JP2006051814A5 - - Google Patents

Claims (14)

A method for detecting a liquid inside a liquid container used in a liquid ejecting apparatus using a liquid detection device, wherein the liquid detection device is a vibration cavity forming base having a first surface and a second surface facing each other. A cavity for receiving a medium to be detected is formed so as to open on the first surface side, and a vibration cavity forming base having a vibration plate provided on the second surface side so as to vibrate; A piezoelectric element having a first electrode formed on the second surface side of the vibration cavity forming base, a piezoelectric layer laminated on the first electrode, a second electrode laminated on the piezoelectric layer, and the cavity In the liquid detection method, comprising a liquid supply port and a liquid discharge port for supplying and discharging the liquid,
After a non-flow state in which fluid does not flow into and out of the cavity via the liquid supply port and the liquid discharge port is maintained for a predetermined time or longer, a drive signal is applied to the piezoelectric element of the liquid detection device And detecting the presence or absence of liquid in the cavity.   The liquid detection method according to claim 1, further comprising a flushing step of performing a flushing operation after the non-flow state is maintained for a predetermined time or more and before the presence or absence of liquid is detected by the liquid detection device.   The liquid detection method according to claim 2, wherein the amount of liquid ejected in the flushing step is greater than or equal to the volume of the cavity.   4. The liquid detection method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is an elapsed time from the time when the liquid suction operation in the head cleaning is completed.   The liquid detection method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is an elapsed time from a point in time when the printing operation is completed.   The liquid detection method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time is 2 seconds or more.   The liquid detection method according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the predetermined time elapses within an operation time for supplying an object to be processed to a predetermined position with respect to the liquid ejecting apparatus. . In a liquid detection system for detecting a liquid inside a liquid container used in a liquid ejecting apparatus,
A liquid detection device mounted on the liquid container;
Control means for controlling a liquid detection operation using the liquid detection device,
The liquid detection device is a vibration cavity forming base having a first surface and a second surface facing each other, and is formed such that a cavity for receiving a medium to be detected opens on the first surface side, A vibration cavity forming base having a vibration plate provided on the second surface side so as to vibrate, a first electrode formed on the second surface side of the vibration cavity forming base, and a piezoelectric layer stacked on the first electrode A piezoelectric element having a layer and a second electrode laminated on the piezoelectric layer, and a liquid supply port and a liquid discharge port for supplying and discharging liquid to the cavity,
The control means maintains the piezoelectric element of the liquid detection device after a non-flow state in which fluid does not flow into and out of the cavity via the liquid supply port and the liquid discharge port is maintained for a predetermined time or more. A liquid detection system having a detection execution function for detecting the presence or absence of liquid in the cavity by applying a drive signal to the cavity.   The liquid detection according to claim 8, wherein the control unit further includes a flushing execution function for performing a flushing operation after the non-flow state is maintained for a predetermined time or longer and before the presence or absence of liquid is detected by the liquid detection device. system.   The liquid detection system according to claim 9, wherein an amount of liquid ejected in the flushing operation is equal to or greater than a volume of the cavity.   11. The liquid detection system according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined time is an elapsed time from a time point when the liquid suction operation in the head cleaning is completed.   The liquid detection system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the predetermined time is an elapsed time from a point in time when the printing operation is completed.   The liquid detection system according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined time is 2 seconds or more.   14. The liquid detection system according to claim 8, wherein at least a part of the predetermined time elapses within an operation time for supplying an object to be processed to a predetermined position with respect to the liquid ejecting apparatus.