JP2006142818A - Liquid storing container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform a display at a position which is easy to see by a user without requiring electric wiring, and in addition, to enable an outgoing radiation light to preferably reach both of the user and a light receiving section on the device side in a constitution in which an alarming regarding the state of an ink tank is performed by a light emitting section such as an LED. <P>SOLUTION: The light emitting section 101 and a display section 585 are separated, and a light guiding section 580 which performs an optical connection between both sections is provided. In the display section, a member 21 which properly limits the outgoing radiation of light is provided. Thus, the display section can be arranged at an optimal position without requiring the crawling of electric wiring on the ink tank. At the same time, a light quantity which is preferable for both of the increase of the visibility for the user and the motion stability of the light receiving section can be obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid storage container, and more particularly, to a liquid storage container used in a configuration in which notification regarding the state of the liquid storage container, such as the remaining amount of ink in an ink tank used in ink jet recording, is performed by light emitting means such as an LED. is there.

  In recent years, with the spread of digital cameras and the like, there is an increasing use in which printing is performed by directly connecting a digital camera and a printer as a recording apparatus without using a personal computer (PC). This is sometimes called “camera direct printing”. In addition, a form in which a card type information storage medium, which is an information storage medium detachably used in a digital camera, is directly attached to a printer for data transfer and printing is increasing. This is also called “card direct printing”. In addition, so-called multi-function printers, which have a copying function in which a printer and a scanner are integrated and do not use a PC, and also have the above-described direct printing function, are rapidly spreading in the market.

  In an inkjet printer, for example, the user may want to know information regarding the state of each ink tank, such as the ink tank mounting state and the ink remaining amount, or it may be desirable for the user to recognize the information. For example, if the user knows that the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is low, the user can replace the ink tank with a new ink tank in advance before starting the recording, so that the recording is substantially possible due to an insufficient amount of ink during the recording. This is because it is possible to prevent a situation where it is impossible to do so.

  Conventionally, such information is transferred to a PC connected to a printer and displayed on a PC monitor to notify the user. On the other hand, when recording is performed without using a PC, it is conceivable to provide a display in the printer body and display the information. However, providing a display not only increases costs and increases the size of the printer, but also affects the design of the printer and so on, so providing a display is not always preferable. Moreover, even if a display is provided, the user may not be able to grasp the state of the ink tank clearly at a glance by visually recognizing it.

  Conventionally, a configuration using a display element such as an LED is known as a configuration for notifying the user of the state of the ink tank. Patent Document 1 describes that two LEDs are provided in an ink tank integrated with a recording head, and these LEDs are lit according to the remaining ink level in two stages. More specifically, there are means for counting the number of times the ink jet head is energized in an ink cartridge in which the ink jet head and the ink tank are integrated, and means for storing the count value. Furthermore, a near-end display LED that lights up when the cumulative value of the count value reaches the near-end determination value and an ink-end LED that lights up when it reaches the ink-end determination value are used to notify the user of the state of the ink tank. I am doing so.

  Similarly, Patent Document 2 describes that an ink tank or a carriage on which the ink tank is mounted is provided with a lamp that lights up according to the remaining amount of ink. Further, this document also discloses that each of the four ink tanks used in the recording apparatus is provided with the lamp.

  On the other hand, in light of the demand for higher image quality, light inks such as light magenta and light cyan having a low density have been used for the conventional four colors (black, yellow, magenta, and cyan). Furthermore, the use of so-called special color inks such as red and blue inks has been proposed. In such a case, 7 to 8 ink tanks are individually mounted on the ink jet printer. At that time, a mechanism for preventing the ink tank from being mounted at the wrong mounting position is required. Patent Document 3 discloses a configuration in which the shape of engagement between the carriage mounting portion and the ink tank is different for each ink tank when the ink tank is mounted on the carriage. This prevents the ink tank from being mounted at an incorrect position.

JP-A-4-275156 JP 2002-301829 A JP 2001-253087 A

  Patent Document 1 described above describes a configuration of an ink cartridge in which a display LED is attached to a printed circuit board (PCB) for electrical communication with a printer main body. However, in such a configuration, it is necessary to arrange the PCB at a position where the user can easily see the LED. On the other hand, the PCB also needs to be provided with an electrical connection for performing electrical communication with the printer body. There arises a problem that the degree of freedom of these arrangements is restricted. Although it is conceivable to provide a PCB with a large area to cover the preferred arrangement position of the electrical connection portion and the preferred arrangement position of the LED, the cost increases accordingly. Further, when the configuration described in Patent Document 1 is applied to a printer capable of mounting a plurality of independent ink tanks for each color, the mounting configuration of the ink tank with respect to the printer is limited. For this reason, it is necessary to reduce the substantial volume of the ink tank or to increase the size of the printer.

  On the other hand, in the ink tank described in Patent Document 2, there is a disclosure that the ink warning lamp is provided in a place where the user can easily recognize it, but a preferred configuration for supplying power and signals to the ink warning lamp is disclosed. Absent. From FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, it can be suggested that a conductive wire connecting the ink jet recording apparatus and the ink warning lamp is provided. However, the number of conductors corresponding to the number of ink warning lamps is required, and not only the wiring is complicated and the cost is increased, but also the visibility of the lamp may be hindered by the wiring and its connecting portion. Further, FIGS. 6 and 7 of Patent Document 2 disclose a configuration in which an ink warning lamp is provided on a fixed lever that is a movable member operated to fix an ink tank on a carriage on which the ink tank is mounted. ing. However, in such a case, the arrangement of the conductive wires is further complicated, the cost is increased, and the operability when attaching and detaching the ink tank may be reduced.

  These problems become more conspicuous because it is preferable to limit the display position that can be visually observed by the user to the operation unit or its vicinity when the ink tank is attached / detached with the recent miniaturization and multi-function of the printer. . In particular, since the display position is more limited in a multifunction printer in which a scanner is mounted on the upper part of the printer, there is a further demand for both visibility and operability.

