JP2006027101A - Liquid container and liquid jet device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an opaque liquid container whereby a liquid in the liquid container can be used to the end by accurately detecting the residual quantity of the liquid in the liquid container, and a liquid jet device. <P>SOLUTION: A difference between an uppermost level 1b of ink 1 to be taken in a container bag 12 and a liquid level 1a lowered along with the use of the ink 1 is detected in a long shaft extension direction of a liquid residual quantity detection section 41. As a result, the changed quantity of the ink 1 can be precisely detected and the residual quantity of the ink 1 can be precisely detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container and a liquid ejecting apparatus that store a liquid such as ink in a liquid container and detect and notify the amount of the liquid in the liquid container.

  Conventionally, an ink jet printer has been widely used as a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto a target. Specifically, the ink jet printer includes a carriage, a recording head mounted on the carriage, and an ink container that stores ink as a liquid. Printing is performed on the recording medium by supplying ink from the ink container to the recording head while discharging the ink from the nozzles formed on the recording head while moving the carriage relative to the recording medium. It has become.

  However, in recent years, with the diversification of printing, there are inks whose characteristics deteriorate when exposed to light, and the ink container that contains the ink is made of an opaque material so that the light does not hit the ink. For this reason, there has been a problem that the user who uses the ink jet printer does not know the remaining amount of ink even when looking at the ink container.

  In addition, with the colorization, ink is supplied from a plurality of ink containers that respectively store inks having a plurality of colors, and is ejected from the nozzles of the recording head to print on the recording medium. The amount of ink of each color in the print data for printing is analyzed, and each ink is calculated based on the analysis based on the analysis (see Patent Document 1). .

JP 2001-71533 A (5th page, FIG. 4)

  However, the amount of ink stored in the ink container differs depending on the variation in the internal volume of the container at the time of manufacture, and the amount that would have been used may be approximated by Patent Document 1, but is stored in the ink container. There is a problem that the ink in the ink container cannot be used up because the variation in the amount of ink to be used is not considered.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to accurately detect the remaining amount of liquid in an opaque liquid container and to use up the liquid in the liquid container to the end. The object is to provide a container and a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a liquid container including a storage bag that encloses a liquid, and a floating portion including magnetism that floats on the liquid surface of the liquid in the storage bag; The gist of the present invention is that it includes a floating detection unit including a plurality of coil units that detect the magnetic force of the floating unit.

  According to the present invention, in the liquid container including the storage bag for enclosing the liquid, the plurality of coils that the floating detection unit has the magnetic force generated from the floating unit having magnetism floating on the liquid surface of the liquid in the storage bag. It can be detected by the part. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the remaining amount of the liquid in the storage bag and use up the liquid in the liquid container effectively to the end.

  In the liquid container according to the present invention, the liquid remaining amount detection unit configured to communicate with the storage bag and detect the amount of the liquid remaining in the storage bag; and the liquid remaining amount detection unit include the liquid The present invention includes a floating portion having magnetism that floats on the liquid surface, and a floating detection portion including a plurality of coil portions that detect the magnetic force of the floating portion.

  According to this, since the storage bag and the liquid remaining amount detection unit communicate with each other, the liquid level in the storage bag and the liquid level in the liquid remaining level detection unit are at the same level. Become. Therefore, it is possible to know the liquid level in the storage bag by detecting the position of the liquid level in the liquid remaining amount detection unit. In the present invention, the liquid remaining amount detecting unit includes a floating unit having magnetism that floats on the liquid surface of the liquid in the liquid remaining amount detecting unit, and a plurality of coil units that detect the magnetic force of the floating unit. By providing the float detection unit, it is possible to detect the liquid level of the liquid in the liquid remaining amount detection unit. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the remaining amount of the liquid in the storage bag and use up the liquid in the liquid container effectively to the end.

  Further, the liquid container of the present invention is characterized in that at least one of the floating detection units is provided in the vicinity of a place where the storage bag and the liquid remaining amount detection unit communicate with each other.

  According to this, by providing at least one floating detection unit in the vicinity of the location where the storage bag and the liquid remaining amount detection unit communicate with each other, at the location where the remaining amount of liquid in the storage bag communicates Since it is possible to detect that the liquid has reached, it is possible to accurately detect the remaining amount of liquid in the storage bag and to effectively use up a predetermined amount of liquid in the liquid container to the end.

