EP0370765A2 - Kassette für einen Tintenstrahldruckkopf mit Resttintenüberwachungsvorrichtung - Google Patents

Kassette für einen Tintenstrahldruckkopf mit Resttintenüberwachungsvorrichtung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0370765A2
EP0370765A2 EP89312075A EP89312075A EP0370765A2 EP 0370765 A2 EP0370765 A2 EP 0370765A2 EP 89312075 A EP89312075 A EP 89312075A EP 89312075 A EP89312075 A EP 89312075A EP 0370765 A2 EP0370765 A2 EP 0370765A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ink
electrode
electrodes
recording head
substrate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP89312075A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0370765B1 (de
EP0370765A3 (en
Inventor
Ryoichi Koizumi
Asao Saito
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Canon Inc
Original Assignee
Canon Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Canon Inc filed Critical Canon Inc
Publication of EP0370765A2 publication Critical patent/EP0370765A2/de
Publication of EP0370765A3 publication Critical patent/EP0370765A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0370765B1 publication Critical patent/EP0370765B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17566—Ink level or ink residue control
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17566—Ink level or ink residue control
    • B41J2002/17579—Measuring electrical impedance for ink level indication
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2202/00—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet or thermal heads
    • B41J2202/01—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet heads
    • B41J2202/13—Heads having an integrated circuit

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for detecting a quantity of remaining ink, and more particularly, to a remaining ink detecting device for use in an ink jet recording apparatus for forming an image by emitting an ink droplet in response to a predetermined signal input.
  • the present invention further relates to an ink jet head cartridge with such a remaining ink detecting device incorporated therein.
  • the present invention further relates to an ink jet recording apparatus with such a cartridge mounted thereon.
  • Ink which is used, for example, in an ink jet recording apparatus for forming a desired high density image by emitting ink as droplets, is generally stored in a predetermined ink reservoir means, such as an ink cartridge.
  • a predetermined ink reservoir means such as an ink cartridge.
  • Various types of devices for detecting the level of residual ink stored in this reservoir means have been proposed.
  • One of the most commonly employed remaining ink detecting devices is designed to determine whether or not the amount of residual ink is less than a predetermined value on the basis of resistance detected in accordance with the quantity of residual ink existing between two electrodes.
  • recording heads mounted on the ink jet recording apparatuses are manufactured in the same manner as that in which semiconductor devices have been manufactured.
  • Such recording heads are composed of a substrate made of silicone or the like and a member which forms ink passageways when it is attached to the substrate.
  • emission energy generating elements such as electrothermal energy conversion elements
  • function elements for driving these conversion elements such as transistors and diodes.
  • Ink is subjected to heat generated by the electrothermal energy conversion elements in the ink passageway.
  • Fig. 1 shows an equivalent circuit with electrical characteristics equivalent to those of the circuit for driving the above-described recording head.
  • This driving circuit is designed to drive a recording head having 32 ink outlets and 32 ink passageways which respectively communicate with these outlets.
  • Individual ink passageways have corresponding electrothermal energy conversion elements R1 to R32, and transistors T1 to T32 which serve as switching elements.
  • Fig. 2 shows an equivalent circuit of the above-described remaining ink detecting device which is employed in a case where the above-described driving circuit is disposed on the substrate.
  • reference numerals 1 and 2 denote electrodes for detecting resistance in accordance with the quantity of remaining ink.
  • a reference numeral 3 denotes an electrode representing the substrate which forms the ink passageways of the above-described recording head and on which the driving circuit shown in Fig. 1 is deposited.
  • a predetermined voltage or current is applied between the electrodes 1 and 2.
  • Resistance R1 ⁇ 2 and resistance R2 ⁇ 3 representing the quantity of remaining ink respectively exist between the electrodes 1 and 2 and between the electrodes 2 and 3.
  • Fig. 3 shows an example of a driving circuit for such a recording head.
  • the circuit shown in Fig. 1 has 32 switching elements T1 to T32
  • the circuit shown in Fig. 3 employs only 12 switching elements T a1 to T a4 and T b1 to T b8 to drive 32 electrothermal energy conversion elements R1 to R32.
  • the individual components are disposed at a high density, and this increases the possibility of a parasitic current flowing between adjacent diode cells in diodes D1 to D32.
