JP2003334967A - Liquid supplying unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably control the negative pressure in a tank, to improve the total throughput, and to restrain liquid deterioration. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid level is maintained constantly by vertically fluctuating a main tank according to the residual liquid amount therein. In the case the residual amount is less than a certain level, a valve connected with a tube is closed and a valve of an atmosphere communication opening is opened simultaneously so that a liquid is supplied continuously to a head as a tank independent from the outside. <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 a liquid supply system of an ink jet recording apparatus, and more particularly to a liquid replenishing method, a liquid supply apparatus and a liquid ejection recording apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A technique relating to liquid supply through a liquid supply path is used in various fields. One example is an ink jet recording apparatus that ejects ink droplets from a recording head to record on a recording medium. Can be mentioned.

Since the ink jet recording apparatus ejects ink to perform recording, it is necessary to constantly supply the ink consumed by the ejection to the recording head. The ink supply method to the recording head is roughly classified into the following three methods.

(1) A tank mounting system in which an ink tank is detachably mounted on a carriage on which a recording head is mounted and an ink tank is connected to an ink supply port of the recording head.

(2) A head cartridge in which an ink tank and a recording head are integrated is mounted on a carriage, and a large-capacity tank for holding ink (hereinafter referred to as "main tank") is provided separately from the ink tank of the head cartridge.
(Referred to as), the so-called pit-in system in which ink is replenished by moving the carriage and connecting the ink tank of the head cartridge to the main tank at a predetermined position.

(3) The main tank is mounted integrally with the main body of the recording apparatus, an ink flow path is formed by a tube such as a tube between the tank and the head cartridge, and the head cartridge is provided in the ink flow path. A system to supply ink and to replenish ink with this mechanism.

[0007]

Among the above, in particular, in the ink jet recording apparatus for recording on a recording medium having a large size or mounted on an apparatus having a large recording volume, the above-mentioned tube system is often used. Was there.

However, this system has a problem that bubbles are accumulated in the tube from the sub tank due to long-term use, which makes the negative pressure inside the sub tank unstable and affects the supply of liquid to the head.

On the other hand, in the method of replenishing the ink from the main tank by generating a negative pressure from the outside in the sub tank after consuming the liquid in the sub tank (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-6521), the liquid is discharged from the main tank every time it is used up. In order to replenish the recording medium, the pause time of the recording operation is long and the throughput is low.

Further, in the method of controlling the negative pressure by vertically moving the main tank up and down (special registration 2806987), the ink recirculation method is used, which requires a large number of ink flow paths and tends to have a complicated structure. Therefore, there is concern about deterioration of the liquid.

In particular, in the case of recording on a recording medium having a large size or an ink jet recording apparatus mounted on an apparatus having a large recording volume, it is necessary to further speed up the recording operation and improve the quality of a recorded image. It is expected that one solution to this problem is to make the discharged liquid droplets smaller. It is also expected that stable negative pressure control in the ink tank, which greatly affects the ejection accuracy of the liquid droplets, will be required even more strongly. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid supply device that enables stable negative pressure control in a tank, improvement in overall throughput, and suppression of liquid deterioration.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a liquid supply device for an ink jet recording apparatus, and a drive mechanism for vertically moving the main tank having a liquid remaining amount detecting means therein. External liquid supply unit with vertical drive positioning and timing control mechanism. A liquid supply port installed on the upper surface of the sub-tank for receiving the liquid from the external liquid supply section, an atmosphere communication port installed on the upper surface of the sub-tank having a gas flow valve that can be opened / closed by an electric signal, and the inside of the sub-tank The print cartridge having upper liquid level detection means and lower liquid level detection means on its side surface. A tube connected to the external liquid supply section and the liquid supply port, to which is connected a liquid flow valve that can be opened and closed by an electric signal at an arbitrary position between one end or both ends.

The above-described external liquid supply section, the cartridge, and the tube are provided.

