JP2002219814A - Liquid consumption state detector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid consumption state detector in which detection of liquid consumption state can be utilized more effectively. SOLUTION: The liquid consumption state detector comprises an oscillatory section at least partially exposed to a space for containing liquid and can oscillate with respect to the containing space, and a piezoelectric element which can oscillate the oscillatory section based on a drive signal and generates a counter-electromotive force signal through oscillation of the oscillatory section. Liquid consumption state detecting sections 1200, 1202 and 1210 detect liquid consumption state based on a counter-electromotive signal from the piezoelectric element. A specified quantity of liquid can be contained in the containing space. The oscillatory section is disposed in the vicinity of liquid level when the specified quantity of liquid is contained in the containing space.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid consumption state detection method capable of detecting a consumption state of a liquid such as ink by detecting a change in acoustic impedance, in particular, by detecting a change in a resonance frequency. It is about a vessel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink jet recording head having pressure generating means for pressurizing a pressure generating chamber and nozzle openings for discharging pressurized ink as ink droplets is mounted on a carriage. .

An ink jet recording apparatus is configured to be able to continue printing by continuously supplying ink in an ink tank to a recording head via a flow path. The ink tank is configured as a detachable cartridge that can be easily replaced by a user when ink is consumed, for example.

Conventionally, as a method of managing ink consumption of an ink cartridge, a method of integrating the number of ink droplets ejected from a recording head and the amount of ink sucked by maintenance by software to manage the ink consumption by calculation, There is a method of attaching a liquid level detection electrode to an ink cartridge to manage a point in time when a predetermined amount of ink is actually consumed.

A method for calculating the ink consumption by integrating the number of ink droplets ejected and the amount of ink by software is as follows.
Although a special device for detection is not required, the cost advantage is high, but errors may occur due to the printing form on the user side. In addition, when the same cartridge is remounted, a large error may occur. In addition, the pressure inside the ink cartridge and the viscosity of the ink change depending on the use environment (for example, when the room temperature is extremely high or low) or the elapsed time after opening the ink cartridge. There can be significant errors between consumption and actual consumption.

On the other hand, a method of managing the time when ink is consumed by an electrode can detect the actual amount of ink. Therefore, the remaining ink amount can be managed with high reliability. However, since the detection of the ink level depends on the conductivity of the ink,
The types of ink that can be detected may be limited, or the electrode seal structure may be complicated. In addition, as a material of the electrode, a noble metal having high conductivity and high corrosion resistance is usually used, so that the manufacturing cost of the ink cartridge increases. Furthermore, since it is necessary to mount two electrodes, the number of manufacturing steps increases, and as a result, manufacturing costs increase.

[0007]

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-147
No. 052 discloses a piezoelectric device and a module mounted on a liquid container that can accurately detect the remaining amount of liquid and eliminate the need for a complicated sealing structure in order to solve the above-mentioned problem. Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-146966 discloses a detection control circuit that can be used for such a piezoelectric device and a module.

The piezoelectric device or the module body described in the above-mentioned case can detect the presence or absence of a liquid level, so that it can be applied to not only the end detection in liquid consumption but also the full tank detection in liquid filling work. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and has as its object to provide a liquid consumption state detector that can more effectively utilize detection of a liquid consumption state.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a vibrating portion which is at least partially exposed to a storage space for storing a refillable liquid, and which is capable of vibrating with respect to the storage space, based on a driving signal. A piezoelectric element that can vibrate the vibrating section and generates a back electromotive force signal by the vibration of the vibrating section, and a liquid consumption state detecting section that detects a liquid consumption state based on the back electromotive force signal from the piezoelectric element And
The storage space is capable of storing a predetermined amount of liquid, and the vibrating portion is provided near the liquid surface of the storage space when the predetermined amount of liquid is stored. .

According to the present invention, the detection of the so-called "full" state of the accommodation space can be realized with high reliability. The present invention is particularly effective for a liquid refilling operation in which the accommodation space is set to a “full” state.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, at least a portion is exposed in a storage space for storing a refillable liquid, and a vibration portion that can vibrate with respect to the storage space, and vibrates the vibration portion based on a drive signal. And a piezoelectric element that generates a back electromotive force signal by the vibration of the vibrating unit, and a liquid consumption state detection unit that detects a liquid consumption state based on the back electromotive force signal from the piezoelectric element, The accommodation space is capable of accommodating a predetermined amount of liquid, and the vibrating portion and the piezoelectric element are near the liquid surface of the accommodation space when the predetermined amount of liquid is accommodated, and near the liquid surface of the accommodation space when the liquid is depleted, And a liquid consumption state detector.

According to the present invention, the detection of the so-called "full" state and the "liquid end" state of the accommodation space can be realized with high reliability. The present invention is particularly effective for a liquid refilling operation in which the accommodation space is set to a “full” state after detecting a “liquid end”.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, at least a part is exposed to a storage space for storing a refillable liquid, and a vibration part capable of vibrating with respect to the storage space, and the vibration part is vibrated based on a drive signal. And a piezoelectric element that generates a back electromotive force signal by the vibration of the vibrating unit, and a liquid consumption state detection unit that detects a liquid consumption state based on the back electromotive force signal from the piezoelectric element, The vibrating section and the piezoelectric element are liquid consumption state detectors provided near the predetermined liquid level in the storage space, below the liquid level, and above the liquid level, respectively.

According to the present invention, it can be detected with high reliability whether or not the liquid level in the storage space exists in the predetermined area defined by the two sets of vibrating sections. The present invention is particularly effective when the liquid level is to be maintained substantially constant and the liquid head pressure is to be maintained substantially constant.

The liquid consumption state detector measures, for example, the frequency of the back electromotive force signal. Since the frequency of the back electromotive force signal corresponds to the resonance frequency of the substance in the accommodation space, the liquid consumption state can be easily and accurately detected.

Specifically, the liquid consumption state detecting section has a counter for measuring the number of vibrations of the back electromotive force signal for a predetermined time, and based on the numerical value measured by the counter, the back electromotive force signal is detected. Is measured.

Alternatively, the liquid consumption state detecting section has a clock counter for measuring a time during which the back electromotive force signal vibrates a predetermined number of times, and based on the time measured by the clock counter, The frequency of the back electromotive force signal is measured.

In addition, preferably, a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space has a symmetrical shape when viewed from the liquid storage space side. The piezoelectric element is preferably fixed at a position substantially at the center of a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space, on a side opposite to the liquid storage space side of the vibration portion.

Particularly preferably, the portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space is circular when viewed from the inner side of the liquid container.

Preferably, the vibration direction of the piezoelectric element is substantially perpendicular to a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space.

Preferably, a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space has lyophilicity for the liquid. In this case, erroneous detection due to the liquid adhering to the portion can be prevented.

Further, it is preferable that a cavity portion having lyophilic property for the liquid is provided so as to surround a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space. In this case, a state in which liquid is present in the cavity and no liquid exists outside the cavity can be set as a threshold for liquid consumption state determination. In this case, the accuracy of the liquid consumption state determination is improved.

A liquid container (for example, an ink cartridge) including a liquid consumption state detector having any of the above-described features and a wall for partitioning a storage space for storing liquid is also provided by the present invention. Is protected. Further, a liquid container in which the liquid consumption state detection unit is provided outside the container is also a protection target of the present invention.

That is, at least a part of the wall for defining the storage space for storing the liquid so as to be refillable and the storage space for storing the refillable liquid are vibrated with respect to the storage space. A vibrating part, and a piezoelectric element capable of vibrating the vibrating part based on the driving signal and generating a back electromotive force signal by the vibration of the vibrating part. The present invention also covers a liquid container that can accommodate only the liquid container, wherein the vibrating section is provided in the vicinity of the liquid level when the predetermined amount of liquid is stored in the storage space.

Further, at least a portion of the wall defining a storage space for storing the liquid so as to be refillable, and at least a part of the storage space for storing the refillable liquid, are vibrated with respect to the storage space. A vibrating part, and a piezoelectric element capable of vibrating the vibrating part based on the drive signal, and generating a back electromotive force signal by the vibration of the vibrating part;
The accommodation space is capable of accommodating a predetermined amount of liquid, and the vibrating portion and the piezoelectric element are near the liquid surface of the accommodation space when the predetermined amount of liquid is accommodated, and the liquid surface when the accommodation space is depleted of liquid. Liquid containers that are provided in the vicinity and in the vicinity are also covered by the present invention.

Also, at least a part of the wall defining a storage space for refillably storing the liquid and the storage space for storing the refillable liquid is vibrated with respect to the storage space. A vibrating part, and a piezoelectric element capable of vibrating the vibrating part based on the drive signal, and generating a back electromotive force signal by the vibration of the vibrating part;
Wherein the vibrating portion and the piezoelectric element are provided near and above the liquid level in the vicinity of the predetermined liquid level in the housing space, respectively. Is protected.

[0028] The liquid container may further include a liquid consumption state detecting section for detecting a liquid consumption state based on a back electromotive force signal from the piezoelectric element.

In this case, it is preferable that the liquid container further includes a storage unit for storing the liquid consumption state detected by the liquid consumption state detector.

It is preferable that a region of the wall near the portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid accommodating space has lyophilicity for the liquid.

In particular, when a cavity portion having lyophilicity for the liquid is provided so as to surround a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space,
It is preferable that a region of the wall adjacent to the cavity has lyophilicity for the liquid. This prevents liquid from adhering to the entire cavity.

Alternatively, when a cavity portion having lyophilicity for the liquid is provided so as to surround a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space, on the contrary, The region adjacent to the cavity has lyophobicity to the liquid,
It may be preferable in terms of the accuracy of the liquid consumption state determination.

The method for manufacturing a liquid container having a lyophilic portion includes a lyophilic portion forming step in which a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space is configured as a portion having lyophilicity for the liquid. Mounting the liquid consumption state detector to the wall after the lyophilic portion forming step. Alternatively, a mounting step of attaching the liquid consumption state detector to the wall portion, and forming a lyophilic portion that imparts lyophilicity to the liquid to a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space after the mounting step. And a method comprising the steps of:

Further, a liquid consuming apparatus (for example, an ink jet recording apparatus) including a liquid container having the above-described features, and a liquid consuming main body connected to the liquid container and consuming the liquid contained in the liquid container. ) Are also protected by this case.

In this case, the liquid consuming device controls the liquid replenishing device based on the liquid replenishing device for replenishing the liquid in the storage space of the liquid container and the liquid consumption state of the liquid container detected by the liquid consumption state detecting section. And a replenishment control unit.

Preferably, the liquid consuming apparatus further includes a control circuit for controlling a liquid consuming operation in the liquid consuming main body based on the liquid consuming state of the liquid container detected by the liquid consuming state detecting section. .

Alternatively, the liquid consuming device includes a storage unit for storing the liquid consumption state detected by the liquid consumption state detector, and a liquid consumption main unit based on the liquid consumption state of the liquid container stored by the storage unit. It is preferable to further include a control circuit unit that controls a liquid consumption operation.

Further, there is provided a control device for controlling a liquid consumption state detector having any of the above characteristics,
The present invention also provides a control device in which a drive signal is supplied to the piezoelectric element to cause the liquid consumption state detection unit to detect the liquid consumption state.

The control device or each element of the control device can be realized by a computer system.

Further, a program for causing a computer system to realize each device or each means and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded are also provided.
This is the subject of protection.

Here, the recording medium includes not only a recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk and the like but also a network for transmitting various signals.

[0042]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail through embodiments of the present invention. The following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential for solving the invention.

The basic concept of the present invention is to utilize the vibration phenomenon to determine the state of the liquid in the liquid container (the presence or absence of the liquid in the liquid container, the amount of the liquid, the level of the liquid, the type of the liquid, and the composition of the liquid). ).

As a specific method of detecting the state of the liquid in the liquid container using the vibration phenomenon, several methods can be considered. For example, a medium in the liquid container and a change in the state of the medium in the liquid container are detected by generating an elastic wave in the liquid container by the elastic wave generating means and receiving a reflected wave reflected by the liquid surface or an opposing wall. There is a way to do that. There is also a method of detecting a change in acoustic impedance from the vibration characteristics of a vibrating object.

As a method of utilizing a change in acoustic impedance, a vibrating portion of a piezoelectric device or an actuator having a piezoelectric element is vibrated, and then a back electromotive force generated by residual vibration remaining in the vibrating portion is measured. There is a method of detecting a change in acoustic impedance by detecting the frequency or the amplitude of the back electromotive force waveform.
Alternatively, the impedance characteristic or admittance characteristic of the liquid is measured by a measuring device, for example, an impedance analyzer such as a transmission circuit, and a change in a current value or a voltage value,
Alternatively, there is a method of measuring a change in a current value or a voltage value according to frequency when vibration is applied to a liquid.

Hereinafter, the operation principle of the piezoelectric device or the actuator will be described in detail. 1 and 2 show details and an equivalent circuit of an actuator 106 which is an embodiment of the piezoelectric device.

The actuator 106 is used in a method of detecting at least a change in acoustic impedance and detecting a consumption state of the liquid in the liquid container. In particular, it is used in a method of detecting a change in acoustic impedance by detecting a resonance frequency based on residual vibration to detect a consumption state of a liquid in a liquid container.

FIG. 1A is an enlarged plan view of the actuator 106. FIG. 1B shows the state of the actuator 106.
3 shows a BB cross section of FIG. FIG. 1C shows an actuator 1
06 shows a CC section. 2 (A) and FIG.
(B) shows an equivalent circuit of the actuator 106. FIGS. 2C and 2D show the periphery including the actuator 106 when the ink cartridge is filled with ink and the equivalent circuit thereof, respectively.
(E) and FIG. 2 (F) respectively show the periphery including the actuator 106 when there is no ink in the ink cartridge and its equivalent circuit.

The actuator 106 includes a substrate 178 having a circular opening 161 at substantially the center, a vibration plate 176 disposed on one surface (hereinafter referred to as a surface) of the substrate 178 so as to cover the opening 161, A piezoelectric layer 160 disposed on the side of the surface of the plate 176; and upper and lower electrodes 164 and 166 sandwiching the piezoelectric layer 160 from both sides.
And upper electrode terminal 1 electrically coupled to upper electrode 164
68, a lower electrode terminal 170 electrically coupled to the lower electrode 166, an upper electrode 164 and an upper electrode terminal 168.
Auxiliary electrode 172 disposed between and electrically couples the two.
And

The piezoelectric layer 160, the upper electrode 164, and the lower electrode 166 each have a circular portion as a main portion. Each circular portion of the piezoelectric layer 160, the upper electrode 164, and the lower electrode 166 forms a piezoelectric element.

The vibration plate 176 is formed on the surface of the substrate 178 so as to cover the opening 161.

The cavity 162 is formed by the portion of the vibration plate 176 facing the opening 161 and the opening 161 of the substrate 178. The surface of the substrate 178 opposite to the piezoelectric element (hereinafter referred to as the back surface) faces the inside of the liquid container.
Thereby, the cavity 162 is configured to be in contact with the liquid. The vibration plate 176 is attached to the substrate 178 in a liquid-tight manner so that the liquid does not leak to the surface side of the substrate 178 even if the liquid enters the cavity 162.

The lower electrode 166 is located on the surface of the vibration plate 176 (the surface opposite to the liquid container). The lower electrode 166 is attached such that the center of the circular portion, which is the main part, and the center of the opening 161 substantially coincide with each other. Note that the area of the circular portion of the lower electrode 166 is set to be smaller than the area of the opening 161.

On the other hand, the piezoelectric layer 160 is disposed (formed) on the surface side of the lower electrode 166 such that the center of the circular portion and the center of the opening 161 substantially coincide with each other. In this case, the area of the circular portion of the piezoelectric layer 160 is set to be smaller than the area of the opening 161 and larger than the area of the circular portion of the lower electrode 166.

On the other hand, on the front surface side of the piezoelectric layer 160, an upper electrode 164 is provided at the center of the circular portion which is the main portion thereof and the opening 1 is formed.
It is arranged (formed) so that the center of 61 substantially matches. The area of the circular portion of the upper electrode 164 is
In addition, it is set to be smaller than the area of the circular portion of the piezoelectric layer 160 and larger than the area of the circular portion of the lower electrode 166.

Therefore, the main part of the piezoelectric layer 160 is sandwiched between the main part of the upper electrode 164 and the main part of the lower electrode 166 from the front side and the back side, respectively. Accordingly, the piezoelectric layer 160 can be effectively deformed and driven. A circular portion, which is a main portion of each of the piezoelectric layer 160, the upper electrode 164, and the lower electrode 166,
The piezoelectric element in the actuator 106 is formed.

As described above, such a piezoelectric element is in contact with the vibration plate 176. The opening 161 has the largest area among the circular portion of the upper electrode 164, the circular portion of the piezoelectric layer 160, the circular portion of the lower electrode 166, and the opening 161. Due to such a structure, the diaphragm 17
The vibration area of 6 that actually vibrates is determined by the opening 161.

Since the area of each of the circular portion of the upper electrode 164, the circular portion of the piezoelectric layer 160, and the circular portion of the lower electrode 166 is smaller than the area of the opening 161, the diaphragm 176 is more likely to vibrate. .

Further, of the circular portion of the lower electrode 166 and the circular portion of the upper electrode 164 electrically connected to the piezoelectric layer 160, the circular portion of the lower electrode 166 is smaller.
Therefore, the circular portion of the lower terminal 166 determines a portion of the piezoelectric layer 160 that generates the piezoelectric effect.

The centers of the circular portions of the piezoelectric layer 160, the upper electrode 164, and the lower electrode 166 forming the piezoelectric element substantially coincide with the centers of the openings 161. Further, a circular opening 161 for determining a vibrating portion of the diaphragm 176 is provided.
Is located substantially at the center of the entire actuator 106. Therefore, the center of the vibrating part of the actuator 106 substantially coincides with the center of the actuator.

Further, since the main part of the piezoelectric element and the vibrating part of the vibration plate 176 have circular shapes, the vibrating part of the actuator 106 is symmetrical with respect to the center of the actuator 106.

Since the vibrating portion has a symmetrical shape with respect to the center of the actuator 106, unnecessary vibration which may be caused by the asymmetry of the structure is not excited. For this reason, the detection accuracy of the resonance frequency is improved.

Further, since the vibrating portion has a symmetrical shape with respect to the center of the actuator 106, manufacturing is easy, and variation in the shape of each piezoelectric element can be reduced. Therefore, the variation of the resonance frequency for each piezoelectric element is reduced.

Further, since the vibrating portion has a circular shape (isotropic shape), it is hardly affected by variation in fixing at the time of bonding, and can be uniformly bonded to the liquid container. That is, the mountability of the actuator 106 to the liquid container is good.

Further, since the vibrating portion of the vibration plate 176 has a circular shape, a low-order, for example, a first-order resonance mode is dominant in the resonance mode of the residual vibration of the piezoelectric layer 160. That is, a single peak appears in the resonance mode of the residual vibration. Therefore, the peak and the noise can be clearly distinguished, and the resonance frequency of the residual vibration can be accurately detected.

Further, by increasing the area of the vibrating portion of the circular diaphragm 176, the change rate of the resonance frequency due to the amplitude of the back electromotive force waveform and the presence or absence of liquid increases, and the detection accuracy of the resonance frequency is further improved. Can be improved.

The actuator 106 has a substrate 178 having a small compliance (which is hardly displaced by vibration).
And a diaphragm 176 having high compliance (displaced easily by vibration). With this two-layer structure, the displacement of the diaphragm 176 can be increased while being securely fixed to the liquid container by the substrate 178. For this reason, the change rate of the resonance frequency due to the amplitude of the back electromotive force waveform and the presence or absence of the liquid increases, and the accuracy of detection of the resonance frequency can be improved.

Further, since the compliance of the diaphragm 176 is large, the attenuation of the vibration is reduced, and the accuracy of detecting the resonance frequency can be improved.

The node of the vibration of the actuator 106 is located at the outer periphery of the cavity 162, that is, at the opening 16.
1 is located near the edge.

