JP2003312005A - Ink cartridge detecting mechanism and inkjet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce costs of an ink cartridge by eliminating the need of setting a reflecting member at the ink cartridge in an inkjet printer which detects an attachment/detachment state of the ink cartridge with the use of a reflecting type optical sensor. <P>SOLUTION: The ink cartridge 31 is equipped with the reflecting type optical sensor 29 which radiates light towards a cartridge holder 30 and detects the attachment/detachment state of the ink cartridge based on the reflecting light, and an elastic reflecting plate 37 set at the cartridge holder 30. The elastic reflecting plate 37 which is elastically deformed correspondingly to the attachment/detachment of the ink cartridge 31 to change over the position forms a reflecting optical path of the optical sensor 29 at either position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink cartridge detecting mechanism for detecting the attachment / detachment state of an ink cartridge in a cartridge holder, and more particularly to an ink jet printer provided with the ink cartridge detecting mechanism.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ink jet printers, which form characters and images on a print medium by ejecting ink supplied from an ink tank from a print head onto the print medium, have become widespread. In this type of inkjet printer, a cartridge-type ink tank (hereinafter referred to as an ink cartridge) is provided to facilitate ink supply.
Is widely adopted.

In the above-mentioned ink jet printer, it is required to detect the attachment / detachment state of the ink cartridge in order to prevent or warn a trouble caused by the non-mounting of the ink cartridge. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-230616 proposes a mechanism that allows the same reflective optical sensor to detect the remaining ink amount and the attached / detached state of an ink cartridge.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional ink cartridge detecting mechanism, a prism-shaped reflecting member formed by another member is provided on the side wall portion of the ink cartridge, and the ink cartridge is based on the reflected light. Since the attachment / detachment state of the ink cartridge is detected, the number of parts and the manufacturing process increase, which causes a disadvantage of increasing the cost of the ink cartridge.

The object of the present invention is to detect the attachment / detachment state of the ink cartridge by using a reflection type optical sensor, but it is not necessary to provide a reflection member in the ink cartridge, and the cost of the ink cartridge can be reduced. Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge detection mechanism and an ink jet printer that can avoid the cost increase and the structure complication of the cartridge holder by using the elastic reflection plate as the reflection member provided in the cartridge holder.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, an ink cartridge detecting mechanism of the present invention is an ink cartridge detecting mechanism for detecting the attachment / detachment state of an ink cartridge in a cartridge holder, and irradiates light to the cartridge holder. Then, a reflection type optical sensor for detecting the attachment / detachment state of the ink cartridge based on the reflected light, and an elastic reflection which is provided in the cartridge holder and elastically deforms according to the attachment / detachment of the ink cartridge and the position thereof is switched. A plate that forms the reflected light path of the optical sensor at any one position.

Further, it is preferable that the elastic reflection plate forms a reflection optical path of the optical sensor when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder. In this case, similarly to the conventional ink cartridge detection mechanism in which the ink cartridge is provided with the reflecting member, the optical sensor is in the light receiving state when the ink cartridge is mounted, so that the conventional ink cartridge attachment / detachment determination routine should be continuously used. You can

Further, the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder while the reflected light path of the optical sensor is blocked at a position before the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder. At this time, it is preferable to further include a light shielding wall portion that retracts from the reflected light path of the optical sensor.
In this case, the ON / OFF position of the optical sensor can be clarified and the detection accuracy thereof can be improved. Therefore, for example, when the ink cartridge is temporarily mounted,
It is possible to avoid the inconvenience of erroneously recognizing the attached / detached state and performing the printing operation.

Further, it is preferable that the elastic reflection plate forms a reflection optical path of the optical sensor when the ink cartridge is not mounted in the cartridge holder. In this case, even if the optical sensor receives the ambient light, it is determined that the ink cartridge has not been installed, and thus it is possible to prevent a malfunction when the ink cartridge is not installed.

Further, the elastic reflecting plate is provided when the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder.
It is preferable to provide an engaging portion that engages with the ink cartridge and positions the mounting position. In this case, since the elastic reflection plate can also serve as the positioning member of the ink cartridge, the number of parts of the cartridge holder and the manufacturing process can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced.

The elastic reflection plate is provided on the bottom of the cartridge holder, and the cartridge holder engages with the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is mounted and positions the mounting position. It is preferable to provide a joint. In this case, since the ink cartridge is pushed upward by the elastic force of the elastic reflection plate, the ink cartridge can be easily removed.

