JP2006272972A - Liquid container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suitably use a detected result in detection of liquid consumption using a piezoelectric element to improve detection capabilities. <P>SOLUTION: A liquid container 800 is mounted on a liquid utilization device and comprises a liquid sensor 802 and a liquid consumption memory 804. The liquid sensor 802 has a piezoelectric element which detects information of a consumption state of the liquid contained in the container. The liquid consumption memory 804 stores at least one of the detection characteristics detected prior to the start of the liquid consumption inside the container and a detection characteristic presumably detected after the consumption which exhibits a detection characteristic expected to be detected when the liquid is consumed up to the predetermined detection target, as detection characteristic information utilized for obtaining the consumption state information through the use of the liquid sensor 802. The liquid sensor 802 detects the consumption state by referring to the detection characteristics. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention includes a piezoelectric device for detecting a change in acoustic impedance, and in particular, detecting a change in resonance frequency, and in particular, detecting a liquid consumption state in a liquid container that contains the liquid. More specifically, the liquid container is provided in an ink cartridge that is applied to an ink jet recording apparatus that performs printing by ejecting ink droplets from nozzle openings by pressurizing ink in a pressure generating chamber in accordance with print data by pressure generating means. The present invention relates to a piezoelectric device that detects a consumption state of ink in an ink cartridge.

  An example of an ink cartridge mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus will be described as a liquid container to which the present invention is applied. In general, an ink jet recording apparatus includes a carriage on which an ink jet recording head including a pressure generating unit that pressurizes a pressure generating chamber, a nozzle opening that discharges pressurized ink as ink droplets from a nozzle opening, And an ink tank that stores ink supplied to the recording head via the path, and is configured to be capable of continuous printing. The ink tank is generally configured as a cartridge that is detachable from the recording apparatus so that the user can easily replace the ink tank when the ink is consumed.

  Conventionally, as a method for managing ink consumption of an ink cartridge, the number of ink droplets ejected by the recording head and the amount of ink sucked in the maintenance process of the print head are integrated by software, and the ink consumption is calculated. There have been known a method for managing, a method for managing ink consumption by detecting when a predetermined amount of ink is actually consumed by attaching two electrodes for detecting a liquid level directly to an ink cartridge, and the like.

  However, the method of managing the ink consumption by calculating the number of ink droplets ejected and the amount of ink sucked by software is calculated depending on the usage environment, for example, the temperature and humidity in the use room, after the ink cartridge is opened. The pressure in the ink cartridge and the viscosity of the ink change due to the elapsed time and the usage frequency on the user side, resulting in a non-negligible error between the calculated ink consumption and the actual consumption. There was a problem that. Further, when the same cartridge is once removed and remounted, the accumulated count value is once reset, so that there is a problem that the actual ink remaining amount cannot be known at all.

  On the other hand, the method of managing the point in time when ink is consumed by the electrode can detect the actual amount of ink at one point, so that the remaining amount of ink can be managed with high reliability. However, in order to detect the ink level, the ink must be conductive, which limits the type of ink used. In addition, there is a problem that the liquid-tight structure between the electrode and the ink cartridge is complicated. Furthermore, since a noble metal having high conductivity and high corrosion resistance is usually used as the electrode material, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost of the ink cartridge is increased. Furthermore, since it is necessary to mount the two electrodes in different locations of the ink cartridge, there is a problem that the manufacturing process increases and as a result, the manufacturing cost increases.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container that can solve the above-described problems, can accurately detect a liquid consumption state, and does not require a complicated seal structure. Another object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge that can accurately detect the ink consumption state and does not require a complicated seal structure.

  In particular, the present invention provides a technique for detecting the remaining amount of liquid using vibration and improves such a detection technique. The present invention enables preferable use of detection results and improves detection accuracy. The present invention is not limited to ink cartridges, and can be applied to liquid detection in other liquid containers.

  The above object can be achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid container that is mounted on a liquid utilization apparatus, and has a piezoelectric element that detects consumption state information regarding the liquid in the liquid container, and the consumption state information using the liquid sensor. As detection characteristic information to be used when acquiring the liquid, the detection characteristic information before consumption indicating the detection characteristic before starting the consumption of the liquid in the liquid container, and detection when the liquid is consumed up to a predetermined detection target There is provided a liquid container comprising storage means for storing at least one of post-consumption detection characteristic information indicating a detection characteristic to be performed. Typically, the liquid utilization apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus, and the liquid container is an ink cartridge. Preferably, the detection signal indicating the vibration of the piezoelectric element corresponding to the consumption state of the liquid in the container is generated. The storage means stores information related to the liquid container. The storage means is preferably a consumption information memory, the consumption information memory is rewritable and stores consumption related information related to the detection of the consumption state using the liquid sensor. By using the piezoelectric element, it is possible to detect the consumption state appropriately without liquid leakage. By providing the storage means associated with the piezoelectric element, each liquid container can have consumption-related information necessary for the liquid container.

  The consumption related information may be consumption state information obtained using the liquid sensor. For example, it is assumed that the liquid container is removed from the liquid utilization device in a state where the liquid is consumed halfway. When the liquid container is attached again or attached to another device, the consumption state can be read from the storage means and used. That is, it is possible to avoid losing the detection result as the container is detached. The user can be informed of the consumption state and can be controlled based on the consumption state. Thus, according to the present invention, it is possible to suitably use the detection result. The storage unit may store the consumption state estimated from the print amount in addition to the consumption state detected by the liquid sensor.

  Further, the consumption related information may be detection characteristic information used when acquiring the consumption state using the liquid sensor, and is preferably information to be detected according to the consumption state. A consumption state is detected using a liquid sensor based on the detection characteristic information. The detection characteristic information may be information indicating acoustic impedance, preferably information on resonance frequency. For example, assume that the control computer of the ink jet recording apparatus has a detection processing function. The control computer may obtain the detection characteristic information from the cartridge when the ink cartridge is mounted.

  The present invention is particularly advantageous for differences in detection characteristics of individual liquid containers. Due to variations in container shape and various other factors, the detection characteristics of the sensors provided in the liquid containers differ from container to container. Therefore, preferably, a detection characteristic unique to each container is measured and stored in the storage means as detection characteristic information. By using this detection characteristic, it is possible to reduce the influence of variations in characteristics between containers and improve detection accuracy.

  The detection characteristic information may be pre-consumption detection characteristic information indicating a detection characteristic (such as acoustic impedance) before starting the consumption of the liquid in the liquid container. The detection characteristic information may be post-consumption detection characteristic information indicating a detection characteristic that is to be detected when the liquid is consumed up to a predetermined detection target. Of course, both pre-consumption detection characteristic information and post-consumption detection characteristic information may be stored.

  The storage means (consumption information memory) may store the measurement value of the detection characteristic information after the liquid container is mounted on the device that uses the liquid in the liquid container. For example, when an ink cartridge is mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus, the acoustic impedance is detected using a liquid sensor immediately after that. The measured value is stored in the consumption information memory and used as detection characteristic information after the start of ink use. The detection characteristic prepared in advance may be corrected based on the measured value. By such initial adjustment, variations based on individual differences among containers can be appropriately absorbed, and detection accuracy can be improved.

  The storage means (consumption information memory) may store the measurement value of the detection characteristic information during the manufacturing process of the liquid container. Since the measurement value is obtained in the manufacturing process, the measurement value of the detection characteristic before liquid injection can be obtained. Either or both of the detection characteristic information before consumption and the detection characteristic information after consumption can be easily stored.

  The storage means may store pre-consumption information. The storage means may store consumption change amount information.

  The storage means may store information regarding ink. The storage means may store ink type information. The ink type information may be information acquired using a liquid sensor.

  The liquid sensor and the storage means may be arranged at different locations on the liquid container. Both configurations may be arranged at different locations on the same wall surface on the liquid container. Both configurations may be arranged on different wall surfaces of the liquid container. The wall surface on which the liquid sensor is installed may be orthogonal to the wall surface on which the storage means (consumption information memory) is installed.

  The liquid sensor and the storage means may be provided at the center in the container width direction. Both configurations may be provided near the supply port for supplying the liquid from the liquid container and in the center in the container width direction. There is an advantage that the displacement of the liquid sensor and the memory relative to the inclination of the container at the time of mounting can be reduced. Further, the positional deviation of the liquid sensor and the memory can be reduced by utilizing the positioning structure of the supply port.

  The liquid sensor and the storage means may be provided on the same substrate (consumption detection substrate). Mounting of the liquid sensor and the memory is easy. The substrate may be disposed in the vicinity of the supply port for supplying the liquid from the liquid container and in the center in the container width direction, and the positional deviation can be reduced as described above.

  An attachment module body in which the liquid sensor and the attachment structure are integrated may be mounted on the substrate. The liquid sensor can be protected from the outside. Further, the mounting becomes easy, the work can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

  A positioning structure for positioning the substrate with respect to the liquid container may be provided. Mounting position accuracy can be improved.

  Preferably, the consumption state is detected based on a change in acoustic impedance accompanying the liquid consumption. The liquid sensor may output a signal indicating a residual vibration state after vibration is generated. The liquid consumption state is detected based on the residual vibration state changing according to the liquid consumption state.

  The liquid sensor may generate an elastic wave toward the inside of the liquid container and generate a detection signal corresponding to a reflected wave with respect to the elastic wave.

  The storage means may be a semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM.

  Another embodiment of the present invention is a liquid detection device. The liquid detection device includes a liquid sensor and a storage unit. The liquid sensor has a piezoelectric element. A detection signal indicating the vibration of the piezoelectric element corresponding to the consumption state of the liquid in the liquid container is generated. The storage means is rewritable and stores consumption related information related to detection of the consumption state using the liquid sensor.