  In addition, the display can be used not only for visual observation by the user but also for necessary control performed by the apparatus main body, and the present inventors also recognize the following problems in relation to this. did.

  As described above, Patent Document 2 describes a configuration in which a lamp is provided in an ink tank. However, even in this case, when the main body side control unit recognizes an ink tank with a small amount of remaining ink, the ink tank to which a signal should be sent for lighting the lamp or the like based on such recognition must be specified. I must. For example, when the ink tank is mounted at the wrong position, there is a possibility that the ink tank in which the ink has not run out is erroneously displayed as no ink remaining. Therefore, in the light emission control of the indicator such as a lamp, it is necessary to specify the mounting position of the mounted ink tank as a precondition.

  As a configuration for specifying the mounting position of the ink tank, there is a configuration in which the mutual shape in which the mounting portion and the ink tank are engaged differs depending on the mounting position, as in Patent Document 3. However, in this case, in particular, it is necessary to manufacture an ink tank having a different shape for each color or type of ink, and in the situation where the number of ink colors or the number of ink tanks tends to increase as described above, the manufacturing efficiency is increased. And disadvantageous in terms of cost.

  Therefore, it is possible to individually control the light emission of LEDs or the like for a plurality of ink tanks, and to specify the position where the ink tank is mounted based on the output state of the light receiver fixed in the printer. In such a configuration, the LED of the ink tank has two functions: a function of emitting light to notify the user of the state, and a function of emitting light toward the light receiver to specify the mounting position of the ink tank. Will have.

  In this case, if the amount of emitted light is small, even if it is sufficient for the light receiver, there is a possibility that it is difficult for the user to visually recognize. On the other hand, if the amount of emitted light is too large, misidentification is likely to occur between adjacent ink tanks, which may make it difficult to accurately identify the ink tank. The same applies to the light receiving unit, and there is a possibility that light from an adjacent ink tank may be received instead of the ink tank of interest.

  Therefore, it is desirable to adopt a configuration in which the light emitted from the display unit preferably reaches both the user and the light receiving unit.

The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to make a notification regarding the state of a liquid storage container with good visibility without compromising the user's operability with a simple configuration and low cost. To do.
Another object of the present invention is to improve the visibility of the user and stabilize the operation of the light receiving unit.

Therefore, the present invention is a liquid storage container for storing a liquid used in an ink jet recording apparatus,
A display unit for displaying information by emitting light;
An emission light limiting member provided at the periphery of the display unit for limiting the emission of light;
It is characterized by comprising.

  The liquid storage container is configured to store ink as the liquid, and the present invention also includes a light receiving unit that can face the display unit, and uses the liquid storage container as an ink supply source. There is also an ink jet recording apparatus capable of recording.

  According to the present invention, by appropriately restricting the emission of light from the display unit, it is possible to obtain a light amount that is preferable for both improving the visibility of the user in the display unit and stabilizing the operation of the light receiving unit. Moreover, the light-emitting source and the display unit are separated from each other, and a light guide unit that performs optical connection between the two is provided in the liquid storage container. With this configuration, power supply and signal transmission / reception wiring that hinder visibility and operability are not required, and a configuration in which the light emitting source and the display unit are individually arranged at optimum positions can be obtained at low cost. In addition, it is possible to secure the degree of freedom of arrangement of the display unit at a position where the user visibility is good, and the user can easily view the light emission state to obtain predetermined information related to the liquid storage container. It becomes possible to recognize.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1. Basic Configuration FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are a side view, a front view, and a bottom view, respectively, of an ink tank that is a liquid storage container according to the basic configuration of the present invention. In the following description, the front surface of the ink tank refers to a surface that enables operations (such as attachment / detachment operations) and provision of information to the user (emission of light from a display unit described later) by facing the user. .

  In FIG. 1, an ink tank 1 of the present embodiment has a support member 3 supported at the lower part on the front side. The support member 3 is formed of a resin integrally with the exterior of the ink tank 1 and is configured to be displaceable around the supported portion when performing a mounting operation to a tank holder, which will be described later. On the back side and the front side of the ink tank 1, a first engaging portion 5 and a second engaging portion 6 (in this example, integrated with the support member 3) that can engage with a locking portion on the tank holder side, respectively. These are engaged, and the mounting state of the ink tank 1 to the tank holder is ensured. The operation at the time of mounting will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  An ink supply port 7 is provided on the bottom surface of the ink tank 1 to supply ink in combination with an ink introduction port of a recording head, which will be described later, when the ink tank 1 is attached to the tank holder. A base is provided on the bottom surface side of the support portion of the support member 3 at a portion where the bottom surface and the front surface intersect. Although the shape of the substrate may be a chip shape or a plate shape, the substrate 100 will be described below.

  The configuration and function of the main part according to the embodiment of the basic configuration of the present invention will be described. Here, FIGS. 2A and 2B are a schematic side view and an enlarged view of a main part thereof for explaining the outline of functions of a light guide unit and the like disposed in the ink tank according to the basic configuration of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a part thereof.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2A, an ink tank is provided to the first locking portion 155 and the second locking portion 156 of the holder 150 integrated with the recording head unit 105 including the recording head 105 ′. The first engaging portion 5 and the second engaging portion 6 are engaged with each other. As a result, the ink tank 1 is mounted on the holder 150 and fixed. At this time, a contact (hereinafter referred to as a connector) 152 provided in the holder 150 and an electrode pad 102 (FIG. 2 (FIG. 2) as a contact provided on the surface of the ink tank located toward the outside of the substrate 100. b)) are in contact with each other and electrical connection becomes possible.

  The interior of the ink tank 1 is divided into an ink storage chamber 11 located on the front side and a negative pressure generating member storage chamber (not shown) located on the back side and communicating with the ink supply port 7. It is connected. While the ink I is stored in the ink storage chamber 11 as it is, the negative pressure generating member storage chamber has an ink absorber such as a sponge or a fiber assembly impregnated and held therein (hereinafter referred to as a porous member for convenience). ) Is provided. This porous member is sufficient to balance the holding force of the meniscus formed in the ink discharge nozzle portion of the print head and prevent ink leakage from the ink discharge portion, and enables the ink discharge operation of the print head. This is for generating an appropriate negative pressure within a certain range.

