodiment of the one or more form of the disclosure include box retainer printing The in-built schematic cross-sectional view of machine.

Fig. 2 is the schematic outside of the print cartridge in the illustrative embodiment described according to the one or more form of the disclosure Perspective view.

Fig. 3 is the perspective of the ink tank of the print cartridge in the illustrative embodiment described according to the one or more form of the disclosure Figure.

Fig. 4 is the functional block diagram of the printer in the illustrative embodiment according to the one or more form of the disclosure.

Fig. 5 A are the right side views of the ink tank in the illustrative embodiment described according to the one or more form of the disclosure, Wherein limiting member is located at blocking position, and detection means are located at spare space.

Fig. 5 B are the vertical cross sectionals of the ink tank in the illustrative embodiment described according to the one or more form of the disclosure Face view, wherein limiting member are located at restriction site, and detection means are located at spare space.

Fig. 6 A are the right side views of the ink tank in the illustrative embodiment described according to the one or more form of the disclosure, Wherein limiting member is located at non-blocking orientation, and detection means are located at spare space.

Fig. 6 B are the vertical cross sectionals of the ink tank in the illustrative embodiment described according to the one or more form of the disclosure Face view, wherein limiting member are located at releasing position, and detection means are located at spare space.

Fig. 7 A are the right side views of the ink tank in the illustrative embodiment described according to the one or more form of the disclosure, Wherein limiting member is located at releasing position, and detection means are located at test position.

Fig. 7 B are the vertical cross sectionals of the ink tank in the illustrative embodiment described according to the one or more form of the disclosure Face view, wherein limiting member are located at releasing position, and detection means are located at test position.

Fig. 8 A are the perspectives of the detection means in the illustrative embodiment described according to the one or more form of the disclosure Figure.

Fig. 8 B are valve, containment member and the limit in the illustrative embodiment described according to the one or more form of the disclosure The perspective view of component processed.

Fig. 9 is to be depicted in performed by controller in the illustrative embodiment according to the one or more form of the disclosure show The flow chart of example property processing, the exemplary process is for determining it is different whether the viscosity for the ink being stored in the ink chamber of ink tank occurs Often.

Figure 10 is depicted at the determination in the illustrative embodiment according to the one or more form of the disclosure in fig.9 Reason be over and box retainer lid close under conditions of exemplary process performed by controller flow chart.

Figure 11 be depicted in it is performed by controller in the illustrative embodiment according to the one or more form of the disclosure Flow chart for determining the exemplary process of remaining ink amount in ink chamber.

Figure 12 is that the ink in the first modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure goes out The vertical cross-section of mouth.

Figure 13 A are the ink tanks in the first modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Vertical cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at blocking position, and detection means are located at spare space.

Figure 13 B are the ink tanks in the first modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at non-blocking orientation, and detection means are located at spare space.

Figure 14 A are the ink tanks in the first modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at releasing position, and detector 59 is located at spare space and inspection Between location is set.

Figure 14 B are the ink tanks in the first modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at releasing position, and detector 59 is located at test position.

Figure 15 is the ink tank in the first modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein in ink chamber it is remaining ink amount less than Figure 14 B ink chamber in it is remaining ink amount.

Figure 16 be valve in the first modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure and The perspective view of containment member.

Figure 17 A are the ink tanks in the second modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at blocking position, and detector 59 is located at spare space.

Figure 17 B are the ink tanks in the second modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at non-blocking orientation, and detector 59 is located at spare space.

Figure 18 A are the ink tanks in the second modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at releasing position, and detector 59 is located at spare space and inspection Between location is set.

Figure 18 B are the ink tanks in the second modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at releasing position, and detector 59 is located at test position.

Figure 19 is the ink tank in the second modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein in ink chamber it is remaining ink amount less than Figure 18 B ink chamber in it is remaining ink amount.

Figure 20 A are the ink tanks in the third modification for the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at blocking position, and detection means are located at spare space.

Figure 20 B are the ink tanks in the third modification for the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at non-blocking orientation, and detector 59 is located at spare space.

Figure 21 A are the ink tanks in the third modification for the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at releasing position, and detector 59 is located at spare space and inspection Between location is set.

Figure 21 B are the ink tanks in the third modification for the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at releasing position, and detector 59 is located at test position.

Figure 22 A are the ink tanks in the 4th modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at blocking position, and detection means are in spare space.

Figure 22 B are the ink tanks in the 4th modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at non-blocking orientation, and detector 59 is located at spare space.

Figure 23 A are the ink tanks in the 4th modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at releasing position, and detection means are located at spare space and inspection Between location is set.

Figure 23 B are the ink tanks in the 4th modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at releasing position, and detection means are located at test position.

Figure 24 A are the ink tanks in the 5th modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at blocking position, and detection means are located at spare space.

Figure 24 B are the ink tanks in the 5th modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at non-blocking orientation, and detection means are located at spare space.

Figure 25 A are the ink tanks in the 5th modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at releasing position, and detection means are located at spare space and inspection Between location is set.

Figure 25 B are the ink tanks in the 5th modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein limiting member is located at releasing position, and detection means are located at test position.

Figure 26 is the ink tank in the 5th modification of the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Diagrammatic vertical viewgraph of cross-section, wherein in ink chamber it is remaining ink amount less than Figure 25 B ink chamber in it is remaining ink amount.

Figure 27 is the ink tank in another modification for the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Right side view, wherein the radius of curvature on the surface of float be more than the second inner wall surface radius of curvature.

It includes in the 4th that Figure 28, which is according to the another modification of the illustrative embodiment of the one or more form of the disclosure, The perspective view of the ink tank of wall.

Figure 29 is the ink tank in the another modification for the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Right side view, wherein float pass through the second inner wall opening penetrate the second inner wall.

Figure 30 A are in another modification for the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure The vertical cross-section of the box retainer of multiple sensors and print cartridge including multiple projection portions.

Figure 30 B are in another modification for the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure The vertical cross-section of the box retainer of multiple sensors and print cartridge including multiple projection portions.

Figure 31 A are in the another modification for the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure The vertical cross-section of the box retainer of sensor and print cartridge including multiple projection portions.

Figure 31 B are in the another modification for the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure The vertical cross-section of the box retainer of sensor and print cartridge including multiple projection portions.

Figure 31 C are in the another modification for the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure The vertical cross-section of the box retainer of sensor and print cartridge including multiple projection portions.

Figure 32 is the print cartridge in the another modification for the illustrative embodiment for describing the one or more form according to the disclosure Ink tank perspective view.

Specific implementation mode

Hereinafter, various illustrative embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, wherein run through several views, it is identical attached Icon note indicates identical component and component.This paper scope of the appended claims are not intended to limit to the reference of various embodiments. In addition, any example proposed in specification is all not intended to many possibility for being limited, and only proposing appended claims Some in embodiment.Throughout the specification, threshold range may not necessarily have specified both upper and lower bounds, still It may need that there is at least one specified limit (for example, the specified upper limit or specified lower limit).For example, when threshold range has When having the specified upper limit, threshold range may include all values less than or equal to the upper limit.Similar to this, when threshold range has When specified lower limit, threshold range may include all values more than or equal to the lower limit.In the following description, print cartridge 30 is inserted into Direction of insertion 51 is can be defined as to the direction in box retainer 110.And print cartridge 30 opposite with direction of insertion 51 is protected from box The direction that holder 110 removes, which can be defined as, removes direction 52.In an illustrative embodiment, direction of insertion 51 and removal direction 52 can be horizontally oriented, but may be without being limited thereto.In the state that print cartridge 30 is fully placed in box retainer 110, Such as in the state that print cartridge 30 is in using position, gravity direction can be defined as in downward direction 53, and with gravity side It can be defined as upward direction 54 in the opposite direction.When being observed on removing direction 52, with direction of insertion 51 and downwards The orthogonal direction in direction 53 can be defined as right direction 55 and left direction 56.Unless otherwise defined, otherwise assume print cartridge 30 in use position.

As depicted in fig. 1, printer 10 is configured to selectively be ejected into ink droplet by using ink-jet recording system It is recorded an image on recording sheet on recording sheet.Printer 10 (example as liquid consuming apparatus) includes record head 21 (examples as liquid-consumed unit), ink donor unit 100 and black pipe 20.Black pipe 20 is connected to record head 21 and ink donor unit Between 100.Ink donor unit 100 includes box retainer 110 (example as retainer).Box retainer 110 is configured to accommodate One or more print cartridges 30 (example as fluid cartridge).Box retainer 110 has opening 112 at one end.Print cartridge 30 is by opening Mouth 112 is inserted into direction of insertion 51 in box retainer 110, or is kept from box on removing direction 52 by opening 112 Device 110 removes.

Print cartridge 30 stores the ink (example as liquid) to be used in printer 10.It is fully placed in print cartridge 30 In the state of in box retainer 110, print cartridge 30 and record head 21 are connected to each other via black pipe 20.Record head 21 includes assistant tank 28. Assistant tank 28 is configured to the ink that interim storage is supplied from print cartridge 30 by black pipe 20 wherein.Record head 21 is selectively from nozzle The ink that 29 injections are supplied from assistant tank 28.For example, record head 21 further includes a control panel 17A.Head control panel 17A selectively to for The piezoelectric element 29A that respective nozzle 29 is arranged applies driving voltage, thus selectively from 29 jet ink of appropriate nozzle.

In printer 10, one or more recording sheet is fed to transmission path by feed roller 23 one by one from feed tray 15 In diameter 24.Recording sheet is further transmitted on pressing plate 26 by conveying roller pair 25.Record head 21 selectively by ink be ejected into through It crosses on the recording sheet of pressing plate 26, to record an image on recording sheet.Then, discharge roller pair 27 will have already passed through pressing plate 26 recording sheet, which is discharged to, to be arranged in the discharge tray 16 of the downstream of transmitting path 24.

As depicted in fig. 1, ink donor unit 100 is included in printer 10.Ink donor unit 100 is configured to printer 10 Record head 21 supply ink.Ink donor unit 100 includes the box retainer 110 for accommodating one or more print cartridges 30.Box is kept Device 110 includes shell 101, tattooing needle 102, sensor 103 (example as sensor) and box sensor 107.

In Fig. 1, print cartridge 30 is fully placed in box retainer 110.That is, print cartridge 30, which is in, uses position.Box is kept Device 110 can accommodate the print cartridge 30 of the ink of multiple (such as four) corresponding colors, such as cyan, magenta, yellow and black.Cause This, in an illustrative embodiment, box retainer 110 includes four tattooing needles 102, four for the print cartridge 30 of corresponding four kinds of colors Sensor 103 and four box sensors 107.In the following description, multiple same parts are in a manner of mutually the same or is similar With same or analogous structure and function.Therefore, one in multiple same parts is will be described in, and will be omitted to it The description of its component.When single print cartridge 30 is inserted into, removes or be placed in box retainer 110, one or more of the other print cartridge 30 can be placed in box retainer 110 or can be not placed in box retainer 110.

As depicted in fig. 1, shell 101 has opening 112 at one end.Shell 101 has interior in the opposite end of its opening 112 Back surface 151.Tattooing needle 102 protrudes on removing direction 52 from the interior back surface 151 of shell 101.Tattooing needle 102 is arranged in shell Specific location at 101 interior back surface 151 so that tattooing needle 102 can point at the corresponding ink being placed in box retainer 110 60 (examples as liquid outlet) of ink outlet of box 30.Tattooing needle 102 can be the internal resin hollow tube with fluid passage. Tattooing needle 102 has hole at or near its distal end.Black pipe 20 is connect with the proximal end of tattooing needle 102.It is stored in the ink chamber 36 of print cartridge 30 Ink in (example as liquid locker room) is allowed to pass through flows into ink by being inserted into the tattooing needle 102 being arranged in ink outlet 60 In pipe 20.That is, the ink being stored in ink chamber 36 is supplied from the print cartridge 30 being placed in box retainer 110 by ink outlet 60 Record head 21 should be arrived.All tattooing needles 102 being arranged for the print cartridge 30 of corresponding color have phase in a manner of mutually the same or is similar Same or similar structure and function.

Printer 10 further includes lid (not describing), which is configured to selectively cover and expose box retainer 110 Opening 112.Lid is by a support in the shell (not describing) of shell 101 and printer 10 so that lid can be protected relative to box Holder 110 opens and closes.When the lid is opened, opening 112 is exposed to the outside of printer 10.In this state, allow user One or more print cartridges 30 are inserted into box retainer 110 by opening 112 or are removed from box retainer 110.When the lid is closed, Opening 112 is covered by lid, therefore is not exposed to the outside of printer 10.In this state, do not allow user by any print cartridge 30 It is inserted into box retainer 110 or is removed from box retainer 110.

Throughout the specification, the print cartridge 30 being placed in box retainer 110 refers to that its at least part is located at box holding The print cartridge 30 of (more specifically, in shell 101) in device 110.Therefore, the print cartridge 30 being placed in box retainer 110 includes inserting Enter to the print cartridge 30 in box retainer 110.

The state that print cartridge 30 is fully placed in box retainer 110 refers to that print cartridge 30 at least can be from print cartridge 30 to record The state of first 21 supply ink.For example, completely placement status include print cartridge 30 be in so that printer 10 is able to carry out image recording State under particular state, for example, print cartridge 30 is maintained as the state not moved relative to box retainer 110 or print cartridge 30 The state that lid positioned at 110 inside of box retainer and box retainer 110 is closed.When print cartridge 30 is fully placed box retainer When in 110, print cartridge 30, which is in, uses position.

As depicted in fig. 1, shell 101 has the inner top surface extended from the upper end of interior back surface 151 towards opening 112 152.Sensor 103 is downwardly projected from the inner top surface 152 of shell 101.Sensor 103 includes luminous component and light receiver Point.Luminous component is spaced apart on a direction in right direction 55 and left direction 56 with light receiving part.In print cartridge 30 In the state of being fully placed in box retainer 110, the projection portion 37 of print cartridge 30 is located at luminous component and light receiving part Between.In other words, the protrusion of the print cartridge 30 in being completely placed in box retainer 110 is arranged in luminous component and light receiving part In the opposite side of part 37.In an illustrative embodiment, the light path that the light emitted from luminous component is advanced can be with left and right directions 55,56 is consistent.

Sensor 103 is configured to according to the light that export from luminous component be no to have been exported by light receiving part reception Different detection signals.For example, when light receiving part is not received by from the light that luminous component emits (for example, when receiving Light intensity be less than predetermined strength when), sensor 103 export low level signal (for example, have the level lower than threshold level Signal).When light receiving part has been received from the light that luminous component exports (for example, the intensity when the light received is high When predetermined strength), sensor 103 exports high level signal (for example, with the level greater than or equal to threshold level Signal).In an illustrative embodiment, luminous component transmitting can pass through wall (such as the frame of the projection portion 37 of print cartridge 30 31) but it cannot pass through the light (such as visible or infrared light) for being stored in the ink in print cartridge 30.It is set for the print cartridge 30 of corresponding color The all the sensors 103 set have same or analogous structure and function in a manner of mutually the same or is similar.

As depicted in fig. 1, box sensor 107 is arranged at the interior back surface 151 above corresponding tattooing needle 102 with shell 101. Box sensor 107 is arranged places inspection positions in the box for being inserted into print cartridge 30 in the path in box retainer 110.Box passes Sensor 107 is configured to whether there is according to print cartridge 30 and places inspection positions in box and exported to controller 130 (referring to Fig. 4) Different detection signals.In an illustrative embodiment, box sensor 107 is arranged in specific position so that when print cartridge 30 is complete When being placed in box retainer 110, print cartridge 30 is located at box and places test position.

For example, when the front end 58 that box sensor 107 is not placed on the box cover 33 of the print cartridge 30 in box retainer 110 presses When, box sensor 107 exports low level signal.When box sensor 107 is pressed by the front end 58 of box cover 33, box sensor 107 Export high level signal.In an illustrative embodiment, box sensor 107 can be mechanical pick-up device, be configured to according to box Whether sensor 107 is pressed by the front end 58 of box cover 33 and exports different detection signals.However, in other embodiments In, optical sensor may be used as box sensor 107.For corresponding color print cartridge 30 be arranged all box sensors 107 with that This same or analogous mode has same or analogous structure and function.

All print cartridges 30 in box retainer 110 are placed in a manner of mutually the same or is similar with same or similar Structure and function.Therefore, it will be described in a print cartridge in print cartridge 30.If Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 describe, print cartridge 30 includes ink The box cover 33 of tank 32 and covering ink tank 32.Box cover 33 is made of two components, the two components can be engaged with each other and by ink tank 32 folders are between them to cover ink tank 32.As depicted in Figure 2, there are two openings 34 and 35 for the tool of box cover 33.Opening 34 is limited to In the top 57 of box cover 33.Ink tank 32 includes projection portion 37.The projection portion 37 of ink tank 32 is projected into box cover by opening 34 33 outside.Opening 35 is limited in the front end 58 of box cover 33.Ink tank 32 further includes ink outlet 60.The ink outlet 60 of ink tank 32 is logical Cross the outside that opening 35 is projected into box cover 33.

In an illustrative embodiment, box cover 33 allows the projection portion 37 of ink tank 32 and ink outlet 60 to be each passed through opening 34 The outside of box cover 33 is projected into opening 35.However, in other embodiments, for example, box cover 33 can also be by the another of ink tank 32 A part is exposed to the outside of box cover 33 and projection portion 37 exports 60 with ink.

As depicted in fig. 3, ink tank 32 includes ink chamber 36, ink outlet 60 and frame 31.Ink tank 32 can be by transparent or semi-transparent Ming tree fat is made.Ink tank 32 be configured to by ink outlet 60 from ink chamber 36 to ink tank 32 outside supply ink.Print cartridge 30 is along slotting Enter direction 51 to be inserted into box retainer 110, or remove from box retainer 110 along direction 52 is removed, while keeping such as Fig. 2 Discribed orthostatism, for example, it is oriented so that surface downwards is considered as the bottom of print cartridge 30 simultaneously, and face upward Surface is considered as the top of print cartridge 30.

As depicted in fig. 3, frame 31 can have the outer shape of substantially cuboid.Frame 31 can be in left and right directions 55, relative narrower on 56, that is, frame 31 54,53 and is inserted into above-below direction and removes size on direction 51 both greater than in left and right Size on direction 55,56.Frame 31 includes antetheca 40, rear wall 41, upper wall 39, lower wall 42, the first inner wall 43 and the second inner wall 44 and third inner wall 153.When being observed in direction of insertion 51 or on removing direction 52, antetheca 40 and at least portion of rear wall 41 It overlaps each other with dividing.When observing in downward direction 53 or in upward direction 54, upper wall 39 and lower wall 42 are at least partly It overlaps each other.First inner wall 43 is erected at the substantially middle part of lower wall 42 on 55,56 in left and right directions, towards upper wall 39 Extend.Second inner wall 44 protrudes in right direction 55 from the first inner wall 43.Third inner wall 153 and the second inner wall 44 abut.The Three inner walls 153 are arranged on the right side of the first inner wall 43, and extend from lower wall 42 towards upper wall 39.Print cartridge 30 is being inserted into box The wall in (for example, direction that print cartridge 30 is inserted into) may be used as antetheca 40 forward when in retainer 110, and is inserted by print cartridge 30 Wall towards rear (for example, direction that print cartridge 30 is removed) when in box retainer 110 may be used as rear wall 41.