In the above structure, the remaining amount of the liquid in the main tank consumed by the ejection is detected by the liquid remaining amount detecting means of the main tank, and a signal corresponding to the remaining amount is detected. Timing control and position control are performed, and the main tank position is moved up and down at arbitrary timing to keep the liquid level constant and suppress negative pressure fluctuations. Also, before the liquid head in the main tank drops due to consumption due to discharge, the liquid surface drops away from the end of the tube fixed to the main tank, and the head pressure of the source of negative pressure disappears, and the valve of the tube is closed and the atmosphere This is a liquid supply device in which the opening of the valve of the communication port is activated at the same time, and the liquid consumption in the main tank is continuously switched to the liquid consumption in the cartridge while suppressing the negative pressure fluctuation.

Further, not only the single-use type but also the liquid in the sub-tank is consumed, the negative pressure generated by discharging the gas in the sub-tank replenishes the liquid from the replaced main tank to replenish the running cost. Can be suppressed.

Further, since the mouth of the hollow tube inserted from the liquid supply port is located at a position lower than the liquid surface, the mouth is always in the liquid, and mixing of air bubbles into the liquid is minimized in supplying the liquid. Can be suppressed to.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Embodiment 1) An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an embodiment diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus which is an example of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer includes a carriage 7 which reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to an external liquid supply unit having a drive mechanism 19 for vertically driving the main tank 1 and a recording medium supply direction. The upper printer cartridge 12 is connected by a tube 2.

Here, the main tank 1 has a capacity larger than that of the sub tank 3 of the printer cartridge 12, and is preferably 100 cm ³ or more in practical use. In the case of this example, 500 to 1000 cm ³ of ink can be stored.

As also shown in FIG. 3 as an example, the main tank liquid remaining amount detecting means 18 has a terminal row arranged in the vertical direction inside thereof, and the terminal row is arranged between the bottom terminal and each terminal. The liquid level is detected by detecting conduction. A detailed description and a flow chart for vertically moving the main tank 1 in accordance with the liquid level detection signal obtained here will be described later.

On the other hand, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 4, the printer cartridge 12 receives an electric signal and ejects a liquid according to the electric signal, a liquid ejection head 13, a sub tank 3 holding the liquid, Liquid supply port 8 installed on the upper surface of the sub tank 3 that receives the liquid from the main tank 1.
And a hollow pipe 10 inserted from the liquid supply port 8 into the sub-tank 3, and an atmosphere communication port 4 installed on the upper surface of the sub-tank 3 having a valve 6 that can be opened / closed by an electric signal.
And a capillary member 11 inside the sub-tank 3 and a sub-tank upper liquid remaining amount detecting means 16 on the inner side surface of the sub-tank 3.
And a sub-tank lower liquid remaining amount detecting means 17. In this example, the sub-tank upper liquid remaining amount detecting means 16 and the sub-tank lower liquid remaining amount detecting means 17 in the sub tank 3 use sensors for detecting conduction between terminals.

Ink is supplied to the inside of the ink ejecting portion by capillarity at the nozzle, and the ink fills the nozzle by forming a meniscus on the surface of the ink ejecting portion where the nozzle is opened (hereinafter referred to as "nozzle surface"). Keep From this state, the ink droplets are ejected from the nozzle by the recording signal.

A liquid flow valve 5 whose opening and closing can be controlled by an electric signal is connected to one end of the tube 2 or the middle of both ends,
The tube 2 connects the main tank 1 and the liquid supply port 8 so as to transfer the liquid. As shown in FIG. 4, in the initial stage of the sub-tank 3, it is located at a position higher than the hole at the tip of the hollow pipe 10 connected to the liquid supply port 8 and inside the sub-tank 3 the sub-tank upper liquid residual quantity detecting means 16
Further, the ink liquid level is set at a position between the sub tank inner lower liquid remaining amount detecting means 17, the gas flow valve 6 is closed, and the liquid flow valve 5 is opened and filled with ink.

One end of the tube 2 is fixed sufficiently below the liquid surface of the main tank 1, and is installed near the bottom to prevent ink in the main tank 1 from being left over.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of this ink supply.