The upper electrode terminal 168 is formed on the surface of the diaphragm 176 so as to be electrically connected to the upper electrode 164 via the auxiliary electrode 172. On the other hand, lower electrode terminal 170 is formed on the surface side of diaphragm 176 so as to be electrically connected to lower electrode 166. Since the upper electrode 164 is formed on the surface side of the piezoelectric layer 160, the piezoelectric layer 16
It is necessary to have a step equal to the sum of the thickness of 0 and the thickness of the lower electrode 166. It is difficult to form this step only with the upper electrode 164. Even if it is possible to form a step only by the upper electrode 164,
4 and the upper electrode terminal 168 may be weakly connected and may be disconnected. Therefore, the auxiliary electrode 17
The upper electrode 164 and the upper electrode terminal 168 are connected by using 2 as an auxiliary member. By doing so, both the piezoelectric layer 160 and the upper electrode 164 have a structure supported by the auxiliary electrode 172, and a desired mechanical strength can be obtained. In addition, the connection between the upper electrode 164 and the upper electrode terminal 168 can be established. It is possible to make sure.

Note that the piezoelectric element and the vibrating region of the vibration plate 176 facing the piezoelectric element correspond to the actuator 106.
Is a vibrating part that actually vibrates. Further, the members included in the actuator 106 are preferably integrally formed by firing each other. By forming the actuator 106 integrally,
The handling of the actuator 106 is facilitated.

Further, by increasing the strength of the substrate 178, the vibration characteristics can be improved. That is, by increasing the strength of the substrate 178, only the vibrating portion of the actuator 106 vibrates, and portions of the actuator 106 other than the vibrating portion do not vibrate. In order to prevent portions other than the vibrating portion of the actuator 106 from vibrating, it is effective to make the piezoelectric element of the actuator 106 thinner and smaller and to make the diaphragm 176 thinner, in addition to increasing the strength of the substrate 178. is there.

The material of the piezoelectric layer 160 may be lead zirconate titanate (PZT), lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT), a lead-free piezoelectric film using no lead,
It is preferable to use As a material of the substrate 178,
It is preferable to use zirconia or alumina. Further, it is preferable to use the same material as the substrate 178 for the vibration plate 176. For the upper electrode 164, the lower electrode 166, the upper electrode terminal 168, and the lower electrode terminal 170, a conductive material such as a metal such as gold, silver, copper, platinum, aluminum, or nickel can be used.

The actuator 106 configured as described above can be applied to a container for storing a liquid. For example, it can be mounted on an ink cartridge or ink tank used for an ink jet recording apparatus, or a container containing a cleaning liquid for cleaning a recording head.

The actuator 106 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
Is mounted so as to come into contact with the liquid contained in the liquid container. When the liquid is sufficiently stored in the liquid container, the inside and outside of the cavity 162 are filled with the liquid.

On the other hand, when the liquid in the liquid container is consumed and the liquid level drops below the mounting position of the actuator, no liquid exists in the cavity 162, or the liquid remains only in the cavity 162 and the liquid remains outside the cavity 162. Is in a state where gas is present.

The actuator 106 detects at least a difference in acoustic impedance due to the change in the state. Thereby, the actuator 106 is in a state where the liquid is sufficiently stored in the liquid container, or in a state where a certain amount or more of the liquid is consumed,
Can be detected. Further, the actuator 10
6 can also detect the type of liquid in the liquid container.

Here, the principle of liquid level detection by the actuator will be described. In order to detect a change in the acoustic impedance of the medium, an impedance characteristic or an admittance characteristic of the medium is measured. When measuring the impedance characteristic or the admittance characteristic, for example, a transmission circuit can be used. The transmission circuit applies a periodic voltage having a constant amplitude to the medium, changes the frequency, and measures a current flowing through the medium. Alternatively, the transmission circuit supplies a periodic current having a constant amplitude to the medium, and changes the frequency to measure the voltage of the medium. A change in the current value or the voltage value measured by the transmission circuit indicates a change in the acoustic impedance.
Further, a change in the frequency fm at which the current value or the voltage value becomes maximum or minimum also indicates a change in acoustic impedance.

Apart from the above method, the actuator 10
6 can detect a change in the acoustic impedance of the liquid using a change in the resonance frequency. The resonance frequency can be detected, for example, by measuring a back electromotive force caused by residual vibration remaining in the vibrating part after the vibrating part of the actuator vibrates. In this case, for example, the above-described piezoelectric element can be used.

The above-described piezoelectric element generates a back electromotive force due to residual vibration remaining in the vibrating portion of the actuator. The magnitude of the back electromotive force changes depending on the amplitude of the vibration part of the actuator. Therefore, the larger the amplitude of the vibrating part of the actuator, the easier the detection. In addition, the cycle at which the magnitude of the back electromotive force changes depends on the frequency of the residual vibration in the vibrating portion of the actuator. That is, the frequency of the vibrating portion of the actuator corresponds to the frequency of the back electromotive force. Here, the resonance frequency refers to a frequency in a resonance state between the vibrating portion of the actuator and the medium in contact with the vibrating portion.

In order to obtain the resonance frequency fs, the waveform obtained by measuring the back electromotive force when the vibrating section and the medium are in a resonance state is subjected to Fourier transform. The vibration of the actuator is not only deformed in one direction but also includes various deformations such as bending and elongation, and thus has various frequencies including the resonance frequency fs. Therefore, the waveform of the back electromotive force when the piezoelectric element (vibrating portion) and the medium are in a resonance state is Fourier-transformed,
The resonance frequency fs is determined by specifying the most dominant frequency component.

The frequency fm when the admittance of the medium is maximum or the impedance is minimum is slightly different from the resonance frequency fs due to dielectric loss or mechanical loss of the medium. However, deriving the resonance frequency fs from the actually measured frequency fm is troublesome,
Generally, the frequency fm is used instead of the resonance frequency fs. Here, by inputting the output of the actuator 106 to the transmission circuit, the actuator 106 can detect at least the acoustic impedance.

The frequency fm is measured by measuring the impedance characteristic or the admittance characteristic of the medium, and the resonance frequency fs is measured by measuring the back electromotive force generated by the residual vibration in the vibrating part of the actuator.
The resonance frequency identified by the method of measuring
Experiments have shown that there is little difference.

The vibration region of the actuator 106 is a portion of the vibration plate 176 that forms the cavity 162 determined by the opening 161. When the liquid is sufficiently stored in the liquid container, the liquid is filled in the cavity 162, and the vibration region is in contact with the liquid in the liquid container. On the other hand, when there is not enough liquid in the liquid container, the vibrating region comes into contact with the liquid remaining in the cavity in the liquid container, or does not come into contact with the liquid, but comes into contact with gas or vacuum.

In the actuator 106 of the present invention,
The reason for providing the cavity 162 is as follows.

Depending on the mounting position and the mounting angle of the actuator 106 to the liquid container, the liquid adheres to the vibration area of the actuator even though the liquid level in the liquid container is below the mounting position of the actuator. In some cases. When the presence / absence of liquid is detected only from the presence / absence of liquid in the vibration region, the liquid adhering to the vibration region of the actuator hinders accurate detection of the presence / absence of liquid.

For example, when the liquid level is below the mounting position of the actuator, if the liquid container oscillates due to the reciprocating movement of the carriage and the like, the liquid undulates and droplets adhere to the vibration area. However, the actuator incorrectly determines that there is sufficient liquid in the liquid container.

Therefore, in the actuator 106, even when the liquid remains in the vibration area, the cavity is positively provided so as to accurately detect the presence or absence of the liquid. Even if the surface is wavy, malfunction of the actuator can be prevented. As described above, malfunction can be prevented by using the actuator having the cavity.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2E, there is no liquid in the liquid container,
The case where the liquid remains in 62 is set as the threshold value of the presence or absence of the liquid. That is, there is no liquid around the cavity 162,
If there is less liquid in the cavity than this threshold, it is determined that there is no ink, and if there is liquid around the cavity 162, it is determined that there is ink if there is more liquid than this threshold.

For example, when the actuator 106 is mounted on the side wall of the liquid container, when the liquid in the liquid container is below the mounting position of the actuator, it is determined that there is no ink, and when the liquid in the liquid container is mounted on the mounting position of the actuator. If it is higher, it is determined that there is ink.

By setting the threshold value in this way,
Even when the ink in the cavity has dried and the ink has run out, it can be determined that there is no ink. Even if the ink again adheres to the cavity due to the shaking of the carriage or the like where the ink in the cavity runs out ( It can be determined that there is no ink (because the threshold is not exceeded).

Here, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2,
Medium and actuator 1 obtained by measuring back electromotive force
The operation and principle of detecting the state of the liquid in the liquid container from the resonance frequency with the vibrating part 06 will be described.

In the actuator 106, a voltage is applied to the upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 166 via the upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170, respectively. Therefore, an electric field is generated in a portion of the piezoelectric layer 160 that is interposed between the upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 166. The piezoelectric layer 160 is deformed by this electric field. Piezoelectric layer 16
When 0 is deformed, the vibration area of the vibration plate 176 flexurally vibrates. For a while after the piezoelectric layer 160 is deformed, the flexural vibration remains in the vibrating part of the actuator 106.

The residual vibration is free vibration between the vibration part of the actuator 106 and the medium. Therefore, by setting the voltage applied to the piezoelectric layer 160 to a pulse waveform or a rectangular wave, it is possible to easily obtain a resonance state between the vibrating portion and the medium after the voltage is applied. The residual vibration is
The vibration of the vibrating portion 06 is accompanied by the deformation of the piezoelectric layer 160. Therefore, the piezoelectric layer 160 generates a back electromotive force. This back electromotive force is detected via the upper electrode 164, the lower electrode 166, the upper electrode terminal 168, and the lower electrode terminal 170. The resonance frequency can be specified by the detected back electromotive force. The state of the liquid in the liquid container can be detected based on the resonance frequency.

Generally, the resonance frequency fs is expressed by fs = 1 / (2 × π × (M × Cact) ^1/2 ) (Equation 1). Here, M is the inertance Mact of the vibrating part.
And the additional inertance M ′. Cact is the compliance of the vibrating part.

FIG. 1C is a sectional view of the actuator 106 when no ink remains in the cavity 162 in this embodiment. FIG. 2 (A) and FIG. 2 (B)
Is an equivalent circuit of the vibrating section of the actuator 106 and the cavity 162 when no ink remains in the cavity.

Mact is obtained by dividing the product of the thickness of the vibrating portion and the density of the vibrating portion by the area of the vibrating portion. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, Mact = Mpzt + Melectrode1 + Melectrode2 + Mvib (Equation 2) ).

Here, Mpzt is the product of the thickness of the piezoelectric layer 160 in the vibrating portion and the density of the piezoelectric layer 160,
It is divided by the area of 0. Melectrode1 is obtained by dividing the product of the thickness of the upper electrode 164 and the density of the upper electrode 164 in the vibrating section by the area of the upper electrode 164. M
electrode2 is the product of the product of the thickness of the lower electrode 166 and the density of the lower electrode 166 in the vibrating section divided by the area of the lower electrode 166. Mvib is the diaphragm 1 in the vibrating section.
The product of the thickness of the diaphragm 76 and the density of the diaphragm 176 is
Of the vibration region.

However, to be able to calculate Mact from the thickness, density and area of the entire vibrating part,
Although the respective areas of the piezoelectric layer 160, the upper electrode 164, the lower electrode 166, and the vibration area of the vibration plate 176 have the magnitude relationship as described above, it is preferable that the difference between the areas is small.

In this embodiment, the piezoelectric layer 160
In the upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 166, it is preferable that a portion other than the circular portion, which is a main portion thereof, is so small as to be negligible with respect to the main portion. Therefore,
In the actuator 106, Mact is the upper electrode 1
64, lower electrode 166, piezoelectric layer 160 and diaphragm 17
6 is the sum of the respective inertances of the vibration regions. In addition, the compliance Cact is the upper electrode 16
4. Lower electrode 166, piezoelectric layer 160 and diaphragm 176
Is the compliance of the portion formed by the vibrating region.

Note that FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG.
FIG. 2F shows an equivalent circuit of the vibrating portion of the actuator 106 and the cavity 162. In these equivalent circuits, Cact indicates compliance of the vibrating portion of the actuator 106. Cpzt, Celectrode1, Celect
rode2 and Cvib indicate the compliance of the piezoelectric layer 160, the upper electrode 164, the lower electrode 166, and the diaphragm 176 in the vibrating portion, respectively. Cact is represented by the following equation 3. 1 / Cact = (1 / Cpzt) + (1 / Celectrode1) + (1 / Celectrode2) + (1 / Cvib) (Equation 3) From Equations 2 and 3, FIG. It can also be expressed as

The compliance Cact represents the volume of the medium that can be accepted by deformation when pressure is applied to a unit area. That is, the compliance Cact indicates the ease of deformation.

FIG. 2C is a sectional view of the actuator 106 when the liquid is sufficiently contained in the liquid container and the liquid is filled around the vibrating region of the actuator 106. M′max in FIG. 2C is the additional inertance (additional mass (influence on the vibration in the vibration area) when the liquid is sufficiently contained in the liquid container and the liquid is filled around the vibration area of the actuator 106. Divided by the square of the area). M′max is represented by M′max = (π × ρ / (2 × k ³ )) × (2 × (2 × k × a) ³ / (3 × π)) / (π × a ² ) ² (expression 4) (a is the radius of the vibrating part, ρ is the density of the medium, and k is the wave number.)

Equation 4 holds when the vibration region of the actuator 106 is a circle having a radius a. The additional inertance M ′ is an amount indicating that the mass of the vibrating part is apparently increased by the medium near the vibrating part.
As can be seen from Equation 4, M′max greatly changes depending on the radius a of the vibrating portion and the density ρ of the medium.

The wave number k is represented by the following equation: k = 2 × π × fact / c (Equation 5) (Fact is the resonance frequency of the vibrating part. C is the speed of sound propagating in the medium.) You.

FIG. 2D shows the actuator 1 in the case of FIG. 2C in which the liquid is sufficiently contained in the liquid container and the liquid is filled around the vibrating region of the actuator 106.
6 shows an equivalent circuit of a vibrating part 06 and a cavity 162.

FIG. 2E shows the state of the actuator 106 when the liquid in the liquid container is consumed and there is no liquid around the vibrating region of the actuator 106 but the liquid remains in the cavity 162 of the actuator 106. FIG.

Equation 4 is an equation representing the maximum inertance M'max determined from the density ρ of the ink when the liquid container is filled with the liquid. On the other hand, the additional inertance M ′ in a case where the liquid in the liquid container is consumed and the liquid around the vibration region of the actuator 106 is replaced with gas or vacuum while the liquid remains in the cavity 162 is generally , M ′ = ρ × t / S (Equation 6) (for more details, see Equation 8 described later). here,
t is the thickness of the medium involved in the vibration. S is the area of the vibration region of the actuator 106. When the vibration region is a circle having a radius a, S = π × a ² .

Therefore, the additional inertance M ′ follows Expression 4 when the liquid is sufficiently contained in the liquid container and the liquid is filled around the vibrating region of the actuator 106. On the other hand, when the liquid is consumed and the liquid around the vibration region of the actuator 106 is replaced with gas or vacuum while the liquid remains in the cavity 162,
According to Equation 6.

Here, as shown in FIG. 2E, the liquid in the liquid container is consumed, and there is no liquid around the vibration area of the actuator 106, but the liquid remains in the cavity 162 of the actuator 106. In this case, the additional inertance M ′ is set to M′cav for convenience, and is distinguished from the additional inertance M′max when the liquid is filled around the vibration region of the actuator 106.

FIG. 2F shows that the liquid in the liquid container is consumed and no liquid exists around the vibration region of the actuator 106, but the liquid remains in the cavity 162 of the actuator 106. 5 shows an equivalent circuit of the vibrating section of the actuator 106 and the cavity 162 in the case of FIG.

Here, parameters relating to the state of the medium are the density ρ of the medium and the thickness t of the medium in Equation 6. When the liquid is sufficiently stored in the liquid container, the liquid comes into contact with the vibrating portion of the actuator 106.
On the other hand, when the liquid is not sufficiently stored in the liquid container, the liquid remains in the cavity, or gas or vacuum comes into contact with the vibrating portion of the actuator 106. The liquid around the actuator 106 is consumed, and the additional inertance M′var in the process of shifting from M′max in FIG. 2C to M′cav in FIG. 2E depends on the state of the liquid in the liquid container. It changes as the density ρ of the medium and the thickness t of the medium change. Thereby, the resonance frequency fs also changes. Therefore, by specifying the resonance frequency fs, it is possible to detect the storage state (presence or absence) of the liquid in the liquid container.

Here, assuming that t = d as shown in FIG. 2 (E), if M′cav is expressed by using Equation 6, the depth d of the cavity is substituted for t in Equation 6, and M′cav is obtained. cav = ρ × d / S (Equation 7)

Further, if the mediums are liquids of different types, the density ρ differs depending on the composition, so that the additional inertance M ′ and the resonance frequency fs differ. Therefore,
The type of liquid can be detected by specifying the resonance frequency fs.

FIG. 3A is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of ink in the ink tank and the resonance frequency fs of the ink and the vibrating section. Here, an ink will be described as an example of the liquid. The vertical axis indicates the resonance frequency fs, and the horizontal axis indicates the ink amount. When the ink composition is constant, the resonance frequency fs increases as the remaining ink amount decreases.

When the ink is sufficiently contained in the ink container and the ink is filled around the vibration region of the actuator 106, the maximum additional inertance M′max
Is a value represented by Expression 4. On the other hand, when the ink is consumed and the ink is not filled around the vibration region of the actuator 106 while the liquid remains in the cavity 162, the additional inertance M′var is calculated based on the thickness t of the medium. It is calculated by T in equation 6
Is the thickness of the medium involved in the vibration, so that d (see FIG. 1B) of the cavity 162 of the actuator 106 in which the liquid remains is made small, that is, by making the substrate 178 sufficiently thin, the ink gradually becomes thin. Can be detected (see FIG. 2C). Here, tink is the thickness of the ink relating to the vibration, and tink-
max is assumed to be tink at M'max.

For example, the actuator 106 is arranged on the bottom surface of the ink cartridge substantially horizontally with respect to the ink level. In this case, when the ink is consumed and the liquid level of the ink becomes equal to or lower than the height of tink-max from the actuator 106, M′var gradually changes according to Expression 6, and the resonance frequency fs gradually changes according to Expression 1. Therefore, as long as the ink level is within the range of t, the actuator 106 can gradually detect the ink consumption state.

Alternatively, on the side wall of the ink cartridge,
The actuator 106 can be arranged substantially perpendicular to the ink level. In this case, when the ink is consumed and the ink level reaches the vibration area of the actuator 106,
As the water level decreases, the added inertance M ′ decreases. Thereby, the resonance frequency fs is gradually increased according to the equation (1). Therefore, the ink level is equal to the diameter 2 of the cavity 162.
a (see FIG. 2C), the actuator 106 can gradually detect the ink consumption state.

The curve X in FIG. 3A shows the case where the cavity 162 of the actuator 106 disposed on the bottom surface is made sufficiently shallow or the vibration region of the actuator 106 disposed on the side wall is made sufficiently large or long. And the relationship between the amount of ink stored in the ink tank and the resonance frequency fs of the ink and the vibrating section. It can be seen that as the amount of ink in the ink tank decreases, the ink and the resonance frequency fs of the vibrating part gradually change.

More specifically, the case where the process in which the ink is gradually consumed can be detected means that the liquid and the gas having different densities are both present around the vibrating region of the actuator 106 and the vibrating is performed. This is the case. As the ink is gradually consumed, the medium involved in the vibration around the vibration region of the actuator 106 decreases in the liquid and increases in the gas.

For example, in the case where the actuator 106 is disposed horizontally with respect to the liquid level of the ink, and tink is t
When smaller than ink-max, the medium involved in the vibration of the actuator 106 includes both ink and gas. Therefore, using the area S of the vibration region of the actuator 106 and expressing the state where M′max or less in Equation 4 is the additional mass of ink and gas, M ′ = M′air + M′ink = ρair × tair / S + ρink × tink / S (Equation 8) Here, M'air is the inertance of air, and M'ink is the inertance of ink. ρair is the density of air, and ρink is the density of the ink. tair is the thickness of the air involved in the vibration, and tink is the thickness of the ink involved in the vibration.