Upper wall 39 is connected between the upper end of antetheca 40 and the upper end of rear wall 41.Lower wall 42 be connected to antetheca 40 lower end and Between the lower end of rear wall 41.Projection portion 37 protrudes in upward direction 54 from upper wall 39.Including at least the upper of projection portion 37 Wall 39 allows the light emitted from the luminous component of sensor 103 to pass through.

Frame 31 has the open end in left and right directions on 55,56.It (is not retouched by corresponding film the left and right open end of frame 31 Paint) sealing.The film of right open end for seal frame 31 has the profile with the frame 31 when being observed in right direction 55 Corresponding shape.The film of left open end for seal frame 31 has and the frame 31 when being observed in left direction 56 The corresponding shape of profile.Film respectively constitutes the right wall and left wall of ink chamber 36.Film adheres to upper wall 39, antetheca respectively by heating 40, the right end and left end of rear wall 41 and lower wall 42, with the right open end for closely closing ink chamber 36 and left open end.Therefore, black Room 36 is limited by upper wall 39, antetheca 40, rear wall 41, lower wall 42 and film, therefore can store ink wherein.

Ink tank 32 further includes the protruding portion 48 inside frame 31.Protruding portion 48 is in right direction 55 from the first inner wall 43 Extend.Detector 59 (example of a part for the first movable member) is arranged inside ink chamber 36.The support detection of protruding portion 48 Device 59.

As depicted in fig. 3, ink chamber 36 is limited between antetheca 40 and rear wall 41.Ink chamber 36 stores ink wherein.In print cartridge Before 30 are placed in box retainer 110, the ink chamber 36 of print cartridge 30 is maintained at negative pressure.It is kept by the way that print cartridge 30 is placed on box In device 110, ink chamber 36 becomes to be externally exposed air by the first air communication access 66 and the second air communication access 67.It is logical It crosses and print cartridge 30 is placed in box retainer 110, also allow to be stored in the ink in ink chamber 36 and print cartridge 30 is flowed to by ink outlet 60 Outside.Projection portion 37 is made of trnaslucent materials, and has inner space inside it, and inner space constitutes ink A part for room 36.

If Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B describe, ink outlet 60 is arranged in the lower end of antetheca 40.Ink outlet 60 include cylindrical wall 46, Sealing element 76 and cap 79.Cylindrical wall 46 can have tubular form, wherein having valve chamber 47.Sealing element 76 and cap 79 are attached at cylinder On shape wall 46.

Cylindrical wall 46 extends between the inside of ink chamber 36 and the outside of ink chamber 36.Cylindrical wall 46 is being inserted into removal direction 51, the opposite end on 52 has opening 46A and opening 46B (example as liquid outlet).More specifically, cylindrical wall 46 exists There is opening 46A at the one end (for example, one end inside ink chamber 36) in the direction that print cartridge 30 is removed.Cylindrical wall 46 At the other end (for example, other end (for example, exposed ends) outside ink chamber 36) in the direction being inserted into towards print cartridge 30 With opening 46B.By this construction, ink chamber 36 is connected to by valve chamber 47 with the external of print cartridge 30.Therefore, ink outlet 60 allows The ink being stored in ink chamber 36 flows to the outside of print cartridge 30.Exposed ends (such as distal end) and sealing element 76 and the cap 79 of cylindrical wall 46 Attachment.

If Fig. 3 and Fig. 5 A describe, valve chamber 47 is connect with the first air communication access 66 and the second air communication access 67. First air communication access 66 allows air to be flowed through between valve chamber 47 and the outside of print cartridge 30.That is, the first air communication access 66 permission valve chambers 47 are externally exposed air.First air communication access 66 has hole 66A, groove 66B and hole 66C.Hole 66A is carried For cylindrical wall 46 it is inside and outside between connection.One end of groove 66B is connected to hole 66A.Hole 66C provides groove 66B's Connection between the other end and the outside of print cartridge 30.

Second air communication access 67 allows air to be flowed through between valve chamber 47 and ink chamber 36.Second air communication access 67 With hole 67A, groove 67B and hole 67C.Hole 67A provide cylindrical wall 46 it is inside and outside between connection.The one of groove 67B End is connected to hole 67A.Hole 67C provides the connection between the other end and ink chamber 36 of groove 67B.Hole 67A is on removing direction 52 It is spaced apart with hole 66A.Hole 67C is limited at the spy higher than the liquid level for being stored in the ink in the ink chamber 36 of still not used print cartridge 30 Place is set in positioning.For example, hole 67C is limited at the high position of liquid level for the maximum ink that can be stored than ink chamber 36.First is empty Gas communication paths 66 and the second air communication access 67 are by constituting the film liquid-tight seal of the right wall of print cartridge 30.

If Fig. 5 B describe, sealing element 76 has substantially cylindrical shape.The outer diameter of sealing element 76 and cylindrical wall 46 Outer diameter is substantially the same.Sealing element 76 is attached in liquid-tight manner in the exposed ends of cylindrical wall 46.Sealing element 76 its substantially middle part Place has through-hole 68.Through-hole 68 penetrates sealing element 76 in direction of insertion 51.Through-hole 68 provide valve chamber 47 it is inside and outside it Between connection.The diameter of through-hole 68 is slightly less than the outer diameter of tattooing needle 102.Sealing element 76 can be made of elastic material, such as rubber.

Cap 79 coordinates in the exposed ends of cylindrical wall 46.Cap 79 and cylindrical wall 46 press from both sides sealing element 76 between them.Cap 79 its substantially center have through-hole 69.Through-hole 69 penetrates cap 79 on the thickness direction of cap 79.The diameter of through-hole 69 is big In the diameter of through-hole 68.Cap 79 includes the bonding part (not describing) outstanding on removing direction 52.The bonding part of cap 79 with The bonding part 81 of antetheca 40 engages.Sealing element 76 is maintained at the exposed ends of cylindrical wall 46 by cap 79.

If Fig. 5 A, Fig. 5 B and Fig. 8 B describe, to accommodate valve 77 wherein (removable as second for the cylindrical wall 46 of ink outlet 60 The example of dynamic component), containment member 78 and helical spring 87 (example as biasing member).Valve 77, containment member 78 and spiral shell Rotation spring 87 is constructed such that the state of ink outlet 60 selectively allows ink to pass through ink outlet 60 from ink chamber 36 in ink outlet 60 The state and ink outlet 60 for flowing to the outside of print cartridge 30 prevent the black outside for flowing to print cartridge 30 by ink outlet 60 from ink chamber 36 Switch between state.Valve 77, sealing element 78 and helical spring 87 are further configured to make the state of ink outlet 60 selectively in ink Outlet 60 allows to export the state of 60 air communications by ink between ink chamber 36 and the outside of print cartridge 30 and ink outlet 60 prevents ink By switching between the state of 60 air communications of ink outlet between room 36 and the outside of print cartridge 30.

Valve 77 includes circular plug 83, bar 84, multiple first protrusions 85 and multiple second protrusions 86.Bar 84 is removing direction Extend from plug 83 on 52.First protrusion 85 and the second protrusion 86 are in the diametric respective direction relative to bar 84 from bar 84 protrude.Valve 77 is arranged in valve chamber 47, and plug 83 is oriented the exposed ends towards cylindrical wall 46.In this state, valve 77 Optionally moved in direction of insertion 51 or on removing direction 52.The bar 84 opposite with the end of attachment plug 83 it is remote End is projected into ink chamber 36 more than valve chamber 47.That is, valve 77 extends between ink outlet 60 and ink chamber 36.However, in other embodiments In, for example, bar 84 may not necessarily be projected into ink chamber 36 more than valve chamber 47.In this case, valve 77 can be arranged exports in ink In 60.

The outer diameter of valve 77 is less than the internal diameter of cylindrical wall 46.Therefore, valve 77 can selectively in direction of insertion 51 and move Except being moved on direction 52.For example, valve 77 can be in first position (for example, position of the discribed valves of Fig. 5 B 77) and the second position It is moved between (for example, position of the discribed valves of Fig. 6 B 77).The second position is than first position closer to rear wall 41.

Diameter of the outer diameter of plug 83 slightly larger than the through-hole 68 of sealing element 76.Described by this construction, such as Fig. 5 B, when When valve 77 is located at first position, plug 83 is snugly fit inside in the through-hole 68 of sealing element 76, to liquid-tight seal through-hole 68.Cause This, the opening 46B of cylindrical wall 46 is closed.If Fig. 6 B describe, when valve 77 is located at the second position, plug 83 is located at and sealing element At 76 separation.Therefore, the opening 46B of cylindrical wall 46 is opened.

The outer diameter of bar 84 is less than the outer diameter of plug 83.

Multiple first protrusions 85 include four the first protrusions 85 being separated from each other in the circumferential direction of bar 84.Multiple Two protrusions 86 include four the second protrusions 86 being separated from each other in the circumferential direction of bar 84.Multiple first protrusions 85 are being inserted into It is spaced apart with multiple second protrusions 86 on direction 51, and neighbouring plug 83 is arranged on removing direction 52.

Containment member 78 can be made of elastic material, such as rubber.If Fig. 5 B and Fig. 8 B describe, containment member 78 wraps Include cylindrical portion 95, the first hermetic unit 96 and the second hermetic unit 97.First sealing 96 and the second sealing 97 can be with It is the corresponding portion flanged pin part outstanding from the outer surface of cylindrical portion 95 in the diametric(al) of cylindrical portion 95.

Cylindrical portion 95 is arranged between multiple first protrusions 85 and multiple second protrusions 86, while the bar 84 of valve 77 being made to insert Enter in the cylindrical portion 95.The internal diameter of cylindrical portion 95 is more than the outer diameter of bar 84.Therefore, the shape of cylindrical portion 95 is penetrated in bar 84 Under state, there are gaps between cylindrical portion 95 and bar 84.Empty space inside cylindrical portion 95 passes through each two adjacent Gap exposure between gap and each two adjacent second protrusion 86 between first protrusion 85.Pass through this construction, tubular Another sky of the space of sky inside part 95 in the space and the valve chamber 47 for leading to opening 46B for leading to the valve chamber 47 of opening 46A Between between connection by the space of the sky is provided.

Cylindrical portion 95 includes the one end contacted with multiple first protrusions 85 and is contacted with multiple second protrusions 86 another End.By this construction, containment member 78 can be in valve chamber 47 selectively in direction of insertion 51 and in removal direction 52 It is upper to be moved together with valve 77.

First hermetic unit 96 is spaced apart in direction of insertion 51 with the second hermetic unit 97.

The inner surface of first hermetic unit 96 and the second hermetic unit 97 and cylindrical wall 46 airtightly and is closely contacted. In the state that containment member 78 is not disposed in valve chamber 47, in the first hermetic unit 96 and the second hermetic unit 97 each Outer diameter is slightly larger than the internal diameter of cylindrical wall 46.Therefore, in the state that containment member 78 is arranged in valve chamber 47, the first hermetic unit 96 and second hermetic unit 97 airtightly contacted with the inner surface of cylindrical wall 46, while making the first hermetic unit 96 and second Hermetic unit 97 reduces flexible deformation on the direction of its outer diameter.In valve 77 when being moved on being inserted into removal direction 51,52, first is close The inner surface that part 96 and the second hermetic unit 97 are sealed relative to cylindrical wall 46 slides.

The setting of helical spring 87 is between opening 46A and multiple second protrusions 86.Helical spring 87 is in direction of insertion 51 Push valve 77.For example, helical spring 87 pushes valve 77 from the second position towards first position.Therefore, in valve chamber 47, valve 77 It is kept while being contacted with sealing element 76 (referring to Fig. 5 B).In other embodiments, it is, for example, possible to use another is pushed Component, such as leaf spring replace helical spring 87.However, such as the biasing member of helical spring 87 may not necessarily be set.

If Fig. 3, Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B describe, detector 59 is arranged in ink chamber 36.Detector 59 is by frame 31 can revolve The mode of turning supports.Detector 59 includes axial component 61, which has the axis of detector 59 rotate on it.Axis There is cylindrical shape to part 61.In other embodiments, for example, axial component 61 can have different shapes.Detection The axial component 61 of device 59 is engaged by being inserted into the protruding portion 48 of frame 31.Therefore, detector 59 by frame 31 with rotatable Mode supports.

If Fig. 3, Fig. 5 A, Fig. 5 B and Fig. 8 A describe, print cartridge 30 includes detector 59 and float 63.In illustrative embodiment In, float 63 constitutes a part for detector 59.Detector 59 includes axial component 61, the first arm 71, the second arm 72, third arm 73, detection part 62, float 63 and restricted part 64.

Axial component 61 is spaced apart in direction of insertion 51 with the second inner wall 44.First arm 71 is relative to axial component 61 A diametric direction on from axial component 61 extend.Second arm 72 is relative to the diametric of axial component 61 Extend from axial component 61 on other direction, to which the side different in the direction extended from the first arm 71 upwardly extends.Second arm 72 pass through the recess portion 45 of the second inner wall 22 to extend beyond the second inner wall 44 from axial component 61 on removing direction 52.45 phase of recess portion It is recessed in left direction 56 for the right end of the second inner wall 44.Third arm 73 is relative to the diametric of axial component 61 Extend from axial component 61 on other direction, in the different direction in the direction each extended over from the first arm 71 and the second arm 72 Upper extension.The length of third arm 73 is shorter than the second arm 72.

Detection part 62 is arranged in the distal end of the first arm 71, is supported by the first arm 71.For example, detection part 62 is by the first arm 71 are supported on the outside of the enclosing region 154 limited by the first inner wall 43, the second inner wall 44 and third inner wall 153.Detection part 62 have plate-like shape.Detection part 62 can be by stopping that the material of the light exported from luminous component is made.Detection part 62 by First arm 71 support, while with the axis spacing distance L1 of detector 59 (referring to Fig. 5 B).In other embodiments, for example, inspection Surveying part 62 can be arranged at another part of the first arm 71.In one example, detection part 62 can be arranged first Arm 71 proximally and distally between the first arm 71 middle part.

More specifically, working as from a table in the right surface and left surface that the light that luminous component exports reaches detection part 62 When face, another surface in the right surface of the detection part 62 and left surface and intensity of light for reaching light receiving part can To be less than predetermined strength, such as zero.For example, detection part 62 can stop light in right direction 55 and left direction 56 completely A side travel upwardly, light can be partially absorbed, the light path of light can be changed with deflect light, or can be with fully reflective light. In one example, detection part 62 can be made of the resin containing pigment.In another example, detection part 62 can be It is transparent or translucent, and with the prismatic shape of the light path for changing light.In other examples, detection part 62 Can have reflectance coating, such as aluminium film on the surface thereof.

Float 63 is arranged in the distal end of the second arm 72 and is supported by the second arm 72.Float 63 can be less than by proportion to be stored in The material of ink in ink chamber 36 is made.Float 63 is arranged in enclosing region 154.For example, the second inner wall 44 is being inserted into removal side Be arranged between float 63 and axial component 61 on to 51,52, and in above-below direction on 54,53 float 63 and lower wall 42 it Between be not present component.The ink in being stored in enclosing region 154 be present on 54,53 in above-below direction float 63 and lower wall 42 it Between when, float 63 and lower wall 42 are facing with each other, and are not planted between float 63 and lower wall 42 on 54,53 in above-below direction Component or component.Float 63 is supported by the second arm 72, while distance L2 shorter than distance L1 is spaced apart with the axis of detector 59 (referring to Fig. 5 A).In other embodiments, for example, float 63 can be arranged at another part of the second arm 72.Show at one Example in, float 63 can be arranged the second arm 72 proximally and distally between the second arm 72 middle part.

Restricted part 64 is arranged in the distal end of third arm 73.Restricted part 64 constitutes a part for third arm 73 and includes The distal end of third arm 73.Restricted part 64 has flat surface in the distal end of third arm 73.Restricted part 64 is configured to and limits Component 88 (example of limiting member) is contacting and separating.In other embodiments, for example, restricted part 64 and third arm 73 can be with It is individual part.In this case, restricted part 64 can be supported by third arm 73.

Detector 59 is arranged inside ink chamber 36, while the first arm 71 substantially extends in upward direction 54, the second arm 72 substantially extend on removing direction 52, and third arm 73 substantially extends in direction of insertion 51.As Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B are retouched It paints, under the orientation, detector 59 and helical spring 87 are separated from each other on being inserted into removal direction 51,52.For example, detector 59 most of is located at than helical spring 87 closer at rear wall 41 on direction 51,52 being inserted into remove.More specifically, detector 59 the second arm 72 is located at than helical spring 87 closer at rear wall 41 on direction 51,52 being inserted into remove.That is, the second arm 72 is worn Saturating opening 156 and the second inner wall 44 with opening 156 and opening 155 on being inserted into removal direction 51,52 with spiral bullet Spring 87 be spaced apart (for example, opening 156 and second inner wall 44 be inserted into remove direction 51,52 on than helical spring 87 closer to Rear wall 41).

Detector 59 is in test position (for example, the position for the detector 59 described in Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B) and spare space (for example, rotatable) is moved between (for example, the position for the detector 59 described in Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B).Spare space is and inspection Location sets different positions.In the state that print cartridge 30 is fully placed in box retainer 110, when detector 59 is located at detection When position, detection part 62 is located between the luminous component and light receiving part of sensor 103 (referring to Fig. 1).Therefore, from luminous The light of part output, which is detected part 62, to be stopped, to not reach light receiving part.Therefore, when detector 59 is located at test position When, detection part 62 is by sensor 103 from the external detection of print cartridge 30.It is fully placed in box retainer 110 in print cartridge 30 In the state of, when detector 59 is located at the position in addition to test position, detection part 62 is not located at shining for sensor 103 Between part and light receiving part.Therefore, the light exported from luminous component reaches light receiving part.

If Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B describe, limiting member 88 is arranged inside ink chamber 36.Limiting member 88 is supported by frame 31, To optionally be moved in direction of insertion 51 and on removal direction 52.If Fig. 3, Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B describe, ink tank 32 Frame 31 include guiding elements 49.Guiding elements 49 is spaced apart on removing direction 52 with the protruding portion 48 of the first inner wall 43, And it is spaced apart with the second inner wall 44 in direction of insertion 51.Being arranged inside ink chamber 36 in valve 77 is arranged in guiding elements 49 In the region of 48 lower section of a part of top and protruding portion.Guiding elements 49 is separated from each other on 54,53 in above-below direction.Guide structure Part 49 extends on being inserted into removal direction 51,52.Limiting member 88 in above-below direction on 54,53 setting guiding elements 49 it Between.Therefore, limiting member 88 is supported by frame 31, to optionally be moved up with removal direction 52 in direction of insertion 51 It is dynamic.