  • Fig. 4A is a cross-sectional view of diodes employed in such a matrix driving method.
  • Fig. 4A shows only two diodes (cells), 32 diodes are, for example, disposed in a matrix in an actual recording head, as stated above.
  • a switch G1 is first turned on to select the group, and a switch S1 is then turned on to select the electrothermal energy conversion element RH1. Turning of these switches causes a diode cell SH1 to be positively biased, supplying current to and thereby generating heat in the electrothermal energy conversion element RH1. This thermal energy generated changes the state of the liquid, thus generating a bubble and resulting in the emission of liquid from the outlet.
  • the electrothermal energy conversion element RH2 is driven by selectively turning on switches G1 and S2 and thereby driving a diode cell SH2.
  • the substrate is grounded, as shown in Fig. 4B, in order to electrically isolate the diodes.
  • the substrate is a N type Si substrate
  • the substrate is biased such that it has the highest potential, so as to electrically isolate the diodes.
  • the electrode 3 shown in Fig. 2 which represents the substrate, is not floating, but is grounded.
  • a resistance R2 ⁇ 3 affects the resistance detected by the circuit shown in Fig. 2, and the detected value is therefore not determined only by the resistance R1 ⁇ 2.
  • the quantity of ink detected by measuring the resistance between the electrodes 1 and 2 is affected by the ink existing between the electrodes 2 and 3, and an accurate detection of the quantity of remaining ink is thus prevented.
  • bubbles may be generated as the gas dissolved in the ink changes with time, and such bubbles are easily attached to the above-­described electrodes. These electrodes with bubbles attached thereto also prevent accurate detection of resistance.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a remaining ink detecting device which enables errors which occur in the ink resistance measurements to be eliminated to ensure stable and accurate detection of the amount of remaining ink by setting the potential of a predetermined electrode in two electrodes to a value which is the same as that of a substrate and thereby preventing a detection current from flowing in a portion where ink flows unstably or by disposing two electrodes such that a resistance between the electrode 3 representing the substrate and the other electrode 1 having a potential different from that of the electrode 3 is sufficiently large when compared with the ink resistance to be measured.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet head cartridge with the aforementioned stable and accurate remaining ink detection means mounted thereon which is capable of preventing failures from occurring during the emission of ink caused by the absence of ink and which therefore exhibits excellent ink emission characteristics.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus which is capable of excellent recording by using the aforementioned ink jet head cartridge on which the ink level detection means is mounted and which exhibits excellent ink emission characteristics.
  • a device for detecting a quality of remaining ink which comprises first and second electrodes provided in an ink supply passage which connects an ink tank for storing an ink to a recording head for emitting the ink, and a detection means for detecting a resistance between the first and second electrodes.
  • the second electrode is provided in the ink supply passage in an area relatively close to the recording head, whereas the first electrode is provided in the ink supply passage in an area relatively far from the recording head with the second electrode therebetween.
  • the second electrode is maintained at the same potential as that of a substrate which constitutes the recording head and on which emission energy generating elements driven to emit the ink are disposed, whereas the first electrode is maintained at a potential different from that of the second electrode. In consequence, the amount of remaining ink can be detected by measuring changes in the resistance between the first and second electrodes.
  • an ink jet head cartridge which comprises a recording head portion composed of a substrate on which ink emission energy generating elements are disposed, an ink tank portion for storing an ink to be supplied to the recording head portion, an ink supply passage through which the ink is supplied from the ink tank portion to the recording head portion, and a residual ink detecting means part of which is provided in the ink supply passage for detecting the amount of remaining ink.
  • the residual ink detecting means includes first and second electrodes and a detecting means for detecting a resistance between the electrodes.
  • the second electrode is provided in the ink supply passage in an area relatively close to the recording head portion, whereas the first electrode is provided in the ink supply passage in an area relatively far from the recording head with the second electrode therebetween.
  • the second electrode is maintained at the same potential as that of the substrate, whereas the first electrode is maintained at a potential different from that of the second electrode.
  • an ink jet recording apparatus which comprises: an ink jet head cartridge including a recording head portion composed of a substrate on which ink emission energy generating elements are disposed, an ink tank portion for storing an ink to be supplied to the recording head portion, an ink supply passage through which the ink is supplied from the ink tank portion to the recording head portion, and first and second electrodes provided in the ink supply passage for detecting the amount of remaining ink; a means for detecting a resistance between the first and second electrodes; and a carriage provided in such a manner as to be movable with the ink jet head cartridge mounted thereon.