  In addition, the present invention is a liquid container including a storage bag for enclosing a liquid, the remaining amount of liquid detection unit detecting the amount of the liquid remaining in the storage bag, which is in communication with the storage bag A floating portion provided with a reflecting surface that floats on the liquid surface of the liquid and reflects light, and a light receiving and emitting device disposed at an end of the liquid remaining amount detecting portion. Provided, the light emitted from the light receiving and emitting device is reflected by the reflecting surface provided in the floating portion, the reflected light is received by the light emitting and receiving device, and the distance to the floating portion is measured, The gist is to detect the amount of the liquid sealed in the containing bag.

  According to this, with respect to the floating part provided with the reflective surface which floats on the liquid level of the liquid remaining amount detection part and reflects light, the light emitting / receiving device disposed at the end of the remaining liquid amount detection part In order to measure the distance to the floating part by reflecting the light from the reflecting surface of the floating part and receiving it again by the light receiving and emitting device, the distance from the floating part to the floating part is always or when desired. The distance can be measured, the remaining amount of liquid in the containing bag can be accurately detected, and a predetermined amount of liquid in the liquid container can be effectively used up to the end.

  In the liquid container of the present invention, at least one end of the liquid remaining amount detection unit is higher than an uppermost surface that the liquid can take in the storage bag. The gist of the present invention is to detect the amount of the liquid in the liquid in the long axis extending direction of the liquid remaining amount detecting unit.

  According to this, at least one end of the liquid remaining amount detection unit is disposed higher than the uppermost surface that the liquid can take in the storage bag. Therefore, since at least one end of the liquid remaining amount detection unit is higher than the liquid level when the liquid is filled in the storage bag, the liquid in the storage bag is in any case. The liquid level can be secured in the liquid remaining amount detection unit. Moreover, the amount of liquid in the substantially vertical direction (height direction) of the containing bag is detected by detecting the amount of liquid in the containing bag in the major axis extending direction of the remaining liquid amount detecting unit by the remaining liquid amount detecting unit. Therefore, the remaining amount of the liquid in the storage bag can be accurately detected and the liquid in the liquid container can be used up to the end.

  In the liquid container of the present invention, the liquid remaining amount detecting portion is wrapped around the containing bag.

  According to this, the liquid remaining amount detection unit can accurately detect the remaining amount of liquid in the containing bag as it is longer in the long axis extending direction. Therefore, in the present invention, the liquid remaining amount detecting unit is disposed so as to wrap around the containing bag, and the length of the liquid remaining amount detecting unit is secured longer, so that the remaining amount of liquid in the containing bag is accurately determined. It is possible to effectively use up the liquid in the liquid container until the end.

  In the liquid container according to the present invention, the storage bag and the liquid remaining amount detection unit are made of an opaque material.

  According to this, when the liquid sealed in the storage bag and the liquid remaining amount detection unit does not have light resistance, the material is made opaque so that external light does not enter the storage bag and the liquid remaining amount detection unit. It needs to be made of material. In the present invention, even if the containing bag and the liquid remaining amount detecting portion are made of an opaque material, the magnetic force of the floating portion having magnetism floating on the liquid surface penetrates the containing bag and the remaining liquid amount detecting portion. Since it can be detected by the floating detection unit comprising a plurality of coil units, the remaining amount of liquid in the containing bag can be accurately detected and the liquid in the liquid container can be used up to the end.

  In the liquid container according to the present invention, the height at which the storage bag and the liquid remaining amount detecting unit communicate with each other is lower than the uppermost surface that the liquid can take in the storage bag. .

  According to this, the height at which the storage bag and the liquid remaining amount detecting unit communicate with each other is lower than the uppermost surface that the liquid can take in the storage bag, so that the liquid remains in the storage bag. Can be set arbitrarily. As a result, when powder is mixed in the liquid, it may be better not to use the mixed powder because the mixed powder settles in the liquid at the bottom of the storage bag. The height at which the liquid remaining amount detecting unit communicates is provided above the lowermost part of the containing bag to prevent the discharge of the powder. For example, in the ink jet head when discharging from a liquid ejecting apparatus or the like Ink clogging can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the remaining amount of the liquid in the storage bag, and to effectively use up the effective range of liquid in the liquid container to the end.