  The internal configuration of the ink tank 1 is not limited to the form divided into such a porous member storage chamber and a storage chamber for storing ink as they are. For example, the porous member may be filled in substantially the entire interior space of the ink tank. Also, instead of using a porous member as the negative pressure generating means, ink is directly filled into a bag-shaped member formed of an elastic material such as rubber that generates tension in the direction of expanding the volume, and this bag-shaped member A negative pressure may be applied to the ink inside by the generated tension. Furthermore, at least a part of the ink storage space is formed of a flexible member, and only ink is stored in the space, and a negative pressure is generated by applying a spring force to the flexible member. It may be a thing.

  On the surface of the substrate 100 positioned toward the inside of the ink tank 1, a light emitting unit 101 that generates visible light such as an LED and a control element 103 that controls the light emitting unit are provided. The control element 103 controls the light emission of the light emitting unit 101 by an electrical signal supplied from the connector 152 via the pad 102. FIG. 2B shows a state in which the control element 103 is mounted on the substrate 100 and then covered with a protective sealant. Also, when a memory element that stores information such as the color of ink stored in the ink tank and the ink remaining amount is mounted, it can be mounted at the same position and covered with a sealant. .

  As shown in FIGS. 2 (a), 2 (b), and 3, a light guide unit 450 for guiding light stands from the front side wall surface of the ink tank exterior from a portion facing the light emitting unit 101. It is installed. A portion on the front side in the vicinity of the front end of the light guide unit 450 is a display unit 455 that is preferably provided for visual observation by the user. Here, in order to suppress the attenuation of the amount of light when the light emitted from the light emitting unit 101 is projected onto the light guide unit 450, the substrate 100 faces the light emitting unit 101 in the vicinity of the light incident surface 123 of the light guide unit 450. (FIG. 2B).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the ink tank 101 is provided with the light guide unit 450 that separates the light emitting unit and the display unit and performs optical connection therebetween. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a low-cost configuration in which the light emitting unit 142 and the display unit 455 are individually arranged at optimal positions without requiring power supply and signal transmission / reception wirings that impair visibility and operability. It becomes possible. Thereby, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the display unit 455 at a position where the user visibility is good can be secured, and the user can easily recognize the light emission state to recognize the predetermined information related to the ink tank 1. It becomes possible to do. Further, if the light guide unit 450 is formed integrally with the exterior of the ink tank 1, the manufacturing cost is not significantly increased.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the light guide unit 450 is disposed such that an air layer is interposed between the front wall of the ink tank exterior forming the ink storage chamber 11. Although it is conceivable to integrate the light guide part with the front wall of the ink tank exterior, that is, the front wall of the ink tank exterior may also be used as the light guide part. Thus, light can be efficiently guided to the display portion 455. This point will be described.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the light guide unit 450 is integral with the exterior of the ink storage chamber 106, but is independent from the front wall. That is, in the configuration of the present embodiment, an air layer exists between the light guide unit 450 and the ink storage chamber 11. It should be noted that both the exteriors of the ink tank are made of polypropylene. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, if the light guide 450 is integrally formed with the exterior of the ink storage chamber 106, the material is also polypropylene.

  In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the light emitted from the light emitting unit 101 enters the light guide unit 450 from the light incident surface 123 that is the end surface of the light guide unit 450 and passes through the light guide unit 450. The display unit 455 is displayed for displaying light to the user. Since the light emitting unit 101 employs visible light as described above and is diffused light, it guides a plurality of light beams as indicated by arrows A1 to A3.

Here, regarding the light guide unit 450 of the embodiment, it is assumed that the refractive index of polypropylene is 1.49 (= n1). Also, since the refractive index of air is 1.00 (= n2), the critical refraction angle from polypropylene to air in this example is Snell's law. N1 · sin θ1 = n2 · sin θ2
Therefore, it becomes about 43 °.

  Therefore, a light beam having an incident angle θ of 43 ° or more at the point (i) in FIG. 3 is totally reflected at the interface between the polypropylene (light guide 450) and air. Then, as indicated by arrows A1 and A3, the light reaches the inclined surface 452 formed at the upper end portion while repeating total reflection in the light guide portion 450, and is reflected here to reach the display portion 455. The position of the inclined surface 452 is on the back surface side of the support member 3 and extends to a position higher than the operation unit 3M. And the front side is high, and it inclines so that the part (back side) which opposes the front of the ink storage chamber 11 may become low.

  Therefore, when the light emitting unit 101 emits light, the light is guided from the bottom surface side end surface of the light guide unit 450 to the inclined surface 452 at the upper end, and reflected by the inclined surface 452 to reach the display unit 455. Here, in order for the light reflected by the inclined surface 452 to smoothly reach the display unit 455, it is desirable to set the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface 452 with respect to the optical axis 456 to be equal to or greater than the critical angle. That is, in this example, as shown in FIG. 2B, the inclination angle (= incident angle) θ with respect to the optical axis may be set to 43 ° or more. In this example, the inclination angle is set to 45 ° and the total reflection condition is set. To meet. Thereby, the light guided by the light guide unit 450 is totally reflected by the inclined surface 452 and reaches the display unit 455, so that the visibility of the user is improved.

  The predetermined information of the ink tank (liquid container) 1 is as follows. For example, whether the ink tank 1 is attached or not (whether or not the attachment is complete), whether or not the attachment position is appropriate (whether or not the ink tank 1 is correctly attached to a predetermined attachment position on the holder), and the remaining amount of ink. Such information can be presented according to the presence or absence of light emission and the state of light emission (flashing, etc.).

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a recording head unit in which the ink tank according to the above embodiment is detachable, and FIGS. 5A to 5C show operations when the ink tank is attached to the recording head unit. It is a figure for demonstrating. Note that the mounting portion described here can also be applied to each embodiment or modification described below.