As the liquid decreases and the gas increases in the medium related to the vibration around the vibration region of the actuator 106, when the actuator 106 is arranged substantially horizontally with respect to the ink surface, the tair is reduced. Increases and tink decreases. Thereby, M'var gradually decreases, and the resonance frequency gradually increases. Therefore, the amount of ink remaining in the ink tank or the amount of consumed ink can be detected. It should be noted that the expression of only the density of the liquid in Expression 7 is that the density of the liquid is
This is because it is assumed that the density of air is negligibly small.

In the case where the actuator 106 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the ink surface, among the vibration regions of the actuator 106, the medium relating to the vibration of the actuator 106 is the region of only the ink, and the vibration region of the actuator 106 is The medium involved is considered to be an equivalent circuit (not shown) in parallel with the region where only gas is present. Assuming that the area of a region where only the medium related to the vibration of the actuator 106 is ink is Sink and the area of a region where only the medium related to the vibration of the actuator 106 is gas is Sair, 1 / M ′ = 1 / M′air + 1 / M ′ ink = Sair / (ρair × tair) + Sink / (ρink × tink) (Equation 9)

Expression 9 is applied when ink is not held in the cavity of the actuator 106. The additional inertance when the ink is held in the cavity of the actuator 106 can be calculated by the sum of M ′ according to Equation 9 and M′cav of Equation 7.

The vibration of the actuator 106 is equal to tink-m
Since the depth of ax changes from the depth of ax to the depth of the remaining ink (d), when the depth of the remaining ink is slightly smaller than tink-max and the actuator 106 is disposed on the bottom surface, the ink is discharged. The process of gradually decreasing cannot be detected. In this case, a change in ink amount is detected from a change in vibration of the actuator in a slight change in ink amount from tink-max to the remaining depth d. In addition, when the aperture (cavity) is arranged on the side surface and the diameter of the opening (cavity) is small, it is difficult to detect the change in the vibration of the actuator during the passage through the opening, that is, the amount of ink in the passage process, and the ink liquid level is reduced. Detects whether it is above or below the part.

For example, a curve Y in FIG. 3A shows the relationship between the amount of ink in the ink tank and the ink and the resonance frequency fs of the vibrating portion in the case of a small circular vibration region. A state is shown in which the resonance frequency fs of the ink and the vibrating part changes drastically between the ink amount differences Q before and after the liquid level of the ink in the ink tank passes through the mounting position of the actuator. From this, it is possible to binaryly detect whether a predetermined amount of ink remains in the ink tank.

In the method of detecting the presence or absence of liquid using the actuator 106, the presence or absence of ink is detected by the diaphragm 176 being in direct contact with the liquid. High accuracy. Further, the method of detecting the presence or absence of ink by conductivity using electrodes can be affected by the position of the electrodes attached to the liquid container and the type of ink.
6, the method of detecting the presence or absence of liquid is hardly affected by the mounting position of the actuator 106 on the liquid container and the type of ink.

Further, since both oscillation and detection of the presence or absence of liquid can be performed using a single actuator 106, a method of performing oscillation and detection of the presence or absence of liquid using different sensors can be used. In comparison, the number of sensors attached to the liquid container can be reduced. Therefore, the liquid container can be manufactured at low cost. By setting the vibration frequency of the piezoelectric layer 160 in the non-audible region, the actuator 1
It is preferable to make the sound generated during the operation of Step 06 quiet.

FIG. 3B shows an example of the relationship between the ink density and the resonance frequency fs of the ink and the vibrating section. Here, ink is described as an example of the liquid,
“Ink full” and “ink empty” mean two relative states, and do not mean a so-called ink full state and an ink end state. As shown in FIG. 3B, when the ink density is high, the additional inertance increases, so that the resonance frequency fs decreases. That is, the resonance frequency fs differs depending on the type of ink. Therefore, by measuring the resonance frequency fs, it is possible to confirm whether inks having different densities are mixed when the ink is refilled. That is, it is possible to identify ink tanks that store different types of ink.

Subsequently, when the size and shape of the cavity are set so that the liquid remains in the cavity 162 of the actuator 106 even when the liquid in the liquid container is empty, the state of the liquid is accurately detected. The possible conditions will be described in detail. If the actuator 106 can detect the state of the liquid when the cavity 162 is filled with the liquid, it can detect the state of the liquid even when the cavity 162 is not filled with the liquid.

The resonance frequency fs is a function of the inertance M. The inertance M is the inertance Mac of the vibrating part.
This is the sum of t and the additional inertance M ′. Here, the additional inertance M ′ is related to the state of the liquid. The additional inertance M ′ is an amount indicating that the mass of the vibrating part is apparently increased by the medium near the vibrating part. In other words, it refers to an increase in the mass of the vibrating part due to the apparent absorption of the medium by the vibration of the vibrating part (inertance related to the vibration increases).

Therefore, M′cav is equal to M′max in equation (4).
If greater, then all of the apparently absorbing media is liquid remaining in cavity 162. Therefore, it is the same as the state where the liquid is filled in the liquid container. In this case, since the medium related to the vibration does not become smaller than M'max, a change cannot be detected even if the ink is consumed.

On the other hand, when M′cav is smaller than M′max in Equation 4, the medium apparently absorbed is the liquid remaining in the cavity 162 and the gas or vacuum in the liquid container. At this time, unlike the state where the liquid is filled in the liquid container, M ′ changes, so that the resonance frequency fs changes. Therefore, the actuator 106
The state of the liquid in the liquid container can be detected.

That is, when the liquid in the liquid container is empty and the liquid remains in the cavity 162 of the actuator 106, the condition under which the actuator 106 can accurately detect the liquid state is that M′cav is M′cav. It is smaller than max. Note that the condition M′max> M′cav at which the actuator 106 can accurately detect the state of the liquid is such that the cavity 1
Regardless of the shape of 62.

Here, M′cav is the mass inertance of a liquid having a volume substantially equal to the volume of the cavity 162. Therefore, from the inequality M'max>M'cav, the condition under which the actuator 106 can accurately detect the state of the liquid can be expressed as the condition of the capacity of the cavity 162. For example, the opening 161 of the circular cavity 162
Let a 'be a radius and d be the depth of cavity 162, then M'max> ρ × d / πa ² (Equation 10). By expanding Expression 10, the condition of a / d> 3 × π / 8 (Expression 11) is obtained. Therefore, if the actuator 106 has the cavity 162 that is the radius a of the opening 161 and the depth d of the cavity 162 that satisfies Equation 11, the liquid in the liquid container is empty and the liquid in the cavity 162 is empty. Even if is left, the state of the liquid can be detected without malfunction.

Equations (10) and (11) indicate that the cavity 162
Holds only when the shape is circular. Cavity 162
Is not circular, the relationship between the dimensions such as the width and length of the cavity and the depth can be derived by using the corresponding expression of M'max and replacing πa ² in the expression 10 with the area.

Since the additional inertance M ′ also affects the acoustic impedance characteristics, a method for measuring the back electromotive force generated in the actuator 106 due to the residual vibration is as follows.
It can be said that at least a change in acoustic impedance is detected.

According to the present embodiment, the actuator 106 generates vibration, and the back electromotive force generated in the actuator 106 due to the residual vibration is measured.
However, it is not always necessary for the vibrating section of the actuator 106 to vibrate the liquid by its own vibration due to the drive voltage. That is, even if the vibrating part does not oscillate by itself,
Vibrating with a range of liquid in contact with it,
The piezoelectric layer 160 bends and deforms. This bending deformation generates a back electromotive force voltage, and the upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 1
The counter electromotive force voltage is transmitted to 66. The state of the medium may be detected by utilizing this phenomenon. For example, in an ink jet recording apparatus, the state of the ink tank or the ink inside the ink tank is detected by utilizing the vibration around the vibrating portion of the actuator that occurs with the reciprocation of the carriage due to the scan of the print head during printing. Is also good.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C
8 shows a waveform of the residual vibration of the actuator 106 after the actuator 106 is vibrated and a method of measuring the residual vibration. Actuator 106 in ink cartridge
The rise and fall of the ink level at the mounting position level can be detected by a change in the frequency or amplitude of the residual vibration after the actuator 106 oscillates. FIG.
4A to 4C, the vertical axis represents the voltage of the back electromotive force generated by the residual vibration of the actuator 106, and the horizontal axis represents time. Due to the residual vibration of the actuator 106, a waveform of a voltage analog signal is generated as shown in FIGS. 4 (A) to 4 (C). Next, the analog signal is converted into a digital numerical value corresponding to the frequency of the signal. In the example shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C,
The time during which four pulses from the fourth pulse to the eighth pulse of the analog signal are generated is measured.

More specifically, the number of times that the actuator 106 oscillates and crosses a predetermined reference voltage from a low voltage side to a high voltage side after the oscillation is counted. Then, a digital signal in which the period from 4 counts to 8 counts is High is generated, and the time from 4 counts to 8 counts is measured by a predetermined clock pulse.

FIG. 4A is a waveform when the ink level is higher than the mounting position level of the actuator 106. On the other hand, FIG. 4B shows a waveform when there is no ink at the mounting position level of the actuator 106.
Comparing FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, it can be seen that FIG. 4A has a longer time from 4 counts to 8 counts than FIG. 4B. In other words, the time from 4 counts to 8 counts differs depending on the presence or absence of ink.
The ink consumption state can be detected using the difference in the time.

The counting from the fourth count of the analog waveform is for starting the measurement after the vibration of the actuator 106 is stabilized. Starting from the fourth count is merely an example, and counting from an arbitrary count may be performed. Here, signals from the 4th to 8th counts are detected, and the time from the 4th to 8th counts is measured by a predetermined clock pulse. The resonance frequency can be obtained based on this time. The clock pulse is preferably a clock pulse equal to a clock for controlling a semiconductor memory device and the like attached to the ink cartridge. Further, it is not necessary to measure the time up to the eighth count, and the time may be counted up to an arbitrary count. In FIG. 4, the time from the fourth count to the eighth count is measured, but the time within a different count interval may be detected according to the circuit configuration for detecting the frequency.

For example, when the ink quality is stable and the fluctuation of the peak amplitude is small, the resonance frequency is obtained by detecting the time from the fourth count to the sixth count in order to increase the detection speed. You may. Further, when the quality of the ink is unstable and the fluctuation of the amplitude of the pulse is large, the time from the fourth count to the twelfth count may be detected in order to accurately detect the residual vibration.

As another embodiment, the wave number of the voltage waveform of the back electromotive force within a predetermined period may be counted (not shown). The resonance frequency can also be obtained by this method. More specifically, after the actuator 106 oscillates, a digital signal that is High for a predetermined period is generated, and the number of times that the predetermined reference voltage is crossed from the low voltage side to the high voltage side in the predetermined period is counted. The presence or absence of ink can be detected by measuring the count number.

Further, as can be seen by comparing FIGS. 4A and 4B, the back electromotive force differs between when the ink is filled in the ink cartridge and when the ink is not in the ink cartridge. Waveform amplitude is different. Therefore, the consumption state of the ink in the ink cartridge may be detected by measuring the amplitude of the back electromotive force waveform without obtaining the resonance frequency.

More specifically, for example, a reference voltage is set between the top of the back electromotive force waveform of FIG. 4A and the top of the back electromotive force waveform of FIG. 4B. After the actuator 106 oscillates, a digital signal that is High for a predetermined period is generated. If the back electromotive force waveform crosses the reference voltage during the predetermined period, it is determined that there is no ink. If the back electromotive force waveform does not cross the reference voltage, it is determined that there is ink.

FIG. 4C shows an example in which the time from the fourth count to the eighth count of the pulse waveform shown in FIG. 4A is measured using a predetermined clock pulse. In this figure, five clock pulses appear between the fourth and eighth counts (actually, one clock pulse appears).
A clock pulse for 200 counts to 200 counts appears, but here, for simplicity, description will be made with a small number of clock pulses.) Since the clock pulse is a pulse having a fixed period, time can be measured by counting the number of clock pulses. The resonance frequency can be obtained by measuring the time between the fourth and eighth counts. The clock pulse preferably has a cycle shorter than the cycle of the back electromotive force waveform. For example, when the frequency of the back electromotive force waveform is about 400 kHz, the clock pulse is preferably a high frequency clock such as 16 MHz.

FIG. 5 shows a recording device control section for detecting the change in acoustic impedance to detect the consumption state of the liquid in the liquid container 1 and controlling the ink jet recording device based on the detected result. 200
0 is shown.

The recording apparatus control unit 2000 applies a voltage for selectively driving the actuators 106A and 106C to the two actuators 106A and 106C mounted on the ink storage unit (storage space) IS of the liquid container 1, As a result, the liquid consumption state detection unit 1200 that detects the liquid consumption state from the change in the acoustic impedance detected by the actuators 106A and 106C, and the recording apparatus is controlled based on the liquid presence detection result output by the liquid consumption state detection unit 1200. And a control circuit unit 1500 that performs the control.

As shown in FIG. 5, the two actuators 106A and 106C are installed at different positions along the direction in which the liquid level decreases due to liquid consumption. In this case, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the ink container (storage space) of the liquid container 1
The actuator 10 is located near the liquid level when the tank is full in the IS.
6A is provided, and an actuator 106C is provided near the liquid level at the liquid end. Each actuator 10
6A and 106C are semiconductor switches SWA and S, respectively.
Connected to WC. Each semiconductor switch SWA, SW
C is controlled by, for example, the control unit 1400, and when any one switch is in a conductive state,
Other switches can be non-conductive.

The control circuit unit 1500 includes a control unit 1400 that operates based on the detection result of the presence or absence of liquid output from the liquid consumption state detection unit 1200 and a recording apparatus that controls the operation of the recording apparatus based on an instruction from the control unit 1400. Operation control unit 14
02. The control circuit unit 1500 includes a presentation processing unit 1404, a printing operation control unit 1406, an ink replenishment processing unit 1408, a cartridge replacement processing unit 1410, a print data storage processing unit 1412, whose operations are controlled by the recording device operation control unit 1402, Print data storage unit 14
14 is further provided.

The printing apparatus control unit 2000 may be provided inside the ink jet printing apparatus, but a part of the functions of the printing apparatus control unit 2000 may be provided outside. For example, the function of the control circuit 1500 may be provided to an external device such as a computer connected to the recording device. Further, some functions of the recording device control unit 2000 may be stored and supplied as a program on a recording medium. By supplying a part of the functions of the recording device control unit 2000 to a computer connected to the recording device as a program stored in a recording medium, if some of the functions of the recording device control unit 2000 are improved at a later date, In addition, a program for executing the latest function can be stored in a storage medium of a computer, and the operation of the recording apparatus can be controlled using the latest function at all times.

A part of the functions of the recording device control unit 2000 may be transmitted as a program from an information processing device such as a server to a terminal such as a computer connected to the recording device via an electric communication line. . In this case, the latest function can be easily obtained from the server via the telecommunication line and stored in the storage device of the computer, so that the recording device can always execute the latest function.

The liquid consumption state detecting section 1200 drives the actuators 106A and 106C, and detects the presence or absence of liquid in the liquid container 1 from the change in acoustic impedance. For example, the liquid consumption state detecting unit 1200 measures the back electromotive force (for example, voltage value) generated by the actuators 106A and 106C due to the residual vibration, and the back electromotive force measured by the measuring circuit unit 800. Detection circuit unit 1100 that outputs a signal indicating the presence or absence of liquid in liquid container 1
And

The measurement circuit section 800 includes the actuator 10
It has a drive voltage generator 850 that generates a drive voltage for driving 6A and 106C. With the drive voltage generated by the drive voltage generation unit 850, the control unit 1400 drives and oscillates, among the actuators 106A and 106C attached to the liquid container 1, the corresponding switches in which the corresponding switches are conductive. The actuator continues to vibrate after the drive oscillation. This residual vibration causes the actuator itself to generate a back electromotive force. The measurement circuit unit 800 converts an analog signal having a back electromotive force waveform generated by the actuator into a digital signal having the same frequency and outputs the digital signal to the digital circuit unit 900.

The detection circuit section 1100 includes a measurement circuit section 800
A digital circuit unit 900 that digitally counts the number of pulses within a predetermined time of the digital signal output by the digital circuit unit 900; Have.

In this embodiment, the digital circuit section 90
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, 0 indicates that the fourth to eighth counts in the back electromotive force waveform output from the measurement circuit unit 800 output a High signal. Further, as shown in FIG.
Counts the number of pulses of a predetermined clock pulse (having a period shorter than the period of the back electromotive force waveform) during the High period from the fourth count to the eighth count in the digital signal. By counting the number of clock pulses having a fixed period, the time from the fourth count to the eighth count can be measured.
For example, in FIG. 4C, five clock pulses exist, and the time can be calculated by multiplying the five counts by the cycle of the clock pulse.

Although a low-frequency clock pulse is described here for simplicity, a high-frequency clock pulse such as 16 MHz is actually used. The liquid presence / absence determination unit 1000 includes the digital circuit unit 9
Based on the count value output by 00, the presence or absence of liquid in the liquid container 1 is determined, and the determination result is output to the control circuit unit 1500.

In this embodiment, since the plurality of actuators 106A and 106C are mounted at different positions in the liquid level lowering direction, it is possible to detect the liquid consumption state at the mounting position of each actuator stepwise. it can.

The output signal of each actuator differs depending on whether the liquid level is higher than the mounting position level of each actuator. For example, if the frequency or amplitude of the detected back electromotive force changes significantly, the detection signal changes accordingly. Based on each detection signal, the liquid consumption state detection unit 1200 adjusts the liquid level of the liquid to each of the actuators 106A and 106A.
It can be determined whether or not the vehicle has passed the mounting position level of 6C.
The detection process is periodically performed, for example, at a predetermined timing.

Here, a state where the liquid level is lower than the mounting position of the actuator is referred to as a “liquid-free state”, and a state where the liquid level is higher than the actuator is referred to as a “liquid-present state”. When the liquid level passes through the actuator, the detection result changes from “the state with liquid” to “the state without liquid”. In the present embodiment, detection of passage of the liquid surface indicates such a change in the detection result.

As a feature of this embodiment, the control unit 1400
However, the actuator used to detect the impedance
The selection is made along the direction in which the liquid level of the liquid decreases as the liquid consumption progresses. More specifically, immediately after the mounting of the liquid container 1, that is, in the liquid full state, only the semiconductor switch SWA is turned on to use only the actuator 106A. When the liquid is consumed and the liquid surface passes through the actuator 106A, the actuator 106A detects a liquid-out state. In response, the control unit 1400 sets the semiconductor switch SWA to a non-conductive state and sets only the semiconductor switch SWC to a conductive state in order to switch the liquid detection position to a lower position. When the liquid is consumed and the liquid surface passes through the actuator 106C, the actuator 106C detects a liquid-out state.

When the liquid consumption state detection unit 1200 outputs the result of the determination that there is no liquid by the actuator 106C, the low ink amount handling process or the ink replenishment process is performed. The control unit 1400 controls the printing apparatus operation control unit 1402 to perform a predetermined low ink amount handling process. The low ink amount handling process is a process of prohibiting or suppressing an operation of the recording apparatus such as improper printing in consideration of a low ink level. The printing device operation control unit 1402 controls the operation of the presentation processing unit 1404, the printing operation control unit 1406, the ink replenishment processing unit 1408, the cartridge replacement processing unit 1410, or the print data storage processing unit 1412 based on the instruction of the control unit 1400. Under the control, the low ink amount handling process is executed.