  Further, the present invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein an electromotive current generated in one of the plurality of coil portions of the liquid remaining amount detecting portion is detected by the liquid container of the invention and the magnetism of the floating portion. The gist of the invention is that the apparatus includes a current detection unit and a liquid remaining amount calculation unit that calculates the amount of the liquid remaining in the storage bag based on the electromotive current detected by the current detection unit.

  According to this, the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention uses the liquid container of the present invention to detect an electromotive current generated in one of the plurality of coil portions of the liquid remaining amount detecting portion by the magnetism of the floating portion. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a current detection unit and a liquid remaining amount calculation unit that calculates the amount of liquid remaining in the storage bag based on the electromotive current detected by the current detection unit. By accurately detecting the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid, the liquid in the liquid container can be used up to the end effectively.

  Further, the present invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the amount of the liquid remaining in the storage bag is calculated based on the distance measured by the liquid container of the invention and the light emitting / receiving device. The gist is that it includes a quantity calculation unit.

  According to this, the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention uses the liquid container of the present invention, and based on the distance measured by the light emitting / receiving device, the liquid remaining amount calculating unit Since the amount can be calculated, the liquid ejecting apparatus can accurately detect the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid container and can effectively use up the liquid in the liquid container to the end.

  Further, the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a display unit that notifies the amount of the liquid remaining in the containing bag calculated by the liquid remaining amount calculating unit.

  According to this, in the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container of the present invention is calculated by the liquid remaining amount calculation unit, and the liquid remains as a result of the calculation. By displaying the amount on the display unit and informing the user, the user using the liquid ejecting apparatus can be informed of how much liquid in the liquid container is currently remaining. Therefore, the user can effectively use up the liquid in the liquid container to the end.

  In addition, the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes a speaker that informs the amount of the liquid remaining in the storage bag calculated by the liquid remaining amount calculation unit by sound.

  According to this, in the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention, the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container of the present invention is calculated by the liquid remaining amount calculation unit, and the liquid remains as a result of the calculation. By providing a speaker for notifying the amount by sound, it is possible to notify the user who is using the liquid ejecting apparatus at a location away from the liquid ejecting apparatus how much liquid in the liquid container is currently remaining. it can. Accordingly, the user can know the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid container even when the user is away from the liquid ejecting apparatus, so that the liquid in the liquid container can be used up to the end effectively.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, when the amount of the liquid in the liquid container reaches a predetermined value, the replacement of the liquid container is notified by at least one of the display unit and the speaker. This is the gist.

  According to this, when the result calculated by the liquid remaining amount calculation unit is in the vicinity of the last of the liquid, a notice that the liquid is finished is notified by at least one of the display unit and the speaker in advance. A new liquid container can be prepared and the liquid in the liquid container can be effectively used up to the end.

  Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a liquid ejecting apparatus equipped with the ink pack unit of the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the printer 20 as the liquid ejecting apparatus illustrates a case where the storage unit 22 a is provided on the front right side of the main body 20 a and a case where the storage unit 22 b is provided on the upper right side. The description will be given of a case where the storage units 22a and 22b are provided at the same time. The storage unit 22a can store a horizontal ink pack 10a as a liquid container, and the storage unit 22b can store a vertical ink pack 10b as a liquid container. One supply needle 26a, 26b (not shown) is disposed opposite to each of the storage portions 22a, 22b. Each supply needle 26a, 26b is connected to the recording head 21 through a tube 27, and the ink pack 10a. , 10b is supplied to the recording head 21 through the respective tubes 27.

  When the ink packs 10a and 10b are inserted into the storage portions 22a and 22b, the supply needles 26a and 26b pass through the liquid supply portions 11a and 11b of the ink packs 10a and 10b and are inserted into the ink packs 10a and 10b. The The recording head 21 can reciprocate in the main scanning direction (arrow direction in the figure), and the recording paper P is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction (direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction). By alternately moving the recording head 21 in the main scanning direction and transporting the recording paper P in the sub-scanning direction, an image based on the print data is printed on the recording paper P by ink ejected from the recording head 21. Is printed. Along with this printing operation, the ink in the ink packs 10a and 10b is supplied to the recording head 21 through the supply needles 26a and 26b and the tube 27, and printing is performed on the recording paper P. A plurality of ink packs 10a and 10b can be set for each ink color.