  The recording head unit 105 generally includes a holder 150 that detachably holds a plurality (four in the figure) of ink tanks, and a recording head 105 ′ (not shown in FIG. 4) disposed on the bottom side. . When the ink tank is mounted on the holder 150, the ink introduction port 107 on the recording head side located at the bottom of the holder and the ink supply port 7 of the ink tank are coupled to form an ink communication path therebetween.

  As the recording head 105 ′, an electrothermal conversion element can be provided in a liquid path constituting a nozzle. In particular, by applying an electrical pulse as a recording signal to the electrothermal conversion element, the thermal energy is applied to the ink, and the pressure at the time of foaming (boiling) caused by the phase change of the ink at that time is used for ink ejection. Can be used. Then, contact is made between an electrical contact portion (not shown) for signal transmission provided on a carriage 205, which will be described later, and an electrical contact portion 157 on the recording head unit 105 side, and the recording head 105 ′ is connected via the wiring portion 158. The recording signal is transmitted to the electrothermal transducer driving circuit. A wiring part 159 extending from the electrical contact part 157 to the connector 152 is also extended.

  When the ink tank 1 is attached to the recording head unit 105, the ink tank 1 is handled above the holder 150 (FIG. 5A). Next, the protruding first engaging portion 5 provided on the back side of the ink tank is placed on the holder bottom surface in a state of being inserted into the first locking portion 155 having a through hole provided on the back side of the holder. (FIG. 5B). In this state, when the upper end on the front side of the ink tank 1 is pushed down as indicated by an arrow P, the ink tank 1 moves in the direction of the arrow R with the engaging portions of the first engaging portion 5 and the first locking portion 155 as rotation fulcrums. It turns and the front side of the ink tank is displaced downward. In this process, while the side surface of the second engagement portion 5 provided on the support member 3 on the front side of the ink tank is pressed by the second locking portion 156 provided on the front side of the holder, the support member 3 also moves in the direction of the arrow Q. It will be displaced to.

  When the upper surface of the second engaging portion 6 reaches below the second engaging portion 156, the support member 3 is displaced in the Q ′ direction by its own elastic force, and the second engaging portion 6 becomes the second engaging portion. Locked by 156. In this state (FIG. 5C), the second locking portion 156 elastically biases the ink tank 1 in the horizontal direction via the support member 3, and the back surface of the ink tank 1 contacts the back surface of the holder 150. Touch. Further, the upward displacement of the ink tank 1 is suppressed by the first locking portion 155 engaged with the first engaging portion 5 and the second locking portion 156 engaged with the second engaging portion 6. This is a state where the ink tank 1 is completely installed, and at this time, the ink supply port 7 and the ink introduction port 107, the pad 102, and the connector 152 are joined.

  FIG. 6 is a view showing an appearance of the ink jet printer 200 that performs recording by mounting the ink tank described above, and FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a state in which the main body cover 201 shown in FIG. 14 is opened. Note that the recording apparatus described here can also be applied to each embodiment or modification described below.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the printer 200 is a printer in which a main part of a printer that performs recording by moving a carriage mounted with a head and a tank for scanning is covered with a main body cover 201 and other case parts. A body is provided. A paper discharge tray 203 and an automatic paper feeder (ASF) 202 are provided before and after the printer main body. An operation unit 213 including a display for displaying the status of the printer in both the closed state and the open state of the main body cover, a power switch, and a reset switch is provided.

  With the body cover 201 opened, the user can see the range and the periphery of the movement of the carriage 205 carrying the head unit 105 and the tanks 1K, 1Y, 1M, and 1C, as shown in FIG. In the following description, these ink tanks may be indicated by the same reference numeral “1”. Actually, when the main body cover 201 is opened, a sequence in which the carriage 205 automatically moves to a substantially central position (hereinafter also referred to as “tank replacement position”) shown in FIG. Each ink tank can be exchanged.

  The printer of this embodiment uses a recording head unit 105 provided with a chip-type recording head (not shown) corresponding to each color ink. These color recording heads scan a recording medium such as paper by moving the carriage 205, and perform recording by ejecting ink onto the recording medium during the scanning. That is, the carriage 205 is slidably engaged with the guide shaft 207 extending in the moving direction, and can be moved as described above by the carriage motor and its transmission mechanism. In each of the recording heads corresponding to K, Y, M, and C inks, ink is ejected based on ejection data sent from the control circuit on the main body side via the flexible cable 206. Further, a paper feed mechanism such as a paper feed roller and a paper discharge roller is provided, and a recording medium (not shown) fed from the automatic paper feeder 202 can be conveyed to the paper discharge tray 203. The carriage 205 is detachably mounted with a recording head unit 105 integrally provided with an ink tank holder, and each ink tank 1 is detachably mounted on the recording head unit 105.

  During the recording operation, the recording head is scanned by the above movement, and ink is ejected from the respective recording heads to the recording medium during that time to correspond to the ejection port array range (direction orthogonal to the recording head main scanning direction) in the recording head. Records in the effective width area. Between this scan and the next scan, a predetermined amount of paper having the width or less than that is fed by the paper feed mechanism, thereby sequentially recording on the recording medium. In addition, an ejection recovery unit such as a cap is provided at the end of the moving range of the recording head by the carriage movement described above to cover the surface of each recording head on which the ejection port is provided. As a result, the recording head moves to a position where the recovery unit is provided at predetermined time intervals, and performs recovery processing such as preliminary ejection.

  As described above, the recording head unit 105 having the tank holder portion of each ink tank 1 is provided with a connector corresponding to each ink tank, and each connector is provided in the ink tank 1 to which the ink tank 1 is attached. The pad 102 of the substrate 100 is in contact with the substrate. Thereby, it is possible to control lighting or blinking of each light emitting unit 101 according to a predetermined sequence executed by the recording apparatus. This makes it possible to notify information related to the state of the ink tank.