The presentation processing unit 1404 includes the actuator 1
Information corresponding to the presence or absence of the liquid in the liquid container 1 detected by 06 is presented. Display 1 for information presentation
416 and an alert by the speaker 1418. The display 1416 is, for example, a display panel of a recording device or a screen of a computer connected to the recording device. Alternatively, the presentation processing unit 1404 controls the speaker 141
8, when the actuator 106 detects that there is no liquid, a notification sound is output from the speaker 1418.
The speaker 1418 may be a speaker of a recording device or a speaker of an external device such as a computer connected to the recording device. It is also preferable to use a voice signal as the notification sound, and a synthesized voice indicating the ink consumption state may be generated by the voice synthesis processing.

[0165] The printing operation control unit 1406 includes the printing operation unit 1
420 is controlled to stop the printing operation of the recording device.
By stopping the printing operation, the printing operation after the ink is exhausted is avoided. Also, as another example of the low ink amount handling process, the printing operation control unit 1406 may prohibit the end of a certain printing process before moving to the next printing process. By prohibiting such printing processing, it is possible to avoid printing from being stopped during printing of a single printing process, for example, a series of sentences. Also, as an example of prohibition of print processing, in order to prevent print processing from being stopped during printing of one page,
It is also preferable to prohibit printing processing after the end of a page break.

The ink replenishment processor 1408 controls the ink replenishing device 1422 to automatically replenish the liquid container 1 with ink. Printing can be continued by replenishing the ink.

The cartridge exchange processing section 1410 controls the cartridge exchange device 1424 to automatically exchange the ink cartridge. By such a response process,
The printing operation can be continued without bothering the user.

The print data storage processing unit 1412 stores the print data before printing is completed in the print data storage unit 1414 as a process corresponding to the low ink amount. This print data is print data sent to the recording device after detecting the ink end. By storing the print data, the loss of the print data before printing can be avoided.

As for the components 1404 to 1412,
Not all of them need to be provided in the recording device control unit 2000. Further, it is not necessary to perform the low ink amount handling process in all the components 1404 to 1412, and it is sufficient that at least one low ink amount handling process is performed.
For example, if the ink replenishment processing unit 1408 or the cartridge replacement processing unit 1410 performs the processing, the print operation control unit 1406 does not need to perform the print operation stop processing.

[0170] A configuration other than that exemplified above, for performing processing corresponding to a low ink amount, that is, a configuration for avoiding improper operation due to insufficient ink, may be provided. Further, it is preferable that the above-described low ink amount handling process is executed after printing of "a predetermined margin amount" has been performed after the actuator 106C detects "no liquid" at the mounting position. The “predetermined margin” is determined by the actuator 106
The value is set to an appropriate value smaller than the print amount until all the ink is consumed after the detection of “no liquid” in C.

According to this embodiment, since the detection position is switched downward, not all actuators operate simultaneously. That is, the frequency of operation of the actuator is low. Therefore, the amount of data processing in the control unit 1400 can be suppressed. As a result, the detection operation does not lower the throughput of the printing operation.

Further, since the drive voltage generator 850 and the like are provided in common for a plurality of actuators, the circuit configuration is more efficient in terms of arrangement space and cost.

In the present embodiment, the actuator 1
06A can detect "liquid full",
“Liquid end” can be detected by the actuator 106C. For this reason, it is extremely suitable for the control of replenishing the liquid container 1 with the liquid until the "liquid full" state when the "liquid end" is detected.

Here, a specific example of the ink replenishing device 1422 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 7, a carriage 3001 is guided by a guide member 3002,
It is configured to be able to reciprocate by driving means (not shown).

On the upper part of the carriage 3001, four ink supply units 3003 each having the liquid container 1 are mounted. A recording head 3 is provided on the lower surface of the carriage 3001.
004 is provided.

On both sides of the moving area of the carriage 3001, cartridge holders 3006 for accommodating ink cartridges 3005 are arranged. In addition, an ink supply unit 3007 is arranged above a non-printing area in a moving area of the carriage 3001.

The ink supply unit 3007 is connected to the ink cartridge 3005 by a tube 3008. When the carriage 3001 moves to the ink supply area, the ink supply unit 3007
It is connected to an ink injection port 3009 of the ink supply unit 3003, and can inject ink. Note that 30
10 is an ink supply unit 3 by a tube 3011.
Reference numeral 007 denotes a pump unit which is an ink injection pressure source connected to the ink supply unit 3003.
It is an opening to the atmosphere.

The detailed structure of the ink supply unit 3003 is substantially the same as that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 11-315071. Therefore, Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 11-31
No. 5071 is cited here, and the description is omitted. By this citation, the entire content of the patent application becomes the description of the present specification.

However, as apparent from the gist of the present invention, unlike the ink supply unit according to the patent application,
There is no need to provide a float for liquid level detection. The feature that a float is not required has advantages such as cost reduction by simplification of the configuration, realization of a small size and light weight, and relief from various troubles due to malfunction of the float (improvement of operation reliability). Bring.

Note that the number of actuators to be arranged is not limited. In that case, the interval between the actuators may not be constant. For example, it is preferable that the lower the liquid level, the narrower the interval between the actuators. Such a modification can be similarly applied to other embodiments described below.

Further, in the above embodiment, the drive circuits and the like for the two actuators 106A and 106C are commonly configured, but these circuits may be provided independently for each actuator. In this case, for example, it is possible to simultaneously detect the resonance frequencies of the two actuators 106A and 106C and determine the liquid consumption state based on whether or not they are the same. For example, when the resonance frequencies detected by the two actuators 106A and 106C are the same, either the ink end state or the ink full state (ink full state) is detected.

When only the actuator 106A is provided as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, only the ink full state (ink full state) is detected. In this embodiment, when "the liquid is not full", the "liquid full"
It is very suitable for an apparatus that replenishes liquid to a state. In this case, the semiconductor switch SWA can be omitted.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the recording apparatus control unit 2000 shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing another liquid container 1 ′. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, actuators 106A and 106B are mounted at positions near and above a predetermined liquid level LL of the ink container IS 'of the liquid container 1', respectively. For other configurations, see FIG.
This is substantially the same as the embodiment shown in FIG.

The present embodiment is effective for always keeping the liquid level of the liquid container 1 'close to the predetermined liquid level LL. That is, when the actuator 106B detects "no liquid", the liquid is supplied to the liquid container 1 ', and when the actuator 106A detects "liquid present", the liquid supply to the liquid container 1' is stopped. The level can always be maintained near the predetermined liquid level LL. When the liquid level of the liquid is made substantially constant in this way, the so-called liquid head pressure becomes substantially constant, so that the liquid discharge performance can be significantly improved.

FIG. 12 shows the recording apparatus control unit 2 shown in FIG.
000 is a modified embodiment. Liquid container 1 of FIG.
Is connected to a head unit 1300 for discharging and printing the liquid in the liquid container 1 onto a recording medium such as recording paper.
Mounted on the carriage. The head unit 1300 is
It is designed to be driven by a head driving unit 1440. Further, the recording apparatus in FIG. 12 includes a cleaning unit 1436 that suctions liquid from the head unit 1300 to clean nozzles of the head unit 1300. When the cleaning drive unit 1432 drives the pump 1434,
The cleaning unit 1436 sucks the liquid from the head unit 1300.

The control circuit unit 1502 of the recording device control unit 2004 shown in FIG. 12 is different from the recording device control unit 20 shown in FIG.
In addition to the elements included in 00, a liquid ejection counter (dot counter) 1450 that counts the number of ink droplets ejected by the head unit 1300 and an ink consumption amount is calculated based on the number of ink droplets counted by the liquid ejection counter 1450. It further includes a liquid consumption calculation unit 1452 and a cleaning control unit 1442 that controls the cleaning driving unit 1432 based on the ink consumption state detected by the liquid consumption state detection unit 1210. The detection circuit unit 1104 also determines the number of ink droplets ejected by the head unit 1300 counted by the liquid ejection counter 1450 from the plurality of actuators 106A to 106A.
There is a liquid consumption state correction unit 1010 that corrects based on the ink consumption state detected using 106C.

Next, the operation of the newly added element in FIG. 12 will be described. Liquid discharge counter 1450
Counts the number of ink droplets ejected from the head unit 1300 during printing, and outputs the counted number to the liquid consumption calculating unit 1452. The liquid consumption calculation unit 1452 performs the operation of the liquid ejection counter 1
Based on the count value of 450, the amount of ink ejected from the head unit is calculated.

Further, by applying a drive signal which is not related to printing to the print head to cause the ink droplets to be ejected idly,
Ink is also consumed by recovering an irregular meniscus near the nozzle opening of the head unit 1300 or by preventing ink clogging at the nozzle opening (flushing operation). Therefore, the liquid discharge counter 14
Reference numeral 50 also counts the number of ink droplets ejected by the flushing operation, and outputs the counted number to the liquid consumption calculator 1452.

The liquid consumption calculating section 1452 calculates the ink consumption from the number of ink ejections from the head section 1300 in the printing operation and the flushing operation, and sends the calculated ink consumption to the liquid consumption state correcting section 1010. Output. The ink amount calculated by the liquid consumption calculating unit 1452 is displayed on the display 1416 of the presentation processing unit 1404.

Further, when the head 1300 is cleaned by the cleaning unit 1436 (cleaning operation), the ink in the liquid container 1 is consumed by suction of the ink in the head 1300. Accordingly, the liquid consumption calculating unit 1452 determines the time during which the cleaning drive unit 1432 drives the pump 1434 via the cleaning control unit 1442 (for example, the time during which the pump 1434 is energized).
By multiplying this by the amount of ink absorbed by the pump 1434 per hour, the amount of ink consumed by cleaning is calculated.

Therefore, the liquid consumption calculating section 1452
Are the liquid discharge counter 1450 and the cleaning controller 1
442, the consumed ink amount is calculated. The liquid consumption state correction unit 1010 includes a liquid consumption amount calculation unit 145.
The calculated value of 2 is corrected based on the determination result of the liquid presence / absence determination unit 1000.

The reason why the two outputs of the liquid presence / absence determining unit 1000 and the liquid consumption calculating unit 1452 are used for detecting the ink consumption state will be described below.

The output of the liquid presence / absence determining section 1000 is information on the liquid level of the liquid actually measured by the plurality of actuators 106A to 106C. On the other hand, the output of the liquid consumption calculating unit 1452 is an estimated ink consumption calculated from the number of ink droplets counted by the liquid ejection counter 1450 and the driving time of the pump.

The calculated value depends on the printing mode and usage environment set on the user side, for example, when the room temperature is extremely high or low, or when the elapsed time after opening the ink cartridge is long, In some cases, errors may occur due to changes in the viscosity of ink or ink.

Therefore, the liquid consumption state correction unit 1010
The ink consumption calculated by the liquid consumption calculation unit 1452 is corrected based on the determination result of the presence or absence of the ink output from the liquid presence / absence determination unit 1000. Further, the liquid consumption state correction unit 1010 corrects the parameters of the calculation formula used by the liquid consumption calculation unit 1452 to calculate the ink consumption based on the determination result of the presence or absence of the ink output from the liquid presence determination unit 1000. I do. By correcting the parameters of the calculation formula in this way, the calculation formula can be adapted to the environment in which the ink cartridge is used. As a result, the value obtained by the calculation formula becomes closer to the actually used value.

The actuator 106C is "no ink"
Is detected, the printing operation control unit 1406 controlled by the printing apparatus operation control unit 1402, the ink replenishment processing unit 140
8. The cartridge replacement processing unit 1410, the print data storage processing unit 1412, and the cleaning control unit 1442 perform a predetermined low ink amount handling process.

The printing operation control unit 1406 controls the head driving unit 1440 to stop the discharge of the ink in the head unit 1300 or to reduce the discharge amount of the ink. This avoids a printing operation after the ink runs out.

The cleaning control unit 1442 performs the low ink processing by prohibiting the cleaning operation of the head unit 1300 by the cleaning unit 1436, reducing the number of cleaning operations, or weakening the suction force of the pump 1434. Reduce the amount of suction. Head part 1
During cleaning of 300, a relatively large amount of ink is sucked from the head unit 1300. Therefore, by prohibiting the cleaning operation when the ink becomes low, it is possible to prevent the remaining ink from being sucked from the head unit 1300 for cleaning, and to avoid a situation in which the amount of ink is insufficient for cleaning. Alternatively, as described above, the number of times of cleaning may be reduced, or the suction force of the pump 1434 may be reduced. Control unit 1
400 selects what kind of low ink processing the printing operation control unit 1406 and the cleaning control unit 1442 execute based on the remaining amount of ink in the liquid container 1.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment in which the recording apparatus control section 2004 shown in FIG. 12 is modified. In this example,
The semiconductor storage unit 7 is mounted on the liquid container 1, and the recording device control unit 2006 has an information storage control circuit unit 1444. Other than that, the recording apparatus control unit 2004 shown in FIG.
This is the same configuration as. Therefore, the description of the elements that are not related to the semiconductor storage means 7 and the information storage control means 1444 will be omitted.

[0200] The liquid container 1 of the present embodiment has the semiconductor storage means 7. The semiconductor storage means 7 is, for example, an EEP
It is a rewritable memory such as a ROM. Control circuit unit 1
Reference numeral 506 includes an information storage control circuit unit 1444.

The liquid consumption state detector 1210 controls the semiconductor switches SWA and SWC and the actuators 106A and 106C to detect the liquid consumption state in the liquid container 1, and detects the liquid consumption state using the actuators 106A and 106C. Is output to the control circuit unit 1506.

The control unit 1400 includes the information storage control circuit unit 1
Via 444, consumption-related information is written into the semiconductor storage means 7. Further, the information storage control circuit unit 1444 reads the consumption related information from the semiconductor storage unit 7 and
Output to 00.

Next, the semiconductor memory means 7 will be described in detail. The semiconductor storage means 7 includes an actuator 106A
And consumption information related to the detection of the consumption state of the liquid using 106C and 106C. The consumption-related information includes information on the detected consumption state of the liquid. Information storage control circuit unit 14
44 writes the consumption state information obtained using the actuators 106A and 106C into the semiconductor storage means 7.
Then, the consumption state information is read out and used in the recording device control unit 2006.

Storing the consumption state information in the semiconductor storage means 7 is particularly advantageous when the liquid container 1 is detached. For example, it is assumed that the liquid container 1 is detached from the ink jet recording apparatus while the liquid is partially consumed. At this time, the semiconductor storage means 7 storing the liquid consumption state is always present together with the liquid container 1. The liquid container 1 is mounted on the same ink jet recording apparatus again or mounted on another ink jet recording apparatus. At this time, the liquid consumption state is read from the semiconductor storage means 7, and the recording device control unit 2006 operates based on the liquid consumption state. For example, even when the liquid container 1 in which the liquid is empty or the liquid remaining amount is small is mounted, the fact is notified to the user. As described above, even when the liquid container 1 is detached, the previous consumption state information of the liquid container 1 can be reliably used.

The semiconductor storage means 7 may further store the liquid consumption state calculated by the liquid consumption calculation section 1452 based on the number of ink droplets counted by the liquid discharge counter 1450. Actuators 106A and 106C
Can reliably detect the passage of the ink liquid level at each mounting position, but it is difficult to detect the ink consumption state before and after the passage of the liquid level. Therefore, it is preferable to estimate the ink consumption states before and after the passage of the liquid level from the liquid consumption state calculated by the liquid consumption amount calculation unit 1452, and store the estimated value in the semiconductor storage unit 7.

The consumption-related information includes detection characteristic information to be detected in accordance with the liquid consumption state. In the present embodiment, pre-consumption detection characteristic information and post-consumption detection characteristic information are stored as the detection characteristic information. The pre-consumption detection characteristic information indicates detection characteristics before ink consumption is started, that is, detection characteristics in an ink full state. The post-consumption detection characteristic information indicates a detection characteristic to be detected when the ink is consumed up to a predetermined detection target, specifically, a detection characteristic when the ink liquid level falls below the mounting position level of the actuator. .

The information storage control circuit section 1444 reads the detection characteristic information from the semiconductor storage means 7, and the liquid consumption state detection section 1210 detects the liquid consumption state using an actuator based on the detection characteristic information. When the detection signal corresponding to the pre-consumption detection characteristic is obtained, it is considered that the consumption of the ink has not yet progressed and the remaining amount of the ink is large.
At least it is clear that the ink level is above the actuator. On the other hand, when the detection signal corresponding to the post-consumption detection characteristic is obtained, the consumption of the ink proceeds and the remaining amount is small, so that it is understood that the ink liquid level is lower than the actuator.

One of the advantages of storing the detection characteristic information in the semiconductor storage means 7 will be described.

[0209] The detection characteristic information is determined by various factors such as the shape of the liquid container 1, the specifications of the actuator, and the specifications of the ink. Therefore, when a design change such as improvement is made, the detection characteristics may also change. If the liquid consumption state detection unit 1210 always uses the same detection characteristic information, it is difficult to cope with such a change in the detection characteristic. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the detection characteristic information is stored in the semiconductor storage means 7 and used. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with a change in the detection characteristics. For example, even when a new specification of the liquid container 1 is provided, the recording device control unit 2006 can easily use the detection characteristic information of the liquid container 1.

Even when the specifications of the liquid container 1 are the same, the detection characteristics may be different due to manufacturing variations. For example, the detection characteristics may be different depending on the shape and thickness of the liquid container 1. Therefore, more preferably, the detection characteristic information for each individual liquid container 1 is measured and stored in the semiconductor storage means 7. In this embodiment, since each liquid container 1 has the semiconductor storage means 7, the semiconductor storage means 7 can store unique detection characteristic information. As a result, the influence of the manufacturing variation on the detection can be reduced, and the detection accuracy can be improved. As described above, the present embodiment is advantageous because it can cope with the difference in the detection characteristics of the individual liquid containers 1.

Further, the amount of ink consumed in the ink cartridge can be detected based on the relative condition (relationship) between the characteristic values of the actuators 106A and 106C. More specifically, the semiconductor storage unit 7 stores a vibration characteristic value of the actuator 106A detected when a predetermined amount of ink in the ink cartridge is consumed and the ink is exhausted around the actuator 106A. When the value of the vibration characteristic value detected by the actuator 106C becomes substantially equal to the value of the vibration characteristic value of the actuator 106A, it can be determined that the ink level has passed through the actuator 106C. Since the actuator 106C is provided in the vicinity of the ink level at the time of ink end of the container 1, when it is determined that the ink level has passed through the actuator 106C, it can be determined that the ink is out. Further, according to the present embodiment, the actuator 10 when there is no ink in the container 1
There is no need to measure the vibration characteristic values of 6A and 106C in the manufacturing process. Therefore, the actuators 106A and 106A
Manufacturing of C or the ink cartridge is facilitated, and the manufacturing process is shortened. Further, it is preferable that the actuator 106A and the actuator 106C are manufactured in the same lot. Thereby, the characteristics of the actuator 106A and the actuator 106C become substantially equal. Actuator 10 with similar characteristics
By using 6A and the actuator 106C, the ink in the ink cartridge can be accurately detected.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the printing apparatus control unit 2006 shown in FIG.

First, it is determined whether or not an ink cartridge has been mounted (S10). That is, it is detected that a new ink cartridge or a partially used ink cartridge has been installed. For this processing, a switch or the like (not shown) provided in the inkjet recording apparatus is used.

When the ink cartridge is mounted, consumption-related information including detection characteristic information and the like is read from the semiconductor storage means 7 (S12). The presentation processing unit 1404, the printing operation control unit 1406, the ink replenishment processing unit 1408, the cartridge replacement processing unit 1410 of the printing apparatus control unit 2006,
The print data storage processing unit 1412 and the cleaning control unit 1442 use the read consumption-related information. For example, if the read consumption-related information indicates that the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container 1 is small, the display 141
6 indicates that the remaining amount of liquid is low,
00 operation is stopped.

[0215] The liquid consumption state detecting unit 1210 determines whether the actuator 106A is in accordance with the read-out detection characteristic information.
１０６106C to detect the liquid consumption state (S1).
4). Based on the detected liquid consumption state, the liquid container 1
It is determined whether there is a liquid inside (S16). "No liquid"
Is detected, the liquid-less handling step (S18) is executed. As the liquid-out correspondence process (S18), the print data storage processing unit 1412 stores the print data (S24), the print operation control unit 1406 stops the printing operation (S26), and the presentation processing unit 1404 executes the liquid-out operation. To display (S
28) is included.