  In addition, a display screen 80 is provided on the upper portion of the main body 20a to display the remaining amount of ink in the ink packs 10a and 10b, or to indicate that the remaining amount of ink is at the end (the ink reaches a predetermined remaining amount). ) May be displayed when the ink is about to end. In addition to this, the display screen 80 may be used in combination with an image display of print data, a display indicating the print status such as the number of prints, and a trouble status display of the printer 20. In the present embodiment, the display screen 80 is described as a display device using liquid crystal or the like. However, the display screen 80 may be notified only by a combination or color of a plurality of lamps.

  In addition, a speaker 81 is provided on the right side surface of the main body 20a to notify the remaining amount of ink in the ink packs 10a and 10b by sound including sound, or the remaining amount of ink is determined to be at the end (the ink has a predetermined amount). When it is close to (become remaining), it is possible to notify with a sound including a sound that ink is about to end. Further, the speaker 81 may be notified in combination with the display screen 80 described above. Therefore, the printing status such as the number of printed pages, the trouble status of the printer 20, and the like may be notified by voice or the like. In this embodiment, the notification is made by sound, but when used on the network, a message that ink is about to end may be notified to the client through the network.

2A is a schematic diagram showing detection of the remaining amount of ink in the horizontal ink pack 10a, and FIG. 2B is a partially enlarged view of the floating portion 42 and the plurality of coil portions 43. As shown in FIG.
The ink pack 10 a includes a liquid 1, a storage bag 12 containing the ink 1, a liquid supply unit 11 a that supplies the ink 1 to the printer 20, and a portion that communicates with the storage bag 12. And a liquid remaining amount detection unit 41 communicating with the communication unit 41a.

  The storage bag 12 is formed in a soft case shape by joining a plurality of ink pack films (hereinafter simply referred to as films) 12 a at the peripheral edge thereof. The film 12a is made of, for example, a laminated film obtained by vapor-depositing aluminum on a polyethylene film having gas barrier properties, or an aluminum laminated film having a configuration in which an aluminum foil is sandwiched between a nylon film and an inner layer between polyethylene films.

  The liquid remaining amount detection unit 41 includes a floating portion 42 having magnetism that floats on the liquid surface 1 a of the ink 1 having the same height as the liquid surface 1 a of the containing bag 12, and a plurality (for detecting the magnetic force of the floating portion 42. In the present embodiment, the float detection unit 44 includes seven coil portions 43a to 43g. At least one end 41 b of the liquid remaining amount detection unit 41 is disposed higher than the uppermost surface 1 b that the ink 1 can take in the containing bag 12. There may be a plurality of remaining liquid amount detection units 41.

A method for accurately detecting the remaining amount of ink 1 in the horizontal ink pack 10a will be described with reference to FIG.
For example, when the storage bag 12 is filled with the ink 1, the uppermost surface 1 b of the ink 1 is the uppermost surface that the ink 1 as a liquid can take in the storage bag 12. It is assumed that printing is executed by the printer 20 and ink 1 is supplied from the liquid supply unit 11a, and the ink 1 has decreased to the liquid level 1a. In this case, the difference in the vertical direction between the uppermost surface 1b that the ink 1 can take in the containing bag 12 and the liquid level 1a that is reduced by using the ink 1 is the height L. Since the horizontal ink pack 10a has a flat shape, when the amount of decrease in the ink 1 is to be detected in the vertical direction of the height L, the amount of change is very small, so the detection accuracy is ensured. could not.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the difference in the liquid level between the uppermost surface 1b that the ink 1 can take in the storage bag 12 and the liquid level 1a that is reduced by using the ink 1 is determined by using the major axis of the liquid remaining amount detection unit 41. By detecting in the extension direction, the amount of change of ink 1 can be detected with high accuracy, and the remaining amount of ink 1 can be detected with high accuracy.

  The liquid remaining amount detecting portion 41 has at least one end portion 41b higher than the uppermost surface 1b that can be taken by the ink 1 as the liquid in the containing bag 12, so that the liquid communicating with the containing bag 12 through the communicating portion 41a. The remaining amount detection unit 41 always includes the uppermost surface 1b that the ink 1 can take. The liquid level 1a of the ink 1 in the liquid remaining amount detection unit 41 is provided with a floating part 42 having magnetism that floats on the liquid level. When the ink 1 is the top surface 1b that the ink 1 can take, that is, the ink pack 10a. When it is new, it floats on the liquid surface of the ink 1 at the position indicated by the floating portion 42b.