If Fig. 5 A, Fig. 5 B and Fig. 8 describe, limiting member 88 includes first part 89 and second part 90.Second part 90 include being inserted into the protrusion 91 for removing the middle part on direction 51,52.Protrusion 91 is therefrom to the right It is prominent on to 55.The protrusion 91 of second part 90 is prominent in right direction 55 relative to guiding elements 49.Second part 90 part in addition to protrusion 91 is arranged between guiding elements 49 on 54,53 in above-below direction, and relative to drawing It is prominent not in right direction 55 to lead component 49.

First part 89 extends in downward direction 53 from the protrusion 91 of second part 90.First part 89 has limit The through-hole 92 being scheduled in its distal portions.Through-hole 92 penetrates first part 89 on being inserted into removal direction 51,52.Valve 77 with packet It includes engagement protruding portion 77A to include at the opposite other end in end of plug 83.The engagement protruding portion 77A of valve 77 is arranged by being inserted into In through-hole 92.The diameter of through-hole 92 is slightly less than the diameter of engagement protruding portion 77A.Therefore, engage protruding portion 77A and through-hole 92 that This engagement, thus the first part 89 of limiting member 88 engages with valve 77.By this construction, in valve 77 in direction of insertion 51 When with being moved on a direction in removal direction 52, limiting member 88 is with valve 77 together in the same direction (for example, selectivity Ground is in direction of insertion 51 and removes on direction 52) it is mobile.

Limiting member 88 can be in blocking position (for example, position of the discribed limiting members of Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B 88) and non-resistance Gear moves between setting (for example, position of the discribed limiting members of Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B 88).Releasing position is more than restriction site Close to rear wall 41.When valve 77 is located at first position, limiting member 88 is located at restriction site.When valve 77 is located at the second position, Limiting member 88 is located at releasing position.When valve 77 is moved to the second position from first position, limiting member 88 is from restriction site It is moved to releasing position.When valve 77 is moved to first position from the second position, limiting member 88 is moved to limit from releasing position Position processed.

When limiting member 88 is located at restriction site, the protrusion 91 of the second part 90 of limiting member 88 faces upward Surface contacted from the lower section of restricted part 64 with restricted part 64, and apply upward power to restricted part 64.Therefore, because Limiting member 88 applies upward pushing force, and detector 59, which is limited, to be rotated not on the direction of arrow 74 (referring to Fig. 5 B).That is, Detector 59, which is limited, not to be rotated from spare space towards test position (for example, on direction of arrow 74).In illustrative reality It applies in example, for example, detector 59 is limited from the movement (for example, rotation) of spare space, and only allows detector 59 in sideshake Or it is moved in clearance.Limiting member 88 may not necessarily limitation detector 59 with detector 59 from spare space towards check bit (for example, Fig. 5 B clockwise) is set on the opposite direction in mobile direction (for example, direction of arrow 74) from spare The movement (for example, rotation) of position.

When limiting member 88 is located at releasing position, the protrusion 91 of the second part 90 of limiting member 88, which is located at, to be moved Except the restricted part 64 with detector 59 on direction 52 detaches place.Therefore, detector 59 is allowed to be rotated up in the side of arrow 74. That is, detector 59 is allowed to rotate to test position from spare space.

Printer 10 includes controller 130.As depicted in fig. 4, controller 130 includes connecting each other via internal bus 137 The central processing unit (" CPU ") 131 that connects, read-only memory (" ROM ") 132, random access memory (" RAM ") 133, electricity can Eraseable and programmable ROM (" EEPROM ") 134 and application-specific integrated circuit (" ASIC ") 135.ROM132 storage by CPU131 use with Various programs for controlling various operations or processing.RAM133 is used as wanting for being temporarily stored in during CPU131 executes program The storage region of the data and/or signal that are used by CPU131 or the working space for handling data.EEPROM134 is stored in The power supply of printer 10 needs the setting maintained and mark after closing.CPU131, ROM132, RAM133, EEPROM134 and ASIC135 can be entirely included in one single chip, or can be individually comprised in multiple chips.

130 drive motor of controller (not describing) is to rotate feed roller 23, conveying roller pair 25 and discharge roller pair 27.Controller 130 control record heads 21 so that nozzle 29 from 21 jet ink of record head.For example, controller 130 is controlled to the 17A outputs of head control panel Signal.Control signal designation is applied to the level of the driving voltage of piezoelectric element 29A.Head control panel 17A will be by from controller 130 The specified driving voltage of the control signal of acquisition is applied to the piezoelectric element 29A being arranged for respective nozzle 29, to make nozzle 29 From wherein jet ink.Controller 130 controls display 109 to show the letter of printer 10 and one or more print cartridges 30 on it Breath and various message.

Controller 130 receives various signals:The inspection for detecting signal, being exported from box sensor 107 exported from sensor 103 Survey signal, the signal exported from temperature sensor 106 and the signal exported from cover sensor 108.Temperature sensor 106 is constructed At according to temperature output signal.The measurement point of 106 measuring temperature of temperature sensor is not limited to specified point.For example, temperature sensor 106 can measure any point inside box retainer 110 or the temperature at any point outside printer 10.Cover sensor 108 It is configured to that the opening 112 of box retainer 110 is closed or exposed according to lid to export different signals.

<Print cartridge 30 is placed into box retainer 110/ and removes print cartridge 30&gt from box retainer 110;

Hereinafter, it will thus provide print cartridge 30 is being placed into box retainer about valve 77, limiting member 88 and detector 59 The description how acted on during 110.In the following description, it is assumed that remaining ink amount is more than in near-space state in ink chamber 36 Remaining ink amount in lower ink chamber 36.

In the state that print cartridge 30 is not placed in box retainer 110, valve 77 due to helical spring 87 pushing force and Describe positioned at first position, such as Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B.

When valve 77 is located at first position, valve 77 is contacted by the pushing force of helical spring 87 with sealing element 76.In the shape Under state, plug 83 and the edge of the through-hole 68 of sealing element 76 are in close contact.Therefore, through-hole 68 is closed, to not allow Mo Congmo Room 36 flows to the outside of print cartridge 30.

When valve 77 is located at first position, hole 66A is between the first hermetic unit 96 and the second hermetic unit 97.Cause This, the second hermetic unit 97 blocks the connection between the first air communication access 66 and the second air communication access 67.Therefore, black Room 36 maintains under negative pressure.

When valve 77 is located at first position, limiting member 88 is located at restriction site.When limiting member 88 is located at restriction site When, detector 59 is located at spare space.Due to the buoyancy of float 63, it is intended to detector 59 be made to be rotated up in the side of arrow 74 Force effect on detector 59.Therefore, it is intended to make restricted part 64 53 in downward direction on the force effect that moves limiting On part 64.In this state, limiting unit of the protrusion 91 of limiting member 88 from 64 lower section and detector 59 of restricted part Divide 64 contacts.When restricted part 64 is located at restriction site, restricted part 64 is located in the mobile range of limiting member, and It is located at the downstream of protrusion 91 on the direction of rotation of detector 59.Therefore, when limiting member 88 is located at restriction site, limit Component 88 processed to restricted part 64 apply external force, the external force act on the side of arrow 74 in the opposite direction on, arrow 74 Direction can be direction of rotation of the detector 59 towards test position.In other words, when limiting member 88 is located at releasing position, Restricted part 64 is located in the mobile range of limiting member 88.When limiting member 88 is located at restriction site, limiting member 88 On the mobile route of restricted part 64.Therefore, restricted part 64 is not allowed to be moved to the mobile range of limiting member 88 It is interior.Therefore, detector 59, which is limited, does not rotate from spare space.

In an illustrative embodiment, limiting member 88 is contacted with restricted part 64 from below, is not moved with limitation detector 59 Move test position.However, in other embodiments, for example, the protrusion 91 of limiting member 88 can be by removal side It moves on to 52 and is contacted with restricted part 64, do not rotated from spare space with limitation detector 59.

When detector 59 is located at spare space, float 63 is located near lower wall 42.That is, float 63 is immersed in and deposits It stores up in the ink in ink chamber 36.

When detector 59 is located at spare space, detection part 62 is not located at the luminous component and light-receiving of sensor 103 Between part.Therefore, the light exported from luminous component is allowed to reach light receiving part.Therefore, when detector 59 is located at spare bit When setting, sensor 103 exports high level signal to controller 130.

When print cartridge 30 is not placed on the specific position in box retainer 110, corresponding box sensor 107 is not by print cartridge 30 Box cover 33 front end 58 pressure.Therefore, box sensor 107 exports low level signal to controller 130.

In this state, the lid of box retainer 110 is opened, and then print cartridge 30 is inserted into box retainer 110.That is, Print cartridge 30 is placed at the specific part in box retainer 110.In other words, print cartridge 30, which becomes to be in, uses position.

When print cartridge 30 is reached by its movement in direction of insertion 51 near the interior back surface 151 of box retainer 110 When, the corresponding box sensor 107 of 58 press surface of front end of the box cover 33 of print cartridge 30 to front end 58.In response to this, box sensor 107 export high level signal to controller 130.Therefore, start the counting of the traveling time for measuring detector 59.

When print cartridge 30 is reached by its movement in direction of insertion 51 near the interior back surface 151 of box retainer 110 When, the plug 83 of valve 77 is contacted with corresponding tattooing needle 102.In this state, further in direction of insertion 51 with print cartridge 30 Mobile, valve 77 is pressed by the reaction force from tattooing needle 102.Therefore, valve 77 is resisted the pushing force of helical spring 87 and is being removed On direction 52 second position is moved to from first position.

If Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B describe, when valve 77 is located at the second position, valve 77 is located at detaches place with sealing element 76, therefore Through-hole 68 is opened.Therefore, ink is allowed to flow to the outside of print cartridge 30 from ink chamber 36.

When valve 77 is located at the second position, both hole 66A and 67A are located at the first hermetic unit 96 and the second hermetic unit Between 97.Therefore, the first air communication access 66 and the second air communication access 67 communicate with each other.Therefore, ink chamber 36 and outside Air communication, thus the internal pressure of ink chamber 36 is from negative pressure change to atmospheric pressure.

In valve 77 when being moved to the second position from first position on removing direction 52, limiting member 88 exists together with valve 77 It removes and is moved on direction 52.For example, limiting member 88 is moved to releasing position from restriction site, the thus protrusion of limiting member 88 Part 91 is detached with the restricted part 64 of detector 59.Therefore, detector 59 becomes to rotate freely from spare space.

When detector 59 becomes to rotate freely, detector 59 is in the direction of arrow 75 (for example, remaining immersed in ink The direction that float 63 is risen by its buoyancy) on rotate.That is, when print cartridge 30 is in using position (for example, in print cartridge 30 when being fully placed in box retainer 110), by being moved up to moving for releasing position in response to limiting member 88 Float 63, detector 59 rotates to test position from spare space.

When detector 59 is located at test position, restricted part 64 is located in the mobile range of limiting member 88.

Float 63 can be moved by its buoyancy in upward direction 54, such as be moved in the direction of the arrow 75.For example, floating Son 63 can move on the direction far from the opening 155 being limited in the lower end of the second inner wall 44.Float 63 is maintained at arrow 75 Direction on move, until the surface at an edge in edge of second arm 72 with the opening 156 for limiting the second inner wall 44 156A (referring to Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 A) is contacted.When the second arm 72 and surface 156A is contacted, detector 59 is located at test position, such as schemes 7A and Fig. 7 B are discribed.

When detector 59 is located at test position, detection part 62 is located at the luminous component and light receiver of sensor 103 /, to which the light that blocking is exported from luminous component reaches light receiving part.Therefore, when detector 59 is located at test position When, sensor 103 exports low level signal to controller 130.For example, the output instruction detector 59 of sensor 103 is in check bit Set the existing low level signal (example as detection signal) at place.Therefore, the traveling time for measuring detector 59 Counting terminates.By the process, print cartridge 30 is fully placed in box retainer 110.

Hereinafter, it will thus provide removing print cartridge 30 from box retainer 110 about valve 77, limiting member 88 and detector 59 During the description how to act on.In the following description, it is assumed that remaining ink amount is more than under near-space state in ink chamber 36 Remaining ink amount in ink chamber 36.

If Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B describe, in the state that print cartridge 30 is fully placed in box retainer 110, valve 77 passes through The pressing force of corresponding tattooing needle 102 and be located at the second position.When valve 77 is located at the second position, limiting member 88 is located at release position It sets.When limiting member 88 is located at releasing position, detector 59 is allowed to rotate.In this state, detector 59 passes through float 63 Buoyancy and be located at test position.

In print cartridge 30 when being moved on removing direction 52 to remove print cartridge 30 from box retainer 110, valve 77 divides with tattooing needle 102 From thus valve 77 is moved to first position by the pushing force of helical spring 87 from the second position.It is moved from the second position in valve 77 When moving to first position, limiting member 88 is moved to restriction site from releasing position together with valve 77.In limiting member 88 from releasing When putting position and being moved to restriction site, the protrusion 91 of limiting member 88 in the mobile range of limiting member 88 The restricted part 64 of the detector 59 of inspection positions contacts.For example, with the protrusion in restriction site and limiting member 88 The table towards 30 direction of insertion of print cartridge on the surface and limiting member 88 that the surface intersection ground of the restricted part 64 of 91 contacts extends Face contacts, and thus restricted part 64 is highlighted part 91 and is pressed from test position towards spare space.Therefore, detector 59 with The side of arrow 74 is upper in the opposite direction to rotate (referring to Fig. 5 B).For example, detector 59 rotates to spare space from test position. In other words, when limiting member 88 is moved to restriction site from releasing position, limiting member 88 allows detector 59 to rotate to Spare space.

Hereinafter, it will describe after print cartridge 30 is fully placed in box retainer 110, due in record head 21 When the consumption of ink leads to remain in the ink amount reduction in ink chamber 36, how valve 77, limiting member 88 and detector 59 work.

The ink in ink chamber 36 is stored in due to by the black consumption of the ink injection progress of the nozzle 29 from record head 21 It reduces, therefore black liquid face gets lower than a part for float 63.In the state that black liquid face is less than a part for float 63, float 63 move down as black liquid face reduces.According to moving down for float 63, detector 59 is opposite with the direction of arrow 74 Side rotate up (referring to Fig. 5 B).That is, detector 59 rotates to spare space from test position, the thus not position of detection part 62 Between the luminous component and light receiving part of sensor 103.Therefore, the light exported from luminous component is allowed to reach light receiver Point.In response to the reception of light, sensor 103 exports high level signal to controller 130.It is exported receiving from sensor 103 High level signal when, controller 130 determines that remaining black quantitative change is predetermined amount in ink chamber 36.

In one example, detection part 62 can define as described below.Assuming that in the line along left and right directions 55,56 In the presence of point A and point B.Point A emits light, such as visible or infrared light towards point B, and the light of transmitting right direction 55 and to A side in left direction 56 travels upwardly.The intensity of the light emitted at point B in the case of no any barrier is defined For luminous intensity I.In the state of between the point A being located on left and right directions 55,56 in detection part 62 and point B, when being stored in ink chamber When ink amount in 36 is predetermined amount or bigger, on a direction from point A transmittings and in right direction 55 and left direction 56 The light of traveling reaches a surface in the right surface and left surface of detector 59.In this case, from the right side of detector 59 Another surface in surface and left surface comes out and the intensity of the light of point of arrival B can be less than the half of luminous intensity I, such as Zero.In the state of between the point A being located on left and right directions 55,56 in detection part 62 and point B, when the ink being stored in ink chamber 36 When amount is less than predetermined amount, one from point A transmittings and in right direction 55 and left direction 56 light just travelled upwardly reaches A surface in the right surface of detector 59 and left surface.In this case, from the right surface of detector 59 and left surface In another surface emitting and point of arrival B light intensity can be luminous intensity I half or higher.

For example, the luminous component of sensor 103 is arranged at point A, and the light receiving part of sensor 103 is arranged in point At b.The light receiving part of sensor 103 can be such as phototransistor.Assuming that when being arrived in the case of no any barrier Up to phototransistor luminous intensity be equal to luminous intensity I when, the value of the collector current of phototransistor is defined as value C.It is examining In the state that survey part 62 is located between the point A on left and right directions 55,56 and point B, when the ink amount stored in ink chamber 36 is predetermined When amount or more, one from point A transmittings and in right direction 55 and left direction 56 light just travelled upwardly reaches detection A surface in the right surface of device 59 and left surface.In this case, when light is from the right surface of detector 59 and left surface In another surface out and when point of arrival B, the value of the collector current of phototransistor can be less than the half of the value, example Such as zero.In the state of between the point A being located on left and right directions 55,56 in detection part 62 and point B, when being stored in ink chamber 36 When ink amount is less than predetermined amount, the light just travelled upwardly from point A transmitting and in right direction 55 and left direction 56 to Up to a surface in the right surface of detector 59 and left surface.In this case, when light from the right surface of detector 59 and When another surface in left surface comes out simultaneously point of arrival B, the value of the collector current of phototransistor can be the half of value C Or bigger.

<Black viscosity black viscosity &gt is determined by controller 130;

Controller 130 executes the viscosity for determining the ink being stored in the ink chamber 36 of print cartridge 30 with the presence or absence of abnormal place Reason.Referring to the flow chart of Fig. 9, Figure 10 and Figure 11, the extremely determining processing of black viscosity will be described.

When controller 130 determines that the detection signal exported from box sensor 107 has changed into high electricity from low level signal When ordinary mail number (for example, being "Yes" in step s 11), controller 130 is started counting up to measure the traveling time (example of detector 59 Such as, step S12).Controller 130 is at a predetermined interval with reference to detection signal.When controller 130 determines the inspection referred in particular moment When the level of survey signal is different from the level of detection signal of last time reference, the determination of controller 130 is exported from box sensor 107 Detection signal has changed.When controller 130 determines that the detection signal exported from box sensor 107 does not change from low level signal When becoming high level signal (for example, being "No" in step s 11), controller 130 executes the processing of step S20.For example, when new When print cartridge 30 is not placed in box retainer 110, controller 130 has determined the detection signal exported from box sensor 107 Through changing into high level signal (for example, being "No" in step s 11) from low level signal.

After step s 12, controller 130 determines whether the time passed from starting to measure traveling time is more than predetermined Maximum time (for example, step S13).When controller 130 determines that time elapse alreadys exceed predetermined maximum time (for example, in step It is "Yes" in rapid S13) when, controller 130 executes the processing of step S15.For example, when the viscosity phase for the ink being stored in ink chamber 36 To it is high when, determine that the detection signal that is exported from sensor 103 has changed into low level from high level signal in controller 130 Before signal, controller 130 determines that time elapse alreadys exceed predetermined maximum time (for example, being "Yes" in step s 13).