  In this aspect, one or both of the liquid sensor and the memory may not be provided in the liquid container. In addition, the detection processing function using the liquid sensor may be arranged in a liquid utilization apparatus, a connected external apparatus, a liquid container, or divided into a plurality of places. .

  For example, it is assumed that the liquid sensor is provided in the liquid container, and the memory and the detection processing function are provided in the liquid using apparatus. The detection processing function identifies a liquid container, reads consumption-related information corresponding to the liquid container from the storage means, and uses it.

  Another aspect of the present invention is a liquid consumption detection substrate used for detecting a consumption state of a liquid in a liquid container, and includes a sensor and a storage unit.

  The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the detection result can be suitably used and the detection capability can be improved by adopting the configuration in which the storage unit is provided in the liquid container.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are the solution of the invention. It is not always essential to the means.

  First, the principle of this embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to a technique for detecting the ink consumption state in the ink container. The ink consumption state is detected using a liquid sensor having a piezoelectric element. The liquid sensor generates a detection signal indicating the vibration of the piezoelectric element according to the ink consumption state.

  As a feature of the present embodiment, the ink cartridge is provided with a consumption information memory in addition to the liquid sensor. The consumption information memory is one form of the storage means for the liquid container of the present invention. The consumption information memory is rewritable and stores consumption related information related to detection of the consumption state using the liquid sensor. By providing the consumption information memory, each liquid container can have consumption-related information necessary for the liquid container.

  The consumption related information is, for example, consumption state information obtained using a liquid sensor. It is assumed that the ink cartridge is removed from the ink jet recording apparatus and mounted again. Since consumption state information is held in the memory, loss of consumption state information is avoided. The consumption state information can be read from the memory and used at the time of mounting.

  Further, the consumption related information may be information on detection characteristics to be detected according to the liquid consumption state. The detection characteristic information is information indicating the acoustic impedance corresponding to the ink consumption state, for example. This detection characteristic information is read and used to detect the consumption state. According to this aspect, the ink jet apparatus may not have the detection characteristic information. It is also possible to cope with a change in detection characteristics due to a change in the cartridge design.

  This embodiment is advantageous for individual differences of ink cartridges. Due to the manufacturing variation of the cartridges, the detection characteristics are slightly different for each cartridge. By storing the detection characteristics of individual cartridges in the consumption information memory, the influence of individual differences can be reduced, and detection accuracy can be improved.

  Further, the consumption information memory stores information relating to ink as the storage means of the present invention. The storage means also stores ink type information and the like. In addition, the storage unit stores other information such as a manufacturing date, cleaning sequence information, and image processing information.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings. First, a basic technique for detecting ink consumption based on vibration using a piezoelectric device will be described. Following this, various applications of the detection technique will be described. In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge has a liquid sensor and a consumption information memory. Next, with reference to FIG. 47, the details of the related items in the consumption information memory will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid sensor is specifically composed of a piezoelectric device. In the following description, “actuator” and “elastic wave generating means” correspond to a liquid sensor. The consumption information memory is a semiconductor memory (semiconductor storage means).

  The basic concept of the present invention is to use the vibration phenomenon to determine the state of the liquid in the liquid container (including the presence or absence of the liquid in the liquid container, the amount of the liquid, the level of the liquid, the type of the liquid, and the composition of the liquid). Is to detect. Several methods are conceivable for detecting the state of the liquid in the liquid container using a specific vibration phenomenon. For example, the elastic wave generating means generates an elastic wave to the inside of the liquid container, and receives a reflected wave reflected by the liquid surface or an opposing wall, thereby detecting a medium in the liquid container and a change in the state thereof. There is a way. In addition, there is a method for detecting a change in acoustic impedance from the vibration characteristics of a vibrating object. As a method of using a change in acoustic impedance, a vibration part of a piezoelectric device or an actuator having a piezoelectric element is vibrated, and then a counter electromotive force generated by residual vibration remaining in the vibration part is measured, whereby a resonance frequency or an inverse is obtained. A method for detecting a change in acoustic impedance by detecting the amplitude of an electromotive force waveform, or measuring a liquid impedance characteristic or an admittance characteristic with an impedance analyzer such as a measuring machine, for example, a transmission circuit, and a change in current value or voltage value or There is a method of measuring a change in current value or voltage value depending on the frequency when vibration is applied to a liquid. Details of the operating principles of the elastic wave generating means and the piezoelectric device or actuator will be described later.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an ink cartridge for a single color, for example, black ink to which the present invention is applied. The ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1 is based on a method of detecting the position of the liquid surface in the liquid container and the presence or absence of liquid by receiving the reflected wave of the elastic wave among the methods described above. Elastic wave generating means 3 is used as means for generating and receiving elastic waves. An ink supply port 2 that joins an ink supply needle of a recording apparatus is provided in a container 1 that stores ink. Outside the bottom surface 1a of the container 1, an elastic wave generating means 3 is attached so that the elastic wave can be transmitted to the ink inside through the container. When the ink K is almost consumed, that is, when the ink near end is reached, the elastic wave generating means 3 is positioned slightly above the ink supply port 2 so that the transmission of the elastic wave is changed from ink to gas. Is provided. Note that the receiving means may be provided separately, and the elastic wave generating means 3 may be simply used as the generating means.

  The ink supply port 2 is provided with a packing 4 and a valve body 6. As shown in FIG. 3, the packing 4 is fluid-tightly engaged with an ink supply needle 32 communicating with the recording head 31. The valve body 6 is always elastically contacted with the packing 4 by a spring 5. When the ink supply needle 32 is inserted, the valve body 6 is pushed by the ink supply needle 32 to open the ink flow path, and the ink in the container 1 passes through the ink supply port 2 and the ink supply needle 32 and the recording head 31. Supplied to. On the upper wall of the container 1, semiconductor storage means 7 that stores information about ink in the ink cartridge is mounted.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view seen from the back side showing an embodiment of an ink cartridge containing a plurality of types of ink. The container 8 is divided into three ink chambers 9, 10 and 11 by a partition wall. Ink supply ports 12, 13 and 14 are formed in the respective ink chambers. Elastic wave generating means 15, 16 and 17 are attached to the bottom surfaces 8 a of the respective ink chambers 9, 10 and 11 so that the elastic waves can be transmitted to the ink accommodated in each ink chamber via the container 8. ing.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the main part of an ink jet recording apparatus suitable for the ink cartridge shown in FIGS. The carriage 30 that can reciprocate in the width direction of the recording paper includes a sub tank unit 33, and the recording head 31 is provided on the lower surface of the sub tank unit 33. The ink supply needle 32 is provided on the ink cartridge mounting surface side of the sub tank unit 33.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing details of the sub tank unit 33. The sub tank unit 33 includes an ink supply needle 32, an ink chamber 34, a membrane valve 36, and a filter 37. Ink chamber 34 contains ink supplied from an ink cartridge via ink supply needle 32. The membrane valve 36 is designed to open and close due to a pressure difference between the ink chamber 34 and the ink supply path 35. The ink supply path 35 communicates with the recording head 31 so that ink is supplied to the recording head 31.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the ink supply port 2 of the container 1 is inserted into the ink supply needle 32 of the sub tank unit 33, the valve body 6 moves backward against the spring 5, and an ink flow path is formed. Ink flows into the ink chamber 34. When the ink chamber 34 is filled with ink, a negative pressure is applied to the nozzle openings of the recording head 31 to fill the recording head 31 with ink, and then a recording operation is performed.

  When ink is consumed in the recording head 31 by the recording operation, the pressure on the downstream side of the membrane valve 36 decreases, so that the membrane valve 36 opens away from the valve body 38 as shown in FIG. By opening the membrane valve 36, the ink in the ink chamber 34 flows into the recording head 31 via the ink supply path 35. As the ink flows into the recording head 31, the ink in the container 1 flows into the sub tank unit 33 via the ink supply needle 32.

  During the operation period of the recording apparatus, a drive signal is supplied to the elastic wave generating means 3 at a preset detection timing, for example, at a constant period. The elastic wave generated by the elastic wave generating means 3 propagates through the bottom surface 1a of the container 1 and is transmitted to the ink, and propagates the ink.

  By sticking the elastic wave generating means 3 to the container 1, the ink cartridge itself can be provided with a remaining amount detecting function. According to the present invention, since there is no need to embed an electrode for detecting the liquid level when the container 1 is molded, the injection molding process is simplified, liquid leakage from the electrode embedding area is eliminated, and the reliability of the ink cartridge is improved. Can be improved.

  FIG. 5 shows a method for manufacturing the elastic wave generating means 3, 15, 16, and 17. The fixed substrate 20 is made of a fireable ceramic material or the like. First, as shown in FIG. 5I, a conductive material layer 21 to be one electrode is formed on the surface of the fixed substrate 20. Next, as shown in FIG. 5 (II), a green sheet 22 of piezoelectric material is overlaid on the surface of the conductive material layer 21. Next, as shown in FIG. 5 (III), the green sheet 22 is shaped into a predetermined shape by a press or the like, and is naturally dried, and then fired at a firing temperature, for example, 1200 ° C. Next, as shown in FIG. 5 (IV), a conductive material layer 23 to be the other electrode is formed on the surface of the green sheet 22 and is polarized so that it can be flexibly vibrated. Finally, as shown in FIG. 5 (V), the fixed substrate 20 is cut for each element. By fixing the fixed substrate 20 to a predetermined surface of the container 1 with an adhesive or the like, the elastic wave generating means 3 is fixed to the predetermined surface of the container 1 and the ink cartridge with the remaining amount detecting function is completed.

  FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the elastic wave generating means 3 shown in FIG. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the conductive material layer 21 is used as a connection electrode. On the other hand, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the connection terminals 21a and 23a are formed by solder or the like at a position above the surface of the piezoelectric material layer formed by the green sheet 22. The connection terminals 21a and 23a enable the elastic wave generating means 3 to be directly mounted on the circuit board, and lead wires are not required to be routed.

  By the way, an elastic wave is a kind of wave which can propagate using gas, liquid, and solid as a medium. Accordingly, the wavelength, amplitude, phase, frequency, propagation direction, propagation speed, etc. of the elastic wave change due to changes in the medium. On the other hand, the reflected wave of the elastic wave also varies in the state and characteristics of the wave depending on the change of the medium. Therefore, it is possible to know the state of the medium by using the reflected wave that changes according to the change of the medium through which the elastic wave propagates. When detecting the state of the liquid in the liquid container by this method, for example, an elastic wave transceiver is used. The transmitter / receiver first applies an elastic wave to a medium, for example, a liquid or a liquid container, and the elastic wave propagates in the medium and reaches the surface of the liquid. Since the liquid surface has a boundary between the liquid and the gas, the reflected wave is returned to the transceiver. The transmitter / receiver receives the reflected wave, and the transmitter / receiver and the liquid surface are determined based on the return time of the reflected wave and the attenuation rate of the amplitude between the elastic wave generated by the transmitter and the reflected wave reflected by the liquid surface. Can be measured. By utilizing this, the state of the liquid in the liquid container can be detected. The elastic wave generating means 3 may be used as a transmitter / receiver in a method using a reflected wave due to a change of a medium through which the elastic wave propagates as a single unit, or may be equipped with a dedicated receiver.

  As described above, the elastic wave generated by the elastic wave generating means 3 and propagating through the ink liquid has the arrival time of the reflected wave generated on the surface of the ink liquid depending on the density of the ink liquid and the liquid level at the elastic wave generating means 3. Change. Therefore, when the composition of the ink is constant, the arrival time of the reflected wave generated on the ink liquid surface depends on the amount of ink. Therefore, the amount of ink can be detected by detecting the time from when the elastic wave generating means 3 generates an elastic wave until the reflected wave from the ink surface reaches the elastic wave generating means 3. In addition, since the elastic wave vibrates particles contained in the ink, it contributes to preventing precipitation of the pigment or the like in the case of pigment-based ink using a pigment as a colorant.

  By providing the elastic wave generating means 3 in the container 1, the ink in the ink cartridge decreases to near the ink end by the printing operation or the maintenance operation, and when the reflected wave cannot be received by the elastic wave generating means 3, the ink It can be determined that the ink cartridge is near-end, and the replacement of the ink cartridge can be prompted.

  FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention. A plurality of elastic wave generating means 41 to 44 are provided on the side wall of the container 1 at intervals in the vertical direction. The ink cartridge in FIG. 7 can detect the presence or absence of ink at the level of the mounting position of each of the elastic wave generating means 41 to 44 depending on whether or not the ink is present at each position of the elastic wave generating means 41 to 44. For example, when the water level of the ink is at a level between the elastic wave generating means 44 and 43, the elastic wave generating means 44 detects that there is no ink, and the elastic wave generating means 41, 42 and 43 Since it is detected that the ink is present, it can be seen that the water level of the ink is at a level between the elastic wave generating means 44 and 43. Therefore, by providing the plurality of elastic wave generating units 41 to 44, the remaining amount of ink can be detected in stages.

  8 and 9 show still other embodiments of the ink cartridge of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the elastic wave generating means 65 is mounted on the bottom surface 1a formed obliquely in the vertical direction. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, elastic wave generating means 66 extending in the vertical direction is provided in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the side wall 1b.

  8 and 9, when ink is consumed and a part of the elastic wave generating means 65 and 66 is exposed from the liquid surface, the elastic wave generating means 65 and 66 generate the elastic wave generated by the elastic wave generating means 65 and 66. The arrival time and acoustic impedance of the reflected wave continuously change corresponding to the changes Δh1 and Δh2 in the liquid level. Therefore, the process from the ink near-end state to the ink end of the remaining amount of ink can be accurately detected by detecting the arrival time of the reflected wave of the elastic wave or the degree of change in the acoustic impedance.

  In the above-described embodiments, an example of an ink cartridge that directly stores ink in a liquid container has been described. As another embodiment of the ink cartridge, the elastic wave generating means described above may be attached to an ink cartridge in which a porous elastic body is loaded in the container 1 and the porous elastic body is impregnated with liquid ink. In the above-described embodiments, the use of a flexural vibration type piezoelectric vibrator suppresses an increase in the size of the cartridge, but a longitudinal vibration type piezoelectric vibrator can also be used. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an elastic wave is transmitted and received by the same elastic wave generating means. As another embodiment, the remaining ink amount may be detected by using different elastic wave generating means for transmitting and receiving waves.

  FIG. 10 shows still another embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention. A plurality of elastic wave generating means 65 a, 65 b and 65 c are provided in the container 1 at intervals in the vertical direction on a bottom surface 1 a formed obliquely in the vertical direction. According to this embodiment, the level of the mounting position of each of the elastic wave generating means 65a, 65b, and 65c depends on whether or not ink is present at each of the plurality of elastic wave generating means 65a, 65b, and 65c. , The arrival times of the reflected waves of the elastic waves to the respective elastic wave generating means 65a, 65b and 65c are different. Accordingly, by scanning each elastic wave generating means 65 and detecting arrival times of reflected waves of the elastic waves at the elastic wave generating means 65a, 65b and 65c, the respective elastic wave generating means 65a, 65b and 65c are mounted. The presence or absence of ink at the position level can be detected. Therefore, it is possible to detect the remaining amount of ink step by step. For example, when the ink liquid level is at a level between the elastic wave generating means 65b and the elastic wave generating means 65c, the elastic wave generating means 65c detects the absence of ink, while the elastic wave generating means 65b and 65a indicate that ink is present. To detect. By comprehensively evaluating these results, it can be seen that the ink liquid level is located between the elastic wave generating means 65b and the elastic wave generating means 65c.

  FIG. 11 shows still another embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention. In the ink cartridge of FIG. 11, in order to increase the intensity of the reflected wave from the liquid surface, a plate material 67 is attached to the float 68 to cover the ink liquid surface. The plate material 67 is formed of a material having high acoustic impedance and ink resistance, such as a ceramic plate material.

  FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. In the ink cartridge of FIG. 12, similarly to the ink cartridge of FIG. 11, in order to increase the intensity of the reflected wave from the liquid surface, a plate material 67 is attached to the float 68 to cover the ink liquid surface. In FIG. 12A, the elastic wave generating means 65 is fixed to the bottom surface 1a formed obliquely in the vertical direction. When the remaining amount of ink is reduced and the elastic wave generating means 65 is exposed from the liquid surface, the arrival time of the reflected elastic wave generated by the elastic wave generating means 65 to the elastic wave generating means 65 changes. The presence or absence of ink at the level of the mounting position of the means 65 can be detected. Since the elastic wave generating means 65 is mounted on the bottom surface 1a formed obliquely in the vertical direction, some ink remains in the container 1 even after the elastic wave generating means 65 detects that there is no ink. From this, it is possible to detect the remaining amount of ink at the time of ink near end.

  In FIG. 12B, a plurality of elastic wave generating means 65a, 65b, and 65c are provided in the container 1 at intervals in the vertical direction on a bottom surface 1a formed obliquely in the vertical direction. According to the embodiment of FIG. 12B, each of the elastic wave generating means 65a, 65b and 65c depends on whether ink is present at each of the plurality of elastic wave generating means 65a, 65b and 65c. The arrival times of the reflected waves to the elastic wave generating means 65a, 65b and 65c at the mounting position level are different. Therefore, by scanning each elastic wave generating means 65 and detecting the arrival time of the reflected wave at each elastic wave generating means, the presence or absence of ink at the level of the mounting position of each elastic wave generating means 65a, 65b and 65c. Can be detected. For example, when the ink level is at a level between the elastic wave generating means 65b and the elastic wave generating means 65c, the elastic wave generating means 65c detects the absence of ink, while the elastic wave generating means 65b and 65a have ink. Is detected. By comprehensively evaluating these results, it can be seen that the ink liquid level is located between the elastic wave generating means 65b and the elastic wave generating means 65c.

  FIG. 13 shows still another embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention. In the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 13A, an ink absorber 74 is arranged so that at least part of the ink cartridge faces a through hole 1c provided in the container 1. The elastic wave generating means 70 is fixed to the bottom surface 1a of the container 1 so as to face the through hole 1c. In the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 13B, an ink absorber 75 is disposed so as to face a groove 1h formed in communication with the through hole 1c.

  According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, when the ink in the container 1 is consumed and the ink absorbers 74 and 75 are exposed from the ink, the ink in the ink absorbers 74 and 75 flows out by its own weight, and the ink is supplied to the recording head 31. Supply. When the ink is completely consumed, the ink absorbers 74 and 75 suck up the ink remaining in the through hole 1c, so that the ink is completely discharged from the concave portion of the through hole 1c. For this reason, the state of the reflected wave of the elastic wave generated by the elastic wave generating means 70 at the ink end changes, so that the ink end can be detected more reliably.

  FIG. 14 shows a plan view of still another embodiment of the through hole 1c. As shown in FIGS. 14A to 14C, the planar shape of the through hole 1c may be any shape such as a circle, a rectangle, and a triangle as long as the elastic wave generating means can be attached. .