  A coil portion 43 a that detects the magnetic force of the floating portion 42 is disposed in the liquid remaining amount detection portion 41 in the vicinity including the uppermost surface 1 b that can be taken by the ink 1 as the liquid in the containing bag 12. Since the magnetic lines of force generated by the magnetic material (magnet or the like) included in the floating portion 42 pass through the coil portion 43a, a current is generated in the coil portion 43a. By sending a current from the circuit in which this current is generated to the printer 20, it is possible to recognize that the liquid level of the ink 1 in the containing bag 12 is the uppermost surface 1b. Further, since the current generated by the magnetism from the floating portion 42 is weak, an amplifier circuit is provided on the printer 20 side so as to reliably capture the current.

  Further, when the ink 1 is used by the printer 20 and changes from the uppermost surface 1b to the liquid surface 1a, the magnetic lines of force of the floating portion 42 floating on the liquid surface 1a of the ink 1 pass through the coil portion 43d and current is generated. . In this embodiment, the long axis extension direction (direction of dimension J) of the liquid remaining amount detection unit 41 using the plurality of coil units 43b and 43c between the coil unit 43a and the coil unit 43d using the floating unit 42. Therefore, the detection accuracy is improved as compared with the detection in the vertical direction of the height L. Further, if the liquid remaining amount detection unit 41 is bent around the ink pack 10a, the liquid container can be miniaturized.

In FIG. 4B, the floating portion 42 will be mainly described in detail.
In the liquid remaining amount detection unit 41 communicating with the storage bag 12, the liquid level 1 a having the same height as the liquid level 1 a of the ink 1 in the storage bag 12 is obtained. A floating portion 42 is floating on the liquid surface 1a. The floating portion 42 includes a magnet 45 and a gas 46 in the floating portion main body 42a. There are a method of forming the gas 46 at the time of injection molding of plastic and a method of injecting it later. Since the specific gravity of the magnet having magnetism is larger than the specific gravity of the ink 1, the gas 46 is attached in the floating portion main body 42 a to reduce the specific gravity of the entire floating portion 42 and float on the liquid surface 1 a of the ink 1. Yes. The gas is preferably a gas having stable physical properties such as air, helium, and nitrogen.

  The printer 20 is used, the liquid level 1a is lowered, and current is generated in any one of the coil portions 43a to 43g by the magnetic lines of force of the magnet 45. In this case, the generated current gradually increases and then gradually decreases. By selecting and selecting when it becomes the largest, the positional accuracy is further improved.

  When the ink 1 is used in the printer 20 and the floating portion 42 is detected in the communication portion 41a, a signal for informing the ink end is issued, and the information is transmitted to the information via the user interface (hereinafter referred to as user I / F). A signal based on this is sent to the display unit and the speaker, and image display, character display, sound, voice, and the like are combined to notify the user that it is an ink end.

Hereinafter, effects of the first embodiment will be described.
(1) A floating portion 42 having magnetism on the liquid surface 1a of the ink 1 is floated in the remaining liquid amount detecting portion 41 communicating with the ink pack 10a serving as a storage bag, and a plurality of the floating detecting portions 44 have. By detecting the current generated in the coil portions 43a to 43g, the remaining amount of the ink 1 as the liquid in the ink pack 10a serving as the containing bag can be detected in the direction in which the liquid remaining amount detecting portion 41 extends. Is accurately detected, and a predetermined amount of liquid in the liquid container can be effectively used up to the end.

  Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Differences from the first embodiment will be described.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the vertical ink pack 10b.
The main body 20a of the printer 20 is provided with a check valve (not shown) in the liquid supply part 11b of the ink pack 10b so that the ink 1 does not flow back from the printer 20 to the ink pack 10b. It is worn. A supply needle 26b (in the case of the ink pack 10a, 26a is disposed facing the ink pack 10b) is disposed in the main body 20a of the printer 20.

  When the ink pack 10 b inserted into the ink case 50 is inserted into the printer 20 from above, the supply needle 26 b is inserted into the liquid supply unit 11 b, and the ink 1 in the ink pack 10 b passes through the tube 27 to the printer 20. The ink is supplied to the recording head 21 (see FIG. 1) and printed on the recording paper P.