In this case, the liquid absence display step (S2
According to the instruction of 8), the ink is refilled in the ink jet recording apparatus by the user replacing the ink cartridge as described later.

Alternatively, the ink cartridge may be automatically replaced (S20) by the cartridge replacement processing unit 1410 as a liquid-free process (S18),
The ink may be automatically replenished by the ink replenishment processing unit 1408 (S22). In this case, the ink is automatically replenished to the ink jet recording apparatus, and there is no need for the user to replace the ink cartridge. In this case, the process returns to the liquid consumption information reading step (S12) without going through the cartridge replacement determination step (S32) described later. When the ink replenishment step (S22) is performed, after the ink is replenished, information on how much ink has been replenished in the recording apparatus is stored in the semiconductor storage means 7 (S22).
34).

After the print data storing step (S24), the printing operation stopping step (S26), and the liquid absence display step (S28) are executed as the liquid absence handling means (S18), the detected liquid consumption state is stored in the semiconductor memory. Means 7
(S30). Since the fact that there is no ink in the ink cartridge is transmitted to the user in the liquid absence display step (S28), the user replaces the ink cartridge in accordance with the instruction of the liquid absence display step (S28). In this case (S32, Y), the process returns to the liquid consumption state detection step (S14). On the other hand, if the user does not replace the ink cartridge, a display prompting the user to replace the ink cartridge is presented on the display or the speaker, and the process ends.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of the measurement circuit section 800. The measurement circuit section 800 includes the drive voltage generation section 8
50, reference potential generator 816, high-pass filter 82
4, an amplification unit 860 and a comparator 836. The drive voltage generation unit 850 includes two bipolar transistors, an NPN transistor 810 and a PNP transistor 812, whose bases B and emitters E are connected in parallel in a complementary manner. NPN transistor 810 and PNP
The type transistor 812 is a transistor for driving the actuators 106A and 106C. The actuators 106A and 106C have one terminal connected to the emitter E of the NPN transistor 810 and the PNP transistor 812 connected to each other via the semiconductor switches SWA and SWC, respectively, and the other terminal connected to the ground GND. Is done. Actuator 10
The other terminals of 6A and 106C are connected to a power supply Vcc (5V).
May be connected.

When the trigger signal input from the terminal 840 to the drive voltage generator 850 changes from low to high,
NPN transistor 810 and PN connected to each other
The base B of the P-type transistor 812 rises and NP
N-type transistor 810 and PNP-type transistor 81
Numeral 2 amplifies the current of the input trigger signal and gives it to one actuator via a semiconductor switch in a conductive state. In the case of FIG. 15, a voltage between the emitter E and the collector C of the PNP transistor 812 is applied to the actuator. Therefore, the actuator is rapidly charged and oscillates. Further, the actuator generates a back electromotive force due to the vibration remaining after the oscillation. The back electromotive force generated by the residual vibration of the actuator is output to the amplifier 860 via the high-pass filter 824.

A PN junction is formed between the base B and the emitter E of the NPN transistor 810 (the same applies to the PNP transistor 812). When the potential difference between the base B and the emitter E is 0.6 V or less, almost no current flows to the emitter E side. When the voltage exceeds 0.6 V, a greatly amplified current flows to the emitter E. That is, the NPN transistor 8
10 and the PNP transistor 812 are each 0.1.
It has a dead zone or bias voltage of 6V, and the NPN transistor 810 and the PNP transistor 812 have a bias voltage of about 1.2V in total. If the terminal potential including the back electromotive force of the actuator is within the range of the dead zone, the transistor does not operate and current does not flow into the emitter E, so that the residual vibration of the actuator is suppressed due to the operation of the transistor. Absent. If there is no dead zone, the voltage of the actuator is controlled by the transistor to be a constant value, and the back electromotive force cannot be checked.

In FIG. 15, an NPN transistor 810 and a PNP transistor 812 are used as bipolar transistors, but a field effect transistor may be used instead of a bipolar transistor.
When a field effect transistor is used, an N-type field effect transistor is arranged at the position where the NPN transistor of FIG. 15 is arranged. The gate of the N-type field effect transistor is arranged at the position of the base B of the NPN transistor 810, and the source is arranged at the position of the emitter E. Also, P
A P-type field-effect transistor is provided at a position where the NP-type transistor 812 is provided. The gate of the P-type field effect transistor is arranged at the position of the base B of the PNP transistor 812, and the source is arranged at the position of the emitter E. Further, the gates and the sources of the P-type field effect transistor and the N-type field effect transistor are connected.
The actuator preferably has one terminal connected to the sources of the P-type field effect transistor and the N-type field effect transistor connected to each other via a semiconductor switch, and the other terminal connected to the power supply Vcc or the ground GND.

The high-pass filter 824 includes the capacitor 8
26 and a resistor 828. Drive voltage generator 8
The output of 50 is output to the amplifier 860 via such a high-pass filter 824. High-pass filter 82
Reference numeral 4 outputs high-frequency components of the output of the actuator to the amplifying unit 860, while removing low-frequency components. Furthermore,
The high-pass filter 824 has a role of adjusting the output of the amplifying unit 860 so that the output falls within a range of 0 to 5 V (Vcc) around the reference potential.

The reference potential generator 816 has resistors 818 and 820 connected in series, and a capacitor 822 connected in parallel with the resistor 820. Thereby, the reference potential generation unit 816 generates a stable DC potential of about 2 to 3 V as a reference potential, and supplies the reference potential to the high-pass filter 824, the amplification unit 860, and the comparator 836. For this reason, the voltage of the signal waveform output from the high-pass filter 824 and the amplifier 860 oscillates around the reference potential.

The amplifying section 860 has an operational amplifier 834 and resistors 830 and 832. The operational amplifier 834 and the resistors 830 and 832 are configured as a non-inverting amplifier circuit that amplifies and outputs an input signal without inverting it. The back electromotive force signal output from the drive voltage generation unit 850 is input to the + terminal of the operational amplifier 834 via the high-pass filter 824. The negative terminal of the operational amplifier 834 is connected to the negative feedback resistor 830.
, While being connected to a reference potential through a resistor 832. Accordingly, the weak back electromotive force signal output from the actuator is amplified around the reference potential and output to the comparator 836. The waveform of the back electromotive force signal thus amplified can be represented as the analog waveform shown in FIG.

The voltage of the back electromotive force signal output from the amplifying section 860 and the reference potential generated by the reference potential generating section 816 are input to the comparator 836. When the voltage of the back electromotive force signal is higher than the reference potential, And outputs a low signal when the voltage of the back electromotive force signal is equal to or lower than the reference potential.
As a result, a back electromotive force signal having a digital waveform is generated. That is, while the output of the operational amplifier 834 oscillates around the reference potential, the voltage at the negative terminal of the comparator 836 is equal to the reference potential. Therefore, the comparator 836 compares the voltage of the back electromotive force signal with reference to the reference potential. And outputs a digital waveform back electromotive force signal. The comparator 836 outputs the generated digital waveform back electromotive force signal to the terminal 844.

As described above, the supply of the drive voltage signal to the piezoelectric element is performed by the input of the trigger signal from the terminal 840. This trigger signal is input to the control device 8
40c. The control device 840c can be provided in various liquid consuming devices such as an inkjet recording device in which a liquid container is mounted, for example.

FIG. 16 shows a circuit configuration of the detection circuit section 1100 of FIG. The detection circuit unit 1100 includes a digital circuit unit 900 and a liquid presence / absence determination unit 1000. The digital circuit unit 900 includes flip-flops 910 and 918
, Counters 912 and 920, and NAND gate 91
4 and 916. When the counter 920 has counted up to the highest value (1111, 1111), it does not become (0000, 0000) even if the next clock pulse is input.
The highest value shall be maintained.

When a trigger signal is input from terminal 842 to clock input pin CLK of flip-flop 910, flip-flop 910 provides counter 912 with the number of pulses of the back electromotive force signal output from measurement circuit 800. Is output to control the counter 912 to start the measurement of. Further, when the counter 912 counts eight pulses of the back electromotive force signal, the flip-flop 910 is cleared via the NAND gate 916. Therefore, the flip-flop 910 supplies a signal that has been High during the period until the back pulse voltage reaches the eighth pulse from the input of the trigger signal to the count enable terminal ENP of the counter 912.

The counter 912 counts clocks only when the signal input to the counter enable terminal ENP is High. The counter 912 starts counting the number of pulses of the back electromotive force signal after the trigger signal is input to the flip-flop 910, and when the number of pulses reaches 8, the signal input to the count enable terminal ENP is Low.
, The counting of the number of pulses is terminated. Counter 9
Reference numeral 12 denotes a signal in which the fourth pulse to the eighth pulse are High, which is output from the output pin QC to the flip-flop 9.
18 to the input pin D.

The flip-flop 918 has a counter 91
The 4th to 8th pulses output by 2 are High
Is received from the input pin D, and the terminal 846 is received.
Receives a clock having a frequency of 16 MHz from the clock input pin CLK, and outputs a signal input from the input pin D in synchronization with the clock.

[0232]

(Equation 1) In the circuit of FIG. 16, the number of 16 MHz clock pulses existing between the fourth pulse and the eighth pulse of the back electromotive force waveform is counted, but a counter circuit using the output of the counter 912 is added and combined. By 8
It is possible to count not only the time up to the count but also any count. That is, it is possible to detect times within different count intervals.

FIG. 17 shows a detailed circuit configuration of the liquid presence / absence determining section 1000 shown in FIG. Liquid presence / absence determination unit 10
00 determines the presence or absence of liquid in the liquid container 1 based on the count value of the number of 16 MHz clock pulses appearing between the fourth and eighth pulses of the back electromotive force signal output by the counter 920. The liquid presence / absence determination unit 1000
As shown in FIG. 17, an upper limit value register 1011, a lower limit value register 1012, comparison units 1014 and 1016
And an AND gate 1018. The upper limit register 1011 stores the upper limit value of the count value, and the lower limit register 1012 stores the lower limit value of the count value.

The comparing section 1014 is provided with a digital circuit section 900.
Is received from terminal B, and the upper limit of the count value is received from upper limit register 1011 via terminal A. When the count value is smaller than the upper limit value, the comparing unit 1014 outputs a High signal to the AND gate 1018. On the other hand, when the count value is equal to or more than the upper limit value, the comparing unit 1014 outputs a Low signal to the AND gate 1018. If the count value is equal to or higher than the upper limit, the frequency of the back electromotive force waveform is lower than the lower limit and the back electromotive force waveform is not measured normally, so the liquid container is not attached to the recording device or is securely attached. It may not have been.

On the other hand, comparison section 1016 receives the count value output from digital circuit section 900 from terminal A, and receives the lower limit value of the count value from lower limit register 1012 via terminal B. If the count value is greater than the lower limit,
The comparing unit 1016 outputs the High signal to the AND gate 101.
8 and a terminal 1022. On the other hand, when the count value is equal to or smaller than the lower limit, the comparing unit 1016 outputs a Low signal to the AND gate 1018 and the terminal 1022. When the count value is equal to or less than the lower limit, it means that the liquid in the liquid container 1 does not exist at the mounting position of the actuator 106.

Both comparators 1014 and 1016 are Hi
gh, that is, when the count value is smaller than the upper limit and larger than the lower limit,
Reference numeral 018 outputs a High signal. In this case, since the frequency of the back electromotive force waveform is lower than the upper limit, the liquid in the liquid container 1 exists at the mounting position level of the actuator 106. In addition, since the frequency of the back electromotive force waveform is higher than the lower limit, it can be seen that the liquid container 1 is securely mounted on the recording apparatus, and that the liquid exists at the mounting position level of the actuator 106. That is, when the terminal 1020 is High, the liquid container 1 is securely mounted on the recording apparatus, and a normal state exists in which the liquid exists at the mounting position level of the actuator 106.

The comparing section 1014 outputs a Low signal,
When the comparing unit 1016 outputs a High signal, that is, when the count value is equal to or more than the upper limit and larger than the lower limit, the AND gate 1018 outputs a Low signal.
A high signal is input to the terminal 1022. In this case, since the terminal 1020 is Low, it is abnormal, and since the terminal 1022 is High, it can be determined that the liquid container 1 is not mounted on the recording apparatus or is not securely mounted.

When comparing section 1014 outputs a High signal and comparing section 1016 outputs a Low signal, that is, when the count value is smaller than the upper limit and equal to or smaller than the lower limit, AND gate 1018 outputs a Low signal. I do.
In this case, since the terminal 1020 is Low, it is abnormal, and since the terminal 1022 is Low, the liquid is
It can be seen that there is not at the mounting position level.

The components of the measurement circuit 800 and the components of the detection circuit 1100 may be provided separately and independently for each actuator. According to the liquid consumption state detection unit 1200 having such a configuration, it is possible to simultaneously detect the liquid consumption state by each actuator. In this case, as described above, the liquid consumption state can be determined based on whether or not the resonance frequencies detected by the two actuators 106A and 106C are the same.

FIG. 18 shows a method of manufacturing the actuator 106. In FIG. 18, a plurality of actuators 106
(Four in the example of FIG. 18) are integrally formed. Figure 1
The actuator 106 shown in FIG. 19 is manufactured by cutting the integrally formed product of the plurality of actuators shown in FIG. When each of the piezoelectric elements of the plurality of integrally formed actuators 106 shown in FIG. 18 is circular, the actuator 106 shown in FIG. 1 can be manufactured by cutting each of the integrally formed products. By integrally forming the plurality of actuators 106, the plurality of actuators 106 can be manufactured efficiently at the same time, and handling during transportation becomes easy.

The actuator 106 includes a thin plate or vibration plate 176, a substrate 178, an elastic wave generating means or a piezoelectric element 17.
4, a terminal forming member or upper electrode terminal 168 and a terminal forming member or lower electrode terminal 170;

The piezoelectric element 174 includes a piezoelectric vibrating plate or layer 160, an upper electrode 164, and a lower electrode 166. A vibration plate 176 is formed on the upper surface of the substrate 178.
6, a lower electrode 166 is formed. On the upper surface of the lower electrode 166, a piezoelectric layer 160 is formed.
An upper electrode 164 is formed on the upper surface of 60. Therefore, the main part of the piezoelectric layer 160 is formed so as to be sandwiched between the main part of the upper electrode 164 and the main part of the lower electrode 166 from above and below.

In the case shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of (four in the example of FIG. 18) piezoelectric elements 174 are formed on the vibration plate 176. A lower electrode 166 is formed on the surface of the vibration plate 176, and a piezoelectric layer 160 is formed on the surface of the lower electrode 166.
An upper electrode 164 is formed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer 160. An upper electrode terminal 168 and a lower electrode terminal 170 are formed at ends of the upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 166. And
The four actuators 106 are separately cut and used individually.

FIG. 19 shows a cross section of a part of an actuator 106 having a rectangular piezoelectric element. FIG. 20 shows an overall cross section of the actuator 106 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 20, a through hole 178a is formed on the surface of the substrate 178 facing the piezoelectric element 174. The through hole 178a is sealed by the diaphragm 176. The vibration plate 176 is formed of a material having electrical insulation and elastically deformable, such as alumina and zirconia.

A piezoelectric element 174 is formed on the diaphragm 176 at a position corresponding to the through hole 178a. The lower electrode 166 is formed on the surface of the diaphragm 176 so as to extend in one direction from the region of the through hole 178a, to the left in FIG. The upper electrode 164 is formed on the surface of the piezoelectric layer 160 so as to extend from the region of the through hole 178a in the direction opposite to the lower electrode, that is, to the right in FIG.

The upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 17
0 are formed on the upper surfaces of the auxiliary electrode 172 and the lower electrode 166, respectively. The lower electrode terminal 170 is in electrical contact with the lower electrode 166, and the upper electrode terminal 168 is in electrical contact with the upper electrode 164 via the auxiliary electrode 172, so that the connection between the piezoelectric element and the outside of the actuator 106 is possible. Transfers signals. The upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170 have a height equal to or higher than the height of the piezoelectric element 174 in which the electrodes 164 and 166 and the piezoelectric layer 160 are combined.

FIG. 21 shows a method of manufacturing the actuator 106 shown in FIG. First, the green sheet 40
The through hole 40 is formed by pressing or laser processing.
Perforate a. The green sheet 40 is formed on the substrate 1 after firing.
78. The green sheet 40 is formed of a material such as ceramic.

Next, another green sheet 41 is laminated on the surface of the green sheet 40. Green sheet 41
After firing, the diaphragm 176 is formed. The green sheet 41 is formed of a material such as zirconia oxide.

Next, on the surface of the green sheet 41, the conductive layer 42, the piezoelectric layer 160, and the conductive layer 44 are sequentially formed by a method such as pressure film printing. The conductive layer 42 is formed later by the lower electrode 166.
The conductive layer 44 will later become the upper electrode 164
It is what becomes.

Next, the formed green sheet 40, green sheet 41, conductive layer 42, piezoelectric layer 160 and conductive layer 44 are dried and fired.

The spacer members 47 and 48 are members for raising the heights of the upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170 to make them higher than the piezoelectric elements. Spacer member 47,
48 is formed by printing or laminating the same material as the green sheets 40 and 41. Spacer members 47, 48
Is used, the upper electrode terminal 168 which is a noble metal is used.
In addition, the material of the lower electrode terminal 170 can be reduced. Also,
Since the thickness of the upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170 can be reduced, the upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 1
70 can be printed with high accuracy and the height can be set with high accuracy.

When the connection portion 44 'with the conductive layer 44 and the spacer members 47 and 48 are formed simultaneously when the conductive layer 42 is formed, the upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170 can be easily formed or firmly fixed. be able to. Finally, an upper electrode terminal 168 and a lower electrode terminal 170 are formed in end regions of the conductive layers 42 and 44. When forming the upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170, the upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170
It is formed so as to be electrically connected to 60.

FIG. 22 shows still another embodiment of the ink cartridge to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 22 (A)
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the bottom of the ink cartridge according to the present embodiment. The ink cartridge of the present embodiment has a through hole 1c in the bottom surface 1a of the container 1 that stores ink. The bottom of the through hole 1c is closed by the actuator 650 to form an ink reservoir.

FIG. 22 (B) shows a detailed cross section of the actuator 650 and the through hole 1c shown in FIG. 22 (A). FIG. 22C shows a plane of the actuator 650 and the through hole 1c shown in FIG. 22B. The actuator 650 has the diaphragm 72 and the piezoelectric element 73 fixed to the diaphragm 72. The actuator 650 is fixed to the bottom surface of the container 1 such that the piezoelectric element 73 faces the through hole 1c via the vibration plate 72 and the substrate 71. The diaphragm 72 is elastically deformable and has ink resistance.

The piezoelectric element 7 depends on the amount of ink in the container 1.
3 and the amplitude and frequency of the back electromotive force generated by the residual vibration of the diaphragm 72 change. Since the through-hole 1c is formed at a position facing the actuator 650, a minimum amount of ink is secured in the through-hole 1c. Therefore, the ink end of the container 1 can be reliably detected by measuring in advance the characteristics of the vibration of the actuator 650 determined by the amount of ink secured in the through hole 1c.

FIG. 23 shows another embodiment of the through hole 1c. In each of FIGS. 23A, 23B, and 23C, the left side diagram shows a state where ink K is not present in through hole 1c, and the right side diagram shows a state where ink K remains in through hole 1c. Is shown. In the embodiment of FIG. 22, the side surface of the through hole 1c is formed as a vertical wall. In FIG. 23 (A), the side surface 1d of the through-hole 1c is oblique in the up-down direction and is expanded inward. In FIG. 23B, steps 1e and 1f are formed on the side surface of the through hole 1c, and the upper step 1f is wider than the lower step 1e. In FIG. 23C, the through hole 1c
Has a groove 1g extending in the direction in which the ink K is easily discharged, that is, in the direction of the ink supply port 2.