When controller 130 determines that time elapse is no more than predetermined maximum time (for example, being "No" in step s 13), Controller 130 determines whether the detection signal exported from sensor 103 has changed into low level signal (example from high level signal Such as, step S14).When to determine that the detection signal that is exported from sensor 103 is not changed into from high level signal low for controller 130 When level signal (for example, being "No" in step S14), controller 130 executes the processing of step S13 again.When controller 130 Determine that the detection signal exported from sensor 103 changes into low level signal (for example, in step S14 from high level signal In be "Yes") when, controller 130 terminates to count the traveling time to measure detector 59 and determines the traveling time of detector 59 (for example, step S15).When controller 130 determines that time elapse alreadys exceed predetermined maximum time (for example, being in step s 13 "Yes") when, predetermined maximum time is determined as the traveling time of detector 59 by controller 130.

Traveling time can be the detection signal exported from box sensor 107 becomes high level signal from low level signal Until the detection signal exported from sensor 103 becomes from high level signal from the time of (for example, being "Yes" in step s 11) The period passed until low level signal.

It tighter says, switching of the detection signal exported from box sensor 107 from low level signal to high level signal It may not become able to rotate to test position simultaneously from spare space due to being detached from limiting member 88 with detector 59 Occur.However, switching of the detection signal exported from box sensor 107 from low level signal to high level signal is happened at detection Near the release of device 59.Therefore, detector 59 becomes able to may be considered that at the time of rotating to test position from spare space At the time of being that the detection signal exported from box sensor 107 changes into high level signal from low level signal.Therefore, in controller 130 after box sensor 107 receives high level signal, and controller 130 is counted to measure until controller 130 is from sensor 103 receive the time passed until low level signal, and time of measuring is considered as to the traveling time of detector 59, that is, detect Device 59 is moved to the time needed for test position from spare space.

After the step s 15, controller 130 resets abnormality mark (for example, abnormality mark is set as by controller 130 "Off") (for example, step S16).Whether include the result (for example, step S18) in threshold range as determining traveling time, When not including in threshold range (for example, being "No" in step S18) between upon displacement, abnormality mark is set to "ON". Abnormality mark can be the value distributed based on print cartridge 30.The abnormality mark of each print cartridge 30 is stored in by controller 130 In EEPROM134.

After step S16, controller 130 is based on the signal threshold value range (example exported from temperature sensor 106 Such as, step S17).Threshold range with the traveling time measured in step S15 for being compared, to estimate to be stored in ink The viscosity of ink in room 36.When the specified temperature of the signal by being exported from temperature sensor 106 indicates higher temperature, controller 130 distribute to lower value at least one of the upper and lower bound of threshold range.In other words, when by from temperature sensor When the specified temperature instruction lower temperature of 106 received signals, controller 130 by high value distribute to threshold range the upper limit and At least one of lower limit.

After step 17, controller 130 determines whether the traveling time measured in step S15 is included in step S17 In in identified threshold range (for example, step S18).When being less than the lower limit of threshold range between upon displacement, black viscosity is estimated Less than normal black viscosity.When being higher than the upper limit of threshold range between upon displacement, estimation black viscosity is higher than normal black viscosity.Work as control Device 130 determines traveling time at (for example, in step S18 be "No") except threshold range, and controller 130 is by abnormality mark It is set as "ON" (for example, step S19).When controller 130 determines that traveling time includes in threshold range (for example, in step It is "Yes" in S18) when, the processing of routine skips step S19.

Controller 130 determine whether from cover sensor 108 export instruction box retainer 11 lid close signal (for example, Step S20).When opening (for example, being "No" in step S20) when controller 130 determines lid, controller 130 executes step again The processing of rapid S11 and subsequent step.When closing (for example, being "Yes" in step S20) when controller 130 determines lid, controller 130 determine determine whether have already passed through the predetermined time (for example, step S21) lid is closed in step S20 from controller 130.

When the determination of controller 130 has already passed through predetermined time (for example, being "Yes" in the step s 21), 130 knot of controller The extremely determining processing of the black viscosity of beam Fig. 9.When the determination of controller 130 has not gone through the predetermined time (for example, in the step s 21 For "No") when, controller 130 executes the processing of step S11 and subsequent step.When controller 130 is in circulation step S11 and follow-up When determining that lid opens (for example, in step S20 be "No") during the processing of step, controller 130 terminate to count with Time elapse of the measurement when determining that lid closes (for example, being "Yes" in step S20).

After the extremely determining processing of black viscosity of Fig. 9, controller 130 is exporting indication box holding from cover sensor 108 The processing of Figure 10 is repeated under conditions of the signal that the lid of device 11 is closed at a predetermined interval.

Whether the detection signal that the determination of controller 130 is exported from box sensor 107 is high level signal (for example, step S31).When controller 130 determines that the detection signal that is exported from box sensor 107 is low level signal (for example, in step S31 For "No") when, controller 130 notifies print cartridge 30 that (for example, step S38) is not present, and terminates the processing of Figure 10.For example, logical Know can be by showing message or from loud speaker (not describing) output voice guidance come real on the display 109 of printer 10 It is existing.

When controller 130 determines that the detection signal that is exported from box sensor 107 is high level signal (for example, in step S31 In be "Yes") when, controller 130 determine abnormality mark whether be "ON" (for example, step S32).When controller 130 determines exception When mark is "ON" (for example, being "Yes" in step s 32), controller 130 notifies the information about print cartridge 30 (for example, step S37), and terminate the processing of Figure 10.For example, can notify to be stored in the deterioration of the ink in ink chamber 36 or replace building for print cartridge 30 View.Notice can by with notifying of being executed in step S38 it is same or similar in a manner of realize.

When controller 130 determines that abnormality mark is "Off" (for example, being "No" in step s 32), controller 130 executes The surplus determination processing (for example, step S33) of Figure 11.After surplus determination processing, controller 130 determines that empty mark is No is "ON" (for example, step S34).When controller 130 determines that remaining ink amount is not enough to execute image recording in ink chamber 36, Empty mark can be set to "ON".

When controller 130 determines that empty mark is "ON" (for example, being "Yes" in step S34), controller 130 terminates figure 10 processing.When it is "ON" (for example, being "No" in step S34) that controller 130, which determines empty mark not, controller 130 is true It is fixed that image recording instruction (for example, step S35) whether has been received.When the determination of controller 130 is not received by image recording When instruction (for example, being "No" in step s 35), controller 130 terminates the processing of Figure 10.When the determination of controller 130 has connect When receiving image recording instruction (for example, in step s 35 be "Yes"), controller 130 directly or indirectly control record head 21, Feed roller 23, conveying roller pair 25, discharge roller pair 27 are then terminated with recording an image on recording sheet (for example, step S36) The processing of Figure 10.The processing of step S36 when completing to the image recording of single recording sheet or can complete all obtain Terminate when the image recording of the image data obtained.

As described above, when controller 130 determines that abnormality mark is "ON" (for example, being "Yes" in step s 32), control Device 130 does not execute the image recording of step S36.That is, routine skips step S36.In other words, controller 130 does not allow to record First 21 from wherein jet ink.

Hereinafter, it will be described with reference to FIG. 11 surplus determination processing.Controller 130 determines whether near-space mark is "ON" (for example, step S41).When controller 130 determines that remaining ink amount is relatively low (although being enough to execute image note in ink chamber 36 Record) when, near-space mark can be set as "ON".That is, remaining ink is measured in ink chamber 36 when near-space mark is "ON" More than remaining ink amount in the ink chamber 36 when sky mark is "ON".

When controller 130 determines that near-space mark is not "ON" (for example, being "No" in step S41), controller 130 is true Whether the fixed detection signal exported from sensor 103 has changed into high level signal (for example, step from low level signal S42).Do not change when controller 130 determines the detection signal exported from sensor 103 (for example, being "No" in step S42) When, controller 130 terminates the processing that surplus determines the step S34 for handling and executing Figure 10.When controller 130 is determined from sensing The detection signal that device 103 exports changes into high level signal (for example, being "Yes" in step S42) from low level signal When, near-space mark is set as "ON" (for example, step S43) by controller 130.Then, controller 130 notifies print cartridge 30 to be in close Dummy status (for example, step S44), and terminate the surplus determination processing of Figure 11.Hereafter, controller 130 executes the step of Figure 10 The processing of rapid S34.Near-space state refers to the ink chamber when remaining ink amount is relatively low in ink chamber 36 but is enough to execute image recording 36 state.

In step S41, when controller 130 determines that near-space mark is "ON" (for example, being "Yes" in step S41), Controller 130 determines whether software count value is greater than or equal to predetermined value (for example, step from near-space mark is set to "ON" S45).Software count value can be obtained based on the data provided when controller 130 is instructed to the offer ink-jet of record head 21.More Specifically, software count value can be by 130 command record head 21 of controller from the quantity of its ink droplet sprayed and by controller The stored counts of the product value of the ink amount of 130 each specified ink droplet obtains.Predetermined value can be used for and software count value It is compared.

When controller 130 determines that software count value is less than predetermined value (for example, in step from near-space mark is set to "ON" It is "No" in rapid S45) when, that is, when controller 130 determines the ink consumed by record head 21 from near-space mark is set to "ON" When amount is less than predetermined value (for example, being "No" in step S45), controller 130 executes the processing of step S44.

When controller 130 determines that software count value is greater than or equal to predetermined value (example from near-space mark is set to "ON" Such as, it is "Yes" in step S45) when, that is, when controller 130 is determined from near-space mark is set to "ON" by record head 21 When the ink amount of consumption is greater than or equal to predetermined value (for example, being "Yes" in step S45), empty mark is set as by controller 130 "ON" (for example, step S46).Then, controller 130 notifies print cartridge 30 to be in dummy status (for example, step S47), and terminates The surplus determination of Figure 11 is handled.Hereafter, controller 130 executes the processing of the step S34 of Figure 10.Dummy status refers to working as ink chamber 36 In it is remaining ink amount be not enough to execute image recording when ink chamber 36 state.

In step S44 and S47, in one example, notice can be for example, by the display 109 of printer 10 Display message exports voice guidance to realize from loud speaker (not describing).

<The Xiao Guo &gt obtained by illustrative embodiment;

According to illustrative embodiment, when limiting member 88 is moved to releasing position from restriction site, detector 59 is from standby It is moved to test position with position.Detector 59 moves through ink while receiving viscosity and inertia resistance from ink, thus examines The movement speed for surveying device 59 depends on black viscosity.Therefore, at the time of releasing position being reached from limiting member 88 by measuring The time passed at the time of reaching test position to detector 59 estimates to be stored in the viscosity of the ink in print cartridge 30.According to explanation Property embodiment print cartridge 30, due to limiting member 88 from releasing position return to restriction site, the movement of detector 59 is spare Position is restricted again.Therefore, limiting member 88 repeats to enable to repeat to estimate to be stored in back to restriction site The viscosity of ink in print cartridge 30.In an illustrative embodiment, when detected part 60 is located at test position, restricted part 64 In in the mobile range of limiting member 88.Therefore, when limiting member 88 returns to restriction site from releasing position, structure is limited Part 88 can easily act in restricted part 64.

For example, the deterioration that this construction can enable to the ink that estimation is stored in print cartridge 30 is horizontal, the print cartridge 30 is temporary When be not attached to printer 10.Various types of print cartridges 30 with corresponding different viscosities can be accommodated in box retainer 11 In the case of, this construction can enable to specify the type of each print cartridge 30.

According to illustrative embodiment, when limiting member 88 is located at restriction site, limiting member 88 be located at spare space Detector 59 contact, thus reliably limitation positioned at spare space detector 59 movement.

According to illustrative embodiment, distance L1 ratio distances L2 long.By this construction, when detector 59 in spare space and When being rotated between test position, detection part 62 is advanced longer than float 63.Therefore, the installation of component tolerance and/or component Error can less influence the measurement of the traveling time of detector 59.

According to illustrative embodiment, 73 to the second arm 72 of third arm is short, therefore, when restricted part 64 rotates, by limiting The radius of the circle of the mobile restriction of part 64 moves small distance.Therefore, limiting member 88 is in order to discharge to restricted part 64 Mobile limitation and need mobile distance (for example, distance from restriction site to releasing position) that can reduce, it is thus this The reduction of 30 size of print cartridge or the increase of the black memory capacity of print cartridge 30 may be implemented in construction.This construction can also make float 63 Displacement distance can increase.Therefore, it can extend before detector 59 reaches test position from spare space and be passed through The traveling time of detector 59, to improve the precision of black viscosity estimation.

According to illustrative embodiment, limiting member 88 is engaged with valve 77.By this construction, valve 77 in particular directions When moving specific range between the first position and the second position, limiting member 88 is on direction identical with valve 77 (for example, choosing Selecting property in direction of insertion 51 and remove on direction 51) the mobile identical distance between restriction site and releasing position.Cause This, can simplify the construction of print cartridge 30.The moving direction and displacement distance of valve 77 and limiting member 88 may not necessarily be mutually the same. In other embodiments, for example, a shifting that can be different from limiting member 88 in the moving direction and displacement distance of valve 77 Dynamic direction and displacement distance.In such a case, it is possible to which link mechanism is arranged between valve 77 and limiting member 88.

According to illustrative embodiment, helical spring 87 is provided, valve 77 is pushed from the second position towards first position. Therefore, towards the second position move valve 77 external force removal can allow valve 77, limiting member 88 and detector 59 respectively from It is moved to first position, restriction site and spare space dynamicly.

According to illustrative embodiment, valve 77 closes opening 46B in first position, and opens opening 46B in the second position. That is, valve 77 is used as the valve for closing and opening opening 46B, the number of components of print cartridge 30 is thus reduced.

When being moved in enclosing region 154, float 63 receives relatively high viscosity and inertia resistance from ink.Therefore, from The time passed at the time of reaching test position to detector 59 at the time of limiting member 88 reaches releasing position is elongated, to carry The precision of high black viscosity estimation.In enclosing region 154A, the sky that is limited by float 63 and the detector 59 positioned at spare space Between be less than by float 63 and positioned at the space that the detector 59 of test position limits.Therefore, when detector 59 is located at spare space When, it is possible to reduce bubble enters from ink chamber 36 in enclosing region 154.Therefore, can limit may be due to bubble adhesion to float The variation of the movement speed of detector 59 caused by 63.

According to illustrative embodiment, the second inner wall 44 extends along the mobile route of float 63.Therefore, float 63 is from storage Ink in enclosing region 154 receives higher viscosity and inertia resistance.Therefore, it reaches and detects from spare space in detector 59 The traveling time of the detector 59 passed through before position can become longer, thus improve the precision of black viscosity estimation.

According to illustrative embodiment, opening 155 is limited in the second inner wall 44 of ink outlet 60.Therefore, this structure Making can allow ink easily to be flowed into ink outlet 60 from enclosing region 154 by opening 155.

According to illustrative embodiment, the float 63 for being used as resisting unit is arranged in enclosing region 154, therefore, bubble pair The adherency of float 63 can reduce.It is thereby possible to reduce the variation of the movement speed of detector 59, to limit black viscosity estimation Precision reduction.

According to illustrative embodiment, be not provided on 54,53 in above-below direction between float 63 and lower wall 42 component or Component.Therefore, float 63 can be reached close at lower wall 42, it is possible thereby to reduce ink amount remaining in enclosing region 154.

In an illustrative embodiment, float 63 constitutes a part for detector 59 and as resistance unit.However, at it In its embodiment, for example, another part of detector 59 can correspond to resist unit.In one example, detection part 62 It can be arranged in enclosing region, which can be separately provided with ink chamber 36 and be limited by wall.In this case, Detection part 62 may be used as resisting unit.In another example, the entire part of detector 59 can be arranged in enclosing region In, which can be separately provided with ink chamber 36 and be limited by wall.In this case, detection part 62 may be used as Resist unit.As described above, it may be necessary to which at least part of detector 59 is used as resisting unit.

In other embodiments, for example, the surface 44A for limiting the second inner wall 44 of enclosing region 154 can (referring to Figure 27) Need not include smooth surface.In one example, surface 44A may include multiple ribs on it.Rib can be in left and right directions 55, it is separated from each other on 56, and extends along the moving direction of float 63 at a predetermined interval.In another example, rib can be with It is separated from each other on the moving direction of float 63, and extends along left and right directions 55,56 at a predetermined interval.In another example In, multiple recess or surface 44A that surface 44A may include the multiple protrusions being separated from each other or be separated from each other may include Textured surface.

According to above-mentioned construction, when float 63 moves in enclosing region 154, unsmooth surface 44A can reduce or prevent Only float 63 is contacted with 44 surface of the second inner wall.Therefore, this construction can reduce or prevent the mobile interruption of float 63.

If Figure 27 describes, float 63 includes the surface 63A towards the second inner wall 44, and the second inner wall 44 include towards The surface 44A of float 63.When assuming that surface 63A is that have the arc of first curvature radius and surface 44A be with torsion When the arc of radius, it may be preferable that:First curvature radius is more than second curvature radius.In other examples, first curvature half Diameter can be less than second curvature radius or be equal to second curvature radius.

When first curvature radius is more than second curvature radius, float 63 and the second inner wall 44 can reduce or prevent each other Surface contacts.

In an illustrative embodiment, the upper end of enclosing region 154 is opening to provide enclosing region 154 by the upper end The mutual connection between ink chamber 36.However, in other embodiments, the upper end of enclosing region 154 can be sealed to ink chamber 36.If Figure 28 describes, frame 31 further includes the 4th inner wall 159.4th inner wall 159 is connected to the first inner wall 43, the second inner wall Between 44 and the upper end of third inner wall 153.4th inner wall 159 also abuts rear wall 41.By this construction, enclosing region 154 Upper end is sealed to ink chamber 36 by the 4th inner wall 159.

Therefore, this construction can reduce bubble and enter in enclosing region 154 from ink chamber 36.

In an illustrative embodiment, the second arm 72 is extended to from ink chamber 36 by the opening 156 of the second inner wall 44 and surrounds area Domain 154.However, in other embodiments, for example, the second arm 72 can be via the upper open end of enclosing region 154 from ink chamber 36 Extend to enclosing region 154.In the case where the upper end of enclosing region 154 is closed to ink chamber 36 by the 4th inner wall 159, in the 4th Wall 159 can have opening, the opening that the second arm 72 can be allowed to pass through.In this case, the second arm 72 can pass through the The opening of four inner walls 159 extends to enclosing region 154 from ink chamber 36.

In other embodiments, for example, when detector 59 is located at spare space, a part of of detector 59 can be located at At the opening 155 of second inner wall 44.In one example, a part of opening 155 that can be located at the second inner wall 44 of float 63 Place.In this case, opening 155 in left and right directions the size on 55,56 can than detector 59 float 63 in right and left It is long to the size on 55,56.In this case, opening 155 is recess.If Figure 29 describes, float 63 can be inserted into It is elongated on direction 51, and the size in direction of insertion 51 is more than the float 63 of illustrative embodiment in direction of insertion 51 Size.When the detector 59 including this float 63 is located at spare space, the print cartridge 30 that can be directed toward of float 63 is inserted into The elongate end in direction may pass through opening 155 and be projected into ink chamber 36.When detector 59 rotates to test position from spare space, The elongate end of float 63 can back to enclosing region 154 from opening 155.