  In this embodiment, the liquid remaining amount detecting unit 51 is engaged with the liquid supply unit 11b, and the ink pack 10b and the liquid remaining amount detecting unit 51 communicate with each other below the engaged liquid remaining amount detecting unit 51. The communicating portion 52 is attached, and the liquid level 1a of the ink 1 in the ink pack 10b and the remaining liquid amount detecting portion 51 is the same height.

  A floating portion 53 floats on the liquid surface 1 a of the ink 1 inside the remaining liquid amount detection portion 51. In addition, a plurality of coil portions 54 are fixed to the outside of the remaining liquid amount detection portion 51. The outside of the liquid remaining amount detection unit 51 is a circuit board, and a plurality of coil units 54 are soldered to the circuit pattern. Further, it is overcoated with a resin from above to prevent chemical reaction with the ink 1.

  A printer connecting portion 51a for connecting the circuit of the remaining liquid amount detecting portion 51 and the circuit of the printer 20 is attached to the upper portion of the remaining liquid amount detecting portion 51, and is electrically connected to the printer side connector 55 to float. The electromotive current generated in the coil section 54 due to the magnetism of the section 53 is sent to the printer 20.

  Further, the liquid remaining amount detecting unit 51 is disposed in the center of the ink pack 10b, and when the ink 1 is used, the film 12a is deformed inward and becomes smaller. If there is nothing in the center, the films 12a stick to each other to form a wall, and the ink 1 at the top cannot be moved downward. In the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent the films 12a from sticking to each other by disposing the liquid remaining amount detection unit 51 in the center.

  When the floating portion 53 reaches the lowermost coil 54a, the ink end is notified to the user by the display portion and the speaker as in the above embodiment. Further, by removing the plug 56, the ink 1 can be easily replenished, and the member of the ink pack 10b can be effectively and repeatedly used without being discarded.

Hereinafter, effects of the second embodiment will be described.
(2) By disposing the liquid remaining amount detecting unit 51 in the center, it is possible to prevent the films 12a from sticking to each other, and a predetermined amount of liquid in the liquid container can be used up effectively to the end. .

  Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Differences from the first embodiment will be described.

(Third embodiment)
4A is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the horizontal ink pack 10a, and FIG. 4B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the floating portion 60. As shown in FIG.
In the present embodiment, the light 63 from the light emitting / receiving device 62 that is brought into close contact with the end portion 61b of the liquid remaining amount detection unit 61 is applied to the floating unit 60 having the reflection surface 60a that reflects light to the liquid surface 1a of the ink 1. The distance is measured by the difference between the light emission time T1 and the light reception time T2, and the remaining amount of the ink 1 is notified.

  In FIG. 4A, a floating portion 60 having a reflective surface 60a floats on the liquid surface 1a of the ink 1 inside the liquid remaining amount detecting portion 61 communicating with the ink pack 10a through the communicating portion 61a. . The end portion 61b of the liquid remaining amount detection unit 61 is higher than the uppermost surface 1b as the highest surface that the ink 1 can take in the ink pack 10a. The light emitting / receiving device 62 is attached in close contact with the end 61b. This light emitting / receiving device 62 is attached to the printer 20 side, and when replacing the ink pack 10a, the light receiving / emitting device 62 is removed from the end 61b of the remaining liquid amount detecting portion 61 and replaced.

  In FIG. 4B, the light emission 63 a emitted from the light receiving and emitting device 62 is reflected by the reflection surface 60 a of the floating portion 60 floating on the liquid level 1 a of the ink 1 in the liquid remaining amount detection unit 61. The reflected light 63 b that has been reflected returns to the light receiving and emitting device 62 and is received. The distance to the reflecting surface 60a of the floating portion 60 can be measured by the difference between the light emission time T1 and the light reception time T2 and the wavelength of this light.

  The floating portion 60 includes a floating portion main body 60b, a room containing a gas 46 (see FIG. 2) for obtaining buoyancy, and a weight 64 for keeping the reflecting surface 60a facing the light emitting / receiving device 62 at all times. The floating portion 60 also serves as a lid for the ink 1, and the light 63 from the light emitting / receiving device 62 is reflected by the reflecting surface 60a, so that the influence on the ink can be minimized.