  Specifically, when the remaining amount of ink for each tank 1 is low at the tank replacement position, the light emitting unit 101 of the corresponding tank is turned on or blinked, and visually checked via the light guide unit 450 and the display unit 452. To serve. Further, as another example of control such as lighting of the light emitting unit, when the ink tank 1 is correctly mounted at the correct position at the tank replacement position, the light emitting unit 101 of the tank is turned on, thereby the light guide unit. 450 and the display unit 452 can be used for visual observation by the user. These controls are executed by sending control data (control signals) from the control circuit on the main body side to the respective ink tanks via the flexible cable 206 in the same manner as the control of ink ejection of the recording head.

  Further, in the carriage movement range, a light receiving unit 210 having a light receiving element can be provided in the vicinity of the end opposite to the position where the recovery unit is provided. Accordingly, when the display unit 452 of each ink tank 1 passes through the light receiving unit as the carriage 205 moves, the light emitting unit 101 emits light, and the light is received through the light guide unit 450 and the display unit 452. The light can be received by the part. Based on the position of the carriage 205 when the light is received, it is possible to detect whether each ink tank 1 in the carriage 205 is mounted, whether it is mounted at the correct position, and the like. That is, the display unit 452 can be used not only for visual observation by the user, but also for detection operation and control executed by the recording apparatus. A more preferable configuration for achieving both of these will be described in the next embodiment.

2. First Example of Characteristic Configuration It is strongly desirable that the user can accurately specify the ink tank that emits light from the display unit. Here, if the amount of emitted light is too small, visual recognition itself becomes difficult. On the other hand, if the amount of emitted light is too large, misidentification is likely to occur between adjacent ink tanks, which may make it difficult to accurately identify the ink tank. The same applies to the light receiving unit, and there is a possibility that light from an adjacent ink tank is received instead of the ink tank of interest.

  Therefore, it is desirable to adopt a configuration in which the light emitted from the display unit preferably reaches both the user and the light receiving unit, and the configuration for that will be described below.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an ink tank according to an embodiment adopting a characteristic configuration in addition to the above-described premise configuration, and FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D are respectively views of the ink tank. It is a side view, a top view, a bottom view, and a front view. FIGS. 9E and 9F are a partial top view and a front view of the ink tank shown with the lid member removed, respectively.

  This example has basically the same configuration as that shown in FIG. That is, the light guide unit 580 having the inclined surface 582 is erected from a portion facing the light emitting unit 101, and light is emitted from a portion located in front of the light emitting unit 101, and this portion is used as the display unit 585. Is. In this example, the emission light limiting member 21 is provided so as to face the display portion 585 and have a predetermined opening 21A and cover the peripheral portion of the display portion 585 to restrict the emission of light.

  What is indicated by reference numeral 2 is a lid member that is attached to the upper surface of the ink tank 1 to cover the inside thereof and has an atmosphere communication port 20 that communicates the inside with the atmosphere. In this example, the outgoing light limiting member 21 may be formed of, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer so as to be fused and integrated with the lid member 2. In addition, since the thermoplastic elastomer is a transparent material, in order to further reduce the emission of light from the peripheral portion, to stabilize the light receiving operation in the light receiving unit 210 and to improve the visibility of the user, for example, a color pigment It is good also as what was colored by adding. Alternatively, a material other than an elastomer can be used, or it can be integrally molded as the same material as the lid member 2. Here, if the lid member 2 is formed of a transparent member, an uneven shape is provided on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the portion constituting the outgoing light limiting member 21, blasting is performed, or coating is performed. By doing so, the emission of light may be limited.

  According to this embodiment, by appropriately limiting the emission of light from the display unit, it is possible to add contrast to the display unit periphery in a frame shape, so that the visibility of the user is improved and the operation of the light receiving unit is stabilized. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a light amount preferable for both of the above. As long as such a contrast can be given, the emission light limiting member 21 may have any shape. However, since the light emitted from the peripheral portion of the opening 21A of the above-described emission light limiting member is shielded and only the light that has passed through the opening 21A is emitted, the light is not transmitted (that is, blocked by the light). It is preferable to form the light limiting member 21.

  By the way, since the user may view the display unit of the ink tank in the printer from various directions depending on the arrangement of the printer or the like, it is desirable to irradiate light from the display unit as much as possible. On the other hand, the display unit is used not only for visual observation by the user but also for ink tank detection operation and control executed by the recording apparatus. For this purpose, a light receiving unit 210 (FIG. 7) is provided in the recording apparatus. It is done.

  For example, when the carriage 205 is scanned with respect to the light receiving unit 210, each mounted ink tank or its display unit passes while sequentially facing the light receiving unit 210. In the process, it is possible to detect whether or not the ink tanks of the respective colors are attached to the parts that should be originally attached. That is, at a timing when a certain ink tank faces the light receiving portion 210, the light emitting portion of the ink tank storing the color ink that should be at the facing position is caused to emit light, and light is emitted from the display portion. If the light receiving unit 210 receives light at this time, it can be recognized that the ink tank is attached to the correct part, and if it does not receive light, it can be recognized that it is attached to the wrong part. In the latter case, for example, the recording operation is not permitted, the user is prompted to open the main body cover 201 (FIG. 6), and the light emitting unit or the display unit of the ink tank related to erroneous mounting is blinked. Can be urged to redo. This causes inconvenience that color reproduction is distorted due to erroneous mounting of the ink tank, and display is not performed for an ink tank having no remaining ink, but is displayed for an ink tank having a remaining amount. This prevents inconvenience.

The light receiving unit 210 used for detection and control of such an ink tank is fixedly disposed in the apparatus with respect to the ink tank that is mounted on the carriage and scanned, so that the display of the ink tank is performed during the detection operation. The positional relationship with the part is constant. Therefore, unlike the case where the display unit is visually observed by the user, the light intensity is increased by emitting light in the narrowest possible range within the mounting accuracy when the light receiving unit is fixed to the recording apparatus. Therefore, it is required to stably secure the amount of light toward the light receiving unit.
That is, the display unit is required to conflict with each other in order to satisfy the two functions. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the visibility of the user and the stabilization of the amount of light received by the light receiving unit can be further improved.