If Figure 32 describes, in other embodiments, for example, frame 31 may not necessarily include third inner wall 153.At one In example, enclosing region 154 can be limited by the first inner wall 43, the second inner wall 44 and film (rather than third inner wall 153).

In an illustrative embodiment, detector 59 is configured to be rotated between test position and spare space by it and move It is dynamic.However, in other embodiments, for example, detector 59 can be configured in another way in test position and spare It is moved between position.

If Figure 13 A and Figure 13 B describe, ink tank 32 includes ink chamber 36, ink outlet 60 and frame 31.Ink tank 32 can be by saturating Bright or semi-transparent resin is made.Ink tank 32 is configured to the external supply ink from ink chamber 36 to ink tank 32 by ink outlet 60.Ink Box 30 is inserted into along direction of insertion 51 in box retainer 110, or is removed from box retainer 110 along direction 52 is removed, together When be maintained at the orthostatism of print cartridge 30 similar to the discribed illustrative embodiments of Fig. 2, for example, being oriented so that face simultaneously Downward surface is considered as the bottom of print cartridge 30 and surface upwardly and is considered as the top of print cartridge 30.

Frame 31 can have the outer shape of substantially cuboid.Frame 31 can be with opposite in left and right directions 55,56 It is relatively narrow, that is, frame 31 54,53 and is inserted into above-below direction and removes size on direction 51 both greater than in left and right directions on 55,56 Size.Frame 31 include antetheca 40 (another example as the first wall), rear wall 41 (another example as the second wall), on Wall 39 and lower wall 42.When being observed in direction of insertion 51 or on removing direction 52, antetheca 40 and rear wall 41 are at least partly It overlaps each other.When observing in downward direction 53 or in upward direction 54, upper wall 39 and lower wall 42 are at least partly each other Overlapping.When print cartridge 30 to be inserted into box retainer 110, the wall in (for example, direction that print cartridge 30 is inserted into) may be used as forward Antetheca 40, and the wall when print cartridge 30 to be inserted into box retainer 110 towards rear (for example, direction that print cartridge 30 is removed) It may be used as rear wall 41.

Upper wall 39 is connected between the upper end of antetheca 40 and the upper end of rear wall 41.Lower wall 42 be connected to antetheca 40 lower end and Between the lower end of rear wall 41.Projection portion 37 protrudes in upward direction 54 from upper wall 39.Including at least the upper of projection portion 37 Wall 39 allows the light emitted from the luminous component of sensor 103 to pass through the upper wall 39.

Ink tank 32 further includes the protruding portion 48 inside frame 31.Protruding portion 48 is in right direction 55 from the first inner wall 43 Extend.Detector 59 is arranged inside ink chamber 36.Protruding portion 48 supports detector 59.

If Figure 13 A and Figure 13 B describe, ink chamber 36 is limited between antetheca 40 and rear wall 41.Ink chamber 36 stores wherein Ink.Before print cartridge 30 is placed in box retainer 110, the ink chamber 36 of print cartridge 30 maintains negative pressure.By the way that print cartridge 30 is put It sets in box retainer 110, ink chamber 36 becomes through the first air communication access (not describing) and the second air communication access (not Describe) it is externally exposed air.By the way that print cartridge 30 to be placed in box retainer 110, also allow the ink being stored in ink chamber 36 The outside of print cartridge 30 is flowed to by ink outlet 60.Projection portion 37 has inner space inside it, and inner space is constituted A part for ink chamber 36.

If Figure 13 A and Figure 13 B describe, ink outlet 60 is arranged at antetheca 40.If Figure 12 describes, ink outlet 60 includes Cylindrical wall 46, sealing element 76 and cap 79.Cylindrical wall 46 can have tubular form, wherein having valve chamber 47.Sealing element 76 and cap 79 are attached in cylindrical wall 46.

Cylindrical wall 46 extends between the inside of ink chamber 36 and the outside of ink chamber 36.Cylindrical wall 46 is being inserted into removal direction 51, the opposite end on 52 has opening 46A and opening 46B (another example as liquid outlet).More specifically, cylindrical wall 46 have opening 46A at the one end (for example, one end inside ink chamber 36) in the direction being removed in face of print cartridge 30.Tubular Wall 46 the direction being inserted into towards print cartridge 30 the other end (for example, the other end outside the ink chamber 36 is (for example, exposed End)) there is opening 46B.By this construction, ink chamber 36 is connected to by valve chamber 47 with the external of print cartridge 30.Therefore, ink outlet 60 The ink being stored in ink chamber 36 is allowed to flow to the outside of print cartridge 30.The exposed ends (such as distal end) of cylindrical wall 46 and sealing element 76 and Cap 79 is attached.

Valve chamber 47 is connect with the first air communication access and the second air communication access.First air communication access allows empty Gas is flowed through by the first air communication access between valve chamber 47 and the outside of print cartridge 30.That is, the first air communication access allows Valve chamber 47 is externally exposed air.First air communication access extends to the outside of print cartridge 30 from the first hole via groove.First Hole provide cylindrical wall 46 it is inside and outside between connection.

Second air communication access allows air to be flowed through between valve chamber 47 and ink chamber 36.Second air communication access is from Two holes extend to ink chamber 36 via groove.Second hole provide cylindrical wall 46 it is inside and outside between connection.Second hole is being moved Except being spaced apart with the first hole on direction 52.Second air communication access is higher than the ink chamber 36 for being stored in still not used print cartridge 30 In ink liquid level position at connect with ink chamber 36.

If Figure 12 describes, sealing element 76 has the shape of substantially tubular.The outer diameter of sealing element 76 and cylindrical wall 46 Outer diameter is substantially the same.Sealing element 76 is attached in liquid-tight manner in the exposed ends of cylindrical wall 46.Sealing element 76 its substantially middle part Place has through-hole 68.Through-hole 68 penetrates sealing element 76 in direction of insertion 51.Through-hole 68 provide valve chamber 47 it is inside and outside it Between connection.The diameter of through-hole 68 is slightly less than the outer diameter of tattooing needle 102.Sealing element 76 can be made of elastic material, such as rubber.

Cap 79 coordinates in the exposed ends of cylindrical wall 46.Cap 79 and cylindrical wall 46 press from both sides sealing element 76 between them.Cap 79 its substantially center have through-hole 69.Through-hole 69 penetrates cap 79 on the thickness direction of cap 79.The diameter of through-hole 69 is big In the diameter of through-hole 68.Sealing element 76 is maintained at the exposed ends of cylindrical wall 46 by cap 79.

If Figure 12 and Figure 16 describe, the cylindrical wall 46 of ink outlet 60 accommodates valve 77 (as movable member wherein Example), containment member 78 and helical spring 87 (example as biasing member).Valve 77, containment member 78 and helical spring 87 It is configured to selectively allow ink to flow to print cartridge by ink outlet 60 from ink chamber 36 in ink outlet 60 state of ink outlet 60 The state of 30 outside and ink outlet 60 prevent ink between the state for the outside that ink chamber 36 flows to print cartridge 30 by ink outlet 60 Switching.Valve 77, sealing element 78 and helical spring 87 are further configured to selectively permit the state of ink outlet 60 in ink outlet 60 Perhaps the state of 60 air communications is exported by ink between ink chamber 36 and the outside of print cartridge 30 and ink outlet 60 prevents ink chamber 36 and ink By switching between the state of 60 air communications of ink outlet between the outside of box 30.

The outer diameter of valve 77 is less than the internal diameter of cylindrical wall 46.Therefore, valve 77 can selectively in direction of insertion 51 and move Except being moved on direction 52.For example, valve 77 can be in first position (for example, position of the discribed valves of Figure 13 A 77) and second It sets and moves between (for example, position of the discribed valves of Figure 13 B 77).The second position is than first position closer to rear wall 41.

Diameter of the outer diameter of plug 83 slightly larger than the through-hole 68 of sealing element 76.Described by this construction, such as Figure 12, when When valve 77 is located at first position, plug 83 is snugly fit inside in the through-hole 68 of sealing element 76, to liquid-tight seal through-hole 68.Cause This, the opening 46B of cylindrical wall 46 is closed.When valve 77 is located at the second position, plug 83 is located at detaches place with sealing element 76.Cause This, the opening 46B of cylindrical wall 46 is opened.

The outer diameter of bar 84 is less than the outer diameter of plug 83.

If Figure 16 describes, multiple first protrusions 85 include four first to be separated from each other in the circumferential direction of bar 84 Protrusion 85.Multiple second protrusions 86 include four the second protrusions 86 being separated from each other in the circumferential direction of bar 84.Such as Figure 12 Described, multiple first protrusions 85 are spaced apart in direction of insertion 51 with multiple second protrusions 86, and on removing direction 52 Neighbouring plug 83 is arranged.

Cylindrical portion 95 is arranged between multiple first protrusions 85 and multiple second protrusions 86, while the bar 84 of valve 77 being made to insert Enter across cylindrical portion 95.The internal diameter of cylindrical portion 95 is more than the outer diameter of bar 84.Therefore, the shape of cylindrical portion 95 is penetrated in bar 84 Under state, there are gaps between cylindrical portion 95 and bar 84.Empty space inside cylindrical portion 95 passes through each two adjacent Gap exposure between gap and each two adjacent second protrusion 86 between first protrusion 85.Pass through this construction, tubular Another sky of the space of sky inside part 95 in the space and the valve chamber 47 for leading to opening 46B for leading to the valve chamber 47 of opening 46A Between between the connection in space by the sky inside cylindrical portion 95 is provided.

The inner surface of first hermetic unit 96 and the second hermetic unit 97 and cylindrical wall 46 airtightly and is closely contacted. In the state that containment member 78 is not disposed in valve chamber 47, in the first hermetic unit 96 and the second hermetic unit 97 each Outer diameter is slightly larger than the internal diameter of cylindrical wall 46.Therefore, in the state that containment member 78 is arranged in valve chamber 47, the first hermetic unit 96 and second hermetic unit 97 airtightly contacted with the inner surface of cylindrical wall 46, while making the first hermetic unit 96 and second Hermetic unit 97 reduces flexible deformation on the direction of their outer diameter.In valve 77 when being moved on being inserted into removal direction 51,52, the One hermetic unit 96 and the second hermetic unit 97 are slided relative to the inner surface of cylindrical wall 46.

The setting of helical spring 87 is between opening 46A and multiple second protrusions 86.Helical spring 87 is in direction of insertion 51 Push valve 77.For example, helical spring 87 pushes valve 77 from the second position towards first position.Therefore, in valve chamber 47, valve 77 It is kept while being contacted with sealing element 76 (referring to Figure 12).In other embodiments, it is, for example, possible to use another is pushed Component, such as leaf spring replace helical spring 87.However, such as the biasing member of helical spring 87 may not necessarily be set.

If Figure 13 A and Figure 13 B describe, detector 59 is arranged inside ink chamber 36.Detector 59 is supported by frame 31, with It can move up and down.The frame 31 of ink tank 32 includes guiding elements 113.Guiding elements 113 is in upward direction 54 from frame 31 Lower wall 42 protrude.Guiding elements 113 can have rectangular hollow barrel shape.The setting of float 114 of detector 59 is in guiding structure In the inner space of part 113.Although detector 59 can be moved up and down along guiding elements 113, detector 59 is only permitted It is moved in sideshake or clearance on direction 51,52 and in left and right directions on 55,56 being inserted into remove.That is, guide member 113 allow detector 59 to move linearly along upper and lower directions 54,53.By this construction, detector 59 is supported by frame 31, with It can move up and down.

Print cartridge 30 includes detector 59 and float 114.In the first modification, detector 59 includes float 114,115 and of arm It is detected part 116.

Float 114 be guided component 113 limitation not in addition in downward direction 53 and upward direction 54 other than direction move up It is dynamic, at the same be only allowed in addition in downward direction 53 and upward direction 54 other than direction on move in sideshake or clearance.Float 114 can be made of the proportion material lower than the ink being stored in ink chamber 36.

Float 114 has the shape of substantially cuboid.Float 114 has the cavity 117 of upward opening.Cavity 117 from The side of float 114 extends to the other side (for example, extending between right end and left end).Cavity 117 (is made by first surface 118 For the example of inclined surface) and the restriction of second surface 119.First surface 118 is angled relative to direction 52 is removed.Second surface 119 extend in the upward direction 54 abutted with first surface 118.

Arm 115 extends in upward direction 54 from float 114.Be detected part 116 be arranged the distal end of arm 115 and by Arm 115 supports.Being detected part 116 has plate-like shape.Being detected part 116 can be by stopping the light exported from luminous component Material be made.

Detector 59 can be in test position (for example, the detection described in Figure 14 B while being guided by guiding elements 113 The position of device 59) it is moved between spare space (for example, the position for the detector 59 described in Figure 13 A).Test position and standby It is separated from each other on vertical direction (for example, upper and lower directions 54,53) with position.Test position is higher than spare space.Guide structure Part 113 allows detector 59 selectively in upward direction 54 and in downward direction on 55 between test position and spare space Linear movement.

When detector 59 is located at test position, it is detected luminous component and light-receiving that part 116 is located at sensor 103 Between part.Extend between the luminous component and light receiving part of sensor 103 that is, being detected part 116 and being located at Optical axis 111 on.Therefore, the light exported from luminous component is stopped by being detected part 116, to not reach light receiving part. Therefore, when detector 59 is located at test position, part 116 is detected by sensor 103 from the external detection of print cartridge 30.Work as inspection When survey device 59 is located at the position in addition to test position, it is detected part 116 and is not connect positioned at the luminous component of sensor 103 and light Between receiving portions.Therefore, the light exported from luminous component reaches light receiving part.

If Figure 13 A and Figure 13 B describe, limiting member 88 is arranged inside ink chamber 36.Limiting member 88 is being removed at it Far-end on direction 52 has curved surface.Limiting member 88 is arranged at the end 120 of the bar 84 of valve 77.End 120 with The end of plug 83 including bar 84 is opposite.Therefore, limiting member 88 is configured to selectively in direction of insertion 51 and move Except being moved together with valve 77 on direction 52.Valve 77 is arranged on the right side of detector 59 and guiding elements 113.Limiting member 88 to Extend (referring to Figure 16) from end 120 in left direction 56.By this construction, limiting member 88 is located at the cavity 117 of float 114 In.

Limiting member 88 can be in blocking position (for example, position of the discribed limiting members of Figure 13 A 88) and non-blocking position It sets and moves between (for example, position of Figure 13 B, Figure 14 A and the discribed limiting members of Figure 14 B 88).Compare agretope in releasing position It sets closer to rear wall 41.When valve 77 is located at first position, limiting member 88 is located at restriction site.When valve 77 is located at the second position When, limiting member 88 is located at releasing position.The pushing force that helical spring 87 is resisted in valve 77 is moved to second from first position When setting, limiting member 88 is moved to releasing position from restriction site.When valve 77 is moved to first position from the second position, limitation Component 88 is moved to restriction site from releasing position.

When limiting member 88 is located at restriction site, limiting member 88 from top and the float 114 of detector 59 first Surface 118 contacts.In this state, due to the buoyancy of float 114, limiting member 88 is received from the first surface 118 of cavity 117 The power with vector component on removing direction 52.However, the pushing due to acting on the helical spring 87 in direction of insertion 51 Power is more than the power for acting on and removing the helical spring 78 on direction 52, and limiting member 88, which is limited, not to be moved up in removal direction 52 Dynamic, thus detector 59, which is limited, does not move in upward direction 54.That is, detector 59 is limited not from spare space It is mobile.In the first modification, for example, detector 59 is restricted in upward direction 54 from the movement of spare space, examine simultaneously Device 59 is surveyed to be only permitted to move in the sideshake or clearance of standby position.Limiting member 88 may not necessarily limitation detector 59 exist In downward direction from the movement of spare space on 53.In other modifications, for example, when limiting member 88 is located at restriction site, limit Component 88 processed can be contacted from top with the upper surface 114A of float 114, rather than be contacted with first surface 118.

When limiting member 88 is located at releasing position, limiting member 88, which is located at, detaches place with first surface 118 (referring to figure 13B).In this state, distal portions of the limiting member 88 on removing direction 52 are located at the most deep of the cavity 117 of float 114 Upper, while far from float 114.Therefore, in this state, detector 59 is allowed to be moved in upward direction 54.Also It is to say, detector 59 is allowed to be moved to test position from spare space.

In the state that print cartridge 30 is not placed in box retainer 110, valve 77 due to helical spring 87 pushing force and Describe positioned at first position, such as Figure 13 A.

When valve 77 is located at first position, the first hole is between the first hermetic unit 96 and the second hermetic unit 97.Cause This, the second hermetic unit 97 blocks the connection between the first air communication access and the second air communication access.Therefore, ink chamber 36 It maintains under negative pressure.

When valve 77 is located at first position, limiting member 88 is located at restriction site.When limiting member 88 is located at restriction site When, detector 59 is located at spare space.In this state, limiting member 88 from top and the float 114 of detector 59 first Surface 118 contacts, to which limitation detector 59 moves not in upward direction 54 from spare space.

When detector 59 is located at spare space, float 114 is located near the lower wall 42 of frame 31.That is, float 114 are immersed in the ink being stored in ink chamber 36.

When detector 59 is located at spare space, part 116 is detected positioned at the luminous component and light in sensor 103 On the optical axis 111 extended between receiving portion.Therefore, the light exported from luminous component is allowed to reach light receiving part.Therefore, when When detector 59 is located at spare space, sensor 103 exports high level signal to controller 130.

When print cartridge 30 by its in direction of insertion 51 when moving to reach near the interior back surface 151 of box retainer 110, The antetheca 40 of print cartridge 30 presses corresponding box sensor 107.In response to this, box sensor 107 exports high level to controller 130 Signal.Therefore, start the counting of the traveling time for measuring detector 59.

When valve 77 is located at the second position, valve 77, which is located at, detaches place with sealing element 76, therefore through-hole 68 is opened.Therefore, permit Xu Mo flows to the outside of print cartridge 30 from ink chamber 36.

When valve 77 is located at the second position, the first hole and the second hole are all located at the first hermetic unit 96 and the second hermetic unit Between 97.Therefore, the first air communication access and the second air communication access communicate with each other.Therefore, ink chamber 36 and extraneous air Connection, thus the internal pressure of ink chamber 36 is from negative pressure change to atmospheric pressure.

If Figure 13 B describe, in valve 77 when being moved to the second position from first position on removing direction 52, limiting member 88 move on removing direction 52 together with valve 77.For example, limiting member 88 is moved to releasing position from restriction site, thus limit Component 88 processed is detached with the first surface 118 of the float 114 of detector 59.Therefore, detector 59 becomes in upward direction 54 It is moved freely through from spare space.

When detector 59 becomes removable, the float 114 being immersed in ink is always maintained at by its buoyancy upward It is moved on to 54.That is, when print cartridge 30 is in using position (for example, being fully placed box retainer in print cartridge 30 When in 110), by the float 114 moved up to moving for releasing position in response to limiting member 88, detector 59 is from standby It is moved to test position with position.