In order to achieve the above object, the ink jet printer of the present invention comprises an ink cartridge detecting mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the printer. As shown in these figures, an insertion opening 11 for manually inserting the paper P is formed on the front surface of the printer 10, while the printed paper P is ejected on the upper surface of the printer 10. The discharge port 12 is formed. Inside the printer 10, a paper path 13 having a V-shape in side view from the insertion opening 11 to the ejection opening 12 is formed, and a paper feed roller pair 14 and a print head 15 are arranged on the paper path 13. It The paper feed roller pair 14 is configured to include a paper feed roller 16 and a paper pressing roller 17 which are opposed to each other with the paper path 13 interposed therebetween, and nips and conveys the paper P according to the drive rotation of the paper feed roller 16. Print head 15
Is a carriage 18 that reciprocates in the width direction of the paper path 13.
Dot matrix printing is performed on the paper P mounted on the paper and the position of which is defined by the platen 19. The printing system of the print head 15 is an inkjet system that forms characters and images on the paper P by ejecting ink, and the ink used for printing is supplied from an ink supply unit 20 provided at the rear of the printer 10.

The carriage 18 includes a pair of front and rear guide shafts 2.
It is supported by left and right by 1 and 22, and is forcibly moved according to the drive of the carriage moving mechanism 23. The carriage moving mechanism 23 includes a cam shaft 24 arranged below the front guide shaft 21 and a carriage motor (not shown) for driving the cam shaft 24 to rotate. A spiral cam groove (not shown) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cam shaft 24.
Here, the cam follower 26 extending from the carriage 18
Are engaged. When the cam shaft 24 rotates in response to the driving of the carriage motor, the cam follower 26 is fed in the axial direction by the spiral feeding action of the cam groove. As a result, the carriage 18 can be moved in the left-right direction according to the forward and reverse driving of the carriage motor.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carriage having a print head mounted thereon. As shown in this figure, the print head 15 is mounted on the upper portion of the carriage 18. A flexible flat cable 27 and an ink tube 28 are drawn out from one side of the print head 15.
Ink is supplied to the print head 15 through the ink tube 28. The carriage 18 has a sensor mounting portion 18a extending downward from a rear portion thereof, and a light emitting element for irradiating light rearward is provided on a rear surface of the sensor mounting portion 18a.
A reflection type optical sensor 29 having a light receiving element for receiving the reflected light is attached.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ink supply section showing an ink cartridge mounted state, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the ink supply section. As shown in these drawings, the ink supply unit 20 includes a cartridge holder 30 arranged in the rear portion of the printer 10, and an ink cartridge 31 detachably attached to the cartridge holder 30 from above. Consists of Cartridge holder 30
Is a box-shaped container with an open top and its bottom is
A cartridge connection port 30a communicating with the print head 15 via the ink tube 28 is formed. The ink cartridge 31 includes an ink container 32 having an ink outlet 32a at the bottom, a foam 33 that absorbs and holds ink inside the ink container 32, a filter 34 provided above the ink outlet 32a, and the ink. Outlet 3
The packing 35 is provided at the bottom of the 2a, and the lid member 36 that hermetically closes the upper opening of the ink container 32 is configured. When the ink cartridge 31 is attached to the cartridge holder 30 from above, the ink discharge port 3
2a is a cartridge connection port 3 of the cartridge holder 30
0a, so that ink can be supplied to the print head 15.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the ink supply section showing the ink cartridge not mounted, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the ink supply section showing the ink cartridge mounted. As shown in these figures, the front and lower portions of the ink cartridge 31 are formed with recesses 31a that open forward and downward. At the inner upper end of the recess 31a, the engaging groove 3 that faces left and right
1b is formed, on the other hand, at the inner lower end of the recess 31a,
An inclined guide surface 31c that recedes toward the lower side is formed. The cartridge holder 30 is located below the front wall (the optical sensor 2
9 has an opening 30b, and an elastic reflection plate 37 is erected near the inside of the opening 30b so as to face the optical sensor 29. The elastic reflection plate 37 is formed by using an elastic plate material capable of reflecting light, for example, a thin stainless plate (SUS), and has an initial posture (ink cartridge not mounted state).
Is tilted backward, and is erected so as to be pivotally displaced forward and backward by elastic deformation. Further, the elastic reflection plate 37 includes an engaging portion 37a having a V shape in a side view at the upper end thereof. The engagement portion 37a is formed to engage with the engagement groove 31b and position (lock) the mounting position of the ink cartridge 31 when the ink cartridge 31 is mounted in the cartridge holder 30.