As described above, in the initial state, the sub tank 3
Since the inside is sealed and the tube 2 is connected to the main tank 1 in a state where it is filled with ink and does not contain bubbles, the ink pressure in this state depends on the liquid level of the ink in the main tank 1. To do. That is, by adjusting the height of the main tank 1, the negative pressure is maintained constant and can be easily controlled. Further, in this state, the ink consumed by the ejection here is the ink in the main tank 1 first, and the liquid level of the sub tank 3 does not change. In other words, there is a two-stage usage situation in which the ink in the sub tank 3 is used after the ink in the main tank 1 is used up. Therefore, the negative pressure generated by the porous body such as the sponge in the sub tank 3 and the negative pressure generated by the head difference of the liquid level due to the height adjustment of the main tank 1 are independent from each other, and the negative pressure caused by the height of the main tank 1 is negative. By pressure control,
Apparently, it is possible to match the negative pressure level when the ink consumption is switched from the main tank 1 to the sub tank 3. Specifically, a signal in which the ink is detected by the main tank liquid remaining amount detection means 18 of the main tank 1 is sent to a timing control mechanism for vertical drive of the main tank 1 to start driving, and the position control mechanism causes the main tank to drive. Control the height of 1.

However, if the ink is continuously ejected until the ink in the main tank 1 is used up, the main tank and the sub-tank in the main tank and the sub-tank are separated at the moment when the mouth of the tube end at the bottom of the main tank is separated from the liquid surface. Since there is no water head difference between the liquid levels, the negative pressure changes abruptly and irregularly due to the behavior that the meniscus at the mouth of the tube end is suddenly drawn. Therefore, when the ink remaining amount in the main tank 1 is consumed up to an arbitrary amount, the tube 2 that is opened
The liquid flow valve 5 of the main tank 1 is opened, and at the same time, the gas flow valve 6 of the atmosphere communication port 4 which is closed is opened,
By forcibly switching the discharge of the ink in the sub-tank to the discharge of the ink in the sub-tank 3, the fluctuation of the negative pressure is small, and the discharge operation is not stopped until the recovery operation or the state is stabilized. Can be maintained.

In general, the ink jet recording apparatus is often a color ink jet recording apparatus which uses a plurality of inks of different colors. Therefore, it is easy to apply the ink jet recording apparatus in which a plurality of the present embodiments are provided and each ink is applied. is there.

(Embodiment 2) In the liquid supply apparatus using the liquid supply method as described in Embodiment 1, after the ink in the main tank 1 and the sub tank 3 is consumed, the entire system is replaced by a disposable system. is there. The normal liquid ejecting head can be sufficiently used even if it ejects the entire amount of the liquid initially loaded in the main tank or the sub tank. In other words, when the ink is used up, even the head that can be used still has to be replaced, which increases the running cost. Therefore, only the main tank 1 may be replaced to reduce the running cost.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an ink path of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus which is an example of the present invention shown in claim 2.

It differs from FIG. 1 in that it has a pump 15 used for replenishing ink to the sub-tank 3 and a tube connecting mechanism 20 for replacing the main tank 1.

The mechanism for moving the main tank 1 up and down and the mechanism for continuously switching from the consumption of the liquid in the main tank 1 to the consumption of the liquid in the sub tank 3 according to the remaining amount of the liquid in the main tank 1 are the embodiments. Same as 1.

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of ink supply including a method of replenishing the ink in the sub tank 3 after the replacement of the main tank 1.