  FIG. 10A is a schematic view of the state in which a plurality of ink tanks 1 shown in FIG. 8 are mounted on the recording apparatus, as viewed from the front, and particularly focuses on the cyan tank 1C, magenta tank 1M, and yellow tank 1Y. . FIG. 10B shows a state in which the light receiving portion is located facing the display portion of the ink tank 1M for magenta ink in the arrangement of FIG. Further, FIG. 11 is a side view of the ink tank 1 for explaining the function of the light guide unit of this example. In these drawings, the light guide portion 580 to the display portion 585 are exaggerated and the lid member 2 or the emitted light limiting member 21 is omitted.

  The shape of the light guide portion 580 of this example has a substantially T-shaped cross section, and when viewed from above (z direction), a portion extending in the scanning direction and a portion extending in a direction perpendicular thereto. Are combined (FIG. 11). In addition, in FIG. 10A, a shape in which the light guide portion 580 is cut by the inclined surface 582 can be desired. When viewed from the front direction, the shape is a substantially T-shape in which a portion E extending in the scanning direction (x direction) and a portion D extending in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction (z direction) are combined. Appear.

  The light emitting unit 101 is disposed at a position facing the intersection of the two portions constituting the substantially T shape at the bottom side end of the light guide unit 580. When light emitted from the light emitting unit 101 enters the light guide unit 580, it is guided in the light guide unit 580 and reflected by the inclined surface 582 as indicated by a broken line 511 in FIG. 11 right).

  Here, the relative positional relationship between the light receiving unit 210 fixed in the recording apparatus and the ink tank may change due to the mounting tolerance at the time of mounting. That is, in FIG. 10B, a deviation may occur in the carriage scanning direction (x direction), a direction perpendicular to the carriage scanning direction (y direction), and a direction orthogonal to the drawing (hereinafter, z direction). However, in this example, it is possible to correctly perform the ink tank detection operation for determining whether the ink tank is mounted or not and whether the mounting position is appropriate or not, while allowing the deviation in each direction depending on the shape of the light guide unit 580. Yes.

  In the case of this example, the light receiving unit 210 is arranged to receive outgoing light in the front (y direction). Therefore, the displacement in the y direction affects the change in the distance from the light emission position to the light receiving unit 210, and thus the detection intensity of the light emitted from the display unit 585 changes. However, by setting an appropriate threshold value so as to allow a change in the amount of light within a tolerance range, the displacement of the light receiving unit 210 in the y direction can be allowed and the ink tank detection operation can be performed correctly.

  Further, the deviation in the x direction is allowed by causing the light emitting unit 101 of the ink tank 1 to emit light and continuously receiving the light emitted from the display unit 585 by the light receiving unit 210 while scanning the carriage. Even if there is a shift in the light receiving portion in the x direction, the ink tank detection operation can be performed correctly if light emission or light reception is performed within a range commensurate with the shift. Further, since the amount of received light change curve of the light receiving unit 210 has a maximum value (peak value) due to the presence of the part D, by knowing the detection time point, the light emission timing of the light emitting unit 101 for the subsequent detection operation is determined. It is also possible to adjust and correct the deviation in the x direction.

  Furthermore, light from the display unit 585 can be received if the length in the z direction of the portion D when viewed from the front direction is equal to or greater than the attachment position tolerance range of the light receiving unit 210 in the z direction. As a result, displacement of the light receiving unit 210 in the z direction is allowed, and the ink tank detection operation can be performed correctly. Note that the shorter the length of the portion D, the higher the density of the light emitted from the display unit 585, and the greater the amount of light received by the light receiving unit 210. Therefore, the ink tank can be surely not affected by disturbance light or the like. A detection operation can be performed. Therefore, the length of the portion D can be appropriately designed based on the mounting position tolerance of the light receiving unit 210 and the preferable light amount received by the light receiving unit 210.

  On the other hand, the display unit 585, which is a display unit, is provided to the user's eyes by, for example, lighting or blinking when the ink in the ink tank is low. Therefore, it is desirable to take a wide light emission region so that the user can visually recognize from various positions and angles. For this reason, in addition to the portion D whose size and shape are determined to be preferable mainly for the detection operation of the light receiving portion, the size and shape of the portion E are appropriately designed to ensure a sufficient spread of the light emission region. it can. That is, the display unit 585 extends in the width direction of the ink tank 1 and can emit light widely in the width direction. Thereby, the area which can be visually recognized by the user can be widened, and the visibility can be further improved.

  In this example, the light guide portion is in the form of a prism having a substantially T-shaped cross section. However, a shape and size that can obtain preferable light emission at the upper end portion 552 that is a display portion is realized. If there is, the shape of the light guide part up to the upper end part 552 can be determined as appropriate. The upper end may have a shape other than a substantially T-shape. The feature of the present invention is to appropriately limit the light emitted from the display unit, and to obtain a preferable amount of light for both improving the visibility of the display unit and stabilizing the operation of the light receiving unit. It is not always essential to adopt such a shape in the light guide section. That is, the cross section of the light guide section or the shape of the light emitting section thereof may be a simpler shape such as a rectangle or a circle. The same applies to the second example described below.

3. Second Example of Characteristic Configuration FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are a side view, a top view, a bottom view, and a front view, respectively, of an ink tank according to a second example of the characteristic configuration. is there. FIG. 13A is a schematic view of the state in which a plurality of ink tanks 1 shown in FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are mounted on the recording apparatus, as viewed from the front. The focus is on 1C, magenta tank 1M, and yellow tank 1Y. FIG. 13B shows a state in which the light receiving portion is located facing the display portion of the ink tank 1M for magenta ink in the arrangement of FIG. Further, FIG. 14 is a side view of the ink tank 1 for explaining the function of the light guide unit of this example. In these drawings, the light guide portion 580 to the display portion 585 are exaggerated.