  FIG. 15 shows a cross section of another embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 15A shows a cross section of only the ink jet recording apparatus. FIG. 15B shows a cross section when the ink cartridge 272 is attached to the ink jet recording apparatus. The carriage 250 that can reciprocate in the width direction of the inkjet recording paper has a recording head 252 on the lower surface. The carriage 250 has a sub tank unit 256 on the upper surface of the recording head 252. The sub tank unit 256 has the same configuration as the sub tank unit 33 shown in FIG. The sub tank unit 256 has an ink supply needle 254 on the mounting surface side of the ink cartridge 272. The carriage 250 has a convex portion 258 in a region where the ink cartridge 272 is mounted so as to face the bottom of the ink cartridge 272. The convex portion 258 has elastic wave generating means 260 such as a piezoelectric vibrator.

  FIG. 16 shows an embodiment of an ink cartridge suitable for the recording apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 16A shows an embodiment of an ink cartridge for single color, for example, black ink. The ink cartridge 272 of this embodiment includes a container 274 that stores ink and an ink supply port 276 that is joined to the ink supply needle 254 of the recording apparatus. The container 274 has a concave portion 278 that engages with the convex portion 258 on the bottom surface 274a. The concave portion 278 accommodates an ultrasonic transmission material, for example, a gelling material 280.

  The ink supply port 276 includes a packing 282, a valve body 286, and a spring 284. The packing 282 engages with the ink supply needle 254 in a liquid-tight manner. The valve body 286 is always elastically contacted with the packing 282 by the spring 284. When the ink supply needle 254 is inserted into the ink supply port 276, the valve element 286 is pushed by the ink supply needle 254 to open the ink flow path. On the top of the container 274, a semiconductor storage means 288 that stores information relating to the ink and the like of the ink cartridge 272 is mounted.

  FIG. 16B shows an embodiment of an ink cartridge that contains a plurality of types of ink. The container 290 is divided into a plurality of regions, that is, three ink chambers 292, 294, 296 by walls. Each ink chamber 292, 294, and 296 has ink supply ports 298, 300, and 302. Gelling materials 304, 306, and 308 for transmitting elastic waves generated by the elastic wave generating means 260 are formed in cylindrical recesses in regions facing the ink chambers 292, 294, and 296 on the bottom surface 290a of the container 290. 310, 312, and 314.

  As shown in FIG. 15B, when the ink supply port 276 of the ink cartridge 272 is inserted into the ink supply needle 254 of the sub tank unit 256, the valve body 286 moves backward against the spring 284 to form an ink flow path. Therefore, the ink in the ink cartridge 272 flows into the ink chamber 262. When the ink chamber 262 is filled with ink, a negative pressure is applied to the nozzle openings of the recording head 252 to fill the recording head 252 with ink, and then a recording operation is performed. When ink is consumed by the recording head 252 by the recording operation, the pressure on the downstream side of the membrane valve 266 decreases, so that the membrane valve 266 opens away from the valve body 270. The ink in the ink chamber 262 flows into the recording head 252 by opening the membrane valve 266. As the ink flows into the recording head 252, the ink in the ink cartridge 272 flows into the sub tank unit 256.

  During the operation period of the recording apparatus, a drive signal is supplied to the elastic wave generating means 260 at a preset detection timing, for example, at a constant period. The elastic wave generated by the elastic wave generating means 260 is radiated from the convex portion 258, propagates through the gelling material 280 on the bottom surface 274a of the ink cartridge 272, and is transmitted to the ink in the ink cartridge 272. In FIG. 15, the elastic wave generating means 260 is provided in the carriage 250, but the elastic wave generating means 260 may be provided in the sub tank unit 256.

  Since the elastic wave generated by the elastic wave generation means 260 propagates in the ink liquid, the time for the reflected wave reflected on the liquid surface to reach the elastic wave derivation means 260 depends on the density of the ink liquid and the liquid level of the ink. Change. Therefore, when the composition of the ink is constant, the arrival time of the reflected wave generated on the liquid surface depends only on the ink amount. Therefore, the amount of ink in the ink cartridge 272 can be detected by detecting the time until the reflected wave from the ink liquid surface after excitation of the elastic wave generating means 260 reaches the elastic wave generating means 260. The elastic wave generated by the elastic wave generating means 260 vibrates the particles contained in the ink, thereby preventing precipitation of pigments and the like.

  When the ink in the ink cartridge 272 decreases to near the ink end due to the printing operation or the maintenance operation, and the reflected wave from the surface of the ink liquid after the elastic wave generation by the elastic wave generating means 260 cannot be received, the ink near end Therefore, it is possible to prompt the user to replace the ink cartridge 272. When the ink cartridge 272 is not mounted on the carriage 250 as specified, the elastic wave propagation form by the elastic wave generating means 260 changes extremely. By utilizing this, when an extreme change in elastic wave is detected, an alarm can be issued to prompt the user to check the ink cartridge 272.

  The arrival time of the reflected elastic wave generated by the elastic wave generating means 260 to the elastic wave generating means 260 is affected by the density of the ink stored in the container 274. Since the ink density may differ depending on the type of ink, the data relating to the type of ink stored in the ink cartridge 272 is stored in the semiconductor storage unit 288, and a detection sequence corresponding to that is executed to execute the ink remaining. The amount can be detected more accurately.

  FIG. 17 shows another embodiment of the ink cartridge 272 of the present invention. The ink cartridge 272 shown in FIG. 17 has a bottom surface 274a formed obliquely in the vertical direction. In the ink cartridge 272 of FIG. 17, when the remaining amount of ink is reduced and a part of the elastic wave irradiation area of the elastic wave generating means 260 is exposed from the ink liquid surface, the reflected wave of the elastic wave generated by the elastic wave generating means 260 is obtained. The arrival time at the elastic wave generating means 260 continuously changes corresponding to the change Δh1 in the ink level. Δh1 indicates a difference in height of the bottom surface 274a at both ends of the gelling material 280. Therefore, by detecting the arrival time of the reflected wave to the elastic wave generating means 260, the process from the ink near end state to the ink end can be accurately detected.

  FIG. 18 shows still another embodiment of the ink cartridge 272 and the ink jet recording apparatus of the present invention. The ink jet recording apparatus of FIG. 18 has a convex portion 258 ′ on the side surface 274b of the ink cartridge 272 on the ink supply port 276 side. The convex portion 258 ′ includes elastic wave generating means 260 ′. A gelling material 280 ′ is provided on the side surface 274 b of the ink cartridge 272 so as to engage with the convex portion 258 ′. According to the ink cartridge 272 of FIG. 18, when the remaining amount of ink is reduced and a part of the elastic wave irradiation area of the elastic wave generating means 260 ′ is exposed from the liquid surface, the elastic wave generated by the elastic wave generating means 260 ′ is generated. The arrival time and acoustic impedance of the reflected wave to the elastic wave generating means 260 ′ continuously change corresponding to the change Δh2 in the liquid level. Δh2 represents the difference in height between the upper end and the lower end of the gelled material 280 ′. Therefore, the process from the ink near-end state to the ink end can be accurately detected by detecting the arrival time of the reflected wave to the elastic wave generating means 260 ′ or the degree of change in the acoustic impedance.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example of an ink cartridge in which ink is directly stored in the container 274 has been described. As another embodiment, the elastic wave generating means 260 may be applied to an ink cartridge in which a porous elastic body is loaded in the container 274 and the porous elastic body is impregnated with ink. Further, in the above-described embodiment, when detecting the remaining amount of ink based on the reflected wave on the liquid surface, the elastic wave is transmitted and received by the same elastic wave generating means 260 and 260 ′. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, as another embodiment, different elastic wave generating means 260 may be used for transmitting and receiving elastic waves.

  FIG. 19 shows another embodiment of the ink cartridge 272 shown in FIG. The ink cartridge 272 attaches the plate material 316 to the float 318 and covers the ink liquid surface, thereby increasing the intensity of the reflected wave from the ink liquid surface. The plate member 316 is preferably formed of a material having high acoustic impedance and ink resistance, such as ceramic.

  20 and 21 show details and an equivalent circuit of the actuator 106 which is an embodiment of the piezoelectric device. The actuator here is used in a method of detecting a consumption state of a liquid in a liquid container by detecting at least a change in acoustic impedance. In particular, it is used in a method for detecting a consumption state of liquid in a liquid container by detecting at least a change in acoustic impedance by detecting a resonance frequency by residual vibration. FIG. 20A is an enlarged plan view of the actuator 106. FIG. 20B shows a BB cross section of the actuator 106. FIG. 20C shows a CC cross section of the actuator 106. Further, FIGS. 21A and 21B show an equivalent circuit of the actuator 106. FIGS. 21C and 21D show the periphery including the actuator 106 and its equivalent circuit when the ink cartridge is filled with ink, respectively, and FIGS. 21E and 21F. ) Shows the periphery including the actuator 106 and its equivalent circuit when there is no ink in the ink cartridge.

  The actuator 106 includes a substrate 178 having a circular opening 161 at substantially the center, a vibration plate 176 disposed on one surface (hereinafter referred to as a surface) of the substrate 178 so as to cover the opening 161, and the vibration plate 176. The piezoelectric layer 160 disposed on the surface side, the upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 166 sandwiching the piezoelectric layer 160 from both sides, the upper electrode terminal 168 electrically coupled to the upper electrode 164, and the lower electrode 166 electrically A lower electrode terminal 170 to be coupled and an auxiliary electrode 172 disposed between the upper electrode 164 and the upper electrode terminal 168 and electrically coupled to each other are provided. The piezoelectric layer 160, the upper electrode 164, and the lower electrode 166 each have a circular portion as a main part. Each circular portion of the piezoelectric layer 160, the upper electrode 164, and the lower electrode 166 forms a piezoelectric element.