If the air is sucked from the nozzles of the head 13, it takes a long time to recover the meniscus and the rest time increases. In order to avoid this, the carriage 7 is moved to the head recovery position and the head 13 is capped.
Cap to shut off the connection to the outside air. In this state, the pump 1 is connected to the open air communication port 4 of the gas flow valve 6.
Connect 5. Here, the suction port of the pump 15 may be extended and connected with a tube or the like, and the arrangement of the pump 15 is not particularly limited. Next, open the liquid flow valve 5 of the tube 2,
The ink flow path with the replaced main tank 1 is opened.
The pump 15 discharges the air in the sub tank 3 to the outside to make the sub tank 3 negative pressure. This makes the main tank 1
The ink starts to be supplied to the sub tank 3 through the tube 2 from. When ink is detected by the sub-tank upper liquid remaining amount detection means 16 inside the sub-tank 3, the pump 15 is stopped so that ink does not flow into the pump 15 through the atmosphere communication port 4, and the ink in the sub-tank 3 is further stopped. Finish replenishment. The pump 15 is removed from the atmosphere communication port 4, and the gas flow valve 6 of the atmosphere communication port 4 is closed. As a result, the main tank 1 and the sub tank 3 are returned to the initial state and ready to be discharged. If, for some reason, the ink is replenished to a position above the liquid remaining amount detecting means 16 above the sub tank 3, the ink amount in the sub tank is adjusted by discharging the ink from the nozzle.

Further, as described above, the ink behavior in the ejection of the ink in the sub tank 3 is independent and does not affect each other because the liquid flow valve 5 of the tube 2 connected to the main tank 1 is closed. By replacing the main tank 1 while the ink in the sub tank 3 is being consumed, it is possible to further shorten the stop time of the apparatus. However, if the main tank 1 to be replaced is left as it is and the ink in the sub-tank 3 is continuously consumed and the ink in the sub-tank 3 is used up, an ink ejection element of the head 13, for example, a heating resistance element in the thermal ink jet recording apparatus, is generated. Because it shortens the life significantly,
When the liquid level detecting means 17 in the lower part of the sub-tank lowers the liquid level to a certain level or below, the further discharge is stopped.

Generally, the ink jet recording apparatus is a color ink jet recording apparatus which uses a plurality of color inks in many cases. Therefore, it is easy to apply a plurality of the present embodiment to an ink jet recording apparatus applied for each ink. is there.

(Embodiment 3) A cylindrical main tank 1 in which a liquid remaining amount detecting means 18 in the main tank is arranged in a state of opening in three directions from the center of the bottom surface of the main tank is used. Other configurations are similar to those of the first or second embodiment. FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a main tank to which the ink supply device of the invention is applied. Accurate negative pressure control can be assured by arranging a plurality of sets of liquid remaining amount detecting means, but considering the improvement of the effect and the cost increase due to this, the arrangement of the present embodiment sufficiently identifies the normal installation of the main tank. can do. Also, because the terminal row is arranged in multiple numbers here,
If a reliable liquid level detection signal is obtained even if a part of the terminal is damaged, etc., and if an output signal that the liquid level is abnormally high or low is obtained from one row of terminals,
It is possible to detect that the main tank 1 is tilted, ensure accurate negative pressure control when the position of the main tank 1 is moved up and down, and to avoid leakage of liquid from the container, that is, It can be a useful means for confirming the reliable mounting of the tank.

(Embodiment 4) A main tank or a sub tank using an optical remaining amount detecting prism is used as at least one of the remaining liquid amount detecting means. Other configurations are similar to those of the second embodiment.

The mechanism of the remaining amount detecting prism utilizes the change in the refractive index of light depending on the presence or absence of ink on the prism surface. As shown in FIG. 7, if the liquid surface of the ink is lower than that of the prism arranged on the side surface, the optical path from the light emitting portion is (A) due to total reflection, but if the liquid surface is higher than that of the prism, the refractive index is higher. The optical path changes to (B). The presence / absence of ink can be determined from the amount of light returning to the light receiving unit (light receiving unit pressure).

By using an optical sensor instead of the sensor for detecting continuity, it is possible to provide a safer device without fear of electric leakage. Further, there is no fear of electrochemical reaction of the liquid, and the effect of suppressing deterioration of the liquid can be obtained. Further, since the output does not depend on temperature, pressure, etc., it is possible to accurately detect the remaining amount even in a place where the environment is different.

(Embodiment 5) At least one of the liquid remaining amount detecting means uses a main tank or a sub tank using a sensor for detecting the liquid amount by resistance between terminals. Other configurations are similar to those of the second embodiment. The number of terminals required can be reduced as compared with the sensor that detects continuity, and the cost can be suppressed.