  • the second electrode is provided in the ink supply passage in an area relatively close to the recording head portion, whereas the first electrode is provided in the ink supply passage in an area relatively far from the recording head with the second electrode therebetween.
  • the second electrode is maintained at the same potential as that of the substrate, whereas the first electrode is maintained at a potential different from that of the second electrode.
  • a device for detecting an amount of remaining ink which comprises first and second electrodes provided in an ink supply passage which connects an ink tank for storing an ink to a recording head for emitting the ink, and a detection means for detecting a resistance between the first and second electrodes.
  • the first and second electrodes are disposed such that a resistance R1 ⁇ 3 between the first electrode having a potential different from that of a substrate which constitutes the recording head and the substrate is sufficiently larger than an ink resistance R1 ⁇ 2 between the first and second electrodes which is obtained when the ink is filled therebetween, and that the resistance R1 ⁇ 3 and R1 ⁇ 2 have a relation expressed by R1 ⁇ 3/R1 ⁇ 2 > 5.
  • the amount of remaining ink is detected by measuring changes in the resistance between the first and second electrodes.
  • a device for detecting an amount of remaining ink which comprises first and second electrodes provided in an ink supply passage which connects an ink tank for storing an ink to a recording head for emitting the ink, and a detection means for detecting a resistance between the first and second electrodes.
  • the first and second electrodes are disposed in the ink flow passage such that a resistance R1 ⁇ 3 between the first electrode having a potential different from that of a substrate which constitutes the recording head and the substrate is sufficiently larger than an ink resistance R1 ⁇ 2 between the first and second electrodes which is obtained when the ink is filled therebetween, and that the resistances R1 ⁇ 3 and R1 ⁇ 2 have a relation expressed by R1 ⁇ 3/R1 ⁇ 2 > 5.
  • the amount of remaining ink is detected by measuring changes in the resistance between the first and second electrodes.
  • an ink jet recording apparatus which comprises: an ink jet head cartridge including a recording head portion composed of a substrate on which ink emission energy generating elements are disposed, an ink tank portion for storing an ink to be supplied to the recording head portion, an ink supply passage through which the ink is supplied from the ink tank portion to the recording head portion, and first and second electrodes provided in the ink supply passage for detecting the amount of remaining ink; and a carriage provided in such a manner as to be movable with the ink jet head cartridge mounted thereon.
  • the first and second electrodes are disposed in the ink flow passage such that a resistance R1 ⁇ 3 between the first electrode having a potential different from that of a substrate which constitutes the recording head and the substrate is sufficiently larger than an ink resistance R1 ⁇ 2 between the first and second electrodes which is obtained when the ink is filled therebetween, and that the resistances R1 ⁇ 3 and R1 ⁇ 2 have a relation expressed by R1 ⁇ 3/R1 ⁇ 2 > 5.
  • the amount of remaining ink is detected by measuring changes in the resistance between the first and second electrodes.
  • a device for detecting the amount of remaining ink which comprises: first and second electrodes provided in an ink supply passage which connects an ink tank for storing an ink to a recording head for emitting the ink, said first and second electrodes being provided with an area where the cross-section of the ink supply passage is decreased, and a detection means for detecting a resistance between the first and second electrodes.
  • the second electrode is provided in the ink supply passage in an area relatively close to the recording head, whereas the first electrode is provided in the ink supply passage in an area relatively far from the recording head with the second electrode therebetween.
  • changes in the resistance between the first and second electrodes can be detected by detecting changes in the ink resistance only between the first and second electrodes.
  • Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of an ink jet head cartridge in which an ink tank portion and a recording head portion are formed as one unit and which incorporates a remaining ink detecting device according to the present invention.
  • This ink jet head cartridge is constructed as a disposable one.
  • a cartridge body 5 has an ink tank portion 8 which is an ink reservoir member, and a recording head portion 9, as shown in Fig. 5.
  • the ink tank portion 8 accommodates a ink reservoir bag for absorbing and storing an ink or an ink absorbing body made of a porous material.