  The diaphragm 176 is formed on the surface of the substrate 178 so as to cover the opening 161. The cavity 162 is formed by a portion facing the opening 161 of the vibration plate 176 and the opening 161 on the surface of the substrate 178. A surface of the substrate 178 opposite to the piezoelectric element (hereinafter referred to as a back surface) faces the liquid container side, and the cavity 162 is configured to come into contact with the liquid. The diaphragm 176 is liquid-tightly attached to the substrate 178 so that the liquid does not leak to the surface side of the substrate 178 even if the liquid enters the cavity 162.

  The lower electrode 166 is located on the surface of the vibration plate 176, that is, the surface opposite to the liquid container, and is attached so that the center of the circular portion which is the main part of the lower electrode 166 and the center of the opening 161 are substantially coincided with each other. It has been. The area of the circular portion of the lower electrode 166 is set to be smaller than the area of the opening 161. On the other hand, on the surface side of the lower electrode 166, the piezoelectric layer 160 is formed so that the center of the circular portion and the center of the opening 161 substantially coincide. The area of the circular portion of the piezoelectric layer 160 is set to be smaller than the area of the opening 161 and larger than the area of the circular portion of the lower electrode 166.

  On the other hand, on the surface side of the piezoelectric layer 160, the upper electrode 164 is formed so that the center of the circular portion which is the main part thereof substantially coincides with the center of the opening 161. The area of the circular portion of the upper electrode 164 is set to be smaller than the area of the circular portion of the opening 161 and the piezoelectric layer 160 and larger than the area of the circular portion of the lower electrode 166.

  Accordingly, the main part of the piezoelectric layer 160 is structured to be sandwiched between the main part of the upper electrode 164 and the main part of the lower electrode 166 from the front surface side and the back surface side, respectively. Deformation drive is possible. The circular portions that are the main portions of the piezoelectric layer 160, the upper electrode 164, and the lower electrode 166 form a piezoelectric element in the actuator 106. As described above, the piezoelectric element is in contact with the diaphragm 176. Of the circular portion of the upper electrode 164, the circular portion of the piezoelectric layer 160, the circular portion of the lower electrode 166, and the opening 161, the opening 161 has the largest area. With this structure, the vibration region of the diaphragm 176 that actually vibrates is determined by the opening 161. Further, since the circular portion of the upper electrode 164, the circular portion of the piezoelectric layer 160, and the circular portion of the lower electrode 166 have a smaller area than the opening 161, the diaphragm 176 is more likely to vibrate. Furthermore, of the circular portion of the lower electrode 166 and the circular portion of the upper electrode 164 that are electrically connected to the piezoelectric layer 160, the circular portion of the lower electrode 166 is smaller. Accordingly, the circular portion of the lower terminal 166 determines the portion of the piezoelectric layer 160 that generates the piezoelectric effect.

  The upper electrode terminal 168 is formed on the surface side of the diaphragm 176 so as to be electrically connected to the upper electrode 164 via the auxiliary electrode 172. On the other hand, the lower electrode terminal 170 is formed on the surface side of the diaphragm 176 so as to be electrically connected to the lower electrode 166. Since the upper electrode 164 is formed on the surface side of the piezoelectric layer 160, it is necessary to have a step equal to the sum of the thickness of the piezoelectric layer 160 and the thickness of the lower electrode 166 in the middle of connection with the upper electrode terminal 168. It is difficult to form the step with only the upper electrode 164, and even if possible, the connection state between the upper electrode 164 and the upper electrode terminal 168 becomes weak and there is a risk of disconnection. Therefore, the upper electrode 164 and the upper electrode terminal 168 are connected using the auxiliary electrode 172 as an auxiliary member. By doing so, the piezoelectric layer 160 and the upper electrode 164 are both supported by the auxiliary electrode 172, and a desired mechanical strength can be obtained, and the connection between the upper electrode 164 and the upper electrode terminal 168 is ensured. It becomes possible to.

  The vibration region facing the piezoelectric element in the piezoelectric element and the diaphragm 176 is a vibration part that actually vibrates in the actuator 106. Moreover, it is preferable that the members included in the actuator 106 are integrally formed by firing each other. By integrally forming the actuator 106, the handling of the actuator 106 becomes easy. Furthermore, the vibration characteristics are improved by increasing the strength of the substrate 178. That is, by increasing the strength of the substrate 178, only the vibration portion of the actuator 106 vibrates, and portions other than the vibration portion of the actuator 106 do not vibrate. Further, in order not to vibrate parts other than the vibration part of the actuator 106, the strength of the substrate 178 can be increased, whereas the piezoelectric element of the actuator 106 is made thin and small and the vibration plate 176 is made thin.

  As the material of the piezoelectric layer 160, it is preferable to use lead zirconate titanate (PZT), lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT), or lead-free piezoelectric film that does not use lead, and the substrate 178 is made of zirconia or alumina. It is preferable to use it. Further, it is preferable to use the same material as the substrate 178 for the diaphragm 176. For the upper electrode 164, the lower electrode 166, the upper electrode terminal 168, and the lower electrode terminal 170, a conductive material, for example, a metal such as gold, silver, copper, platinum, aluminum, or nickel can be used.

  The actuator 106 configured as described above can be applied to a container that contains a liquid. For example, the ink cartridge can be attached to an ink cartridge or an ink tank used in an ink jet recording apparatus, or a container containing a cleaning liquid for cleaning the recording head.

  The actuator 106 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 is mounted at a predetermined position of the liquid container so that the cavity 162 is in contact with the liquid contained in the liquid container. When the liquid is sufficiently contained in the liquid container, the inside of the cavity 162 and the outside thereof are filled with the liquid. On the other hand, when the liquid in the liquid container is consumed and the liquid level drops below the mounting position of the actuator, there is no liquid in the cavity 162, or liquid remains only in the cavity 162 and there is gas outside the cavity 162. It becomes a state to do. The actuator 106 detects at least a difference in acoustic impedance caused by the change in the state. Accordingly, the actuator 106 can detect whether the liquid is sufficiently contained in the liquid container or whether a certain amount of liquid is consumed. Furthermore, the actuator 106 can also detect the type of liquid in the liquid container.

  Here, the principle of the liquid level detection by the actuator will be described.

  In order to detect a change in the acoustic impedance of the medium, the impedance characteristic or admittance characteristic of the medium is measured. When measuring impedance characteristics or admittance characteristics, for example, a transmission circuit can be used. The transmission circuit applies a constant voltage to the medium, changes the frequency, and measures the current flowing through the medium. Alternatively, the transmission circuit supplies a constant current to the medium and measures the voltage applied to the medium at different frequencies. A change in current value or voltage value measured by the transmission circuit indicates a change in acoustic impedance. Further, a change in the frequency fm at which the current value or voltage value is maximized or minimized also indicates a change in acoustic impedance.

  Apart from the above method, the actuator can detect a change in the acoustic impedance of the liquid using a change only in the resonance frequency. When using the method of detecting the resonance frequency by measuring the counter electromotive force generated by the residual vibration remaining in the vibration part after the vibration part of the actuator vibrates as a method using the change in the acoustic impedance of the liquid, for example, A piezoelectric element can be used. The piezoelectric element is an element that generates a counter electromotive force due to residual vibration remaining in the vibration part of the actuator, and the magnitude of the counter electromotive force varies depending on the amplitude of the vibration part of the actuator. Therefore, detection is easier as the amplitude of the vibration part of the actuator is larger. In addition, the period in which the magnitude of the back electromotive force changes depends on the frequency of residual vibration in the vibration part of the actuator. Therefore, the frequency of the vibration part of the actuator corresponds to the frequency of the counter electromotive force. Here, the resonance frequency is a frequency in a resonance state between the vibration part of the actuator and the medium in contact with the vibration part.

  In order to obtain the resonance frequency fs, the waveform obtained by the back electromotive force measurement when the vibration part and the medium are in the resonance state is Fourier-transformed. The vibration of the actuator is not only deformed in one direction but is accompanied by various deformations such as deflection and extension, and therefore has various frequencies including the resonance frequency fs. Therefore, the resonance frequency fs is determined by Fourier-transforming the back electromotive force waveform when the piezoelectric element and the medium are in the resonance state and specifying the most dominant frequency component.

  The frequency fm is a frequency when the admittance of the medium is maximum or the impedance is minimum. Assuming the resonance frequency fs, the frequency fm causes a slight error with respect to the resonance frequency fs due to dielectric loss or mechanical loss of the medium. However, since it takes time to derive the resonance frequency fs from the actually measured frequency fm, the frequency fm is generally used instead of the resonance frequency. Here, by inputting the output of the actuator 106 to the transmission circuit, the actuator 106 can detect at least the acoustic impedance.

  A resonance specified by a method for measuring the frequency fm by measuring the impedance characteristic or admittance characteristic of the medium, and a method for measuring the resonance frequency fs by measuring the counter electromotive force generated by the residual vibration vibration in the vibration part of the actuator. Experiments have shown that there is little difference in frequency.

  The vibration region of the actuator 106 is a portion constituting the cavity 162 determined by the opening 161 of the vibration plate 176. When the liquid is sufficiently stored in the liquid container, the cavity 162 is filled with the liquid, and the vibration region comes into contact with the liquid in the liquid container. On the other hand, when there is not enough liquid in the liquid container, the vibration region is in contact with the liquid remaining in the cavity in the liquid container, or is not in contact with the liquid but is in contact with gas or vacuum.

  The actuator 106 of the present invention is provided with a cavity 162, whereby the liquid in the liquid container can be designed to remain in the vibration region of the actuator 106. The reason is as follows.