(Embodiment 6) Information transmission means for transmitting information pre-loaded in the main tank and information loaded in the sub tank to the control mechanism of the liquid flow valve 5 is added to the tube used for connecting the main tank and the sub tank. . Other configurations are similar to those of the second embodiment. Information such as the manufacturer's name, ink color, and model number is mounted on the chip, etc., and attached to the tank. When you connect the tubes, take out the information loaded on each and check that it is correct before operating. This is because an inkjet recording device is generally a color inkjet recording device that uses multiple color inks, so when connecting a main tank and a sub tank with a tube, an error of ink with different properties such as color and viscosity may occur. The effect of preventing color mixture and device failure due to connection and guaranteeing optimum printing conditions in terms of negative pressure control can be obtained. In particular, as in the case of a liquid used for the purpose of improving the output image quality, it may be hardened when mixed with ink to cause a device failure, and the present invention avoids such a problem. You can

(Embodiment 7) A filter is attached to the end of the tube 2 fixed to the main tank 1. Other configurations are similar to those of the first or second embodiment. Not only does it remove air bubbles and some of the dissolved gas as the ink passes through the filter,
It is also possible to remove the particulate contaminants contained in the tank. In the present invention, when air bubbles are accumulated in the tube, the negative pressure varies greatly when the liquid is supplied to the head. Therefore, by attaching the filter to the tube end, the effect of stabilizing the negative pressure during liquid supply of the present invention can be further improved. Further, by removing the granular contaminants, the liquid can be constantly supplied to the head under appropriate printing conditions.

(Embodiment 8) A main tank or a sub tank using a micro displacement sensor is used as the liquid remaining amount detecting means. Other configurations are similar to those of the second embodiment. The mechanism for detecting the remaining amount by the micro-displacement sensor uses a linear voltage output according to the distance by reflecting the light emission signal from the sensor unit on the ink liquid surface which is the object and receiving the light again by the sensor unit. . By using an optical sensor,
It is not affected by temperature and pressure, and highly accurate, continuous and accurate output can be obtained immediately.

(Embodiment 9) In the remaining amount detection using the micro displacement sensor, the object is the tank body. Other configurations are similar to those of the eighth embodiment. As shown in FIG.
The distance from the sensor unit changes according to the weight of the tank, and the remaining amount can be detected. In the eighth embodiment, a liquid having a low reflectance that cannot detect the distance to the liquid surface can be used, and is not affected by the type of liquid.

[0047]

According to the present invention, it is possible to continuously switch from consumption due to discharge of liquid in the main tank to consumption due to discharge of liquid in the sub tank while suppressing fluctuation of negative pressure in the tank. Further, even when the main tank is replaced, the printer can be operated without stopping, and it is possible to stably supply the liquid to the head with high reliability while realizing high throughput. In addition, the present invention has a structure in which the movement of the liquid is suppressed to the necessary minimum, and the effect of suppressing the deterioration of the liquid is expected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an ink path of an embodiment of an inkjet recording apparatus which is an example of the invention described in claim 1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ink path of an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus which is an example of the invention described in claim 2; It differs from FIG. 1 in that a pump and a tube connecting mechanism are added.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a main tank to which the ink supply device of the invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sub-tank applicable to the ink supply device of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for switching the ink consumed by the ejection of the ink supply device of the present invention from the ink in the main tank to the ink in the sub-tank shown in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6-1 is a flow chart of ink supply including a method of replenishing ink to a sub tank of the ink supply apparatus of the present invention, which is shown in Embodiment 2;

FIG. 6-2 is a flow chart of ink supply including a method of replenishing ink to a sub tank of the ink supply apparatus of the present invention, which is shown in Embodiment 2;

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a remaining amount detection prism shown in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of remaining amount detection by the micro displacement sensor shown in the ninth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 main tank 2 tubes 3 sub tank 4 atmosphere communication port 5 Liquid flow valve 6 gas flow valve 7 carriage 8 Liquid supply port 9 Tube connection mechanism 10 Hollow tube 11 Capillary member 12 cartridges 13 Liquid ejection head 14 cap 15 pumps 16 Sub tank upper liquid level detection means 17 Sub tank upper liquid remaining amount detection means 18 Main tank liquid remaining amount detection means 19 Drive mechanism