Next, the optical sensor 29 and the elastic reflector 3
The operation of the ink cartridge detection mechanism composed of 7 etc. will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, when the ink cartridge 31 is not mounted, the elastic reflection plate 37 is tilted backward. At this time, even if the optical sensor 29 is moved to a position facing the elastic reflection plate 37 and the elastic reflection plate 37 is irradiated with light,
The light is reflected above the optical sensor 29 and does not enter the light receiving element of the optical sensor 29. As a result, the optical sensor 29 is turned off, and it is determined that the ink cartridge 31 is not attached. On the other hand, when the ink cartridge 31 is attached to the cartridge holder 30, the engaging portion 37a of the elastic reflection plate 37 is pushed by the inclined guide surface 31c of the ink cartridge 31 and displaced forward in the process, and thereafter,
The engagement groove 31b of the ink cartridge 31 is engaged. By this engagement, the ink cartridge 31 is positioned at the predetermined mounting position shown in FIG. Further, when the engaging portion 37a of the elastic reflection plate 37 is engaged with the engagement groove 31b of the ink cartridge 31, the elastic reflection plate 37 is in the upright posture. At this time, when the optical sensor 29 is moved to a position facing the elastic reflection plate 37 and light is applied to the position, the light is
The light is reflected toward the optical sensor 29 and enters the light receiving element of the optical sensor 29. This turns on the optical sensor 29.
Then, the mounting of the ink cartridge 31 is determined.

Next, another example of the ink cartridge detecting mechanism will be sequentially described with reference to the drawings. However, the same parts as those of the first embodiment are referred to by the reference numerals of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the ink supply unit showing the ink cartridge unmounted state in the second embodiment, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the ink supply unit showing the ink cartridge temporary mounting state in the second embodiment, and FIG. Second
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an ink supply unit showing an ink cartridge mounting state in the embodiment. As shown in these drawings, in the second embodiment, the ink cartridge 31
A light shielding wall portion 31d is integrally formed at the front lower end portion of B.
As shown in FIG. 8, the light shielding wall portion 31d blocks the reflected optical path of the optical sensor 29 at a position before the ink cartridge 31B is mounted on the cartridge holder 30, and the ink cartridge 31B is mounted on the cartridge holder 30. As shown in FIG. 9, the optical sensor 29
Is formed so as to be retracted from the reflection optical path. As a result, the ON / OFF position of the optical sensor 29 becomes clear,
It is possible to improve the detection accuracy.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the ink supply section showing the ink cartridge unmounted state in the third embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the ink supply section showing the ink cartridge mounted state in the third embodiment. As shown in these figures, in the third embodiment, the recess 31a is formed.
The ink cartridge 31C which does not have the ink is used. Also,
The elastic reflection plate 37C of the third embodiment is attached to the inner surface of the front wall portion of the cartridge holder 30, and the lower opening portion 30 is provided.
It is extended toward b. As shown in FIG. 10, when the ink cartridge 31C is not mounted, the elastic reflection plate 37C is inclined. At this time, the optical sensor 29 is moved to a position facing the elastic reflection plate 37C, and the elastic reflection plate 3 is moved.
Even if 7C is irradiated with light, the light is reflected below the optical sensor 29 and does not enter the light receiving element of the optical sensor 29. As a result, the optical sensor 29 is turned off, and it is determined that the ink cartridge 31C is not mounted. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, when the ink cartridge 31C is attached to the cartridge holder 30, the elastic reflection plate 37C
Is pushed by the front surface of the ink cartridge 31C and is displaced forward to be in a substantially vertical posture. At this time, when the optical sensor 29 is moved to a position facing the elastic reflecting plate 37C and light is irradiated onto the position, the light is reflected toward the optical sensor 29 and enters the light receiving element of the optical sensor 29. As a result, the optical sensor 29 is turned on, and it is determined that the ink cartridge 31C is attached.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the ink supply section showing the ink cartridge unmounted state in the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the ink supply section showing the ink cartridge mounted state in the fourth embodiment. As shown in these figures, in the fourth embodiment, the recess 31a is formed.
The ink cartridge 31D that does not have the ink is used. Also,
The elastic reflection plate 37D of the fourth embodiment is attached to the inner surface of the front wall portion of the cartridge holder 30, and the lower opening portion 30 is provided.
It is extended toward b. As shown in FIG. 12, when the ink cartridge 31D is not mounted, the lower side portion (reflection portion) of the elastic reflection plate 37D is in a substantially vertical posture. At this time, when the optical sensor 29 is moved to a position facing the elastic reflection plate 37C and the elastic reflection plate 37C is irradiated with light, the light is reflected toward the optical sensor 29 and the optical sensor 29 is detected.
Is incident on the light receiving element of. As a result, the optical sensor 29 is turned on, and it is determined that the ink cartridge 31D is not mounted. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, when the ink cartridge 31D is attached to the cartridge holder 30,
The elastic reflection plate 37D is pushed by the front surface of the ink cartridge 31D and is displaced forward, and its lower side portion is inclined. At this time, even if the optical sensor 29 is moved to a position facing the elastic reflection plate 37D and light is emitted to the position, the light is reflected above the optical sensor 29 and does not enter the light receiving element of the optical sensor 29. . As a result, the optical sensor 29 is turned off, and it is determined that the ink cartridge 31D is attached.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the ink supply section showing the ink cartridge unmounted state in the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the ink supply section showing the ink cartridge mounted state in the fifth embodiment. As shown in these figures, in the fifth embodiment, the recess 31a is formed.
The ink cartridge 31E having no ink is used. Also,
The elastic reflection plate 37E of the fifth embodiment is attached to the bottom rear end of the cartridge holder 30 and has a front opening 30b.
Be extended towards. As shown in FIG. 14, when the ink cartridge 31E is not installed, the elastic reflection plate 3
The reflection portion 37b formed at the tip of 7E is the optical sensor 2
It is located above the irradiation position of 9. At this time, even if the optical sensor 29 is moved to a position facing the elastic reflection plate 37E and the elastic reflection plate 37E is irradiated with light, the light hits the lower surface of the elastic reflection plate 37E and the light receiving element of the optical sensor 29. Does not enter. This turns off the optical sensor 29.
Therefore, it is determined that the ink cartridge 31E is not mounted. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15, when the ink cartridge 31E is attached to the cartridge holder 30, the elastic reflection plate 37E is pushed by the lower surface of the ink cartridge 31E and is displaced downward, and the reflection portion 37b is in a substantially vertical posture. . At this time, when the optical sensor 29 is moved to a position facing the elastic reflection plate 37E and light is emitted to the position, the light is reflected toward the optical sensor 29, and the optical sensor 29.
Is incident on the light receiving element of. As a result, the optical sensor 29 is turned on, and it is determined that the ink cartridge 31E is attached.