  Depending on the mounting position and mounting angle of the actuator on the liquid container, the liquid may adhere to the vibration area of the actuator even though the liquid level of the liquid in the liquid container is below the mounting position of the actuator. is there. When the actuator detects the presence or absence of liquid only by the presence or absence of liquid in the vibration region, the liquid attached to the vibration region of the actuator hinders accurate detection of the presence or absence of liquid. For example, when the liquid level is below the mounting position of the actuator, if the liquid container is swung due to the reciprocating movement of the carriage, etc. An erroneous determination is made that there is sufficient liquid in the liquid container. Therefore, conversely, even when the liquid remains there, by actively providing a cavity designed to accurately detect the presence or absence of the liquid, the liquid container oscillates and the liquid level undulates However, the malfunction of the actuator can be prevented. In this manner, malfunctions can be prevented by using an actuator having a cavity.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 21E, the case where there is no liquid in the liquid container and the liquid in the liquid container remains in the cavity 162 of the actuator 106 is set as the threshold value for the presence or absence of the liquid. That is, if there is no liquid around the cavity 162 and there is less liquid in the cavity than this threshold, it is determined that there is no ink. If there is liquid around the cavity 162 and there is more liquid than this threshold, ink is present. to decide. For example, when the actuator 106 is mounted on the side wall of the liquid container, it is determined that there is no ink when the liquid in the liquid container is below the mounting position of the actuator, and the liquid in the liquid container is above the mounting position of the actuator. In some cases, it is determined that ink is present. By setting the threshold in this way, it is determined that there is no ink even when the ink in the cavity has dried and the ink has run out. Even if it adheres to the cavity, the threshold value is not exceeded, so it can be determined that there is no ink.

  Here, the operation and principle of detecting the state of the liquid in the liquid container from the resonance frequency of the medium and the vibrating portion of the actuator 106 by measuring the back electromotive force will be described with reference to FIGS. In the actuator 106, a voltage is applied to the upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 166 via the upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170, respectively. An electric field is generated in a portion of the piezoelectric layer 160 sandwiched between the upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 166. The piezoelectric layer 160 is deformed by the electric field. When the piezoelectric layer 160 is deformed, the vibration region of the vibration plate 176 is flexibly vibrated. For a while after the piezoelectric layer 160 is deformed, the flexural vibration remains in the vibration portion of the actuator 106.

  The residual vibration is free vibration between the vibration part of the actuator 106 and the medium. Therefore, by setting the voltage applied to the piezoelectric layer 160 to a pulse waveform or a rectangular wave, it is possible to easily obtain the resonance state between the vibrating portion and the medium after the voltage is applied. The residual vibration causes the vibration portion of the actuator 106 to vibrate, so that the piezoelectric layer 160 is also deformed. Accordingly, the piezoelectric layer 160 generates a counter electromotive force. The counter electromotive force is detected through the upper electrode 164, the lower electrode 166, the upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170. Since the resonance frequency can be specified by the detected back electromotive force, the state of the liquid in the liquid container can be detected.

In general, the resonant frequency fs is
fs = 1 / (2 * π * (M * Cact) ^1/2 ) (Formula 1)
It is represented by Here, M is the sum of the inertance Mact and the additional inertance M ′ of the vibration part. Cact is the compliance of the vibration part.

  FIG. 20C is a cross-sectional view of the actuator 106 when no ink remains in the cavity in this embodiment. 21A and 21B are equivalent circuits of the vibrating portion of the actuator 106 and the cavity 162 when no ink remains in the cavity.

Mact is obtained by dividing the product of the thickness of the vibration part and the density of the vibration part by the area of the vibration part. In more detail, as shown in FIG.
Mact = Mpzt + Melectrode1 + Melectrode2 + Mvib (Formula 2)
It is expressed. Here, Mpzt is obtained by dividing the product of the thickness of the piezoelectric layer 160 and the density of the piezoelectric layer 160 in the vibrating portion by the area of the piezoelectric layer 160. Melectrode1 is obtained by dividing the product of the thickness of the upper electrode 164 and the density of the upper electrode 164 in the vibrating portion by the area of the upper electrode 164. Melectrode2 is obtained by dividing the product of the thickness of the lower electrode 166 and the density of the lower electrode 166 in the vibrating portion by the area of the lower electrode 166. Mvib is obtained by dividing the product of the thickness of the diaphragm 176 and the density of the diaphragm 176 in the vibration section by the area of the vibration region of the diaphragm 176. However, in this embodiment, Mact can be calculated from the thickness, density, and area of the entire vibration part. In this embodiment, each of the vibration regions of the piezoelectric layer 160, the upper electrode 164, the lower electrode 166, and the vibration plate 176 is obtained. Although the areas have the above-described magnitude relationship, the difference between the areas is preferably small. In the present embodiment, in the piezoelectric layer 160, the upper electrode 164, and the lower electrode 166, it is preferable that portions other than the circular portion, which is the main portion thereof, are so small as to be negligible with respect to the main portion. Accordingly, in the actuator 106, Mact is the sum of the inertances of the vibration regions of the upper electrode 164, the lower electrode 166, the piezoelectric layer 160 and the vibration plate 176. The compliance Cact is a compliance of a portion formed by the vibration region of the upper electrode 164, the lower electrode 166, the piezoelectric layer 160, and the vibration plate 176.

  21A, FIG. 21B, FIG. 21D, and FIG. 21F show equivalent circuits of the vibrating portion of the actuator 106 and the cavity 162. In these equivalent circuits, Cact is The compliance of the vibration part of the actuator 106 is shown. Cpzt, Celectrode1, Celectrode2, and Cvib respectively indicate the compliance of the piezoelectric layer 160, the upper electrode 164, the lower electrode 166, and the diaphragm 176 in the vibration part. Cact is expressed by Equation 3 below.

1 / Cact = (1 / Cpzt) + (1 / Celectrode1) + (1 / Celectrode2) + (1 / Cvi
b) (Formula 3)
From Equation 2 and Equation 3, FIG. 21A can also be expressed as FIG. 21B.

  The compliance Cact represents a volume that can receive the medium by deformation when pressure is applied to the unit area of the vibration part. The compliance Cact may be said to represent the ease of deformation.

  FIG. 21C is a cross-sectional view of the actuator 106 when the liquid is sufficiently contained in the liquid container and the liquid is filled around the vibration region of the actuator 106. M′max in FIG. 21C represents the maximum value of additional inertance when the liquid is sufficiently contained in the liquid container and the liquid is filled around the vibration region of the actuator 106. M 'max is

M′max = (π * ρ / (2 * k ³ )) * (2 * (2 * k * a) ³ / (3 * π)) / (π * a ² ) ² (Formula 4)
(A is the radius of the vibration part, ρ is the density of the medium, and k is the wave number.)

It is represented by Equation 4 is established when the vibration region of the actuator 106 is a circle having a radius a. The additional inertance M ′ is an amount indicating that the mass of the vibration part is apparently increased by the action of the medium in the vicinity of the vibration part. As can be seen from Equation 4, M′max varies greatly depending on the radius a of the vibrating portion and the density ρ of the medium.

Wave number k is
k = 2 * π * fact / c (Formula 5)
(Fact is the resonance frequency of the vibrating part when the liquid is not touching. C is the speed of sound propagating through the medium.)
It is represented by

  FIG. 21D shows an equivalent circuit of the vibration part of the actuator 106 and the cavity 162 in the case of FIG. 21C in which the liquid is sufficiently contained in the liquid container and the liquid is filled around the vibration region of the actuator 106. Indicates.

  FIG. 21E is a cross-sectional view of the actuator 106 when the liquid in the liquid container is consumed and there is no liquid around the vibration region of the actuator 106, but the liquid remains in the cavity 162 of the actuator 106. Show. Formula 4 is a formula representing the maximum inertance M′max determined from the density ρ of the ink, for example, when the liquid container is filled with liquid. On the other hand, when the liquid in the liquid container is consumed, and the liquid around the vibration region of the actuator 106 becomes gas or vacuum while the liquid remains in the cavity 162,

M ′ = ρ * t / S (Formula 6)
It can be expressed. t is the thickness of the medium involved in the vibration. S is the area of the vibration region of the actuator 106. When this vibration region is a circle having a radius a, S = π * a ² .

  Therefore, the additional inertance M ′ follows the equation 4 when the liquid is sufficiently contained in the liquid container and the liquid is filled around the vibration region of the actuator 106. On the other hand, when the liquid is consumed and the liquid around the vibration region of the actuator 106 becomes a gas or a vacuum while the liquid remains in the cavity 162, Equation 6 is satisfied.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 21E, the liquid in the liquid container is consumed and there is no liquid in the vicinity of the vibration region of the actuator 106, but the liquid remains in the cavity 162 of the actuator 106. For the sake of convenience, the inertance M ′ is referred to as M′cav, and is distinguished from the additional inertance M′max in the case where liquid is filled around the vibration region of the actuator 106.

  FIG. 21F shows the case of FIG. 21E where the liquid in the liquid container is consumed and there is no liquid around the vibration region of the actuator 106, but the liquid remains in the cavity 162 of the actuator 106. 3 shows an equivalent circuit of the vibrating portion of the actuator 106 and the cavity 162. Here, the parameters related to the state of the medium are the density ρ of the medium and the thickness t of the medium in Equation 6. When the liquid is sufficiently stored in the liquid container, the liquid comes into contact with the vibrating portion of the actuator 106, and when the liquid is not sufficiently stored in the liquid container, the liquid remains in the cavity, Alternatively, gas or vacuum comes into contact with the vibrating portion of the actuator 106.