  In the first example of the above characteristic configuration, light is emitted from the upper front position of the light guide 580, and the emitted light limiting member 21 is provided at that portion, and this portion is used as the display portion. On the other hand, in this example, the height of the light guide unit 580 is set lower than that of the first example so that the inclined surface 582 is positioned on the back side of the operation unit 3M of the support member 3. In addition, an opening 29 is provided in a part of the operation unit 3M, and the light reflected from the inclined surface 582 of the light guide unit 580 and emitted from the upper front position through the opening 29 can be seen or received. That is, in the case of this example, the operation unit 3M serves as an outgoing light limiting member, and the opening functions as a display unit.

  Here, by forming the operation portion 3M from, for example, a thermoplastic elastomer, the operation portion 3M can be fused to the support member 3 and integrated or integrally molded. Since the thermoplastic elastomer is a transparent material, it is colored in order to further reduce the emission of light from the peripheral portion, stabilize the light receiving operation at the light receiving unit 210 and improve the visibility of the user. It is also good. Alternatively, materials other than elastomers can be used. In addition, if the operation unit 3M is formed of a transparent member integrally with the light guide unit 580 together with the support member 3, by providing a concavo-convex shape on at least one surface of the operation unit 3M forming the outgoing light limiting member. The emission of light may be limited. In addition, the emission of light may be limited by performing blasting or painting.

  Also in this example, by appropriately limiting the emission of light from the display unit, it is possible to add contrast to the display unit periphery in a frame shape, so that both visibility improvement for the user and stabilization of the operation of the light receiving unit can be achieved. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a preferable light amount.

  Also in this example, at least a portion where the light guide unit 580 emits light has the same shape as the first example, so that the x direction, y direction, and It is possible to stabilize the amount of light received by the light receiving unit by compensating for the shift in the z direction. In addition, the area that can be visually recognized by the user can be widened to ensure good visibility.

4). Others The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and appropriate modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  First, the form and shape of the light guide are not limited to those described above, and can be various. For example, the light guide portion may not be integrated with the ink tank exterior or support portion. As shown in FIG. 15, after the light guide portion 121 is formed by a separate member from the exterior of the ink tank 1, It may be assembled integrally. In this embodiment, a more appropriate material can be selected for the material of each member. For example, as the material of the light guide unit 121, a material having a high refractive index capable of guiding light emitted from the light emitting unit more efficiently, that is, a polycarbonate or acrylic having a large difference from the refractive index with air is selected. can do. On the other hand, as a material for the exterior of the ink tank 1, for example, polypropylene or the like that is highly effective in suppressing evaporation of the ink I contained therein can be selected. Since both of them can be formed of different materials, it is not necessary to limit the material of the tank component or the support member 3 provided with the outgoing light limiting member to a transparent material, and it can be selected as appropriate. It is possible to provide a portion that functions as an emitted light limiting member without performing a special process in a subsequent process.

  The present invention does not require a light guide member. For example, the light emission part 101 may be provided at a position adjacent to the opening 21A or the operation part 3M so that the direct emission light from the light emission part 101 is limited by the emission light limiting member.

  In addition, an air layer is not provided between the ink storage chamber 11 and the light guide unit, but the refractive index is lower than that of other members such as the light guide unit between the ink storage chamber 11 and the light guide unit 121. You may employ | adopt the reflective member formed with the refractive index member or the metal. Alternatively, an optical fiber composed of a core and a clad may be applied instead of performing the light guide using the difference between the refractive indexes of the light guide portion and the air or different materials that are in contact with the light guide portion. In addition, a hollow member (such as a stainless steel pipe) having an inner surface that reflects light may be employed instead of the light guide portion being a solid member.

  Furthermore, the inclined surface provided in the light guide unit fulfills a function of preferably bending the optical axis toward the display unit. Therefore, the inclined surface only needs to be set so that the angle (incidence angle) with the optical axis guided by the light guide unit 450 matches the angle (reflection angle) reflected to the display unit side. Depending on the angle of bending and the like, it can be set appropriately within a range that satisfies the total reflection condition. Moreover, in order to reflect light efficiently, an inclined surface may be comprised with a high refractive index member or a highly reflective member, for example, metal foil etc. may be affixed. Moreover, it is good also as a thing of the shape which curved the light guide part instead of providing such an inclined surface. Alternatively, if it is not necessary to bend the optical axis according to the location of the display unit, the inclined surface and the curved portion are unnecessary, and the display unit may be perpendicular to the main axis of the light guide unit. it can.

  In any case, the ink tank is basically provided with a light guide unit that separates the light emitting unit and the display unit and performs optical connection therebetween. This eliminates the need for power supply wiring and signal transmission / reception wiring that impede visibility and operability, and makes it possible to inexpensively obtain a configuration in which the light emitting unit and the display unit are individually arranged at optimum positions. Become. As a result, the degree of freedom of arrangement of the display unit at a position where the user visibility is good can be secured, and the user can easily recognize the light emission state to recognize predetermined information relating to the ink tank. It becomes possible to do.

  By providing a member that appropriately restricts the emission of light from the display unit, it is possible to add contrast to the periphery of the display unit in the form of a frame, for both improving the visibility of the user and stabilizing the operation of the light receiving unit. It is possible to obtain a preferable light amount.

  The present invention can also be applied to an ink tank having no light emitting portion as in the above examples. For example, a light source as a light emitting unit may be provided on the recording apparatus side. In such a form, for example, when the ink in an ink tank runs out, the light guide unit entrance surface of the ink tank is set to face the light source, and the light source is caused to emit light at that position. Notification can be performed via

  The description has been given of the system in which the supply system is configured so that the amount of ink corresponding to the amount of ejected ink is always continuously supplied to the head (continuous supply system). The case where the present invention is applied to a configuration using an ink tank that is mounted on a carriage or the like and is detachably attached to a recording head that reciprocates (main scans) has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a configuration using an ink tank that is inseparably attached to the recording head. This is because even in such a configuration, if the mounting position is different, data of different colors may be received, or a desired recording quality may not be obtained because the order of color overlap is different from the design.