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A liquid discharge head on a carriage that reciprocates in a printer, a printer cartridge provided with a sub-tank holding the liquid, and a main tank holding the liquid outside the carriage are connected by a tube to transfer the liquid. In the ink jet recording apparatus having the structure described above, an external liquid supply unit having a drive mechanism for vertically moving the main tank having a liquid remaining amount detecting means inside and a vertical drive positioning and timing control mechanism; Liquid supply port installed on the upper surface of the sub-tank for receiving the liquid, the atmosphere communication port installed on the upper surface of the sub-tank having a gas flow valve that can be opened and closed by an electric signal, and the upper liquid remaining amount on the inner side surface of the sub-tank. The print cartridge having a detection unit and a lower liquid remaining amount detection unit, and the external liquid supply unit. A tube connected to the supply part and the liquid supply port and connected to a liquid flow valve that can be opened and closed by an electric signal at an arbitrary position between one end or both ends, the external liquid supply part, the cartridge, and the tube described above And detecting the remaining amount of the liquid consumed by the discharge by the liquid remaining amount detecting means of the main tank, and controlling the position of the main tank in the vertical direction at an arbitrary timing based on the remaining amount of the liquid. The control mechanism performs the closing of the valve connected to the tube and the opening of the valve of the atmosphere communication port at the same time at any time before the liquid in the main tank is used up, by the signal for detecting the remaining amount of the liquid. Then, a liquid supply method for switching from the discharge of the liquid held in the main tank to the discharge of the liquid held in the sub tank Liquid supply apparatus according to claim be had. 2. A liquid discharge head, a printer cartridge provided with a sub-tank holding the liquid, and a main tank holding the liquid outside the carriage are connected by a tube to transfer the liquid on the carriage that reciprocates the printer. In the ink jet recording apparatus having the structure described above, an external liquid supply unit having a drive mechanism for vertically moving the main tank having a liquid remaining amount detecting means inside and a vertical drive positioning and timing control mechanism; Liquid supply port installed on the upper surface of the sub-tank for receiving the liquid, the atmosphere communication port installed on the upper surface of the sub-tank having a gas flow valve that can be opened and closed by an electric signal, and the upper liquid remaining amount on the inner side surface of the sub-tank. The print cartridge having a detection unit and a lower liquid remaining amount detection unit, and the external liquid supply unit. A tube which is connected to a supply part and the liquid supply port and which is connected to a liquid flow valve which can be controlled to be opened and closed by an electric signal at an arbitrary position between one end or both ends, the external liquid supply part, the cartridge, and the tube. The remaining amount of liquid consumed by ejection is detected by the remaining liquid amount detecting means of the main tank, and the main tank position is vertically driven at an arbitrary timing based on the remaining liquid amount by a timing control and position control mechanism. And at any time before using up the liquid in the main tank, closing of the valve connected to the tube and opening of the valve of the atmosphere communication port are operated simultaneously by a signal for detecting the remaining amount of the liquid, After using the liquid supply method that switches from the discharge of the liquid held in the main tank to the discharge of the liquid held in the sub tank The timing of driving the pump that can be attached to and detached from the atmosphere communication port is controlled by signals from the liquid remaining amount detecting means in the sub tank and the liquid remaining maximum detecting means in the main tank, and the air in the sub tank is discharged to remove the internal negative pressure. A liquid supply device characterized by using a liquid replenishment method for replenishing a prescribed amount of liquid from the main tank by pressure. 3. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein three sets of the liquid remaining amount detecting means of the main tank are arranged at positions separated from each other in the main tank. 4. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a prism is used for at least one of the liquid remaining maximum detection means. 5. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a micro displacement sensor is used as the liquid remaining amount detecting means. 6. A means for transmitting information mounted in the main tank and information mounted in the cartridge to an opening / closing control mechanism of a valve connected to the tube is provided. The liquid supply device according to. 7. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a filter is attached to an end of the tube fixed to the main tank.