  When the liquid around the actuator 106 is consumed and the additional inertance in the process of shifting from M′max in FIG. 21C to M′cav in FIG. 21E is M ′ var, the liquid is contained in the liquid container. Since the thickness t of the medium changes depending on the state, the additional inertance M′var changes and the resonance frequency fs also changes. Therefore, the presence or absence of liquid in the liquid container can be detected by specifying the resonance frequency fs. Here, when t = d as shown in FIG. 21 (E), when M′cav is expressed using Equation 6, the cavity depth d is substituted for t in Equation 6,

M′cav = ρ * d / S (Formula 7)
It becomes. Even if the mediums are different types of liquid, the density ρ varies depending on the composition, so that the additional inertance M ′ changes and the resonance frequency fs also changes. Therefore, the type of liquid can be detected by specifying the resonance frequency fs.
When only one of ink or air is in contact with the vibrating portion of the actuator 106 and they are not mixed, the difference in M ′ can be detected even if calculated by Equation 4.

  FIG. 22A is a graph showing the relationship between the amount of ink in the ink tank and the resonance frequency fs of the ink and the vibration part. Here, ink will be described as an example of liquid. The vertical axis represents the resonance frequency fs, and the horizontal axis represents the ink amount. When the ink composition is constant, the resonance frequency fs increases as the remaining ink amount decreases.

  When ink is sufficiently stored in the ink container, and the ink is filled around the vibration region of the actuator 106, the maximum additional inertance M′max is a value expressed by Equation 4. On the other hand, when the ink is consumed and the liquid remains in the cavity 162, but the ink is not filled around the vibration region of the actuator 106, the additional inertance M′var is expressed by Equation 6 based on the thickness t of the medium. Is calculated by Since t in Equation 6 is the thickness of the medium involved in the vibration, the ink gradually increases by making d of the cavity 162 of the actuator 106 (see FIG. 20B) small, that is, by making the substrate 178 sufficiently thin. It is also possible to detect the process of being consumed by the battery (see FIG. 21C). Here, tink is the thickness of the ink involved in vibration, and tink-max is the tink at M′max. For example, the actuator 106 is disposed almost horizontally with respect to the ink level on the bottom surface of the ink cartridge. When the ink is consumed and the ink level reaches the height of tink-max or less from the actuator 106, M′var gradually changes according to Equation 6, and the resonance frequency fs gradually changes according to Equation 1. Therefore, as long as the ink level is within the range t, the actuator 106 can gradually detect the ink consumption state.

  Further, by increasing or decreasing the vibration area of the actuator 106 and arranging it vertically, S in Equation 6 changes according to the position of the liquid level due to ink consumption. Therefore, the actuator 106 can also detect a process in which ink is gradually consumed. For example, the actuator 106 is disposed on the side wall of the ink cartridge substantially perpendicular to the ink level. When the ink is consumed and the ink level reaches the vibration region of the actuator 106, the additional inertance M ′ decreases as the water level decreases, so that the resonance frequency fs gradually increases according to Equation 1. Therefore, as long as the ink level is within the range of the diameter 2a of the cavity 162 (see FIG. 21C), the actuator 106 can gradually detect the ink consumption state.

  A curve X in FIG. 22A indicates the amount of ink stored in the ink tank and the ink and the ink when the cavity 162 of the actuator 106 is sufficiently shallow or the vibration region of the actuator 106 is sufficiently large or long. The relationship with the resonance frequency fs of a vibration part is represented. It can be understood that the amount of ink in the ink tank decreases and the resonance frequency fs of the ink and the vibration part gradually changes.

  More specifically, the case where the process in which ink is gradually consumed can be detected means that both liquid and gas having different densities exist in the vicinity of the vibration region of the actuator 106 and are involved in vibration. Is the case. As the ink is gradually consumed, the medium involved in the vibration around the vibration region of the actuator 106 increases the gas while decreasing the liquid. For example, when the actuator 106 is disposed horizontally with respect to the ink level and when tink is smaller than tink-max, the medium involved in the vibration of the actuator 106 includes both ink and gas. Therefore, when the area S of the vibration region of the actuator 106 is expressed as a state where M′max or less in Expression 4 is expressed by the additional mass of ink and gas,

M ′ = M′air + M′ink = ρair * tair / S + ρink * tink / S (Formula 8)
It becomes. Here, M′air is an inertance of air, and M′ink is an inertance of ink. ρair is the density of air, and ρink is the density of ink. tair is the thickness of air involved in vibration, and tink is the thickness of ink involved in vibration. Among the media involved in vibration around the vibration region of the actuator 106, as the liquid decreases and the gas increases, the tair increases when the actuator 106 is arranged substantially horizontally with respect to the ink surface. Tink decreases. Thereby, M′var gradually decreases and the resonance frequency gradually increases. Therefore, it is possible to detect the amount of ink remaining in the ink tank or the amount of ink consumed. The reason why only the liquid density is calculated in Expression 7 is that it is assumed that the air density is negligibly small relative to the liquid density.

  In the case where the actuator 106 is disposed substantially perpendicular to the ink liquid level, the medium that is involved in the vibration of the actuator 106 is the ink only area and the medium that is involved in the vibration of the actuator 106 among the vibration areas of the actuator 106. It is considered as an equivalent circuit (not shown) in parallel with the gas region. If the medium related to the vibration of the actuator 106 is Sink and the area of the medium only related to the vibration of the actuator 106 is Sair, then Sair.

1 / M ′ = 1 / M′air + 1 / M′ink = Sair / (ρair * tair) + Sink / (ρink * tin
k) (Equation 9)
It becomes.

  Equation 9 is applied when ink is not held in the cavity of the actuator 106. The case where ink is held in the cavity of the actuator 106 can be calculated by Equation 7, Equation 8, and Equation 9.

  On the other hand, when the substrate 178 is thick, that is, when the depth d of the cavity 162 is deep and d is relatively close to the medium thickness tink-max, or when the vibration region is very small compared to the height of the liquid container In practice, rather than detecting a process in which the ink gradually decreases, it is detected that the ink level is higher than the actuator mounting position. In other words, the presence or absence of ink in the vibration region of the actuator is detected. For example, the curve Y in FIG. 22A shows the relationship between the amount of ink in the ink tank and the resonance frequency fs of the ink and the vibration part in the case of a small circular vibration region. A state is shown in which the ink and the resonance frequency fs of the vibrating part change drastically between the ink amount Q before and after the ink level in the ink tank passes through the mounting position of the actuator. From this, it is possible to detect whether or not a predetermined amount of ink remains in the ink tank.

  FIG. 22B shows the relationship between the ink density and the resonance frequency fs of the ink and the vibration part on the curve Y in FIG. Ink is used as an example of the liquid. As shown in FIG. 22B, when the ink density is increased, the added inertance is increased, so that the resonance frequency fs is decreased. That is, the resonance frequency fs varies depending on the type of ink. Therefore, by measuring the resonance frequency fs, it is possible to confirm whether or not inks having different densities are mixed when refilling the ink.

  That is, it is possible to identify ink tanks containing different types of ink.

  Subsequently, the conditions under which the liquid state can be accurately detected when the size and shape of the cavity are set so that the liquid remains in the cavity 162 of the actuator 106 even when the liquid in the liquid container is empty. Detailed description. If the actuator 106 can detect the liquid state when the cavity 162 is filled with the liquid, the actuator 106 can detect the liquid state even when the cavity 162 is not filled with the liquid.

  The resonance frequency fs is a function of the inertance M. The inertance M is the sum of the inertance Mact and the additional inertance M ′ of the vibration part. Here, the additional inertance M ′ is related to the liquid state. The additional inertance M ′ is an amount indicating that the mass of the vibration part is apparently increased by the action of the medium in the vicinity of the vibration part. That is, it means an increase in mass of the vibrating part due to apparent absorption of the medium by the vibration of the vibrating part.

  Therefore, when M′cav is larger than M′max in Equation 4, all the medium that apparently absorbs is the liquid remaining in the cavity 162. Therefore, it is the same as the state where the liquid container is filled with the liquid. In this case, since M ′ does not change, the resonance frequency fs also does not change. Therefore, the actuator 106 cannot detect the state of the liquid in the liquid container.

  On the other hand, when M′cav is smaller than M′max in Equation 4, the medium that apparently absorbs is the liquid remaining in the cavity 162 and the gas or vacuum in the liquid container. At this time, unlike the state in which the liquid container is filled with liquid, M ′ changes, so the resonance frequency fs changes. Therefore, the actuator 106 can detect the state of the liquid in the liquid container.

  That is, when the liquid in the liquid container is empty and the liquid remains in the cavity 162 of the actuator 106, the condition under which the actuator 106 can accurately detect the liquid state is that M′cav is higher than M′max. It is small. Note that the condition M′max> M′cav that allows the actuator 106 to accurately detect the liquid state is not related to the shape of the cavity 162.

  Here, M′cav is the mass of the liquid having a volume approximately equal to the volume of the cavity 162. Therefore, from the inequality M′max> M′cav, the condition under which the actuator 106 can accurately detect the liquid state can be expressed as the condition of the capacity of the cavity 162. For example, when the radius of the opening 161 of the circular cavity 162 is a and the depth of the cavity 162 is d,

M′max> ρ * d / πa ² (Formula 10)
It is. Expanding Equation 10

a / d> 3 * π / 8 (Formula 11)
This condition is required. Expressions 10 and 11 are valid only when the shape of the cavity 162 is circular. If the formula of M′max in the case of non-circularity is used and πa ^{2 in} formula 10 is replaced with the area, the relationship between the dimensions such as the width and length of the cavity and the depth can be derived.