In addition, when the ink cartridge 31E is mounted, a force for pushing the ink cartridge 31E upward due to elastic deformation of the elastic reflection plate 37E acts on the side surface of the cartridge holder 30. A mechanism (not shown) such as a snap fit for (locking) is provided. When the lock mechanism is released, the ink cartridge 31E is pushed upward by the elastic force of the elastic reflection plate 37E, so that the upper portion of the ink cartridge 31E projects from the upper surface of the cartridge holder 30. This allows
At the time of removing the ink cartridge 31E, the upper portion of the ink cartridge 31E can be easily picked up and can be easily removed.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the printer 10 irradiates the cartridge holder 30 with light and detects the attachment / detachment state of the ink cartridge 31 based on the reflected light. 29 and the ink cartridge 31 provided on the cartridge holder 30.
The elastic reflection plate 37 is elastically deformed in accordance with the attachment / detachment of the optical sensor 29, and the position thereof is switched.
To form a reflection optical path of the. As a result, although the attachment / detachment state of the ink cartridge 31 is detected by using the reflection type optical sensor 29, it is not necessary to provide a reflection member on the ink cartridge 31, and the cost of the ink cartridge 31 can be reduced.
Moreover, by using the elastic reflection plate 37 as the reflection member provided in the cartridge holder 30, it is possible to avoid the cost increase and the complexity of the structure of the cartridge holder 30.

Further, the elastic reflection plate 37 forms a reflection optical path of the optical sensor 29 when the ink cartridge 31 is attached to the cartridge holder 30, so that the ink cartridge 31 is provided with a reflection member in the conventional ink cartridge. Similar to the detection mechanism, the optical sensor 29 is in the light receiving state when the ink cartridge is attached, and as a result, the conventional ink cartridge attachment / detachment determination routine can be continuously used.