  • the ink stored in the ink tank portion 8 is supplied to the recording head portion 9 from an ink supply port 7, which is an inlet of ink to the recording head portion 9, through an ink supply passage 6.
  • the recording head portion 9 has a heater substrate 3 on which the electrothermal energy conversion elements and a driving circuit therefor are disposed, and a sealing plate 4 which forms an ink passageway 10, an ink discharge port 11, the ink supply passage 6 and so on when it is bonded to the side of the heater substrate 3 and that of the ink tank portion 8.
  • the present invention can also be applied to the type in which a recording head portion 9 is provided separately from the ink tank portion 8 and in which the recording head portion 9 and the ink tank portion 8 are connected to each other by means of the ink supply passage 6.
  • This recording head portion 9 is composed of the heater substrate 3 with the electrothermal energy conversion elements and the driving circuit disposed thereon, and the ceiling plate 4 which is bonded to the heater substrate 3 to form the ink outlet 11 and the ink passageway 10.
  • the ink outlet 11 may be formed by mounting a plate member with a hole formed therein on the member formed by bonding the heater substrate 3 to the sealing plate 4 or by forming as one unit the member formed by bonding the heater substrate 3 to the sealing plate 4 and such a plate member with a hole formed therein.
  • the present invention can also be applied to a recording head in which an ink passageway is formed by bonding the two members and in which the electrothermal energy conversion elements for generating an emission energy are formed in correspondence with the ink passageway.
  • electrodes 1 and 2 for detecting the quantity of remaining ink are disposed at a predetermined interval in the ink supply passage 6.
  • the portions of the ink supply passage 6 where the electrodes 1 and 2 are disposed are narrowed to form narrow portions 1A and 2A.
  • the above-described cartridge can be mounted on the body of an ink jet recording apparatus such as that shown in Fig. 6 in such a manner that the driving circuit of the heater substrate 3 is connected to the control unit provided in the apparatus through a predetermined connecting portion.
  • a predetermined recording signal is input to the driving circuit from the control unit, recording is performed to form a desired image.
  • an ink droplet is emitted as the result of film boiling generated in the ink by utilizing the thermal energy generated by the above-described electrothermal energy conversion elements.
  • a voltage applied ranges from about 15 V to about 25 V. This value can be changed to any value which satisfies the ink emission performance.
  • Fig. 6 shows an example of an ink jet recording apparatus on which the above-described ink jet head cartridge is mounted to perform recording of a desired image.
  • the rotational force of a driving motor 5013 is transmitted to a lead screw 5005 through driving force transmission gears 5011 and 5009.
  • a helical groove 5004 formed in the lead screw 5005 is engaged with a carriage HC having a pin (not shown). Rotation of the lead screw 5005 moves the carriage HC in the directions indicated by the arrows a and b.
  • a sheet of paper is pressed against a platen 5000 over the entire range thereof along which the carriage HC is moved by a paper pressing plate 5002.
  • a photocoupler 5007 and 5008 is a home position detecting means which detects the presence of a lever 5006 of the carriage HC. The direction of rotation of the motor 5013 is reversed when the presence of this lever 5006 is detected by the photocoupler.
  • a capping member 5022 for capping the front surface of a recording head is supported by a member 5016.
  • a suction means 5015 for sucking the interior of this cap sucks the recording head through an opening 5023 formed in the capping member.
  • a cleaning blade 5017 is moved toward and away from the recording head by means of a member 5019. Both the moving member 5019 and the cleaning blade 5017 are supported by a supporting plate 5018. The cleaning blade is not limited to that shown in this embodiment, but any of known cleaning blades may be employed.
  • a lever 5012 for starting suction moves as a cam 5020 engaged with the carriage moves. The driving force of the driving motor is transmitted to the lever through a known transmission means such as clutch.
  • the capping, cleaning and suction processes are performed by means of the action of the lead screw 5005 at corresponding positions when the carriage is returned to its home position area. It may be arranged such that desired operations are performed at a known timing.
  • Fig. 7 shows an equivalent circuit with electrical characteristics equivalent to those of the remaining ink detecting device which is made up of the ink supply passage 6, the electrodes 1 and 2 disposed in the ink supply passage 6, and the heater substrate 3.