According to the shapes of the through holes 1c shown in FIGS. 23A to 23C, the amount of the ink K in the ink reservoir can be reduced. Therefore, M′cav described in FIG. 1 and FIG.
It can be smaller than M'max. For this reason, the vibration characteristic of the actuator 650 at the time of ink end can be made significantly different from that at the time of ink remaining where a printable amount of ink K remains in the container 1, and the ink end can be detected more reliably. it can.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the actuator. The actuator 660 has a packing 76 outside the through hole 1c of the diaphragm 72 constituting the actuator 660. Actuator 660
A crimping hole 77 is formed on the outer periphery of the hole. The actuator 660 is fixed to the container 1 by swaging via the swaging hole 77.

FIGS. 25A and 25B are diagrams showing still another embodiment of the actuator. In the present embodiment, the actuator 670 includes the concave portion forming substrate 80 and the piezoelectric element 82. On one surface of the concave portion forming substrate 80, a concave portion 81 is formed by a method such as etching.
The piezoelectric element 82 is attached to the other surface. The bottom of the concave portion 81 in the concave portion forming substrate 80 functions as a vibration region. Therefore, the vibration region of the actuator 670 is
It is defined by the periphery of the recess 81.

The structure of the actuator 670 is similar to the structure of the actuator 106 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in which the substrate 178 and the vibration plate 176 are integrally formed.
In this case, the manufacturing process when manufacturing the ink cartridge can be shortened, and the cost is reduced. The actuator 670 preferably has a size that can be embedded in the through hole 1c provided in the container 1. Thereby, the concave portion 81 can also function as a cavity. Incidentally, the actuator 106 according to the embodiment of FIG.
Like the actuator 670 according to the embodiment of FIG.
It may be formed so that it can be embedded in the through hole 1c.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a structure in which the actuator 106 is integrally formed as the mounting module body 100. The module 100 is mounted at a predetermined position on the container 1 of the ink cartridge. Module body 100
Is configured to detect a consumption state of the liquid in the container 1 by detecting at least a change in acoustic impedance in the ink liquid.

The module 100 of this embodiment has a liquid container mounting portion 101 for mounting the actuator 106 to the container 1. The liquid container mounting portion 101 includes a base 102 having a substantially rectangular flat surface, and a columnar portion 1 on the base 102 that accommodates an actuator 106 oscillated by a drive signal.
16. In addition, the module body 100
The structure is such that the actuator 106 of the module 100 cannot be contacted from the outside when it is mounted on the ink cartridge. Thereby, the actuator 1
06 can be protected from external contact. In addition, the tip side edge of the cylindrical portion 116 is rounded, so that the cylindrical portion 116 can be easily fitted into a hole formed in the ink cartridge.

FIG. 27 shows the module 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. The module 100 includes a liquid container mounting portion 101 made of resin, a piezoelectric device mounting portion 105 having a plate 110 and a concave portion 113 (see FIG. 26).
And Further, the module body 100 includes lead wires 104a and 104b, an actuator 106, and a film 108. Preferably, plate 110
Is formed from a material that is not easily rusted, such as stainless steel or a stainless alloy.

Column 1 included in liquid container mounting portion 101
16 and the base 102 are connected to the lead wires 104a and 1a.
An opening 114 is formed at the center so as to be able to accommodate the actuator 106 and the film 10.
8 and opening 11 to accommodate plate 110
4, a recess 113 is formed.

The actuator 106 includes a plate 110
The plate 110 and the actuator 106 are fixed to the concave portion 113 (the liquid container mounting portion 101). Therefore, the lead wire 104
a and 104b, actuator 106, film 10
8 and the plate 110 are integrally mounted on the liquid container mounting portion 101.

The lead wires 104a and 104b are coupled to the upper and lower electrodes of the actuator 106, respectively, to transmit a drive signal to the piezoelectric layer, and to transmit a signal of the resonance frequency detected by the actuator 106 to a recording device or the like. .

The actuator 106 is connected to the lead wire 1
It oscillates temporarily based on the drive signals transmitted from 04a and 104b. Also, the actuator 106
Oscillates after oscillation and generates a back electromotive force by the oscillation. At this time, the resonance frequency corresponding to the consumption state of the liquid in the liquid container can be detected by detecting the oscillation period of the back electromotive force waveform.

[0269] The film 108 is
And the plate 110 are adhered to make the actuator liquid-tight. The film 108 is preferably formed of a polyolefin or the like, and is preferably bonded by heat fusion. By fixing the actuator 106 and the plate 110 to each other with a film 108 in a planar shape, there is no variation due to the bonding location, and portions other than the vibrating portion do not vibrate. Therefore, the actuator 106 is connected to the plate 11
Even if it is bonded to zero, the vibration characteristics of the actuator 106 do not change.

The plate 110 has a circular shape, and the opening 114 of the base 102 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The actuator 106 and the film 108 are formed in a rectangular shape. Lead wires 104a and 104b, actuator 106, film 108 and plate 110
May be detachable from the base 102. Base 1
02, the lead wires 104a and 104b, the actuator 106, the film 108, and the plate 110 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the module body 100. The centers of the base 102, the actuator 106, the film 108, and the plate 110 are the module 1
00 is substantially on the central axis.

The area of the opening 114 of the base 102 is formed to be larger than the area of the vibration area of the actuator 106. At the position facing the vibrating part of the actuator 106 at the center of the plate 110, a through hole 112 is provided.
Are formed. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cavity 162 is formed in the actuator 106, and the through-hole 112 and the cavity 162 together form an ink reservoir. The thickness of the plate 110 is preferably smaller than the diameter of the through hole 112 in order to reduce the influence of the residual ink. For example, it is preferable that the depth of the through hole 112 is equal to or less than one third of its diameter. The through-hole 112 has a substantially perfect circular shape symmetric with respect to the central axis of the module body 100. Also, the through hole 112
Is larger than the opening area of the cavity 162 of the actuator 106. The periphery of the cross section of the through hole 112 is
The shape may be a taper shape or a step shape. The module 100 is mounted on the side, top, or bottom of the container 1 so that the through hole 112 faces the inside of the container 1. When the ink is consumed and the ink around the actuator 106 is exhausted, a change in the ink level can be detected based on a large change in the resonance frequency of the actuator 106.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the module body. Module body 400 of the present embodiment
In the figure, a piezoelectric device mounting portion 405 is formed on a liquid container mounting portion 401. The liquid container mounting portion 401 includes a base 402 having a square shape with a substantially rounded plane, and a cylindrical column portion 403 on the base 402. Further, the piezoelectric device mounting portion 405 is provided with a plate-shaped element 406 erected on the cylindrical portion 403.
And a recess 413. The actuator 106 is vertically arranged in a concave portion 413 provided on the side surface of the plate-shaped element 406. The tip of the plate-shaped element 406 is chamfered at a predetermined angle, so that it can be easily fitted into a hole formed in the ink cartridge.

FIG. 29 shows the module 4 shown in FIG.
It is an exploded perspective view of 00. Similar to the module 100 shown in FIG. 26, the module 400 includes a liquid container mounting portion 401 and a piezoelectric device mounting portion 405. The liquid container mounting portion 401 has a base 402 and a columnar portion 403,
The piezoelectric device mounting portion 405 includes the plate-shaped element 406 and the concave portion 41.
3 The actuator 106 includes a plate 410
And is fixed to the concave portion 413. Module body 4
00 further includes lead wires 404a and 404b, actuator 106, and film 408.

In the present embodiment, the plate 410 has a rectangular shape, and the opening 41 provided in the plate element 406 is provided.
4 is also formed in a rectangular shape. Lead wires 404a and 404b, actuator 106, film 408,
The plate 410 may be configured to be detachable from the base 402. The actuator 106, the film 408, and the plate 410 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a central axis passing through the center of the opening 414 and extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the opening 414. Further, the centers of the actuator 106, the film 408, and the plate 410 are arranged substantially on the central axis of the opening 414.

The area of the through hole 412 provided at the center of the plate 410 is
62 are formed larger than the area of the opening. The cavity 162 and the through hole 412 of the actuator 106 together form an ink reservoir. The thickness of the plate 410 is smaller than the diameter of the through hole 412, for example,
It is preferable to set the size to one third or less of the diameter of No. 12. The through hole 412 has a substantially perfect circular shape symmetric with respect to the central axis of the module 400. The periphery of the cross section of the through hole 412 may be tapered or stepped. The module body 400 has a through hole 41
2 can be mounted on the bottom of the container 1 so that it is located inside the container 1. Since the actuator 106 is disposed in the container 1 so as to extend in the vertical direction, the base 40
By changing the height at which the actuator 106 is disposed in the container 1 by changing the height of the ink container 2, the setting at the time of ink end can be easily changed.

FIG. 30 shows still another embodiment of the module. As in the case of the module 100 shown in FIG. 26, the module 50 shown in FIGS.
0 includes a liquid container mounting portion 501 having a base 502 and a cylindrical portion 503. Further, the module body 500 includes the lead wires 504a and 504b, the actuator 10
6, a film 508, and a plate 510. An opening 514 is formed at the center of the base 502 included in the liquid container mounting portion 501 so as to accommodate the lead wires 504a and 504b.
6, a recess 513 is formed around the opening 514 to accommodate the film 508 and the plate 510.
The actuator 106 is fixed to the piezoelectric device mounting portion 505 via the plate 510. Therefore, the lead wires 504a and 504b, the actuator 106, the film 508, and the plate 510 are connected to the liquid container mounting portion 50.
1 is integrally attached.

In the module 500 of the present embodiment, a column 503 whose upper surface is inclined in the up-down direction is formed on a square base 502 whose plane is substantially rounded. Column part 50
The actuator 106 is disposed on a concave portion 513 that is provided obliquely in the vertical direction on the upper surface of the actuator 3.

That is, the distal end of the module 500 is inclined, and the actuator 106 is mounted on the inclined surface. Therefore, when the module 500 is mounted on the bottom or the side of the container 1, the actuator 106 is disposed so as to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the container 1.
It is desirable that the inclination angle of the distal end of the module body 500 be approximately between 30 ° and 60 ° in consideration of detection performance.

The module 500 includes the actuator 1
06 is mounted on the bottom or side of the container 1 so as to be placed in the container 1. When the module 500 is mounted on the side of the container 1, the actuator 106 is attached to the container 1 so as to face the upper side, the lower side, or the side of the container 1 while being inclined. On the other hand, when the module 500 is mounted on the bottom of the container 1, the actuator 10
6 is preferably attached to the container 1 so as to face the ink supply port side of the container 1 while being inclined.

FIG. 31 shows the module 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the bottom of the ink container when 00 is mounted on the container 1. The module 100 is mounted so as to penetrate the side wall of the container 1. An O-ring 365 is provided on the joint surface between the side wall of the container 1 and the module 100 to keep the module 100 and the container 1 liquid-tight. In order to be able to seal with an O-ring as described above, it is preferable that the module body 100 includes a columnar portion as described with reference to FIG.

When the tip of the module 100 is inserted into the container 1, the ink in the container 1 comes into contact with the actuator 106 through the through hole 112 of the plate 110. Since the resonance frequency of the residual vibration of the actuator 106 differs depending on whether the surroundings of the vibrating part of the actuator 106 are liquid or gas, the ink consumption state can be detected using the module 100.

[0282] Not limited to the module body 100,
The module 400 shown in FIG. 8, the module 500 shown in FIG. 30, and the modules 700A, 700B, 750A, and 75 shown in FIGS.
OB and the mold structure 600 may be attached to the container 1 to detect the presence or absence of ink.

FIG. 32 shows still another embodiment of the module body 100. Module body 750A in FIG.
Has an actuator 106b and a base 360. The module body 750A is mounted on the container 1 such that the front surface is substantially integrated with the inner surface of the side wall of the container 1. The actuator 106b includes a piezoelectric layer 160, an upper electrode 164, a lower electrode 166, and a vibration plate 176.
A lower electrode 166 is formed on the upper surface of diaphragm 176. The piezoelectric layer 160 is formed on the upper surface of the lower electrode 166, and the upper electrode 164 is formed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer 160. Therefore, the piezoelectric layer 160 is formed so as to be sandwiched between the upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 166 from above and below. The piezoelectric layer 160, the upper electrode 164, and the lower electrode 166 form a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is formed on the vibration plate 176. Piezoelectric element and diaphragm 176
Is a vibrating section where the actuator actually vibrates. A through hole 385 is provided in the side wall of the container 1. Therefore, the ink comes into contact with the vibration plate 176 through the through hole 385 of the container 1.

Next, the module 7 shown in FIG.
The operation of 50A will be described. The upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 166 transmit a drive signal to the piezoelectric layer 160 and transmit a signal of the resonance frequency detected by the piezoelectric layer 160 to the recording device. The piezoelectric layer 160 oscillates by a drive signal transmitted by the upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 166, and then vibrates residually. Due to the residual vibration, the piezoelectric layer 160 generates a back electromotive force. The presence or absence of ink can be detected by counting the oscillation period of the back electromotive force waveform and detecting the resonance frequency at that time.

In the module body 750A, only the surface of the vibrating portion of the actuator 106b opposite to the piezoelectric element side, that is, as shown in FIG.
The ink comes into contact with the ink in the ink container 1.
In the module body 750A of FIG. 32A, the lead wires (104a, 104b,
The electrodes 04a, 404b, 504a and 504b) need not be embedded in the module. For this reason, the molding process is simplified. Further, replacement and recycling of the module body 750A become possible. Further, since the actuator 106b is protected by the base 360,
The actuator 106b can be protected from contact with the outside.

FIG. 32B shows still another embodiment of the module. Module body 750B in FIG.
Has an actuator 106b and a base 360. The module body 750B is mounted on the container 1 such that the front surface is substantially integral with the inner surface of the side wall of the container 1. The actuator 106b includes a piezoelectric layer 160, an upper electrode 164, a lower electrode 166, and a vibration plate 176.
A lower electrode 166 is formed on the upper surface of diaphragm 176. The piezoelectric layer 160 is formed on the upper surface of the lower electrode 166, and the upper electrode 164 is formed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer 160. Therefore, the piezoelectric layer 160 is formed so as to be sandwiched between the upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 166 from above and below. The piezoelectric layer 160, the upper electrode 164, and the lower electrode 166 form a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is formed on the vibration plate 176. Piezoelectric element and diaphragm 176
Is a vibrating section where the actuator actually vibrates. A thin wall portion 380 is provided on a side wall of the container 1. The module 750B is connected to the actuator 106b.
32, the surface of the vibrating portion opposite to the piezoelectric element side,
As shown in (B), only the vibration plate 176 is mounted on the ink container 1 so as to contact the thin wall portion 380 of the ink container 1. Therefore, the vibrating part of the actuator 106b
Residual vibration occurs with the thin wall portion 380.

Next, the module 7 shown in FIG.
The operation of 50B will be described. The upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 166 transmit a drive signal to the piezoelectric layer 160 and transmit a signal of the resonance frequency detected by the piezoelectric layer 160 to the recording device. The piezoelectric layer 160 oscillates according to the drive signal transmitted by the upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 166, and then vibrates at a resonance cycle. The diaphragm 176 is the container 1
Contact with the thin wall portion 380 of the actuator 1
The vibrating portion 06b vibrates residually together with the thin wall portion 380.
Since the inner side of the container 1 of the thin wall portion 380 comes into contact with the ink, when the actuator 106b vibrates with the thin wall portion 380, the resonance frequency and amplitude of the residual vibration change depending on the remaining amount of ink. Due to the residual vibration, the piezoelectric layer 160 generates a back electromotive force. The ink remaining amount can be detected by counting the oscillation period of the back electromotive force waveform and detecting the resonance frequency at that time.

In the module 750B shown in FIG. 32B, the lead wires (104) shown in FIGS.
a, 104b, 404a, 404b, 504a and 50
The electrode 4b) need not be embedded in the module. For this reason, the molding process is simplified. Further, replacement and recycling of the module body 750B can be performed. Further, since the actuator 106b is protected by the base 360, the actuator 106b can be protected from contact with the outside.

FIG. 33A is a sectional view of the ink container when the module 700B is mounted on the container 1. FIG. In the case of FIG. 33A, a module 700B is used as one of the mounting structures. The module 700B is mounted on the container 1 such that the liquid container mounting portion 360 protrudes into the container 1. A through hole 370 is formed in the mounting plate 350, and the through hole 370 faces the vibrating portion of the actuator 106b. Further, a hole 382 is formed in the bottom wall of the module 700B, and a piezoelectric device mounting portion 363 is formed. Actuator 106b
Are provided so as to close the holes 382.

Therefore, the ink is supplied to the piezoelectric device mounting portion 3.
63 holes 382 and mounting plate 350 through holes 370
, And contacts the diaphragm 176. Piezoelectric device mounting part 3
63 holes 382 and mounting plate 350 through holes 370
Together form an ink reservoir. Piezoelectric device mounting part 363
And the actuator 106b are fixed by a mounting plate 350 and a film member. Further, a sealing structure 372 is provided at a connection portion between the liquid container mounting portion 360 and the container 1. The sealing structure 372 is
It may be formed of a plastic material such as a synthetic resin,
It may be formed by an O-ring. Although the module 700B of FIG. 33A and the container 1 are separate bodies, FIG.
As shown in (B), the piezoelectric device mounting portion of the module 700B may be constituted by a part of the container 1.

In the module 700B of FIG. 33A, it is unnecessary to embed the lead wires shown in FIGS. 26 to 30 into the module. For this reason, the molding process is simplified. Further, the module 700B can be replaced, and the module 700B can be recycled.

When the ink cartridge swings, the ink may adhere to the upper surface or the side surface of the container 1. Such ink drips from the top or side surface of the container 1 and contacts the actuator 106b,
May malfunction. However, the module 7
When the liquid container mounting portion 360 of 00B protrudes into the container 1, the actuator 106b does not malfunction due to ink dripping from the upper surface or side surface of the container 1.

In the example of FIG. 33A, the diaphragm 17
6 and only a part of the mounting plate 350 are mounted on the container 1 so as to be in contact with the ink in the container 1.

FIG. 33B shows the state of the actuator 106b.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the ink container when the ink container is mounted on the container 1. In the ink cartridge according to the example of FIG.
It is attached to the container 1 separately from b. Therefore, the protection member 361 and the actuator 106b are not integrated as a module. However, the protection member 361 can protect the actuator 106b from being touched by the user. A hole 380 is formed in the side wall of the container 1 corresponding to the front surface of the actuator 106b.
Are arranged.

The actuator 106b includes the piezoelectric layer 16
0, an upper electrode 164, a lower electrode 166, a diaphragm 176, and a mounting plate 350. Mounting plate 35
A vibration plate 176 is formed on the upper surface of the lower electrode 0, and a lower electrode 166 is formed on the upper surface of the vibration plate 176. Then, the piezoelectric layer 160 is formed on the upper surface of the lower electrode 166, and the piezoelectric layer 16
The upper electrode 164 is formed on the upper surface of the “0”. Therefore, the main part of the piezoelectric layer 160 is formed so as to be sandwiched from above and below by the main part of the upper electrode 164 and the main part of the lower electrode 166. Piezoelectric layer 160, upper electrode 164
The circular portion that is the main portion of each of the lower electrode 166 and the lower electrode 166 forms a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is formed on the vibration plate 176. The vibration area of the piezoelectric element and the vibration plate 176 is a vibration part where the actuator actually vibrates. The mounting plate 350 is provided with a through hole 370. Therefore, the ink is supplied to the diaphragm 176 through the hole 380 of the container 1 and the through hole 370 of the mounting plate 350.
Contact with. Hole 380 of container 1 and mounting plate 350
Through holes 370 together form an ink reservoir. Also,
In the example of FIG. 33B, the actuator 106b is protected from contact with the outside by the protection member 361.

Note that the actuator 106b and the mounting plate 350 in the examples of FIGS.
It can be replaced by the actuator 106 having the substrate 178 of FIG.