Float 114 is maintained in upward direction 54 and moves, until the inside for being detected part 116 with limiting projection portion 37 The surface 37A in space is contacted.Figure 14 A, which are shown, to be started in upward direction 54 in float 114 after movement and detected The state of the inside of ink tank 32 before part 116 is contacted with surface 37A.When being contacted with surface 37A in detected part 116, inspection It surveys device 59 and is located at test position (for example, position of the discribed detectors of Figure 14 B 59).However, in other modifications, for example, When detector 59 is located at test position, the bottom part of the cavity 117 of float 114 can be contacted with limiting member 88.

When detector 59 is located at test position, it is detected luminous component and light-receiving that part 116 is located at sensor 103 Between part.Extend between the luminous component and light receiving part of sensor 103 that is, being detected part 116 and being located at Optical axis 111 on.Therefore, the light exported from luminous component is not allowed to reach light receiving part.Therefore, when detector 59 is located at inspection When location is set, sensor 103 output instruction detector 59 inspection positions existing low level signal (as detection signal Example).Therefore, the counting of the traveling time for measuring detector 59 terminates.By the process, print cartridge 30 is placed completely In box retainer 110.

If Figure 14 B describe, in the state that print cartridge 30 is fully placed in box retainer 110, valve 77 passes through correspondence Tattooing needle 102 pressing force and be located at the second position.When valve 77 is located at the second position, limiting member 88 is located at releasing position. When limiting member 88 is located at releasing position, detector 59 is allowed to move.In this state, detector 59 passes through float 114 Buoyancy and be located at test position.

When detector 59 is located at test position, a part for detector 59 can also preferably connect with guiding elements 113 It touches.

In print cartridge 30 when being moved on removing direction 52 to remove print cartridge 30 from box retainer 110, valve 77 divides with tattooing needle 102 From thus valve 77 is moved to first position by the pushing force of helical spring 87 from the second position.It is moved from the second position in valve 77 When moving to first position, limiting member 88 is moved to restriction site from releasing position together with valve 77.In limiting member 88 from releasing When putting position and being moved to restriction site, limiting member 88 is contacted with the first surface 118 of the float 114 of detector 59.Limit structure Part 88 is moved to restriction site while being contacted from top and first surface 118 from releasing position.Therefore, float 114 is limited Component processed 88 53 in downward direction on press, thus detector 59 is moved to spare space from test position.

The ink in ink chamber 36 is stored in due to by the black consumption of the ink injection progress of the nozzle 29 from record head 21 It reduces, therefore black liquid face gets lower than a part for float 114.In the state that black liquid face is less than a part for float 114, float Son 114 is moved down with the reduction in black liquid face.According to moving down for float 114, detector 59 is in downward direction 53 (referring to Figure 15) is moved from test position towards spare space, is thus detected the illumination region that part 116 is not located at sensor 103 Divide between light receiving part.Therefore, the light exported from luminous component is allowed to reach light receiving part.In response to the reception of light, Sensor 103 exports high level signal to controller 130.When receiving the high level signal from sensor 103, controller 130 determine that remaining black quantitative change is predetermined amount in ink chamber 36.

<Black viscosity black viscosity &gt is determined by controller 130;

In the first modification, controller 130 is executed is for the viscosity of the determining ink being stored in the ink chamber 36 of print cartridge 30 It is no to there is abnormal processing, it is similar to the extremely determining processing of black viscosity of illustrative embodiment.

<The Xiao Guo &gt obtained by the first modification;

According to the first modification, when limiting member 88 is moved to releasing position from restriction site, detector 59 is from spare bit It sets and is moved to test position.Detector 59 moves through ink while receiving viscosity and inertia resistance from ink, thus detector 59 movement speed depends on black viscosity.Therefore, to inspection at the time of releasing position being reached from limiting member 88 by measuring The time passed at the time of the survey arrival test position of device 59 estimates to be stored in the viscosity of the ink in print cartridge 30.According to the first modification Print cartridge 30, since limiting member 88 returns to restriction site from releasing position, the movement of detector 59 spare space again It is restricted.Therefore, limiting member 88 repeats to enable to repeat to estimate to be stored in print cartridge 30 back to restriction site Ink viscosity.

According to illustrative embodiment, helical spring 87 is set, valve 77 is pushed from the second position towards first position.Cause This, the removal of the external force of valve 77 is moved towards the second position can allow valve 77, limiting member 88 and detector 59 automatic respectively Ground is moved to first position, restriction site and spare space.

In the first modification, limiting member 88 and valve 77 have integral structure.However, in other modifications, for example, limit Component 88 and valve 77 processed are individual components.

For example, in the second variant, if Figure 17 A and Figure 17 B describe, detector 59 is arranged inside ink chamber 36.Detection Device 59 is supported by frame 31, in order to move up and down.The frame 31 of ink tank 32 includes guiding elements 113.Guiding elements 113 to It is protruded from the lower wall 42 of frame 31 on upper direction 54.Guiding elements 113 is in three sides, such as right side, left side and towards 30 quilt of print cartridge Detector 59 is surrounded on the side (such as side of the rear wall 41 of frame oriented 31) in the direction of removal.Limiting member 88 is in direction of insertion Proximity detector 59 is arranged on 51.By this construction, although detector 59 can be moved up and down along guiding elements 113, Detector 59 is only permitted to be moved in sideshake or clearance on direction 51,52 and in left and right directions on 55,56 being inserted into remove. That is guiding elements 113 allows detector 59 to move linearly along upper and lower directions 54,53.Pass through this construction, detector 59 It is supported by frame 31, in order to move up and down.

The detector 59 of second modification has the construction similar with the detector 59 of the first modification, unlike, second becomes The detector 59 of type does not have cavity 117 in its float 114.

If Figure 17 A and Figure 17 B describe, limiting member 88 is arranged inside ink chamber 36.Limiting member 88 is being inserted into removal It is arranged between valve 77 and detector 59 on direction 51,52.

Limiting member 88 includes ontology 123 and protrusion 124.Ontology 123 has inclined surface 122, the inclined surface 122 relative to remove direction 52 (for example, from antetheca 40 towards the direction of rear wall 41) it is angled and on removing direction 52 to Lower extension.Protrusion 124 protrudes on removing direction 52 from ontology 123.

Helical spring 121 (another example as biasing member) is arranged in limiting member 88 on 54,53 in above-below direction Between the upper wall 39 of ink tank 32.One end of helical spring 121 is connect with limiting member 88, and the other end is connect with upper wall 39.This Kind construction allows limiting member 88 as helical spring 121 is shunk and is extended and is moved up and down.In other modifications, for example, piece Spring can replace helical spring 121 to be used as biasing member.

Limiting member 88 can be in blocking position (for example, position of the discribed limiting members of Figure 17 A 88) and non-blocking position It sets and moves between (for example, position of the discribed limiting members of Figure 17 B 88).Releasing position is higher than restriction site.When 77, valve When first position, limiting member 88 is located at restriction site.When valve 77 is located at the second position, limiting member 88 is located at release position It sets.When valve 77 is moved to the second position from first position, limiting member 88 is moved to releasing position from restriction site.In valve 77 When being moved to first position from the second position, limiting member 88 is moved to restriction site from releasing position.

When limiting member 88 is located at restriction site, the protrusion 124 of limiting member 88 is from top and detector 59 The upper surface 114A of float 114 is contacted.Therefore, detector 59, which is limited, does not move in upward direction 54.That is, detection Device 59, which is limited, not to be moved from spare space.In the second variant, for example, detector 59 in upward direction 54 from spare space Movement be restricted, while detector 59 is only permitted to move in the sideshake or clearance of standby position.Limiting member 88 May not necessarily limitation detector 59 in downward direction 53 from the movement of spare space.

When limiting member 88 is located at releasing position, limiting member 88 is located at detaches place with the upper surface 114A of float 114. Therefore, in this state, detector 59 is allowed to be moved in upward direction 54.That is, allowing detector 59 from spare bit It sets and is moved to test position.

Hereinafter, it will thus provide about valve during print cartridge 30 is placed into box retainer 110 in the second variant 77, the description how limiting member 88 and detector 59 act on.In the following description, it is assumed that remaining ink amount is big in ink chamber 36 The remaining ink amount in the ink chamber 36 under near-space state.

In the state that print cartridge 30 is not placed in box retainer 110, the valve 77 of the print cartridge 30 of the second modification is in and says The 77 same or analogous state of valve of the print cartridge 30 of bright property embodiment.

When valve 77 is located at first position, valve 77 is located at detaches place with limiting member 88.In this state, limiting member 88 Positioned at restriction site.When limiting member 88 is located at restriction site, detector 59 is located at spare space.In this state, it limits Component 88 is contacted from top with the upper surface 114A of the float 114 of detector 59, to which limitation detector 59 is not in upward direction It is moved from spare space on 54.

Similar to illustrative embodiment, when print cartridge 30 in direction of insertion 51 moves to reach box retainer 110 by it Interior back surface 151 near when, box sensor 107 to controller 130 export high level signal.Therefore, start for measuring inspection Survey the counting of the traveling time of device 59.According to movement of the print cartridge 30 in direction of insertion 51, valve 77 is moved to from first position Thus two positions allow ink to flow to the outside of print cartridge 30 from ink chamber 36.In addition, ink chamber 36 is connected to extraneous air, thus ink chamber 36 internal pressure changes from negative pressure to atmospheric pressure.

If Figure 17 B describe, in valve 77 when being moved to the second position from first position on removing direction 52, limiting member 88 inclined surface 122 is pressed by valve 77.That is, valve 77 while being contacted from below with inclined surface 122 from first Position is moved to the second position.Therefore, limiting member 88 resist helical spring 121 pushing force in upward direction 54 from limitation It is positioned against releasing position movement.In this state, helical spring 121 downwardly limits limiting member 88 in the vertical direction Position processed pushes.Limiting member 88 is moved towards releasing position to be detached with the detector 59 positioned at spare space.Therefore, it detects Device 59 becomes to move freely through from spare space in upward direction 54.

Float 114 is maintained in upward direction 54 and moves, until the upper surface 114A of float 114 and positioned at releasing position The protrusion 124 of limiting member 88 contacts.Figure 15 A show float 114 start in upward direction 54 it is mobile after and The state of the inside of ink tank 32 before being detected part 116 and being contacted with protrusion 124.In the upper surface 114A of float 114 When being contacted from below with the protrusion 124 of the limiting member 88 positioned at releasing position, detector 59 be located at test position (referring to Figure 17 B).

When detector 59 is located at test position, it is detected luminous component and light-receiving that part 116 is located at sensor 103 Between part.Extend between the luminous component and light receiving part of sensor 103 that is, being detected part 116 and being located at Optical axis 111 on.Therefore, the light exported from luminous component is not allowed to reach light receiving part.Therefore, when detector 59 is located at inspection When location is set, sensor 103 to controller 130 export low level signal, thus terminate for measure detector 59 it is mobile when Between counting.By the process, print cartridge 30 is fully placed in box retainer 110.

If Figure 17 B describe, in the state that print cartridge 30 is fully placed in box retainer 110, valve 77 passes through correspondence Tattooing needle 102 pushing force and be located at the second position.When valve 77 is located at the second position, limiting member 88 is located at releasing position. When limiting member 88 is located at releasing position, detector 59 is allowed to move.In this state, detector 59 passes through float 114 Buoyancy and be located at test position.

In print cartridge 30 when being moved on removing direction 52 to remove print cartridge 30 from box retainer 110, valve 77 divides with tattooing needle 102 From thus valve 77 is moved to first position to be detached with limiting member 88 by the pushing force of helical spring 87 from the second position. When valve 77 is detached with limiting member 88, limiting member 88 by the pushing force of helical spring 121 53 in downward direction on from releasing It puts position and is moved to restriction site.When being moved on limiting member 88 is 53 in downward direction, the protrusion 124 of limiting member 88 The upper surface 114A of the float 114 of pressing detection device 59 in downward direction 53, thus detector 59 be moved to from test position Spare space.

The ink in ink chamber 36 is stored in due to by the black consumption of the ink injection progress of the nozzle 29 from record head 21 It reduces, therefore black liquid face gets lower than a part for float 114.In the state that black liquid face is less than a part for float 114, float Son 114 is moved down as black liquid face reduces.According to moving down for float 114, detector 59 in downward direction 53 from Test position moves (referring to Figure 19) towards spare space, is thus detected the luminous component that part 116 is not located at sensor 103 Between light receiving part.Therefore, the light exported from luminous component is allowed to reach light receiving part.In response to the reception of light, pass Sensor 103 exports high level signal to controller 130.When receiving the high level signal from sensor 103, controller 130 determine that remaining black quantitative change is predetermined amount in ink chamber 36.

In the first and second modifications, the buoyancy that detector 59 is configured to use float 114 is moved to from spare space Test position.However, in other modifications, for example, detector 59 can be configured to use the moving down from standby of weight 125 It is moved to test position with position.Below by the example of the construction described in third modification.Common unit has and above states Bright property embodiment, the first modification or the identical reference numeral of the second modification, and omit the detailed description to common unit.

In third modification, if Figure 20 describes, detector 59 is arranged inside ink chamber 36.Detector 59 by frame 31 with Rotatable manner supports.Detector 59 includes axial component 126, the first arm 127, the second arm 128, detection part 129 and limitation Part 138.

First arm 127 extends on the diametric direction relative to axial component 126 from axial component 126. Second arm 128 extends on relative to diametric other direction from axial component 126, to extend with the first arm 127 The different side in direction upwardly extend.

Detection part 129 is arranged in the distal end of the first arm 127 and is supported by the first arm 127.Detection part 129 has plate Shape shape.Detection part 129 can be by stopping that the material of the light exported from luminous component is made.Detection part 129 is configured to To stop the light exported from luminous component with 62 similar mode of detection part of illustrative embodiment.

Restricted part 138 is arranged in the distal end of the second arm 128.Restricted part 138 constitute the second arm 128 a part and Include the distal end of the second arm 128.Restricted part 138 is configured to be contacting and separating with weight 125.In other modifications, for example, Restricted part 138 and the second arm 128 can be individual parts.In this case, restricted part 138 can be by the second arm 128 supports.

Detector 59 is arranged inside ink chamber 36, and the first arm 127 tilts upward extension, the second arm on removing direction 52 128 tilt upward extension in direction of insertion 51.

Detector 59 test position (for example, the position for the detector 59 described in Figure 21 B) and spare space (for example, The position for the detector 59 described in Figure 20 A) between move (for example, rotatable).Spare space is different from test position Position.When detector 59 is located at test position, detection part 129 is located at the luminous component and light receiver of sensor 103 /.That is, detection part 129 is located at the light extended between the luminous component and light receiving part of sensor 103 On axis 111.Therefore, the light exported from luminous component, which is detected part 129, to be stopped, to not reach light receiving part.Therefore, when When detector 59 is located at test position, detection part 129 is by sensor 103 from the external detection of print cartridge 30.When detector 59 When position in addition to test position, detection part 129 be not located at sensor 103 luminous component and light receiver point it Between.Therefore, the light exported from luminous component reaches light receiving part.

Detector 59 can be made of the proportion material higher than the ink being stored in ink chamber 36.The length ratio of first arm 127 Second arm 128 is grown.By this construction, when detector 59 is located at test position, the first arm 127 tends to arrow 127A's It moves on direction, such as is moved on the direction that the first arm 127 passes through the black lower wall 42 closer to print cartridge 30 to move, and the second arm 128 tend on the direction of arrow 128A move, such as pass through lower wall 42 of the ink far from print cartridge 30 to move in the second arm 128 It is moved on direction.In the second arm 128 when being moved on the direction of arrow 127A, the bottom surface of the second arm 128 and weight 125 125A is contacted.When the bottom surface 125A of the second arm 128 and weight 125 is contacted, detector 59 is located at spare space.

Weight 125 can be made of the proportion material higher than the ink being stored in ink chamber 36.Weight 125 is by ink chamber 36 Limiting member 88 supports.

The frame 31 of ink tank 32 includes guiding elements 139.Guiding elements 139 is in downward direction 53 from the upper wall of frame 31 39 protrude.Guiding elements 139 surrounds weight 125 on four sides, such as in right side, left side, the side towards 30 direction of insertion of print cartridge (for example, side of the rear wall 40 of frame oriented 31) and the side in direction is removed (for example, the rear wall 41 of frame oriented 31 towards print cartridge 30 Side) on surround weight 125.Although weight 125 can be moved up and down along guiding elements 139, weight 125 is only permitted It removes on direction 51,52 being inserted into sideshake or clearance and is moved on left and right directions 55,56.That is, guiding elements 139 is permitted Perhaps weight 125 moves linearly along upper and lower directions 54,53.

Weight 125 is arranged in the vertical direction above the second arm 128.Therefore, weight 125 can contact from above second Arm 128.

Weight 125 can higher position (for example, position of the discribed weights of Figure 20 A 125) and lower position (for example, The position of the discribed weights of Figure 21 B 125) between move.In third modification, weight 125 is arranged on the right side or a left side of valve 77 Side so that valve 77 can not possibly the movement on 53 in upward direction 54 and in downward direction of interference weight 125.

When valve 77 is located at first position, weight 125 is located at higher position.When weight 125 is located at higher position, weight Detector 59 is maintained at spare space by 125 by contacting the second arm 128.When valve 77 is located at the second position, weight 125 is located at Lower position.When weight 125 is located at lower position, weight 125 is protected detector 59 by contacting from above the second arm 128 It holds in test position.When valve 77 is moved to the second position from first position, weight 125 is moved to from higher position compared with low level It sets.When valve 77 is moved to first position from the second position, weight 125 is moved to higher position from lower position.

Weight 125 has downwardly open cavity 140.Cavity 140 from the side of weight 125 extend to the other side (for example, Extend between right end and left end).Cavity 140 is limited by first surface 141 (example as inclined surface) and second surface 142 It is fixed.First surface 141 is angled relative to direction 52 (for example, from antetheca 40 towards the direction of rear wall 41) is removed.First surface 141 upwardly extend on removing direction 52.Second surface 142 53 in downward direction on adjacently extend with first surface 141.

If Figure 24 A and Figure 24 B describe, limiting member 88 is arranged inside ink chamber 36.Limiting member 88 is arranged in valve 77 Bar 84 end 143 at.End 143 is opposite with including the end of plug 83 of bar 84.Therefore, limiting member 88 is configured to Selectively moved together with valve 77 in direction of insertion 51 and on removal direction 52.Valve 77 is arranged on the right side of weight 125.Limit Component 88 processed extends in left direction 56 from end 143.By this construction, limiting member 88 is located at the cavity of weight 125 In 140.

Limiting member 88 can the restriction site position of discribed limiting member 88 (for example, in Figure 20 A) with it is non-blocking It is moved between the position position of discribed limiting member 88 (for example, in Figure 20 B, Figure 21 A and Figure 21 B).Releasing position is than limit System is located closer to rear wall 41.When valve 77 is located at first position, limiting member 88 is located at restriction site.When valve 77 is located at second When position, limiting member 88 is located at releasing position.When valve 77 is moved to the second position from first position, limiting member 88 is from limit Position processed is moved to releasing position.When valve 77 is moved to first position from the second position, limiting member 88 is moved from releasing position Move restriction site.