  • the circuit components are deposited at a high density, thus increasing the possibility of a parasitic current flowing between the adjacent diode cells in the diodes D1 to D32 disposed on the substrate.
  • a sub electrode having the same potential as that of the substrate is provided between the diode cells, and this electrode is grounded so as to prevent the parasitic current from flowing into the cells.
  • the substrate since the substrate is P type, it is grounded.
  • the electrode 2 disposed close to the substrate 3 is also grounded, like the substrate 3.
  • the electrode 1 acts as a source electrode for the measurement of an ink resistance.
  • the resistance between the substrate 3 and the electrode 2 becomes large, and no leakage current flows between the electrode 1 and the substrate 3, although a current flows between the electrodes 1 and 2.
  • the amount of remaining ink can be detected with a high degree of accuracy by measuring the resistance between the electrodes 1 and 2.
  • the electrode 1 disposed remote from the substrate 3 is at a potential V H , which is different from that of the substrate 3 or electrode 2.
  • the potential V H may be set to a value ranging from 15 V to 25 V (constant-voltage measurement).
  • This potential V H is substantially equal to the voltage employed to emit an ink droplet in the recording head portion 9.
  • the ink level detection may also be performed by providing a power source other than that for driving the recording head and by applying to the electrode 1 a voltage different from that applied to the recording head.
  • the ink resistance between the electrodes 1 and 2 is measured by causing a constant-current to flow from the first electrode toward the second electrode.
  • a current ranging from 1 to 50 mV may be supplied as the constant-current.
  • the voltage of the constant-current source may be set to about 15 V at a maximum.
  • the electrodes 1 and 2 and the substrate 3 may be disposed such that they satisfy the relation expressed by R1 ⁇ 3/R1 ⁇ 2 > 5, where R1 ⁇ 3 is the resistance between the electrode 1 and the substrate 3 and R1 ⁇ 2 is the resistance between the electrodes 1 and 2.
  • R1 ⁇ 3/R1 ⁇ 2 > 5 the relation expressed by R2 ⁇ 3/-­R1 ⁇ 2 > 5 is satisfied, where R2 ⁇ 3 is the resistance between the electrode 2 and the substrate 3.
  • the electrode 2 When the resistance R1 ⁇ 3 between the electrode 1 and the substrate 3 is sufficiently large as compared with the resistance R1 ⁇ 2 between the electrodes 1 and 2, it is not necessary for the electrode 2 to be disposed close to the substrate.
  • An ink resistance R1 ⁇ 2 exists between the electrodes 1 and 2 due to the presence of ink in the ink supply passage 6, and an ink resistance R2 ⁇ 3 exists between the electrode 2 and the substrate 3 due to the presence of the ink.
  • the current detected by the remaining ink detecting device is determined only by the current which flows from the electrode 1 to the electrode 2, because the electrode 2 and the substrate 3 are at the same potential and therefore no current flows between the electrode 2 and the substrate 3. In consequence, detection is not affected by the variations in the current caused by the unstable flow of ink between the electrode 2 and the substrate 3, and stable and accurate ink detection is therefore enabled.
  • Fig. 8 is a graph, showing the relation between the ink resistance and the amount of remaining ink. A desired curve can be obtained by adjusting the positional arrangement of the electrodes 1 and 2. It is therefore possible to detect a smaller quantity of ink.
  • Fig. 9 shows another example of the equivalent circuit shown in Fig. 7.
  • the heater substrate 3 is of N type, and is therefore maintained at a predetermined potential, e.g., at a potential V H necessary to drive the electrothermal energy conversion elements.
  • the electrode 2 is maintained at a potential V H , and the electrode 1 is grounded.
  • no current flows therebetween since the substrate 3 and the electrode 2 are at the same potential, as in the case of the equivalent circuit shown in Fig. 7, no current flows therebetween. A current flows only between the electrodes 1 and 2, and this current can be detected, resulting in stable and accurate detection of the amount of remaining ink.
  • This example exhibits the same voltage characteristics as those of the aforementioned example which employ the P type substrate.
  • Fig. 10 schematically shows part of the ink supply passage 6 shown in Fig. 5.
  • the portions of the ink supply passage 6 where the electrodes 1 and 2 are provided are narrowed to form narrowed portions 1A and 2A.