  Further, according to the present invention, an ink tank is attached to a fixed portion of the recording apparatus separately from the recording head mounted on the carriage, and the fixed ink tank and the recording head are connected via a flexible tube to supply ink. It is applicable also to the structure which takes the continuous supply system using the tube to supply. That is, any of the light guides described above can be applied to the fixed ink tank. In this case, for example, the fixed ink tank can be disposed in the scanning range of the carriage, and a light receiving unit used for detection or control on the apparatus side can be provided on the carriage.

  Furthermore, such a configuration can be applied not only to a continuous supply method using a tube but also to an intermittent supply method. This is a supply system in which a storage unit (intermediate tank) for storing a small amount of ink in a recording head is provided, and ink is supplied intermittently from a supply source (fixed ink tank) for supplying a large amount of ink to the storage unit. It is a method that configured. Further, the ink supply system with the fixed ink tank may be spatially connected only when ink is filled into the intermediate tank. While adopting a tube communication structure, the tank may have a configuration in which both tanks are fluidly insulated and connected by appropriately opening and closing the communication structure with a valve or the like.

  In addition, in each of the above-described examples, the embodiment using the ink tanks of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black has been described. However, the color tone (color and density) of ink used or the number of ink tanks is not limited to this. Of course. Further, in addition to those inks, a form using light color inks or special color inks such as red, green, and blue may be used. In particular, as the number of ink tanks increases, erroneous mounting tends to occur, and the visibility and operability during attachment / detachment are likely to be hindered by the wiring and its connection parts, or misidentification from the display state of other ink tanks. It tends to occur. Therefore, it can be said that the effectiveness of the present invention is enhanced to prevent these problems.

(A), (b), and (c) are respectively a side view, a front view, and a bottom view of an ink tank according to the basic configuration of the present invention. (A) And (b) is a typical side view and the principal part enlarged view for demonstrating the outline of functions, such as a light guide part arrange | positioned at the ink tank of FIG. 1 of this invention. It is a typical side view which expands and shows a part of FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a recording head unit configured so that the ink tank of FIG. 1 can be attached and detached. (A)-(c) is a figure for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of mounting | wearing a recording head unit with an ink tank. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an ink jet printer that mounts an ink tank and performs recording. FIG. It is a perspective view which removes the main body cover and shows the recording device of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ink tank according to an embodiment using a characteristic configuration of the present invention. (A), (b), (c), and (d) are a side view, a top view, a bottom view, and a front view, respectively, of the ink tank of FIG. 8, and (e) and (f) are lid members, respectively. FIG. 2 is a top view and a front view of an ink tank shown with the detachment taken. 8A is a schematic view of a state in which a plurality of ink tanks shown in FIG. 8 are mounted on the recording apparatus, as viewed from the front, and FIG. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the state to do. It is a typical side view for demonstrating the mode of the light ray after light injects into the light guide part shown in FIG. (A), (b), (c) and (d) are a side view, a top view, a bottom view and a front view, respectively, of an ink tank according to another embodiment using the characteristic configuration of the present invention. (A) is a schematic view of the state in which a plurality of ink tanks shown in FIG. 12 are mounted on the recording apparatus, as viewed from the front, and (b) is a view in which the ink tank group faces a light receiving portion disposed in the printer by movement of the carriage. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the state to do. It is a typical side view for demonstrating the mode of the light ray after light injects into the light guide part shown in FIG. 12, and passing through a display part. It is a typical side view for demonstrating the ink tank which concerns on another embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1K, 1C, 1M, 1Y, 501 Ink tank 2 Cover member 3 Support member 3M Support member operation part 5 1st engagement part 6 2nd engagement part 7 Ink supply port 21 Emission light limitation member 21A, 29 Opening 100 Substrate 101 Light emitting part (LED)
102 Pad (Contact terminal)
103 Control element (control unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 105 Recording head unit 105 'Recording head 107 Ink inlet 121, 580 Light guide part 455, 585 Display part 150 Holder 152 Connector 155 1st latching part 156 2nd latching part 157 Electrical contact part 158,159 Wiring part 201 Main body Cover 206 Flexible cable 209 Encoder scale 210 Light receiving part 452, 582 Inclined surface

Claims (14)

A liquid storage container for storing a liquid used in an ink jet recording apparatus,
A display unit for displaying information by emitting light;
An emission light limiting member provided at the periphery of the display unit for limiting the emission of light;
A liquid storage container characterized by comprising:   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the emission light limiting member is disposed so as to surround the display unit in a frame shape.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the emission light limiting member blocks light.   The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein the emission light limiting member is formed of the same material as the liquid storage container constituent member.   The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a light guide unit for guiding light from a light source to the display unit.   6. The liquid storage container according to claim 5, wherein the emission light limiting member is a thermoplastic elastomer that can be fused with the liquid storage container constituent member.   The liquid container according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the outgoing light limiting member is colored by adding a coloring pigment.   The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein the display unit, the emission light limiting member, and the liquid storage container constituent member are formed of the same material.   The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein the light guide section includes a portion that emits light as the display section.   The light guide unit includes a portion that irradiates light toward an operation unit that receives an operation of mounting the liquid storage container on the ink jet recording apparatus or a member attached thereto, and the display unit and the emitted light limiting member The liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein each of the liquid storage containers is provided in the operation portion as an opening for emitting the irradiation light and a portion for forming the opening.   The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the liquid container is detachable from the ink jet recording apparatus or a member attached thereto.   The liquid container according to claim 11, further comprising: a light emitting unit as the light emitting source; and a contact for receiving a signal for driving the light emitting unit when mounted.   The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein ink as the liquid is stored. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising a light receiving portion that can face the display portion, and capable of recording using the liquid container according to claim 13 as an ink supply source.

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