  Even if the liquid remaining amount detecting unit 61 is bent, the light 63 from the light receiving / emitting device 62 advances while being reflected by the inner wall surface of the liquid remaining amount detecting unit 61 and is reflected by the reflecting surface 60 a of the floating unit 60. Then, it is possible to return to the light emitting / receiving device 62 and measure the distance.

  For this reason, the material of the liquid remaining amount detection unit 61 is preferably an opaque substance and a substance having a high reflectance. For example, a plastic tube in which aluminum, nickel, or the like is vapor-deposited, plated, painted, and bonded to the inner wall surface is preferable. The plastic material is preferably in the same series as the film 12a.

Hereinafter, effects of the third embodiment will be described.
(3) By attaching the light emitting / receiving device 62 to the end 61b of the liquid remaining amount detecting portion 61, the position of the floating portion 60 can be continuously measured, and the remaining amount of liquid in the containing bag can be accurately measured at any time. It is possible to effectively use up a predetermined amount of liquid in the liquid container until the end.

FIG. 5 is an electrical block diagram of the printer 20 in the first to third embodiments of the present invention.
The printer 20 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 100, a read only memory (ROM) 101, an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) 102, and a random access memory (RAM) 103. Further, it has a user interface (hereinafter referred to as user I / F) 104, a processing unit 110, and an ASIC (Application Specific IC) 107, which are electrically connected to each other via a data bus 109. Yes.

  The CPU 100 executes various operations based on control programs and various application programs stored in the ROM 101 and the EEPROM 102. The EEPROM 102 is a ROM that can electrically rewrite the contents of a control program and various data. The RAM 103 stores data and programs being processed. When the printer 20 is turned off, the contents of the memory in the RAM 103 are automatically deleted.

  It is composed of a software part realized by the CPU 100 executing an application program and a hardware part that realizes a printing process including the ASIC 107, the drivers 47a to 47c, the paper feed motor M1, the carriage motor M2, and the piezoelectric element PZ. The The CPU 100 drives and controls the paper feed motor M1 and the carriage motor M2 via the drivers 47a and 47b. The ASIC 107 performs image processing on the data to generate print data, and drives and controls the plurality of piezoelectric elements PZ via the driver 47c based on a command signal from the CPU 100 and the print data.

  The current detected by the remaining liquid amount detection units 41, 51, 61 or the difference data between the light emission time T 1 measured by the light emitting / receiving device 62 and the light reception time T 2 is sent to the processing unit 110 via the user I / F 104. Sent. The processing unit 110 includes a current detection unit 111, a light emission / reception control unit 112, and a liquid remaining amount calculation unit 113. In addition, the user I / F 104 sends display data and sound data to the display processing unit 114 and the sound processing unit 115 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 100. Based on the transmitted display data and sound data, the display processing unit 114 and the sound processing unit 115 process and output the data to the display screen 80 and the speaker 81, respectively.

  The current detection unit 111 analyzes the current detected by the remaining liquid amount detection units 41, 51, 61 to determine which position the coil unit 43 is from. The light emission / reception controller 112 determines where the current position of the ink 1 in the liquid container is based on the difference data between the light emission time T1 and the light reception time T2 in the light emission / reception device 62. The remaining liquid amount calculation unit 113 calculates the remaining amount or usage amount of the ink 1 in the liquid container. The calculated data is output via the user I / F.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a liquid ejecting apparatus equipped with the ink pack unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating detection of the remaining amount of ink in the horizontal ink pack 10a, and FIG. 2B is a partially enlarged view of the floating portion 42 and the plurality of coil portions 43. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a vertical ink pack 10b. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the horizontal type ink pack 10a, FIG.4 (b) is the elements on larger scale of the floating part 60. FIG. The electric block diagram of the printer 20 in 1st embodiment-3rd embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