When limiting member 88 is located at restriction site, limiting member 88 by contacting the first surface of weight 125 from below 141 support weight 125.Therefore, weight 125, which is limited, moves not in downward direction 53 from higher position.In third modification In, for example, weight 125 53 in downward direction on be restricted from the movement of higher position, while weight 125 be only permitted compared with High position, which is in sideshake or clearance, moves.Limiting member 88 may not necessarily limit weight 125 in upward direction 54 from higher The movement of position.The movement of weight 125 is limited by limiting member 88, and thus detector 59 is not moved from spare space.Namely It says, limitation detector 59 does not move limiting member 88 from spare space indirectly.In other modifications, for example, working as limiting member 88 be located at restriction site when, limiting member 88 can be contacted by contacting the bottom surface 125A of weight 125 from below The first surface 141 of weight 125 supports weight 125.

When limiting member 88 is located at releasing position, limiting member 88 is located at the of the weight 125 of higher position At one surface, 141 separation.Therefore, in this state, weight 125 be allowed through gravity 53 in downward direction on move.Also It is to say, when limiting member 88 is located at releasing position, limiting member 88 allows weight 125 to be moved to from higher position compared with low level It sets.Detector 59 rotates to check bit by being moved to the pressure of the weight 125 of lower position from higher position from spare space It sets.In other words, when limiting member 88 is located at releasing position, limiting member 88 allows detector 59 to move.

Hereinafter, it will thus provide about in third modification during print cartridge 30 is placed into box retainer 110 valve 77, the description how limiting member 88, weight 125 and detector 59 act on.In the following description, it is assumed that remaining in ink chamber 36 Ink amount be more than under near-space state remaining ink amount in ink chamber 36.

In the state that print cartridge 30 is not placed in box retainer 110, the valve 77 of the print cartridge 30 of third modification is in and says The 77 same or analogous state of valve of the print cartridge 30 of bright property embodiment.

When valve 77 is located at first position, weight 125 is maintained at higher position by the support of limiting member 88.Work as weight 125 be located at higher position when, detector 59 is located at spare space.In this state, the bottom surface 125A of weight 125 and detection The restricted part 138 of second arm 128 of device 59 contacts.

When detector 59 is located at spare space, detection part 129 does not connect positioned at the luminous component and light in sensor 103 On the optical axis 111 extended between receiving portions.Therefore, the light exported from luminous component is allowed to reach light receiving part.Therefore, work as inspection When survey device 59 is located at spare space, sensor 103 exports high level signal to controller 130.

Similar to illustrative embodiment, when print cartridge 30 in direction of insertion 51 moves to reach box retainer 110 by it Interior back surface 151 near when, box sensor 107 to controller 130 export high level signal.Therefore, start for measuring inspection Survey the counting of the traveling time of device 59.When valve 77 receives external force by the pressing of tattooing needle 102, valve 77 is moved to from first position Thus the second position allows ink to flow to the outside of print cartridge 30 from ink chamber 36.In addition, ink chamber 36 is connected to extraneous air, it is thus black The internal pressure of room 36 changes from negative pressure to atmospheric pressure.

If Figure 20 B describe, in valve 77 when being moved to the second position from first position on removing direction 52, limiting member 88 are moved to releasing position to be detached with the first surface 141 of the weight 125 positioned at higher position from restriction site.Therefore, weight Object 125 is moved in downward direction 53 from higher position towards lower position by gravity.

When weight 125 is moved to lower position from higher position, weight 125 presses down on the detection part of detector 59 129.Therefore, detector 59 is rotated from spare space towards test position.

Weight 125, which is maintained at, in downward direction to be moved on 53, until first surface 141 and the limiting member 88 of recess portion 143 connect It touches.Figure 21 A show weight 125 start in downward direction 53 it is mobile after and recess portion 143 first surface 141 and limit The state of the inside of ink tank 32 before component 88 processed contacts.When the first surface 141 of recess portion 143 is contacted with limiting member 88, Detector 59 is located at test position (referring to Figure 21 B).

Hereinafter, it will thus provide moved from box retainer 110 about valve 77, limiting member 88, weight 125 and detector 59 The description how acted on during except print cartridge 30.In the following description, it is assumed that remaining ink amount is more than close in ink chamber 36 Remaining ink amount in ink chamber 36 under dummy status.

If Figure 21 B describe, in the state that print cartridge 30 is fully placed in box retainer 110, valve 77 passes through correspondence The pressing force of tattooing needle 102 be located at the second position.When valve 77 is located at the second position, limiting member 88 is located at releasing position.When When limiting member 88 is located at releasing position, weight 125 is immersed in ink by gravity and is located at lower position.When 125, weight When lower position, detector 59 is located at test position.

In print cartridge 30 when being moved on removing direction 52 to remove print cartridge 30 from box retainer 110, valve 77 divides with tattooing needle 102 From thus valve 77 is moved to first position by the pushing force of helical spring 87 from the second position.It is moved from the second position in valve 77 When moving to first position, limiting member 88 is moved to restriction site from releasing position together with valve 77.Limiting member 88 is under While side and the first surface 141 of weight 125 contact restriction site is moved to from releasing position.Therefore, weight 125 is limited Component 88 presses in upward direction 54, to be moved to higher position from lower position.It is higher by its direction in weight 125 The movement of position and when being detached with detector 59, detector 59 rotates to spare space from test position.Therefore, in limiting member 88 from releasing position when being moved to restriction site, and limiting member 88 allows detector 59 to be rotated towards spare space.

<4th Bian Xing >

In the 4th modification, description detector 59 can be moved to inspection using moving down from spare space for weight 125 Another example constructions that location is set.Common unit has reference numeral identical with illustrative embodiment described above or third modification, And omit the detailed description to common unit.

If Figure 22 A and Figure 22 B describe, detector 59 is arranged inside ink chamber 36.Detector 59 is by frame 31 can revolve The mode of turning supports.The detector 59 of 4th modification has the construction similar with the detector 59 of third modification, therefore, will omission pair The detailed description of the detector 59 of 4th modification.

Weight 125 can be made of the proportion material higher than the ink being stored in ink chamber 36.Weight 125 is by ink chamber 36 Limiting member 88 supports.The weight 125 of 4th modification has the construction similar with the weight 125 of third modification, the difference is that the The weight 125 of four modifications does not have cavity 140.Therefore, the detailed description to the weight 125 of the 4th modification will be omitted.Ink tank 32 Frame 31 include guiding elements 139, the guiding elements 139 allow weight 125 move linearly in the vertical direction.4th modification Guiding elements 139 also have the construction similar with the guiding elements 139 of third modification.Therefore, it will omit to the 4th modification The detailed description of guiding elements 139.

If Figure 26 A and Figure 26 B describe, limiting member 88 is arranged inside ink chamber 36.Limiting member 88 is being inserted into removal It is arranged between valve 77 and detector 59 on direction 51,52.

Limiting member 88 includes ontology 145 and protrusion 146.Ontology 145 has inclined surface 144, the inclined surface 144 relative to remove direction 52 (for example, from antetheca 40 towards the direction of rear wall 41) it is angled and on removing direction 52 to Upper extension.Protrusion 146 protrudes on removing direction 52 from ontology 145.

Helical spring 147 (another example as biasing member) is arranged in limiting member 88 on 54,53 in above-below direction Between the lower wall 42 of ink tank 32.One end of helical spring 147 is connect with limiting member 88, and the other end is connect with lower wall 42.This Kind construction allows limiting member 88 as helical spring 147 is shunk and is extended and is moved up and down.In other modifications, for example, piece Spring can replace helical spring 147 to be used as biasing member.

Limiting member 88 can be in blocking position (for example, position of the discribed limiting members of Figure 22 A 88) and non-blocking position It sets and moves between (for example, position of the discribed limiting members of Figure 23 B 88).Releasing position is less than restriction site.When 77, valve When first position, limiting member 88 is located at restriction site.When valve 77 is located at the second position, limiting member 88 is located at release position It sets.When valve 77 is moved to the second position from first position, limiting member 88 is moved to releasing position from restriction site.In valve 77 When being moved to first position from the second position, limiting member 88 is moved to restriction site from releasing position.

When limiting member 88 is located at restriction site, limiting member 88 by contacting the bottom surface of weight 125 from below 125A (more specifically, weight 125 most descends fin 164) supports weight 125.Therefore, weight 125 is limited not downwards It is moved from higher position on to 53.In the 4th modification, for example, weight 125 in downward direction 53 from the movement of higher position It is restricted, while weight 125 is only permitted to move in sideshake or clearance at higher position.Limiting member 88 may not necessarily Weight 125 is limited in upward direction 54 from the movement of higher position.The movement of weight 125 is restricted, thus detector 59 It is not moved from spare space.That is, limitation detector 59 does not move limiting member 88 from spare space indirectly.

When limiting member 88 is located at releasing position, limiting member 88 is located at the bottom of the weight 125 of higher position At the 125A separation of portion surface.Therefore, in this state, weight 125 be allowed through gravity 53 in downward direction on move.Also It is to say, when limiting member 88 is located at releasing position, limiting member 88 allows weight 125 to be moved to from higher position compared with low level It sets.When weight 125 is moved to lower position from higher position, detector 59 is by the downward push of weight 125 from spare Position rotates to test position.That is, when limiting member 88 is located at releasing position, limiting member 88 allows detector 59 It is mobile.

Hereinafter, it will thus provide about in the 4th modification during print cartridge 30 is placed into box retainer 110 valve 77, the description how limiting member 88, weight 125 and detector 59 act on.In the following description, it is assumed that remaining in ink chamber 36 Ink amount be more than under near-space state remaining ink amount in ink chamber 36.

In the state that print cartridge 30 is not placed in box retainer 110, the valve 77 of the print cartridge 30 of the 4th modification is in and says The 77 same or analogous state of valve of the print cartridge 30 of bright property embodiment.

If Figure 22 B describe, in valve 77 when being moved to the second position from first position on removing direction 52, limiting member 88 inclined surface 144 is pressed by valve 77.That is, valve 77 while being contacted from top and inclined surface 144 from first Position is moved to the second position.Therefore, limiting member 88 resist helical spring 147 pushing force in downward direction 53 from limitation It is positioned against releasing position movement.In this state, helical spring 147 by limiting member 88 in the vertical direction upwardly toward limit Position processed pushes.Limiting member 88 is moved towards releasing position to be detached with the weight 125 positioned at higher position.Therefore, weight 125 by gravity 53 in downward direction on from higher position be moved to lower position.

Weight 125, which is maintained at, in downward direction to be moved on 53, until bottom surface 125A and the limiting member 88 of weight 125 Protrusion 146 contacts.Figure 23 A, which are shown, to be started in downward direction 53 in weight 125 after movement and in bottom surface The state of the inside of ink tank 32 before 125A is contacted with limiting member 88.When bottom surface 125A and limiting member 88 are contacted, Detector 59 is located at test position (referring to Figure 23 B).

If Figure 23 B describe, in the state that print cartridge 30 is fully placed in box retainer 110, valve 77 passes through correspondence The pressing force of tattooing needle 102 be located at the second position.When valve 77 is located at the second position, limiting member 88 is located at releasing position.When When limiting member 88 is located at releasing position, weight 125 is immersed in ink by gravity and is located at lower position.When 125, weight When lower position, detector 59 is located at test position.

In print cartridge 30 when being moved on removing direction 52 to remove print cartridge 30 from box retainer 110, valve 77 divides with tattooing needle 102 From thus valve 77 is moved to first position by the pushing force of helical spring 87 from the second position.It is moved from the second position in valve 77 When moving to first position, limiting member 88 is moved in upward direction 54 from releasing position by the pushing force of helical spring 121 To restriction site.In limiting member 88 when being moved in upward direction 54, the protrusion 146 of limiting member 88 is in upward direction The bottom surface 125A of ballast 125 is pressed on 54.Therefore, weight 125 is moved to higher position from lower position.In weight 125 When its movement towards higher position is detached with detector 59, detector 59 rotates to spare space from test position. Therefore, when limiting member 88 is moved to restriction site from releasing position, limiting member 88 allows detector 59 towards spare bit Set rotation.

<5th Bian Xing >

In the 5th modification, by description 59 other examples moving up and down of detector construction.In the 5th modification, such as scheme 24A and Figure 24 B are described, and detector 59 is arranged inside ink chamber 36.Common unit has and illustrative embodiment described above or the One or the second identical reference numeral of modification, and detailed description to common unit will be omitted.Detector 59 is by frame 31 Support, in order to move up and down.The frame 31 of ink tank 31 includes guiding elements 113.Guiding elements 113 is in upward direction 54 under Wall 42 protrudes.Guiding elements 113 can have rectangular hollow barrel shape.The float 114 of detector 59 is arranged in guiding elements 113 Inner space in.Although detector 59 can be moved up and down along guiding elements 113, detector 59 is only permitted be inserted into It removes and is moved in sideshake or clearance on direction 51,52 and in left and right directions on 55,56.That is, guide member 113 allows Detector 59 moves linearly along upper and lower directions 54,53.By this construction, detector 59 is supported by frame 31, in order to upper Lower movement.

Guiding elements 113 include bottom wall 113A, the first side wall 113B, second sidewall 113C, third side wall (not describing) and 4th side wall (not describing).The first side wall 113B is in upward direction 54 from bottom wall 113A on being inserted into removal direction 51,52 One end (for example, end towards 30 direction of insertion of print cartridge) is prominent.Second sidewall 113C is in upward direction 54 from bottom wall 113A The other end on direction 51,52 is removed (for example, opposite with described one end and towards the removed direction of print cartridge 30 being inserted into One end) it is prominent.Third side wall is prominent from one end (such as right end) on bottom wall 113A in left and right directions 55,56 in upward direction 54 Go out.4th side wall is prominent from the other end (such as left end) on bottom wall 113A in left and right directions 55,56 in upward direction 54.The One side wall 113B is connected to one end (for example, end towards 30 direction of insertion of print cartridge) of third side wall and the 4th side wall is being inserted into Between one end (for example, end towards 30 direction of insertion of print cartridge) on removal direction 51,52.Second sidewall 113C is connected to The other end (for example, the end in direction that is opposite with described one end and being removed towards print cartridge 30) and the 4th side wall of three side walls The other end on direction 51,52 is removed (for example, opposite with described one end and towards the removed direction of print cartridge 30 being inserted into End) between.Guiding elements 113 has open upper end.

The inner space of guiding elements 113 is limited by bottom wall 113A, the first side wall 113B, second sidewall 113C, third side wall It is fixed.Bottom wall 113A, the first side wall 113B, second sidewall 113C, third side wall

Bottom wall 113A has through-hole 157.Through-hole 157 penetrates bottom wall 113A on being inserted into removal direction 51,52.Second sidewall 113C has through-hole 158 (example as opening) in its lower end.Through-hole 158 penetrates the being inserted into remove on direction 51,52 Two side wall 113C.Through-hole 158 provides the connection between ink chamber 36 and the inner space of guiding elements 113.

Detector 59 includes float 114, arm 115 and detected part 116.

Float 114 has cavity 117.Cavity 117 is inserted into relative to the surface direction in face of the direction that print cartridge 30 is removed Direction 51 is recessed.

Arm 115 extends in upward direction 54 from float 114.Be detected part 116 be arranged the distal end of arm 115 and by Arm 115 supports.Being detected part 116 has plate-like shape.Being detected part 116 can be by stopping shining from sensor 103 The material of the light of part output is made.Part 116 is detected to be configured to similar with the detection part 62 of illustrative embodiment Mode stop the light exported from luminous component.

Detector 59 can be in test position (for example, the detection described in Figure 25 B while being guided by guiding elements 113 The position of device 59) it is moved between spare space (for example, the position for the detector 59 described in Figure 24 A).Test position and standby It is separated from each other on vertical direction (for example, upper and lower directions 54,53) with position.Test position is higher than spare space.Guide structure Part 113 allows detector 59 to move linearly between test position and spare space.

When detector 59 is located at spare space, cavity 117 is aligned with through-hole 158 on being inserted into removal direction 51,52. That is cavity 117 and through-hole 158 are positioned side by side on being inserted into removal direction 51,52.

If Figure 24 A and Figure 24 B describe, limiting member 88 is arranged inside ink chamber 36.Limiting member 88 is arranged in valve 77 Bar 84 end 120 at.End 120 is opposite with including the end of plug 83 of bar 84.Therefore, limiting member 88 is configured to Selectively moved together with valve 77 in direction of insertion 51 and on removal direction 52.

Limiting member 88 include first part 88A, second part 88B, Part III 88C, Part IV 88D and the 5th Divide 88E.First part 88A extends on removing direction 51 from the end of valve 70 120.Second part 88B is in downward direction 53 Extend from first part 88A.Part III 88C extends on removing direction 51 from second part 88B.Part IV 88D to Extend from Part III 88C on upper direction 54.Part V 88E extends in direction of insertion 51 from Part IV 88D.

Part III 88C penetrates the bottom wall 113A of guiding elements 113 by through-hole 157.Part IV 88D is removing direction The neighbouring setting of guiding elements 113 is (for example, Part IV 88D is removed on direction 51,52 more than guiding elements 113 in insertion on 52 Close to rear wall 41).Part V 88E is located at Part V 88E can be via through-hole 158 and the float 114 for being located at spare space Cavity 117 engage position.

Limiting member 88 can be in blocking position (for example, the position for the limiting member 88 described in Figure 24 A) and non-blocking position It sets and moves between (for example, the position for the limiting member 88 described in Figure 24 B, Figure 25 A and Figure 25 B).Compare agretope in releasing position It sets closer to rear wall 41.When valve 77 is located at first position, limiting member 88 is located at restriction site.When valve 77 is located at the second position When, limiting member 88 is located at releasing position.When valve 77 is moved to the second position from first position, limiting member 88 is from agretope It sets and is moved to releasing position.When valve 77 is moved to first position from the second position, limiting member 88 is moved to from releasing position Restriction site.

When limiting member 88 is located at restriction site, the Part V 88E of limiting member 88 is via through-hole 158 and cavity 117 engagements.For example, when limiting member 88 is located at restriction site, the Part V 88E of limiting member 88 via through-hole 158 from Ink chamber 36 is penetrated into cavity 117.Therefore, detector 59, which is limited, does not move in upward direction 54.That is, detector 59 are limited from spare space movement.In the 5th modification, for example, detector 59 in upward direction 54 from spare space Movement is restricted, while detector 59 is only permitted to move in sideshake or clearance.Limiting member 88 may not necessarily limit inspection Device 59 is surveyed in downward direction 53 from the movement of spare space.

When limiting member 88 is located at releasing position, the Part V 88E of limiting member 88 is located at detaches place with cavity 117 (referring to Figure 24 B).Therefore, detector 59 is allowed to be moved in upward direction 54.That is, allowing detector 59 from spare bit It sets and is moved to test position.