FIG. 33C shows the state of the actuator 106b.
An embodiment comprising a mold structure 600 including:
In the example of FIG. 33C, a mold structure 600 is used as one of the mounting structures. The mold structure 600 includes:
It has an actuator 106b and a mold part 364. The actuator 106b and the mold part 364 are
It is molded integrally. The mold section 364 is formed of a plastic material such as a silicone resin. The mold part 364 is formed to have two legs extending from the actuator 106b side. The foot part of the mold part 364 has a lead wire 362 inside. In order to fix the mold portion 364 and the container 1 in a liquid-tight manner, the ends of the two legs of the mold portion 364 are connected to the container 1.
Is formed hemispherically outside. Mold part 364
Is mounted on the container 1 so that the actuator 106 b projects into the container 1. Thereby, the vibrating part of the actuator 106b comes into contact with the ink in the container 1. The upper electrode 164, the piezoelectric layer 160, and the lower electrode 166 of the actuator 106b are
Protected from contact with ink.

A mold structure 600 shown in FIG.
Sealing structure 37 between mold part 364 and container 1
The ink does not easily leak from the container 1 without requiring the ink container 2.
In addition, since the mold structure 600 does not protrude from the outside of the container 1, the actuator 106b can be protected from contact with the outside. Further, in the mold structure 600, since the mold portion 364 protrudes into the container 1, the actuator 106b does not malfunction due to ink dripping from the upper surface or side surface of the container 1.

Although each of the above-mentioned modules is configured to have one actuator,
A configuration having two actuators is also possible. An outline of this case is shown in FIG. When the module 4000 as shown in FIG. 34 is used, as shown in FIG. 35, the liquid level control to the predetermined liquid level LL described above with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 can be realized with extremely high accuracy. . Also,
Compared to the case where two actuators are provided separately,
In addition to the downsizing of the device, there is an advantage that the installation accuracy is improved.

As described above, with respect to the carriage and the ink cartridge separate from the carriage mounted on the carriage,
The case where the actuator 106 is mounted on the ink cartridge or the carriage has been mainly described. However, the actuator 106 may be mounted on an ink tank integrated with the carriage and mounted on the inkjet recording apparatus together with the carriage. Further, the actuator 106 may be mounted on an off-carriage type ink tank that supplies ink to the carriage via a tube or the like separately from the carriage. Further, the actuator of the present invention may be mounted on a portion corresponding to an ink cartridge of a member in which the recording head and the ink container are integrally exchangeable.

The recording device control units 2000 and 200
4, 2006, their respective elements and control device 840c
(See FIG. 15) can be constituted by a computer system. Here, a program for causing a computer system to realize each of these elements, and a computer-readable recording medium 201 on which the program is recorded
(See FIG. 5) is also the subject of protection in this case.

Further, when each of the above-described components is realized by a program such as an OS operating on a computer system, a program including various instructions for controlling the program such as the OS and a recording medium 202 storing the program are also provided. , Is the subject of protection in this case.

Here, the recording media 201 and 202 are not only those which can be recognized as a single unit such as a floppy disk, but also
It also includes a network for transmitting various signals.

[0304] Examples of the liquid include, besides ink,
Glue, nail polish, etc. may be used.

In each of the above embodiments, it is preferable that the vibrating section and / or the cavity be configured as a lyophilic part (a lyophilic part). Such a case will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 36 is a sectional view of an embodiment of an ink cartridge for black ink. An ink supply port 5002 that is connected to an ink supply needle of a recording apparatus is provided in a container main body 5001 that stores ink. On the side surface near the bottom surface 5001a of the container body 5001, for example, an actuator 106 as shown in FIG.
01c so as to be able to contact the ink inside.

The actuator 106 is connected to the ink supply port 50 so that the medium that comes into contact with the actuator 106 changes from ink to gas when the ink K is almost completely consumed, ie, when the ink is near the end.
It is provided at a position slightly higher than 02. It should be noted that a means for generating vibration is provided independently,
6 may simply be used as the detecting means.

As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the packing 5004 and the valve 5006 are provided at the ink supply port 5002.
Is provided. In particular, as shown in FIG. 37, the packing 5004 engages with the ink supply needle 5032 communicating with the recording head 5031 in a liquid-tight manner. The valve element 5006 includes a spring 5
005 is always in contact with the packing 5004.

When the ink supply needle 5032 is inserted, the valve body 5006 is pushed by the ink supply needle 5032 to open the ink flow path, and the ink in the container main body 5001 moves the ink supply port 5002 and the ink supply needle 5032. The recording medium is supplied to the recording head 5031 via the recording medium.

As shown in FIG. 37, a carriage 5030 capable of reciprocating in the width direction of the recording paper includes a sub-tank unit 5033, and a recording head 5031 is provided on the lower surface of the sub-tank unit 5033. Also,
The ink supply needle 5032 is provided on the ink cartridge mounting surface side of the sub tank unit 5033. In addition,
On the upper wall of the container main body 5001, a semiconductor storage unit 5 storing information on ink in the ink cartridge is stored.
007 is attached.

FIGS. 38 (A) and 38 (B) are diagrams for explaining the non-lyophilic material B1 and the lyophilic material B2, respectively. Here, the lyophilicity is
It means affinity with any liquid that can be contained in the liquid container, and includes hydrophilicity, lipophilicity, superhydrophilicity, superlipophilicity, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 38 (A) and 38 (B), when the liquid L is in contact with the material B1 which is not lyophilic, the contact angle (rise angle, rise angle) θ1 is It is larger than the contact angle θ2 when in contact with the material B2 that is lyophilic. Thus, lyophilicity affects the contact angle of the liquid. The contact angle θ2 with the lyophilic material B2 is a relatively sharp acute angle. In this embodiment, the contact angle of the liquid L with respect to the lyophilic part is about 30 degrees or less. The contact angle is preferably closer to 0 degree for the reason described later.

The lyophilic portion can be formed by making the material itself lyophilic, by performing a surface roughening treatment, or by coating a lyophilic material. Generally, a material having a high lyophilic property has a small surface tension of the liquid in relation to the liquid.

FIG. 39A is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the actuator 106 shown in FIG. FIG. 39 (B)
FIG. 3 shows a comparative example of a case having no lyophilic portion.
It is a figure similar to 9 (A).

In the case of FIG. 39 (B), no lyophilic portion is provided. Therefore, when ink is locally attached to the vibration area 176a when there is no ink around the actuator 106, the ink droplet M may stay. Thus, the actuator 106 may erroneously detect that there is ink even though there is no ink.

On the other hand, when at least the vibrating area 176a of the vibrating plate 176 that comes into contact with the ink is included in the lyophilic portion, ink is locally attached to the vibrating area 176a when there is no ink around the actuator 106. Even so, the contact angle of the ink is small, the ink only stays thinly on the surface of the vibration area 176a, and much ink flows down without staying. Therefore, the detection of ink by the actuator 106 is not substantially affected.

Further, it is possible to prevent the vaporized ink from condensing on the vibration area 176a due to the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the ink cartridge. Even if the ink is condensed, the ink only stays thinly on the surface of the vibration area 176a because the contact angle of the ink is small. Therefore,
The actuator 106 does not erroneously detect that there is ink even though there is no ink. Note that the ink staying on the surface of the vibration region 176a included in the lyophilic portion is extremely thin and is not shown in FIG.

It is preferable that the vicinity of the vibration area 176a is also made lyophilic. For example, it is preferable that the inner surface 161a of the cavity 162 also be a lyophilic portion. Furthermore, the substrate 1 facing the inner side of the container body 1
The back surface 178a of the base 78 may be a lyophilic portion (ink-philic portion). Further, it is preferable that not only the actuator 106 but also the through hole 5001c of the container body 5001 and the inner wall surface 5001d of the container body 5001 be used as the lyophilic portion. As described above, when the vicinity of the vibration area 176a is used as the lyophilic part, the ink that has erroneously adhered may be the cavity 162 or the through-hole 5001.
It does not stay in c.

Further, if the inside of the cavity 162 or the inside of the through hole 5001c is used as the lyophilic portion, the ink can be refilled in the ink cartridge when the ink is refilled.
2 or through hole 5001c. For this reason, the ink can be easily refilled into the ink cartridge without requiring a special method. Therefore, the user can easily refill the ink cartridge with the ink when the actuator 106 provided in the ink cartridge mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus detects the ink end. That is, the ink cartridge can be easily recycled.

In the case shown in FIG. 39A, the cavity 162 and the through-hole 5001c are designed so that the ink does not remain in the cavity 162 or the through-hole 5001c after the ink level passes through the actuator 106. I have. However, the cavity 162 or the through-hole 5001c may be designed so that the ink is positively left in the cavity 162 or the through-hole 5001c. For example, the cavity 162 or the through hole 5001c
By using the inside as the lyophilic portion and utilizing the capillary force acting on the cavity 162 or the through hole 5001c, the ink can easily remain in the cavity 162 or the through hole 5001c.

A cavity 162 or a through hole 5001c
If the ink is left positively in the
The following advantages are obtained. That is, even if the liquid container swings and the liquid surface is wavy, the ink remains locally in the cavity 162 or the through-hole 5001c, so that the ink droplets may locally adhere to the vibration region of the actuator 106. Absent. Therefore, malfunction of the actuator can be prevented.

In addition, the cavity 162 or the through hole 50
If the threshold value for the presence or absence of the liquid is defined as a case where the liquid in the liquid container remains in the liquid container 01c, there is no liquid around the cavity 162, and the cavity 162 or the through hole 500
If there is little liquid in 1c, it is determined that there is no ink. If there is liquid around the cavity 162 or the through hole 5001c, and if there is more liquid than this threshold, it can be determined that there is ink.

In such a case, it can be determined that there is no ink even when the ink in the cavity has dried and the ink has run out. Further, even if ink adheres to the cavity again due to the shaking of the carriage or the like where the ink in the cavity is exhausted, the threshold value is not exceeded, so it can be determined that there is no ink.

As a further modification, the actuator 1
06, the entire part of the ink cartridge in contact with the ink, including the container body 5001 and the ink supply port 5002, may be the lyophilic part. In such a case, the entire portion of the ink cartridge that comes into contact with the ink becomes the lyophilic portion.

When the entire inside of the ink cartridge is made lyophilic, the inside of the ink cartridge can be easily cleaned with a predetermined cleaning liquid compatible with the lyophilicity. More specifically, after using the ink cartridge,
The inside of the ink cartridge can be cleaned with a lyophilic liquid.

The predetermined cleaning liquid is preferably a liquid having a higher affinity for the inner wall in the ink cartridge and the actuator 106 than the ink contained in the container main body 5001. For example, when the water-based ink remains in the ink cartridge, it is preferable to wash the ink cartridge with an oil-based cleaning liquid having a higher affinity for the ink cartridge. The type of the cleaning liquid is not particularly limited as long as it has a higher lyophilic property to the inner wall in the ink cartridge and the actuator 106 than the ink.

Since the cleaning liquid has a higher lyophilic property to the inner wall in the ink cartridge and the actuator 106 than the ink, the cleaning liquid is more easily adapted to the inner wall in the ink cartridge and the actuator 106. Therefore, old ink and impurities remaining in the ink cartridge can be easily washed away. Furthermore, if the boiling point of the cleaning solution is low,
It is more preferable because drying after washing becomes easy.

The ink itself to be refilled into the ink cartridge may be used as a predetermined cleaning liquid. Even in such a case, the ink cartridge can be recycled without accumulating impurities in the container main body 5001.

Further, by making the actuator 106 lyophilic, when the ink is refilled in the container main body 5001, the ink is easily adapted to the actuator 106. Therefore, the ink is easily introduced into the cavity of the actuator 106. Therefore, when the ink cartridge in which the ink is refilled in the container body 5001 is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus, the actuator 10
6 does not erroneously detect the absence of ink.

As described above, the lyophilic portion may be formed so that the ink remains in the cavity 162 or the through hole 5001c when the ink in the ink cartridge is consumed. For example, the vibrating region 176a and the inner surface 161a of the cavity 162 are made ink-friendly,
In addition, the opening 161 is configured to have a size on which a capillary force acts. In this case, the ink easily enters the cavity 162, and once the cavity 162 is filled with the ink, the ink is held by the capillary force. Therefore, even when the ink in the ink cartridge is consumed and there is no ink around the actuator 106,
The ink remains in the cavity 162. Further, by making the through-hole 5001c large enough to act on the capillary force, not only inside the cavity 162 but also through-hole 500
It is also possible to leave the ink within 1c.

Further, for example, in order to allow the ink to remain in the cavity 162, the inside of the cavity 162 is made ink-philic and the substrate back surface 17 around the cavity 162 is removed.
8a may be made sparse ink.

The term “lyophobic” means hydrophobicity with any liquid that can be accommodated in a liquid container. , Super water repellency,
Including super oil repellency, super water separation, super oil separation, etc. In addition, the contact angle of the liquid with the lyophobic part is 60 degrees or more, and preferably closer to 180 degrees.

In order to allow ink to remain in the through-hole 5001c, the inside of the cavity 162 and the back surface 178a of the substrate are removed.
And making the inner wall of the through hole 5001c ink-friendly.
The inner side surface 5001d around the through hole 5001c may be made phobic.

The cavity 162 or the through hole 5001c
By making the periphery of the cavity 162 or the through hole 5001c ink-phobic, while making the inside ink-philic,
The ink surely remains in the cavity 162 or the through hole 5001c. Further, it is possible to prevent the ink from adhering around the portion where the ink remains.

It is preferable to design the liquid in the liquid container so that the liquid remains in the cavity 162 as follows.

Depending on the mounting position and the mounting angle of the actuator on the liquid container, the liquid may adhere to the vibration region of the actuator even though the liquid level in the liquid container is below the mounting position of the actuator. In some cases. When the actuator detects the presence / absence of the liquid only by the presence / absence of the liquid in the vibration region, the liquid adhering to the vibration region of the actuator prevents accurate detection of the presence / absence of the liquid. For example, when the liquid level is below the mounting position of the actuator and the liquid container oscillates due to the reciprocating movement of the carriage and the liquid undulates and the liquid droplets adhere to the vibration area, the actuator will The user incorrectly determines that there is sufficient liquid in the liquid container.

Therefore, conversely, by providing a cavity designed to accurately detect the presence / absence of liquid even when the liquid remains there, the liquid container swings and the liquid level rises. Even if is wavy, malfunction of the actuator can be prevented. Thus, by making the inside of the cavity lyophilic and actively leaving the liquid in the cavity, malfunction of the actuator can be effectively prevented.

In this case, a case where the liquid in the liquid container remains in the cavity 162 of the actuator 106 after the ink is consumed and the liquid level of the ink has passed through the actuator 106 is determined as a threshold value of the presence or absence of the liquid. I do. That is, when there is no liquid around the cavity 162 and the amount of liquid in the cavity is smaller than this threshold, it is determined that there is no ink. If there is liquid around the cavity 162 and the amount of liquid is larger than this threshold value, it is determined that there is ink.

For example, when the actuator 106 is mounted on the side wall of the liquid container, and when the liquid level in the liquid container is below the mounting position of the actuator 106, the liquid in the cavity is smaller than the threshold value.
06 detects the absence of ink. When the liquid level in the liquid container is above the mounting position of the actuator 106, the amount of liquid in the cavity is larger than the threshold, and the actuator 106 detects the presence of ink. By setting the threshold value in this manner, it is possible to determine that there is no ink even when the ink in the cavity has dried and the ink has run out. Further, even if ink adheres to the cavity again due to the shaking of the carriage or the like when the ink in the cavity has run out, the threshold value is not exceeded, so it can be determined that there is no ink.

When the ink level is passed through the level of the actuator 106 and the ink is left only in the cavity 162 with the cavity 162 as the lyophilic portion, the amount of ink remaining in the cavity 162 Can be the threshold. Cavity 162 and through hole 5001
c as the lyophilic portion and the cavity 162 and the through hole 500
When the ink remains in the cavity 16c, the cavity 16
2 and the amount of ink remaining in the through-hole 5001c can be the threshold.

Whether or not the ink remains in the cavity 162 and the through-hole 5001c can be appropriately determined depending on the purpose of use of the actuator 106, the mounting position, and the like.

FIG. 40A is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the actuator 106 shown in FIG. 36, in which ink droplets adhere only to the actuator 106 and its periphery. FIG. 40 (B) is a view similar to FIG. 40 (A) for explaining the case where there is no lyophilic part.
In the case of FIG. 40A, the portion of the ink cartridge that contacts the ink is formed of a lyophilic material or covered with a lyophilic material.

In the case of FIG. 40A, the contact angle θ2 of the ink with respect to the wall surface of the ink cartridge and the like is relatively small and acute. Therefore, even when ink adheres to the portion of the through-hole 5001c in which the actuator 106 is provided, the ink is adapted to the lyophilic portion, that is, the ink only slightly stays on the surface of the lyophilic portion, and many inks Flows down without stagnation. For this reason, the ink does not stay in the through-hole 5001c. The contact angle θ2 is
It is preferable that the angle is not more than about 20 degrees, and particularly closer to 0 degrees.

On the other hand, in the ink cartridge of FIG. 40B, since the lyophilic treatment is not performed, the contact angle θ1 of the ink with respect to the wall surface of the ink cartridge is relatively large, for example, from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. It is. Therefore, the through-hole 5001c in which the actuator 106 is provided
When the ink adheres to the portion, the ink passes through the through hole 500
It may stay in part 1c.

Therefore, in the ink cartridge of FIG. 40B, there is a possibility that the actuator 106 may erroneously detect that there is ink even though there is substantially no ink inside the ink cartridge.

On the other hand, as described above, FIG.
In the ink cartridge of (A), there is no possibility that the actuator 106 erroneously detects that there is ink even though there is substantially no ink inside the ink cartridge.

Next, a lyophilic material will be described. The lyophilic material for forming the lyophilic portion is, of course, not particularly limited. Thus, any lyophilic material can be used. Materials having strong lyophilic properties include, for example, those coated with a photocatalyst and irradiated with ultraviolet light, inorganic materials, those having an activated surface, hydrophilic epoxy compounds, silica fine particle-containing materials, carboxyl groups in the molecule, and phenolic compounds. Examples include compounds having two or more functional groups selected from a hydroxyl group and an epoxy group.

As a material for the photocatalyst, a titanium oxide photocatalyst can be considered. More specifically, there are anatase titania, rutile titania and the like. A lyophilic part is obtained by applying these materials to a predetermined part and irradiating with ultraviolet rays.

As the silica particle-containing material, a material obtained by dispersing and stabilizing colloidal silica in water or an organic solvent can be considered. For example, there is a resin obtained by adding inorganic silica to a resin containing a hydroxyl group or an amino group. Examples of the resin containing a hydroxyl group include an acrylic resin, a polyvinyl alcohol resin, and an epoxy resin. Examples of the resin containing an amino group include an amide resin and an amino resin. Mixing the resin so that it contains both hydroxyl and amino groups in the resin,
It may be compounded at the time of resin synthesis. More specifically, there are acrylamide resin, methacrylamide resin, aminoacrylic resin, epoxy-amide resin, amino-epoxy resin and the like. The hydroxyl group equivalent and the amino group equivalent of the resin, the functional group equivalent when considering the hydroxyl group and the amino group equivalent as a functional group,
When it is 3000 or less, the hydrophilicity is particularly good.

Further, a material obtained by reacting an organic silane compound with the above-mentioned hydroxyl group-containing resin, amino group-containing resin, or a resin containing a hydroxyl group and an amino group may be used as a lyophilic material.

The method of coating the surface of a predetermined material with a lyophilic material is not particularly limited. Thus, any method for coating a lyophilic material can be used. As a method for coating a lyophilic material, for example, there are methods such as plating, coating, and deposition. The lyophilic material can be coated using any other known technique. For example, as a specific example of the coating, a lyophilic material is dripped before or during rotation of the lyophilic portion, and spin coating, in which coating is performed by rotating the lyophilic portion, There are dip coating in which coating is performed by immersing a part in a lyophilic material, and roll coating in which coating is performed by applying a lyophilic material to a lyophilic part using a roll. Alternatively, the lyophilic material may be applied to the lyophilic part simply by using a brush or the like.