M1 ... paper feed motor, M2 ... carriage motor, P ... recording paper, PZ ... multiple piezoelectric elements, T1 ... time, T2 ... time, 1 ... ink, 1a ... liquid level, 1b ... top surface, 10a, 10b ... ink Pack, 10a ... Ink pack, 10b ... Ink pack, 11a, 11b ... Liquid supply unit, 11a ... Liquid supply unit, 12 ... Storage bag, 12a ... Film, 20 ... Printer, 20a ... Main body, 21 ... Recording head, 22a, 22b: storage unit, 26a, 26b ... supply needle, 27 ... tube, 41, 51, 61 ... liquid remaining amount detection unit, 41 ... liquid remaining amount detection unit, 41a ... communication unit, 41b ... end, 42 ... floating unit 42a ... Floating part, 42b ... Floating part main body, 43a to 43g ... Coil part, 44 ... Floating detecting part, 45 ... Magnet, 46 ... Gas, 47a-47c ... Driver, 50 ... Ink case, 51 ... Liquid Remaining amount detection unit, 51a ... printer connection unit, 52 ... communication unit, 53 ... floating unit, 54 ... coil unit, 54a ... coil, 55 ... printer side connector, 56 ... plug, 60 ... floating unit, 60a ... reflective surface, 60b ... Floating body, 61a ... Communication part, 61b ... End, 62 ... Light emitting / receiving device, 63 ... Light, 63a ... Light emission, 63b ... Reflected light, 64 ... Weight, 80 ... Display screen, 81 ... Speaker, 100 ... CPU, 101 ... ROM, 102 ... EEPROM, 103 ... RAM, 104 ... User I / F, 107 ... ASIC, 109 ... Data bus, 110 ... Processing unit, 111 ... Current detection unit as current detection means, 112 ... Light emission / reception Control part 113 ... Liquid remaining amount calculating part 114 ... Display processing part 115 ... Sound processing part.

Claims (13)

A liquid container having a containing bag for enclosing a liquid,
A floating portion with magnetism floating on the liquid surface of the liquid in the containing bag;
A liquid container, comprising: a float detection unit including a plurality of coil units that detect magnetic force of the float unit. The liquid container according to claim 1,
A liquid remaining amount detection unit configured to detect the amount of the liquid remaining in the storage bag, which is communicated with the storage bag;
The liquid remaining amount detecting section includes a floating section having magnetism that floats on a liquid surface of the liquid, and a floating detection section including a plurality of coil sections that detect magnetic force of the floating section. Liquid container. The liquid container according to claim 2,
A liquid container comprising at least one floating detection unit in the vicinity of a portion where the storage bag and the liquid remaining amount detection unit communicate with each other. A liquid container having a containing bag for enclosing a liquid,
A liquid remaining amount detection unit configured to detect the amount of the liquid remaining in the storage bag, which is communicated with the storage bag;
A floating portion provided with a reflective surface that floats on the liquid surface of the liquid of the liquid remaining amount detecting portion and reflects light;
A light emitting and receiving device disposed at an end of the liquid remaining amount detecting unit,
The light emitted from the light emitting / receiving device is reflected by a reflecting surface provided in the floating portion, and the reflected light is received by the light emitting / receiving device and the distance to the floating portion is measured to store the light. A liquid container for detecting the amount of the liquid enclosed in a bag. The liquid container according to claim 2,
At least one end of the liquid remaining amount detecting unit is higher than an uppermost surface that the liquid can take in the containing bag, and the amount of the liquid in the containing bag is determined by the liquid remaining amount detecting unit. A liquid container characterized by detecting in the direction of extension of the long axis. In the liquid container according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
The liquid remaining amount detector is wound around the storage bag. In the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The storage bag and the liquid remaining amount detection unit are liquid containers made of an opaque material. In the liquid container according to any one of claims 2 to 7,
The liquid container, wherein a height at which the storage bag communicates with the liquid remaining amount detection unit is lower than an uppermost surface that the liquid can take in the storage bag. The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5 to 8,
Current detection means for detecting an electromotive current generated in one of the plurality of coil portions of the liquid remaining amount detection portion by the magnetism of the floating portion;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a liquid remaining amount calculating unit that calculates an amount of the liquid remaining in the containing bag based on an electromotive current detected by the current detecting unit. A liquid container according to claim 4;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a liquid remaining amount calculating unit that calculates an amount of the liquid remaining in the containing bag based on a distance measured by the light emitting and receiving device. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 9 or 10,
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a display unit that notifies the amount of the liquid remaining in the storage bag calculated by the liquid remaining amount calculating unit. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11,
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a speaker for sound-notifying the amount of the liquid remaining in the storage bag calculated by the liquid remaining amount calculating unit. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12,
When the amount of the liquid in the liquid container reaches a predetermined value, replacement of the liquid container is notified by the display unit or the speaker.

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