In the 5th modification, when limiting member 88 is in the state that the bottom wall 113A of float 114 and guiding elements 113 is contacted When being moved to releasing position from restriction site, detector 59 is moved to test position from spare space.However, even if when limitation structure Part 88 is moved to limit in the state that detector 59 is located at test position (for example, float 114 is swum in ink) from releasing position When position processed, the Part V 88E of guiding elements 113 may not also be engaged with the cavity 117 of float 114.Therefore, detector 59 Position do not change to spare space.

Hereinafter, it will thus provide about in the 5th modification during print cartridge 30 is placed into box retainer 110 valve 77, the description how limiting member 88 and detector 59 act on.In the following description, it is assumed that remaining ink amount is big in ink chamber 36 The remaining ink amount in the ink chamber 36 under near-space state.

In the state that print cartridge 30 is not placed in box retainer 110, the valve 77 of the print cartridge 30 of the 5th modification is in and says The 77 same or analogous state of valve of the print cartridge 30 of bright property embodiment.

When valve 77 is located at first position, limiting member 88 is located at restriction site.When limiting member 88 is located at restriction site When, detector 59 is located at spare space.In this state, the Part V 88E of limiting member 88 is via through-hole 158 and float 114 cavity 117 engages, to which limitation detector 59 moves not in upward direction 54 from spare space.

When detector 59 is located at spare space, float 114 is contacted with the bottom wall 113A of guiding elements 113.In the state Under, float 114 will not float in the ink being stored in ink chamber 36 or on the surface of ink.

If Figure 24 B describe, in valve 77 when being moved to the second position from first position on removing direction 52, limiting member 88 are moved to releasing position from restriction site, thus skies of the Part V 88E of limiting member 88 from the float 114 of detector 59 Chamber 117 is detached from.Therefore, detector 59 becomes to move freely from spare space in upward direction 54.

When detector 59 becomes removable, the float 114 being immersed in ink is always maintained at by its buoyancy upward It is moved on to 54.That is, when print cartridge 30 is in using position (for example, being fully placed box retainer in print cartridge 30 When in 110), by the float 114 moved up to moving for releasing position in response to limiting member 88, detector 59 passes through Float 114 is moved to test position from spare space.

Float 114 is maintained in upward direction 54 and moves, until the inside for being detected part 116 with limiting projection portion 37 The surface 37A in space is contacted.Figure 25 A, which are shown, to be started in upward direction 54 in float 114 after movement and detected The state of the inside of ink tank 32 before part 116 is contacted with surface 37A.When being contacted with surface 37A in detected part 116, inspection It surveys device 59 and is located at test position (for example, position of the discribed detectors of Figure 25 B 59).However, in other modifications, for example, When detector 59 and cavity 117 contact, detector 59 can be located at test position.

When detector 59 is located at test position, it is detected luminous component and light-receiving that part 116 is located at sensor 103 Between part.Extend between the luminous component and light receiving part of sensor 103 that is, being detected part 116 and being located at Optical axis 111 on.Therefore, the light exported from luminous component is not allowed to reach light receiving part.Therefore, when detector 59 is located at inspection When location is set, sensor 103 exports low level signal to controller 130.Therefore, terminate for measure detector 59 it is mobile when Between counting.By the process, print cartridge 30 is fully placed in box retainer 110.

The ink in ink chamber 36 is stored in due to by the black consumption of the ink injection progress of the nozzle 29 from record head 21 It reduces, therefore black liquid face gets lower than a part for float 114.In the state that black liquid face is less than a part for float 114, float Son 114 is moved down as black liquid face reduces.According to moving down for float 114, detector 59 in downward direction 53 from Test position moves (referring to Figure 26) towards spare space, is thus detected the luminous component that part 116 is not located at sensor 103 Between light receiving part.Therefore, the light exported from luminous component is allowed to reach light receiving part.In response to the reception of light, pass Sensor 103 exports high level signal to controller 130.When receiving the high level signal from sensor 103, controller 130 determine that remaining black quantitative change is predetermined amount in ink chamber 36.

According to the construction of the print cartridge 30 of the 5th modification, when limiting member 88 is located at restriction site, limiting member 88 is drawing It leads in the inner space of component 113 and is protruded from ink chamber 36 via through-hole 158, to limit the shifting of the detector 59 positioned at spare space It is dynamic.Therefore, when detector 59 is located at spare space (for example, when limiting member 88 is located at restriction site), through-hole 158 is opened Open area is less than the opening area of the through-hole 158 when detector 59 is not located at spare space.Therefore, bubble can be further reduced Enter the inner space of guiding elements 113 from ink chamber 36.

In an illustrative embodiment, detection part 62 is always located in ink chamber 36, and unrelated with the position of detector 59.So And in other modifications, for example, detection part 62 can have another construction, as long as detector 59 is configured to when detection Blocking is output to the light of the light receiving part of sensor 103 from the luminous component of sensor 103 i.e. when device 59 is located at test position It can.In one example, detection part 62 can be configured to when detector 59 is located at spare space positioned at the outer of ink chamber 36 Portion.Detection part 62, which may be further configured to when detector 59 is moved to test position from spare space, to be entered in ink chamber 36 Portion.In other modifications, detection part 62 can be always positioned at the outside of ink chamber 36, and unrelated with the position of detector 59.

In an illustrative embodiment, when print cartridge 30 is fully placed the specific part in box retainer 110 (for example, When box sensor 107 exports high level signal), start the measurement of the traveling time of detector 59.By using existing sensing Device (such as box sensor 107) can be realized in the case where not significantly changing the construction of ink donor unit 100 for estimating that ink is viscous The processing of degree.However, in other modifications, for example, the measurement of the traveling time of detector 59 can be examined in controller 130 Any any time surveyed starts.

In one example, as Figure 30 A and Figure 30 B describe, other than sensor 103, box retainer 110 can be with Including another sensor 148.Sensor 148 can be arranged at the inner top surface 152 of the shell 101 of box retainer 110.Sensing Device 148 can be arranged to than sensor 103 closer to interior back surface 151.Other than the projection portion 37 of light transmission, print cartridge 30 is also It may include another projection portion 149 at box cover 30.Projection portion 149 can be by that can stop that the material of light is made.It is convex Rise part 149 can be configured to by with the detection part 62 of illustrative embodiment it is same or analogous in a manner of stop from illumination region Divide the light of output.Projection portion 149 can be spaced apart in direction of insertion 51 with projection portion 37.When sensor 148 is in the light Projection portion 149 cover when (for example, when print cartridge 30 reaches the position of Figure 30 B from the position of Figure 30 A), controller 130 can To start the counting of the traveling time for measuring detector 59.When sensor 103, which is detected part 62, to be covered, controller 130 can terminate the counting of the traveling time for measuring detector 59.In this case, it is similar to illustrative embodiment, Can be that four sensors 148 are arranged in four print cartridges 30.

In another example, as Figure 31 A, Figure 31 B and Figure 31 C describe, other than the projection portion 37 of light transmission, print cartridge 30 can also be included in another projection portion 149 at box cover 33.Projection portion 149 can be by that can stop the material system of light At.Projection portion 149 can be configured to by with the detection part 62 of illustrative embodiment it is same or analogous in a manner of stop from The light of luminous component output.Projection portion 149 can be spaced apart in direction of insertion 51 with projection portion 37.When sensor 103 (for example, scheming when print cartridge 30 is reached from the position of Figure 31 A when exposing after the covering of projection portion 149 that sensor 103 is in the light When the position of 31B), controller 130 can start the counting of the traveling time for measuring detector 59.When 103 quilt of sensor When detection part 62 covers, controller 31 can terminate the counting of the traveling time for measuring detector 59.Terminating to be used for When measuring the counting of the traveling time of detector 59, print cartridge 30 is located at the position of Figure 31 C.In this case, it is similar to explanation Property embodiment, can be that four sensors 148 are arranged in four print cartridges 30.

In an illustrative embodiment, when controller 130 determines traveling time more than threshold range (for example, in step S18 In be "No") when, limit record head 21 operation, for example, routine skips step S36.Therefore, this control can reduce or prevent Only in record head 21 due to the ink that has changed significantly of injection viscosity the problem.However, it is possible to which step need not be skipped The processing of S36.In one example, controller 130 can execute the processing (for example, step S37) of notice black viscosity exception, and And it can determine whether to continue operation note head 21 by user.In this case, the control routine of controller 130 can not It is same as the control routine of Fig. 9, Figure 10 and Figure 11 of illustrative embodiment.However, by omitting to the exemplary detailed description.

In another example, when controller 130 determines that abnormality mark is "ON" (for example, being "Yes" in step s 32), Controller 130 can control a control panel 17A to control the piezoelectricity being applied in the image recording of step S36 for nozzle 29 The level of the driving voltage of element 29A, the processing without skipping step S35 and S36.

More specifically, controller 130 can change the control signal that export control panel 17A to the end, to be applied with control To the level of the driving voltage of piezoelectric element 29A so that when in the case of including in threshold range between when moving and mobile Between except threshold range, from each nozzle 29 spray ink amount it is substantially the same.For example, between upon displacement When less than the lower limit of threshold range (for example, when black viscosity is too low), controller 130 can will be applied to piezoelectric element 29A Driving voltage level control at the level less than the driving voltage to be applied when including in threshold range between upon displacement. When between being upon displacement more than the upper limit of threshold range (for example, when black viscosity is too high), controller 130 can will be applied to pressure The level control of the driving voltage of electric device 29A is at higher than the driving to be applied when including in threshold range between upon displacement electricity The level of pressure.

According to above-mentioned construction, various types of print cartridges 30 of the ink with viscosity different from each other are stored simultaneously at each In the case of being placed in box retainer 110, can be applied to each piezoelectric element 29A according to black type has proper level Driving voltage.In an illustrative embodiment, multiple piezoelectric element 29A are used as the example of actuator.However, in other modifications In, it is, for example, possible to use thermal actuator.In this case, thermal actuator can be configured to generate in ink by heating Bubble simultaneously makes nozzle 29 from wherein jet ink.

The viscosity for the ink being stored in print cartridge 30 can change under the influence of the temperature around print cartridge 30.More specifically, Black viscosity is tended to be lower as temperature increases, and is got higher as temperature reduces.In an illustrative embodiment, controller 130 control head control panel 17A are to be applied to the level of the driving voltage of piezoelectric element 29A according to temperature control.More specifically, working as When environment temperature is relatively high, controller 130 exports specific control signal to head control panel 17A so that relatively low driving Voltage is applied to piezoelectric element 29A.When environment temperature is relatively low, controller 130 exports another control to head control panel 17A Signal processed so that relatively high driving voltage is applied to piezoelectric element 29A.In the presence of with piezoelectric element 29A's to be applied to The optimal threshold of the corresponding black viscosity of driving voltage.As such, it may be preferred to:The threshold range of black viscosity can be according to temperature It spends to determine.In an illustrative embodiment, threshold range appropriate is determined according to temperature.Determine the mode of threshold range appropriate It is not limited to specific example.In one example, it can select to be suitble to from the multiple threshold ranges being stored in advance in ROM132 In the threshold range of temperature.In another example, the upper limit of threshold range or lower limit can be joined using temperature in use as input Several function calculates.In other modifications, being applied to the driving voltage of piezoelectric element 29A can not control according to temperature. In such a case, it is possible to omit based on from the step S17 for the signal threshold value range that temperature sensor 106 exports Reason, and fixed threshold range can be used.

In an illustrative embodiment, controller 130 measures the traveling time of detector 59 by counting.More specifically, Controller 130 is started counting up in response to the output of the high level signal from box sensor 107, and in response to coming from sensor The counting that the end of output of 103 low level signal measures.Then, controller 130 will terminate to pass since counting to counting Time be determined as the traveling time of detector 59.However, in other modifications, for example, controller 130 can be by passing box Difference between the time that sensor 107 exports the time of high level signal and sensor 103 exports low level signal is as detection The traveling time of device 59 is determined.

In an illustrative embodiment, abnormality mark is stored in EEPROM134 by controller 130.However, in other modifications In, for example, abnormal marking can be stored in the memory of the integrated circuit on print cartridge 30 by controller 130.It is saying In bright property embodiment, controller 130 includes both CPU131 and ASIC135.However, in other modifications, controller 130 can be only Including ASIC135.All processing of Fig. 9, Figure 10 and Figure 11 can be executed by the CPU131 for reading proper procedure from ROM132. In other modifications, controller 130 can only include the hardware of such as ASIC135 or field programmable gate array (" FPGA "), But do not include CPU131.In other modification, controller 130 may include multiple CPU131 and/or multiple ASIC135.

In an illustrative embodiment, ink is used as the example of liquid.However, in other modifications, can use in printing The pretreating liquid being ejected into before ink-jet on recording sheet replaces example of the ink as liquid.

Reference numerals list

36:Liquid chamber;40:Antetheca;41:Rear wall;59:Detector;60:Liquid outlet;77:Actuator;88:Limiting member.

Claims

1. a kind of fluid cartridge, including:

Antetheca;

Rear wall, the rear wall are opposed with the antetheca;

Liquid chamber, the liquid chamber is between the antetheca and the rear wall;

Liquid outlet, the liquid outlet passes through the antetheca, and the liquid outlet is configured to liquid from the room Inside be supplied to the outside of the liquid chamber;

Actuator, the actuator can move between the first position and the second position;

Detector, the detector are located in the room, and the detector can be moved from by restriction site with position is released, It is released in position described, external detection of the detector from the fluid cartridge;With

Limiting member, the limiting member is configured to move between releasing position and restriction site, in the releasing position In, the detector can be moved to it is described be released position, the restriction site is used to the detector being located in described By in restriction site;

The wherein described limiting member can be in response to the actuator from the first position to the second position movement and It is moved to the releasing position from the restriction site;And

The limiting member can be in response to the actuator from the second position to the first position movement and from institute It states releasing position and is moved to the restriction site.

2. fluid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein described in the actuator can be blocked in the liquid outlet It is moved between the second position that first position and the liquid outlet are opened.

3. fluid cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detector includes float, wherein when detector is described When by restriction site, the float be oriented it is lower than when the detector is in described be released in position, and wherein When the detector it is described by restriction site when, the float is submerged in the fluid accommodated in the chamber.

4. fluid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detector can rotate about the axis.

5. fluid cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the detector include the first arm extended from the axis and from The detection part of the external detection of the fluid cartridge, the detection part are supported by first arm.

6. fluid cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the detector include float and extend from the axis second Arm, and the float is supported by second arm.

7. fluid cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the detection part from the axis distance L1 than the float It is short from the axis distance L2.

8. fluid cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the detector further comprises contact portion;

Wherein when the actuator is in described be released in position, the limiting member is configured in the releasing position It is detached with the contact portion, and

The wherein described contact portion is configured in response to the restricted part from the releasing position to the restriction site It moves and contacts the contact portion.

9. fluid cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the contact portion is configured to from the axis than the float It is remote from the axis.

10. the fluid cartridge according to any one of claim 1 to 9, wherein the limiting member connects with the actuator It closes.

11. fluid cartridge according to claim 10, wherein the limiting member includes first part and second part, it is described First part engages with the actuator,

The wherein described second part be configured to when the limiting member it is described by restriction site when in the restriction site The middle contact contact portion,

The wherein described second part is configured to when the limiting member is in the releasing position in the releasing position It is detached with the contact portion, and

12. the fluid cartridge according to any one of claim 1 to 11 further comprises the actuator described in The biasing member that first position pushes.

13. the fluid cartridge according to any one of claim 1 to 12, further comprises:

At least one guiding piece, at least one guiding piece extend in an upward direction,

The wherein described guiding piece is configured to that the detector is guided to be released position described in restriction site direction from described It is mobile.

14. fluid cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the actuator includes relative to from described in antetheca direction The inclined surface that the direction of rear wall tilts down,

The wherein described limiting member is located at the top of the inclined surface in the restriction site,

The wherein described limiting member is configured to detach with the inclined surface in the releasing position, and

The wherein described limiting member be configured to from the releasing position to the restriction site mobile period keep and institute State inclined surface contact.

15. fluid cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the detector includes float, wherein when detector is in the quilt When in restriction site, the float be oriented it is lower than when the detector is in described be released in position, and wherein when The detector it is described by restriction site when, the float is submerged in the fluid accommodated in the chamber,

The wherein described float is formed with cavity, and the cavity limits the inclined surface.

16. fluid cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the actuator includes relative to from described in antetheca direction The inclined surface that the direction of rear wall tilts down,

The wherein described limiting member is located in the restriction site on the detector,

The wherein described actuator is configured to be released holding and institute during position is moved to described by restriction site from described State inclined surface contact.

17. fluid cartridge according to claim 16, the limiting member is located at described be released in position On the detector.

18. the fluid cartridge according to any one of claim 1 to 17, wherein the detector includes weight, wherein when Detector it is described by restriction site when, the weight is oriented than when the detector is in described be released in position Height, and wherein when the detector it is described by restriction site when, the weight is submerged the stream accommodated in the chamber In body.

19. fluid cartridge according to claim 18, wherein the weight can be in upper position and relative to the upper position It is moved between lower lower position, and

The wherein described detector can be in response to the weight from the upper position to the lower position movement and from the quilt Restriction site is released position described in being moved to.

20. fluid cartridge according to claim 19 further comprises at least one guiding piece extended in an upward direction,

21. fluid cartridge according to claim 20, wherein the detector include the first arm extended from the axis and From the detection part of the external detection of the fluid cartridge, the detection part is supported by first arm,

The wherein described detector can rotate about the axis,

The wherein described detector includes the first arm extended from the axis and the second arm for extending from the axis,

The wherein described weight contacts second arm, the detector is located in described by restriction site.

22. according to the fluid cartridge described in any one of claim 20 or 21, wherein the limiting member is located at the weight Lower section, and the limiting member contacts the weight in the restriction site, and

The wherein described limiting member is configured to detach with the weight in the releasing position.

23. fluid cartridge according to claim 23, wherein the weight is formed with cavity downwards, and the limitation Component is located in the cavity.

24. fluid cartridge according to claim 23, wherein the cavity includes acclivitous inclined surface, and

The wherein described limiting member is located at the lower section of the inclined surface, and the limiting member is configured in holding and institute It states and is moved to the restriction site from the releasing position in the case that inclined surface contacts.

25. fluid cartridge according to claim 24 further comprises pushing away the limiting member towards the restriction site The biasing member of pressure,

The wherein described cavity includes the inclined surface upwardly extended towards the rear wall, and

The wherein described actuator is located at the top of the inclined surface, and the actuator is configured to resisting the pushing The pushing force of component and described be released is moved to by restriction site from described in the case of being kept in contact with the inclined surface Position.

26. the fluid cartridge according to any one of claim 1 to 25, wherein in the inspection being released in position The part for surveying device is located in the motion track between the restriction site and the releasing position of the limiting member, and And

The limiting member is configured in response to the limiting member from the restriction site to the movement of the releasing position And the power by restriction site is applied to the part of the detector.