  • a stream of ink flows at a higher speed at these narrowed portions, thereby removing bubbles or the like from the electrodes.
  • the adverse effects of the bubbles attached to the electrodes on the detection of the resistance can be eliminated, and the current which flows between the electrodes 1 and 2 can be detected with a high degree of accuracy.
  • the resistance between the electrodes 1 and 2 may be measured by applying constant-current or constant-voltage.
  • the present invention is particularly suitable for use in ink jet recording heads or ink jet recording apparatuses which adopt the bubble jet method.
  • ink jet recording heads or ink jet recording apparatuses are described in the specifications of, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 4723129, 4740706. These apparatus employ the basic principle of the ink jet recording method, and the present invention is therefore preferably applied thereto.
  • this bubble jet method can be applied to both on-demand type and continuance type, it is preferable for it to be applied to the on-demand type, because, 1) in the on-demand type recording head, at least one driving signal is applied in response to the information to be recorded to each of the electrothermal energy conversion elements which are disposed in such a manner as to face the sheet in which the liquid (ink) is held and the liquid passage so as to generate thermal energy in the corresponding electrothermal energy conversion element and thereby causing film boiling to occur on the surface of the recording head, and because, 2) a bubble may therefore be formed in the liquid (ink) for each driving signal applied.
  • the liquid (ink) is emitted from the outlet as the bubble grows and contracts to form at least one droplet.
  • the recording head according to the present invention may be of the type in which the outlets, the liquid passages and the electrothermal energy conversion elements are provided in one-to-one correspondence (linear or bending liquid passages), like those disclosed in the aforementioned specifica­tions, of the type in which the heat acting surface is disposed in a bending area, like those disclosed in the specifications of U.S. Patent Nos. 4558333 and 4459600, of the type in which a slit is formed as the common outlet for a plurality of electrothermal energy conversion elements, like that disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-123670, or of the type in which an opening for absorbing the pressure wave of the thermal energy is formed for each outlet, like that disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-138461.
  • the recording head according to the present invention may also be a chip type which is exchangeable, which can be electrically connected to the body and to which an ink can be supplied from the body when it is mounted on the body, or a cartridge type which is formed as one recording head.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus incorporates various recording head restoring means and various auxiliary means for the purpose of providing stable recording.
  • Such means include a capping means, a cleaning means and pressurizing or suction means for the recording head, a preliminary heating means which employs the electrothermal energy conversion elements, another heating elements or combinations of electrothermal energy conversion elements and another heating elements, and a preliminary emission means for performing emission other than that conducted for recording an image.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus may be one in which an image is recorded in one main color which may be black, or one in which an image can be recorded in a plurality of different colors or in a full color.
  • Color recording may be achieved by employing a recording head which contains a plurality of colors or a plurality of recording heads which contain respective colors.
  • a remaining ink detecting device is capable of detecting the amount of remaining ink with a high degree of accuracy only by measuring the resistance between the first and second electrodes.
  • the portions of the ink supply passage where the electrodes are disposed are narrowed, attachment of bubbles on the electrodes can be prevented. This enables stable detection of the quantity of remaining ink which represents the actual quantity.
  • the ink jet heat cartridge according to the present invention is therefore capable of stably and accurately detecting the quantity of remaining ink and thereby of eliminating failures during the emission of ink droplets caused by the absence of ink.
  • the ink jet recording apparatus therefore incorporates the ink jet heat cartridge exhibiting such excellent characteristics.