The elastic reflection plate 37 is provided when the ink cartridge 31 is mounted on the cartridge holder 30.
By engaging with the engaging groove 31b of the ink cartridge 31,
Since the elastic reflecting plate 37 is also used as the positioning member of the ink cartridge 31 because the engaging portion 37a for positioning the mounting position is provided, as a result, the number of parts of the cartridge holder 30 and the manufacturing process are reduced to reduce the cost. Can be achieved.

Further, in the ink cartridge 31B of the second embodiment, at a position before the ink cartridge 31B is mounted on the cartridge holder 30, the reflection optical path of the optical sensor 29 is blocked, while the ink cartridge 31B is mounted on the cartridge holder 30. Since the light shielding wall portion 31d that retracts from the reflected light path of the optical sensor 29 when mounted is further provided, the ON / OFF position of the optical sensor 29 can be clarified and its detection accuracy can be improved.
When the ink cartridge 31B is in the temporarily mounted state, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of erroneously recognizing the detached state and performing the printing operation.

The elastic reflecting plate 37D of the fourth embodiment is also used.
The ink cartridge 31 in the cartridge holder 30.
Since the reflection optical path of the optical sensor 29 is formed when D is not attached, it is possible to determine that the ink cartridge 31D is not attached even if the optical sensor 29 receives ambient light, and as a result, the ink is not attached. It is possible to prevent a malfunction when the cartridge is not mounted.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the matters shown in the above embodiment, and the claims and the detailed description of the invention, and It includes a range in which those skilled in the art can make changes and applications based on well-known techniques.

[0030]

As described above, according to the present invention, although the attachment / detachment state of the ink cartridge is detected by using the reflection type optical sensor, it is not necessary to provide a reflection member in the ink cartridge, and the ink cartridge is not provided. The cost of the cartridge holder can be reduced, and by using the elastic reflection plate as the reflection member provided in the cartridge holder, the cost increase of the cartridge holder and the complication of the structure can be avoided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an internal structure of a printer.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carriage equipped with a print head.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ink supply unit showing an ink cartridge mounting state.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an ink supply unit.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ink supply unit showing an ink cartridge not mounted.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an ink supply unit showing an attached state of an ink cartridge.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an ink supply unit showing a state in which an ink cartridge is not mounted in the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an ink supply unit showing a temporarily installed state of an ink cartridge according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an ink supply unit showing an attached state of an ink cartridge in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an ink supply unit showing a state in which an ink cartridge is not mounted in the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an ink supply unit showing an attached state of an ink cartridge according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an ink supply unit showing a state in which an ink cartridge is not mounted in the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an ink supply unit showing an attached state of an ink cartridge in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an ink supply unit showing a state in which an ink cartridge is not mounted in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an ink supply unit showing an attached state of an ink cartridge in a fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Printer 15 print head 20 Ink supply section 29 Optical sensor 30 Cartridge holder 31 ink cartridge 31a recess 31b Engagement groove 31c Inclined guide surface 31d Shading wall 37 Elastic reflector 37a engaging part

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An ink cartridge detection mechanism for detecting the attachment / detachment state of an ink cartridge in a cartridge holder, which is a reflection type for irradiating light toward the cartridge holder and detecting the attachment / detachment state of the ink cartridge based on the reflected light. And an optical reflection plate provided on the cartridge holder, which is elastically deformed in accordance with attachment / detachment of the ink cartridge and whose position is switched, and a reflection optical path of the optical sensor is formed at any one position. And an ink cartridge detecting mechanism. 2. The elastic reflecting plate, when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder,
The ink cartridge detection mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a reflection optical path of the optical sensor is formed. 3. The ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder while blocking the reflected optical path of the optical sensor at a position before the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder, and the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder. At this time, the ink cartridge detection mechanism according to claim 2, further comprising a light shielding wall portion that retracts from a reflected light path of the optical sensor. 4. The ink cartridge detection mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the elastic reflection plate forms a reflection optical path of the optical sensor when the ink cartridge is not mounted in the cartridge holder. 5. The elastic reflection plate is provided with an engaging portion that engages with the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder and positions the attachment position of the ink cartridge. Item 5. The ink cartridge detection mechanism according to any one of items 1 to 4. 6. The elastic reflection plate is provided on a bottom portion of the cartridge holder, and the cartridge holder engages with the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is mounted and positions the mounting position of the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge detection mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a mating portion. 7. An ink jet printer comprising the ink cartridge detecting mechanism according to claim 1.