On the other hand, the lyophobic portion can be formed by attaching a coating layer formed of a lyophobic material to a predetermined location.

[0353] Examples of the deposition method include CVD, plasma CVD, sputtering, and vacuum deposition.

In addition, the surface roughness of the material may affect the lyophilicity. For example, a material having a large contact angle is subjected to a roughening treatment, whereby lyophilicity can be improved. In addition, for example, when the material is a hydrophilic material having a fractal structure, a super-hydrophilic surface or a super-lipophilic surface can be obtained by increasing the surface roughness. Therefore, it is preferable to form a lyophilic part by roughening the surface of a lyophilic material having a fractal structure. However, the material is not limited to a material having a fractal structure as long as the material becomes lyophilic by the surface roughening treatment.

When the actuator 106 is provided in each of the modules 100, 400, 500, 700, etc., it may be preferable to form a lyophilic portion also in the ink contact portion of the module, etc. .

Next, a method for manufacturing an ink cartridge having a lyophilic portion will be specifically described. Here, FIG.
An example of a method for manufacturing an ink cartridge having the module 100 shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

In the first manufacturing method, first, the actuator 106 is set on a predetermined jig such that the cavity 162 is exposed. Next, an area that is not made lyophilic is masked. Then, the predetermined jig on which the actuator 106 is set is attached to an apparatus for forming a lyophilic portion, and the inside of the cavity 162 is processed to be lyophilic (for example, a lyophilic material is coated or plated). ). Then, the actuator 1 is attached to the module 100.
06 is attached. Then, the module 100 provided with the actuator 106 is mounted (deployed) on the ink cartridge.

The predetermined jig is formed, for example, from a resin or a metal material in a manner that a hole is provided in the cavity 162. In addition, the masking may be performed using a thermoplastic resin, and for example, all parts except the cavity 162 may be masked.

According to this method, the lyophilic portion can be formed only on the actuator 106. In forming the lyophilic portion, only the actuator 106 is handled. Therefore, equipment for providing lyophilicity is relatively small. Thereby, the cost for manufacturing the same ink cartridge can be reduced.

In the second manufacturing method, first, the actuator 106 is attached to the module body 100. Next, the module 100 is set on a predetermined jig so that the cavity 162 of the actuator 106 is exposed. Then, the predetermined jig on which the module 100 is set is attached to an apparatus for forming a lyophilic part, and after performing necessary masking, the cavity 162 is formed.
The module body 100 inside and / or around the cavity 162 is treated to be lyophilic (for example, a lyophilic material is coated or plated). Then, the module 1
00 is attached to the ink cartridge.

According to this method, the portion of the module 100 around the cavity 162 of the actuator 106 can be subjected to lyophilic treatment simultaneously with the inside of the cavity 162. Thereby, the module body 100 inside the cavity 162 and the periphery thereof can be made preferably lyophilic.

In the third manufacturing method, first, the actuator 106 is attached to the module body 100. Next, the module body 100 is mounted on the ink cartridge. Then, the ink cartridge itself is set in a predetermined jig so that the cavity 162 of the actuator 106 is exposed. Thereafter, the predetermined jig is attached to an apparatus for forming a lyophilic portion, and necessary masking is performed.
The portion of the module 100 around 62 and / or the interior of the ink cartridge is rendered lyophilic (eg, coated or plated with a lyophilic material).

According to the present method, the actuator 106,
The module 100 and / or the inside of the ink cartridge can be simultaneously subjected to lyophilic treatment. Thereby, the inside of the cavity 162 and the module body 100 around the cavity 162 and the inside of the ink cartridge can be made preferably lyophilic.

In this case, it is ensured that the ink is sufficiently brought into contact with the piezoelectric device when the ink is filled at the time of manufacturing or recycling the ink cartridge.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an ink cartridge containing a plurality of types of ink as viewed from the back. The container 5008 is divided into three ink chambers 5009, 5010, and 5011 by partition walls. Each ink chamber has an ink supply port 5012,
5013 and 5014 are formed. The bottom surface 5008 of each ink chamber 5009, 5010 and 5011
a includes actuators 106c, 106d and 10
6e is attached so that elastic waves can be transmitted to the ink contained in each ink chamber via the container 5008. Container 5 of ink cartridge according to the present embodiment
It is preferable to make the portion in 008 or the actuators 106c, 106d, and 106e that comes into contact with ink lyophilic.

As described above, the present invention has been described using a plurality of embodiments, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It is apparent from the description of the appended claims that embodiments with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0367]

According to the present invention, the detection of the so-called "full" state of the accommodation space can be realized with high reliability. The present invention is particularly effective for a liquid refilling operation in which the accommodation space is set to a “full” state.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, the detection of the so-called "full" state and the "liquid end" state of the accommodation space can be realized with high reliability. The present invention is particularly effective for a liquid refilling operation in which the accommodation space is set to a “full” state after detecting a “liquid end”.

Alternatively, according to the present invention, it can be detected with high reliability whether or not the liquid level in the accommodation space exists within a predetermined area defined by two sets of vibrating sections. The present invention is particularly effective when the liquid level is to be maintained substantially constant and the liquid head pressure is to be maintained substantially constant.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing details of an actuator 106. FIG.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the periphery of an actuator 106 and its equivalent circuit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between ink density and a resonance frequency of ink detected by an actuator 106.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a back electromotive force waveform of the actuator 106.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing apparatus control unit 2000 that detects a change in acoustic impedance to detect the consumption state of the liquid in the liquid container 1 and controls the inkjet printing apparatus based on the detection result. It is.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an installation position of an actuator in the case of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an ink replenishing device.

FIG. 8 shows a case where the installation mode of the actuator is changed.
The figure corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an installation position of an actuator in the case of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 when the installation mode of the actuator is changed.

FIG. 11 is a view showing an installation position of an actuator in the case of FIG. 10;

12 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the recording device control unit 2000 shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the printing apparatus control unit 2004 shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of the printing apparatus control unit 2006 illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a measurement circuit section 800.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a detection circuit unit 1100.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a detailed circuit configuration of a liquid presence / absence determining section 1000 shown in FIG.

FIG. 18 is a view showing another embodiment of the actuator 106.

FIG. 19 is a view showing a cross section of a part of the actuator 106 shown in FIG. 18;

20 is a diagram illustrating a cross section of the entire actuator 106 illustrated in FIG. 19;

21 is a diagram illustrating a method of manufacturing the actuator 106 illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 22 is a view showing still another embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a view showing another embodiment of the through hole 1c.

FIG. 24 is a view showing another embodiment of an actuator 660.

FIG. 25 is a view showing still another embodiment of the actuator 670.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the module body 100.

FIG. 27 is an exploded view showing the configuration of the module 100 shown in FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a view showing another embodiment of the module body 100.

FIG. 29 is an exploded view showing the configuration of the module 400 shown in FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a view showing still another embodiment of the module body 100.

31 is a diagram showing an example of a cross section in which the module body 100 shown in FIG. 26 is mounted on an ink container 1. FIG.

FIG. 32 is a view showing still another embodiment of the module body 100.

FIG. 33 is a view showing still another embodiment of the module body 100.

FIG. 34 is a schematic view showing an example of a module body having two built-in actuators.

FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an installation state of the actuator in the case of FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a sectional view of an embodiment of an ink cartridge for black ink.

FIG. 37 is a sectional view showing a main part of an ink jet recording apparatus suitable for the ink cartridge of FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is a diagram for explaining a material that is not lyophilic to a certain liquid and a material that is lyophilic.

FIG. 39 is an enlarged view of a portion near the actuator of FIG. 36;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged view of a portion near the actuator of FIG. 36;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an ink cartridge that stores a plurality of types of ink as viewed from the back side.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1 'container 1a bottom surface 1b side wall 1c, 40a through hole 1d side surface 1e, 1f step portion 1g, 1h groove 2 ink supply port 40, 41 green sheet 42, 44 conductive layer 44' connection portion 47, 48 spacer member 67 plate material 68 Float 71 Adhesive layer 78, 80, 178 Substrate 73, 82, Piezoelectric vibrating plate 74, 75 Ink absorber 76 Packing 77 Caulking hole 81 Depression 100, 400, 500, 700 Module 101, 401, 501 Liquid container mounting part 102 Base 104, 362 Lead wire 105, 405, 505 Piezoelectric device mounting section 106, 106b to 106e, 650, 660, 670
Actuator 106A, 106C Actuator SWA, SWC Semiconductor switch 108 Film 110 Plate 112, 412, 370 Through hole 113 Depression 114 Opening 116 Columnar part 160 Piezoelectric layer 162 Cavity 164 Upper electrode 166 Lower electrode 168 Upper electrode terminal 170 Lower electrode terminal 172 Auxiliary Electrode 174 Piezoelectric element 176 Vibrating plate 180 Ink cartridge 181 Air supply port 182 Ink introduction section 183 Ink introduction port 184 Holder 185 Air introduction port 186 Head plate 187 Ink supply port 188 Nozzle plate 190 Nozzle 192 Wave prevention wall 194 Ink container 194a Bottom surface 194b Side wall 194c Upper surface 212 Partition wall 213, 213a, 213b Storage room 214 Buffer 216, 216a, 216b Porous member 220 Ink cartridge 222 First partition 224 Second partition 225a First storage chamber 225b Second storage chamber 227 Capillary channel 228 Check valve 230 Ink supply port 232 Valve 232a Blade 233 Vent hole 235 Spring 242 Porous Quality member 250 Carriage 252 Recording head 254 Ink supply needle 256 Sub-tank unit 258, 258 'Convex part 260, 260' Elastic wave generating means 262 Ink chamber 266 Membrane valve 270 Valve 272 Ink cartridge 274 Container 274a Bottom surface 274b Side surface 276 Ink supply port 278 Recess 280, 280 'Gelling material 282 Packing 284 Spring 286 Valve 288 Semiconductor storage means 290 Container 290a Bottom surface 292, 294, 296 Ink chamber 298, 300, 302 Ink supply port 304 306, 308 Gelling material 310, 312, 314 Recess 316 Plate 318 Float 350 Mounting plate 360 Liquid container mounting 364 Mold 372 Sealing structure 402, 502 Base 403, 503 Column 404, 504 Lead wire 408, 508 Film 410 , 510 plate 413, 513 recess 414, 514 opening 600 mold structure 606 actuator 610 circuit board 612 terminal 800 measuring circuit 810 NPN transistor 812 PNP transistor 816 reference potential generator 818, 820, 828, 830, 832 resistance 822, 826 Capacitor 824 High-pass filter 834, 840, 842, 844, 846 Terminal 836 Comparator 840c Controller 850 Drive voltage generator 86 0 Amplifying section 900 Digital circuit section 910, 918 Flip-flop 912, 920 Counter 914, 916 NAND gate 1000 Liquid presence / absence determination section 1010 Liquid consumption state correction section 1011 Upper limit value register 1012 Lower limit value register 1014, 1016 Comparison section 1018 AND gate 1020, 1022 terminal 1100, 1104 detection circuit unit 1200, 1210 liquid consumption state detection unit 1300 head unit 1400 control unit 1402 recording device operation control unit 1404 presentation processing unit 1406 printing operation control unit 1408 ink replenishment processing unit 1410 cartridge exchange processing unit 1412 print data Storage processing unit 1414 Print data storage unit 1416 Display 1418 Speaker 1420 Printing operation unit 1422 Ink replenisher 1424 Cartridge exchange Replacement device 1432 Cleaning drive unit 1434 Pump 1436 Cleaning unit 1440 Head drive unit 1442 Cleaning control unit 1444 Information storage control circuit unit 1450 Liquid ejection counter 1452 Liquid consumption correction unit 1500, 1502, 1506 Control circuit unit 2000, 2004, 2006 Recording device Control unit 3001 Carriage 3002 Guide member 3003 Ink supply unit 3004 Recording head 3005 Ink cartridge 3006 Cartridge holder 3007 Ink replenishment unit 3008 Tube 3009 Ink inlet 3010 Pump unit 3021 Atmospheric opening 4000 Module 5001 Container body 5001a Bottom surface 5001c Through hole 5001d Wall 5002 Ink supply port 5004 Packing 5005 Spring 5006 Valve 5007 Semiconductor storage means 5008 Container 5008a Bottom 5009 to 5011 Ink chamber 1012 to 5014 Ink supply port 5030 Carriage 5031 Recording head 5032 Ink supply needle 5033 Sub tank unit

Claims (35)

[Claims] At least a portion is exposed in an accommodation space for accommodating a refillable liquid, and a vibrating portion capable of vibrating with respect to the accommodating space, and the vibrating portion can be vibrated based on a drive signal. A piezoelectric element that generates a back electromotive force signal by the vibration of the vibrating section, and a liquid consumption state detection section that detects a liquid consumption state based on the back electromotive force signal from the piezoelectric element. A liquid consumption state detector capable of storing a predetermined amount of liquid, wherein the vibrating portion is provided near a liquid surface of the storage space when the predetermined amount of liquid is stored. 2. A vibrating part which is at least partially exposed to a storage space for storing a refillable liquid, and which can vibrate with respect to the storage space, and which can vibrate the vibrating part based on a drive signal. A piezoelectric element that generates a back electromotive force signal by the vibration of the vibrating section, and a liquid consumption state detection section that detects a liquid consumption state based on the back electromotive force signal from the piezoelectric element. The vibrating part and the piezoelectric element are provided in the vicinity of the liquid level when the predetermined amount of liquid is stored in the storage space and near the liquid level when the liquid in the storage space is depleted, respectively. Liquid consumption state detector characterized in that: 3. A vibrating portion which is at least partially exposed to a housing space for housing a refillable liquid and which can vibrate with respect to the housing space, and which can vibrate the vibrating portion based on a drive signal. A piezoelectric element that generates a back electromotive force signal by the vibration of the vibrating section; and a liquid consumption state detecting section that detects a liquid consumption state based on the back electromotive force signal from the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is in the vicinity of a predetermined liquid level in the accommodation space,
A liquid consumption state detector provided above the liquid surface and below the liquid surface. 4. The liquid consumption state detector according to claim 3, wherein said two sets of vibrating portions and piezoelectric elements are formed in one module. 5. The liquid consumption state detection unit detects a liquid consumption state based on a relative relationship between back electromotive force signals from two piezoelectric elements. A liquid consumption state detector according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The liquid consumption state detector according to claim 1, wherein the liquid consumption state detector measures a frequency of the back electromotive force signal. 7. The liquid consumption state detecting section has a counter for measuring the number of vibrations of the back electromotive force signal during a predetermined time, and determines the frequency of the back electromotive force signal based on a numerical value measured by the counter. The liquid consumption state detector according to claim 6, wherein the liquid consumption state detector is configured to measure. 8. The liquid consumption state detecting section has a clock counter for measuring a time during which the back electromotive force signal vibrates a predetermined number of times, and based on the time measured by the clock counter. The liquid consumption state detector according to claim 6, wherein the frequency of the back electromotive force signal is measured. 9. The liquid according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space has a symmetrical shape when viewed from the liquid storage space side. Consumption state detector. 10. The piezoelectric element is fixed to a position substantially at the center of a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid accommodating space, on a side opposite to the liquid accommodating space side of the vibrating portion. A liquid consumption state detector according to claim 9. 11. The liquid consumption state detector according to claim 9, wherein a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space has a circular shape when viewed from the liquid storage space side. 12. The liquid according to claim 1, wherein a vibration direction of the piezoelectric element is substantially perpendicular to a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space. Consumption state detector. 13. The liquid consumption state detecting device according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space has lyophilicity for the liquid. vessel. 14. The liquid crystal device according to claim 13, wherein a cavity having lyophilicity for the liquid is provided so as to surround a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space. Liquid consumption status detector. 15. A wall for defining a storage space for storing a liquid so as to be refillable, and at least a part of the wall is exposed to the storage space for storing the refillable liquid, and the storage space is vibrated. A vibrating part, and a piezoelectric element capable of vibrating the vibrating part based on the drive signal and generating a back electromotive force signal by the vibration of the vibrating part. Wherein the vibrating portion is provided in the vicinity of the liquid level when the predetermined amount of liquid is stored in the storage space. 16. A wall defining a storage space for refillably storing a liquid, and at least a portion of the wall is exposed to the storage space for storing the refillable liquid, and the storage space is vibrated with respect to the storage space. A vibrating part, and a piezoelectric element capable of vibrating the vibrating part based on the drive signal and generating a back electromotive force signal by the vibration of the vibrating part. Only the vibrating part and the piezoelectric element are provided near the liquid level of the storage space when the predetermined amount of liquid is stored and near the liquid surface of the storage space when the liquid is depleted. Characterized liquid container. 17. A wall defining a storage space for storing a liquid so as to be refillable, and at least a part of the wall being exposed to a storage space for storing a refillable liquid, and vibrating with respect to the storage space. A vibrating part, and a piezoelectric element capable of vibrating the vibrating part based on the drive signal and generating a back electromotive force signal by the vibration of the vibrating part. Near the predetermined liquid level in the space,
A liquid container provided above the liquid surface and below the liquid surface. 18. The liquid container according to claim 15, wherein a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space has lyophilicity for the liquid. 19. The liquid crystal display according to claim 18, wherein a region of the wall portion near a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space has lyophilicity for the liquid. Liquid container. 20. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 18, wherein a cavity having lyophilicity for the liquid is provided so as to surround a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space. Liquid container. 21. The liquid container according to claim 20, wherein a region of the wall portion adjacent to the cavity has lyophilicity for the liquid. 22. The liquid container according to claim 20, wherein a region of the wall portion adjacent to the cavity portion has lyophobicity to the liquid. 23. The liquid container according to claim 15, further comprising a liquid consumption state detecting section for detecting a liquid consumption state based on a back electromotive force signal from the piezoelectric element. 24. The liquid container according to claim 23, further comprising a storage unit for storing a liquid consumption state detected by the liquid consumption state detector. 25. A liquid, comprising: the liquid container according to claim 23; and a liquid consuming main body connected to the liquid container and consuming the liquid contained in the liquid container. Consumer equipment. 26. A liquid replenishing device for replenishing a liquid in a storage space of a liquid container, a replenishment control unit for controlling the liquid replenishing device based on the liquid consumption state of the liquid container detected by the liquid consumption state detecting unit, The liquid consuming device according to claim 25, further comprising: 27. A control circuit for controlling a liquid consuming operation of the liquid consuming main body based on the liquid consuming state of the liquid container detected by the liquid consuming state detecting section. 27. The liquid consuming device according to 25 or 26. 28. A storage unit for storing the liquid consumption state detected by the liquid consumption state detector, and the operation of consuming the liquid in the liquid consumption main unit based on the liquid consumption state of the liquid container stored by the storage unit. 3. A control circuit unit for controlling.
27. The liquid consuming device according to 5 or 26. 29. A control device for controlling a liquid consumption state detector according to claim 1, wherein a drive signal is supplied to the piezoelectric element, and the liquid consumption state detection section detects the liquid consumption state. A control device characterized by the above-mentioned. 30. A computer-readable recording medium which is executed by a computer system including at least one computer and records a program for causing the computer system to implement the control device according to claim 29. 31. A computer program including instructions for controlling a second program operating on a computer system including at least one computer, wherein the instructions are executed by the computer system to control the second program. 30. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing the computer system to implement the control device according to claim 29. 32. A program that is executed by a computer system including at least one computer, and causes the computer system to realize the control device according to claim 28. 33. An instruction for controlling a second program operating on a computer system including at least one computer, the program being executed by the computer system to control the second program, A program for causing the computer system to implement the control device according to claim 29. 34. The method for manufacturing a liquid container according to claim 18, wherein a portion of the vibrating portion exposed to the liquid storage space is a portion having lyophilicity for the liquid. A method comprising the steps of: forming a lyophilic part; and mounting the liquid consumption state detector to a wall after the lyophilic part forming step. 35. A method for manufacturing a liquid container according to claim 18, wherein: a mounting step of mounting the liquid consumption state detector to a wall; and Forming a lyophilic portion for imparting lyophilicity to the liquid to a portion exposed to the liquid storage space.