Landscapes

  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Levels Of Liquids Or Fluent Solid Materials (AREA)
EP19890312075 1988-11-22 1989-11-21 Kassette für einen Tintenstrahldruckkopf mit Resttintenüberwachungsvorrichtung Expired - Lifetime EP0370765B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP29362788 1988-11-22
JP293627/88 1988-11-22
JP28873689A JP2675163B2 (ja) 1988-11-22 1989-11-08 インク残量検知装置、該インク残量検知装置を有するインクジェットヘッドカートリッジおよび該カートリッジを搭載したインクジェット記録装置
JP288736/89 1989-11-08

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0370765A2 true EP0370765A2 (de) 1990-05-30
EP0370765A3 EP0370765A3 (en) 1990-08-22
EP0370765B1 EP0370765B1 (de) 1996-03-06

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19890312075 Expired - Lifetime EP0370765B1 (de) 1988-11-22 1989-11-21 Kassette für einen Tintenstrahldruckkopf mit Resttintenüberwachungsvorrichtung

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Country Link
EP (1) EP0370765B1 (de)
JP (1) JP2675163B2 (de)
DE (1) DE68925865T2 (de)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5289211A (en) * 1991-04-15 1994-02-22 Ing. S. Olivetti & C., S.p.A. Ink detecting device for a liquid-ink printing element
US5329304A (en) * 1988-11-22 1994-07-12 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Remaining ink detecting device and ink jet head cartridge
EP0701900A1 (de) * 1994-04-04 1996-03-20 Rohm Co., Ltd. Vorrichtung zur erkennung einer erschöpfung des tintenvorrates und tintenstrahldrucker
EP0783968A2 (de) 1996-01-12 1997-07-16 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Überwachung der Arbeitsweise der Übertragung der Tinte in eine Bildübertragungsvorrichtung
EP0834402A2 (de) * 1996-10-04 1998-04-08 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Verfahren zum Nachweis einer Flüssigkeit für Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsgerät
US6361135B1 (en) 1996-01-22 2002-03-26 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Method and device for determining the distribution of product present in a reservoir, notably ink in an image device
EP1190860A1 (de) * 2000-09-20 2002-03-27 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Tintenstrahldruckgerät, Tintenversorgungsverfahren und Verfahren zur Wiederherstellung des Tintenstrahldruckkopfes

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2744545B2 (ja) * 1992-04-01 1998-04-28 シャープ株式会社 インクジェットプリンタ
JP5645616B2 (ja) * 2010-11-17 2014-12-24 キヤノン株式会社 記録装置

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US4183029A (en) * 1977-07-28 1980-01-08 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Ink filter clogging sensor and indicator
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US4183029A (en) * 1977-07-28 1980-01-08 Ricoh Company, Ltd. Ink filter clogging sensor and indicator
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Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5329304A (en) * 1988-11-22 1994-07-12 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Remaining ink detecting device and ink jet head cartridge
US5289211A (en) * 1991-04-15 1994-02-22 Ing. S. Olivetti & C., S.p.A. Ink detecting device for a liquid-ink printing element
EP0701900A1 (de) * 1994-04-04 1996-03-20 Rohm Co., Ltd. Vorrichtung zur erkennung einer erschöpfung des tintenvorrates und tintenstrahldrucker
EP0701900A4 (de) * 1994-04-04 1996-08-14 Rohm Co Ltd Vorrichtung zur erkennung einer erschöpfung des tintenvorrates und tintenstrahldrucker
US5724076A (en) * 1994-04-04 1998-03-03 Rohm Co., Ltd. Out-of-ink detector and ink jet printer
US6022090A (en) * 1996-01-12 2000-02-08 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Checking of the operation of the transfer of ink in an image transfer device
EP0783968A2 (de) 1996-01-12 1997-07-16 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Überwachung der Arbeitsweise der Übertragung der Tinte in eine Bildübertragungsvorrichtung
US6361135B1 (en) 1996-01-22 2002-03-26 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Method and device for determining the distribution of product present in a reservoir, notably ink in an image device
EP0834402A3 (de) * 1996-10-04 1998-12-09 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Verfahren zum Nachweis einer Flüssigkeit für Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsgerät
EP0834402A2 (de) * 1996-10-04 1998-04-08 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Verfahren zum Nachweis einer Flüssigkeit für Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungsgerät
US6554380B2 (en) 1996-10-04 2003-04-29 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Method for detecting a liquid used for discharge, and a liquid discharging device
EP1190860A1 (de) * 2000-09-20 2002-03-27 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Tintenstrahldruckgerät, Tintenversorgungsverfahren und Verfahren zur Wiederherstellung des Tintenstrahldruckkopfes
US6626516B2 (en) 2000-09-20 2003-09-30 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink jet printing apparatus, method of supplying ink and method of recovering ink jet print head

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE68925865T2 (de) 1996-08-14
DE68925865D1 (de) 1996-04-11
EP0370765B1 (de) 1996-03-06
EP0370765A3 (en) 1990-08-22
JPH02231145A (ja) 1990-09-13
JP2675163B2 (ja) 1997-11-12

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