  Therefore, if the actuator 106 has the cavity 162 having the radius a of the opening 161 and the depth d of the cavity 162 satisfying Expression 11, the liquid in the liquid container is empty and the liquid is contained in the cavity 162. Even if it remains, the liquid state can be detected without malfunction.

  Since the additional inertance M ′ also affects the acoustic impedance characteristics, it can be said that the method of measuring the counter electromotive force generated in the actuator 106 due to the residual vibration detects at least a change in acoustic impedance.

  Further, according to this embodiment, the back electromotive force generated in the actuator 106 due to the subsequent residual vibration after the actuator 106 generates vibration is measured. However, it is not always necessary for the vibrating portion of the actuator 106 to vibrate the liquid by its own vibration caused by the drive voltage. That is, even if the vibration part does not oscillate by itself, the piezoelectric layer 160 is bent and deformed by vibrating with a certain range of liquid in contact therewith. This residual vibration generates a counter electromotive force voltage in the piezoelectric layer 160 and transmits the counter electromotive force voltage to the upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 166. The state of the medium may be detected by using this phenomenon. For example, in an ink jet recording apparatus, even if the state of the ink tank or the ink in the ink tank is detected by using the vibration around the vibration part of the actuator generated by the vibration caused by the reciprocating movement of the carriage by the scanning of the print head during printing Good.

  FIGS. 23A and 23B show a residual vibration waveform of the actuator 106 and a method for measuring the residual vibration after the actuator 106 is vibrated. The upper and lower levels of the ink water level at the mounting position level of the actuator 106 in the ink cartridge can be detected by a change in the frequency or amplitude of the residual vibration after the actuator 106 oscillates. In FIGS. 23A and 23B, the vertical axis represents the voltage of the counter electromotive force generated by the residual vibration of the actuator 106, and the horizontal axis represents time. The residual vibration of the actuator 106 generates a voltage analog signal waveform as shown in FIGS. 23 (A) and 23 (B). Next, the analog signal is converted into a digital numerical value corresponding to the frequency of the signal.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 23A and 23B, the presence or absence of ink is detected by measuring the time during which four pulses from the fourth pulse to the eighth pulse of the analog signal occur.

  More specifically, after the actuator 106 oscillates, the number of times that a predetermined reference voltage set in advance is crossed from the low voltage side to the high voltage side is counted. The digital signal is set to High between 4 counts and 8 counts, and the time from 4 counts to 8 counts is measured by a predetermined clock pulse.

  FIG. 23A shows a waveform when the ink level is higher than the mounting position level of the actuator 106. On the other hand, FIG. 23B shows a waveform when there is no ink at the mounting position level of the actuator 106. Comparing FIG. 23A and FIG. 23B, it can be seen that FIG. 23A has a longer time from 4 counts to 8 counts than FIG. 23B. In other words, the time from 4 counts to 8 counts varies depending on the presence or absence of ink. By using this time difference, it is possible to detect the ink consumption state. The reason for counting from the fourth count of the analog waveform is to start measurement after the vibration of the actuator 106 is stabilized. The count from the fourth count is merely an example, and the count may be counted from an arbitrary count. Here, signals from the 4th count to the 8th count are detected, and the time from the 4th count to the 8th count is measured by a predetermined clock pulse. Thereby, the resonance frequency is obtained. The clock pulse is preferably a clock pulse equal to a clock for controlling a semiconductor memory device or the like attached to the ink cartridge. Note that it is not necessary to measure the time up to the 8th count, and it may be counted up to an arbitrary count. In FIG. 23, the time from the 4th count to the 8th count is measured, but the time within different count intervals may be detected according to the circuit configuration for detecting the frequency.

  For example, when the ink quality is stable and the fluctuation of the peak amplitude is small, the resonance frequency may be obtained by detecting the time from the 4th count to the 6th count in order to increase the detection speed. . When the ink quality is unstable and the fluctuation of the pulse amplitude is large, the time from the 4th count to the 12th count may be detected in order to accurately detect the residual vibration.

  As another example, the wave number of the voltage waveform of the back electromotive force within a predetermined period may be counted (not shown). The resonance frequency can also be obtained by this method. More specifically, after the actuator 106 oscillates, the digital signal is set to High for a predetermined period, and the number of times the predetermined reference voltage is crossed from the low voltage side to the high voltage side is counted. The presence or absence of ink can be detected by measuring the count number.

  Further, as can be seen by comparing FIG. 23A and FIG. 23B, the amplitude of the back electromotive force waveform between when the ink is filled in the ink cartridge and when the ink is not inside the ink cartridge. Is different. Therefore, the ink consumption state in the ink cartridge may be detected by measuring the amplitude of the counter electromotive force waveform without obtaining the resonance frequency. More specifically, for example, a reference voltage is set between the peak of the counter electromotive force waveform in FIG. 23A and the peak of the counter electromotive force waveform in FIG. After the actuator 106 oscillates, the digital signal is set to High at a predetermined time, and if the back electromotive force waveform crosses the reference voltage, it is determined that there is no ink. If the back electromotive force waveform does not cross the reference voltage, it is determined that ink is present.

  FIG. 24 shows a method for manufacturing the actuator 106. A plurality of actuators 106 (four in the example of FIG. 24) are integrally formed. The actuator 106 shown in FIG. 25 is manufactured by cutting the integrally molded product of the plurality of actuators shown in FIG. 24 at each actuator 106. When the piezoelectric elements of the plurality of integrally formed actuators 106 shown in FIG. 24 are circular, the actuator 106 shown in FIG. 20 can be manufactured by cutting the integrally formed product at each actuator 106. By integrally forming the plurality of actuators 106, the plurality of actuators 106 can be efficiently manufactured at the same time, and handling during transportation becomes easy.

  The actuator 106 includes a thin plate or vibration plate 176, a substrate 178, an elastic wave generating means or piezoelectric element 174, a terminal forming member or upper electrode terminal 168, and a terminal forming member or lower electrode terminal 170. The piezoelectric element 174 includes a piezoelectric diaphragm or piezoelectric layer 160, an upper electrode or upper electrode 164, and a lower electrode or lower electrode 166. A vibration plate 176 is formed on the upper surface of the substrate 178, and a lower electrode 166 is formed on the upper surface of the vibration plate 176. A piezoelectric layer 160 is formed on the upper surface of the lower electrode 166, and an upper electrode 164 is formed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer 160. Therefore, the main part of the piezoelectric layer 160 is formed so as to be sandwiched from above and below by the main part of the upper electrode 164 and the main part of the lower electrode 166.

  A plurality of (four in the example of FIG. 24) piezoelectric elements 174 are formed on the vibration plate 176. A lower electrode 166 is formed on the surface of the diaphragm 176, a piezoelectric layer 160 is formed on the surface of the lower electrode 166, and an upper electrode 164 is formed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer 160. Upper electrode terminals 168 and lower electrode terminals 170 are formed at the ends of the upper electrode 164 and the lower electrode 166. The four actuators 106 are cut separately and used individually.

  FIG. 25 shows a cross section of a part of the actuator 106 having a rectangular piezoelectric element.

  FIG. 26 shows an overall cross section of the actuator 106 shown in FIG. A through hole 178 a is formed on the surface of the substrate 178 facing the piezoelectric element 174. The through hole 178a is sealed by the vibration plate 176. The diaphragm 176 is made of an elastically deformable material such as alumina or zirconia oxide. A piezoelectric element 174 is formed on the vibration plate 176 so as to face the through hole 178a. The lower electrode 166 is formed on the surface of the diaphragm 176 so as to extend in one direction from the region of the through hole 178a, to the left in FIG. The upper electrode 164 is formed on the surface of the piezoelectric layer 160 so as to extend from the region of the through hole 178a in the direction opposite to the lower electrode, and to the right in FIG. The upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170 are formed on the upper surfaces of the auxiliary electrode 172 and the lower electrode 166, respectively. The lower electrode terminal 170 is in electrical contact with the lower electrode 166, and the upper electrode terminal 168 is in electrical contact with the upper electrode 164 via the auxiliary electrode 172, so that a signal between the piezoelectric element and the outside of the actuator 106 can be transmitted. Deliver it. The upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170 have a height equal to or higher than the height of the piezoelectric element in which the electrode and the piezoelectric layer are combined.

  FIG. 27 shows a manufacturing method of the actuator 106 shown in FIG. First, the through-hole 940a is drilled in the green sheet 940 using a press or laser processing. The green sheet 940 becomes the substrate 178 after firing. The green sheet 940 is formed of a material such as ceramic. Next, the green sheet 941 is laminated on the surface of the green sheet 940. The green sheet 941 becomes the diaphragm 176 after firing. The green sheet 941 is formed of a material such as zirconia oxide. Next, a conductive layer 942, a piezoelectric layer 160, and a conductive layer 944 are sequentially formed on the surface of the green sheet 941 by a method such as pressure film printing. The conductive layer 942 later becomes the lower electrode 166, and the conductive layer 944 later becomes the upper electrode 164. Next, the formed green sheet 940, green sheet 941, conductive layer 942, piezoelectric layer 160, and conductive layer 944 are dried and fired. The spacer members 947 and 948 raise the height of the upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170 to be higher than the piezoelectric element. The spacer members 947 and 948 are formed by printing the same material as the green sheets 940 and 941 or by laminating green sheets. The spacer members 947 and 948 can reduce the material of the upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170, which are noble metals, and can reduce the thickness of the upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170. The electrode terminal 170 can be printed with high accuracy, and the height can be further stabilized.

  If the connection portion 944 ′ with the conductive layer 944 and the spacer members 947 and 948 are formed at the same time as the formation of the conductive layer 942, the upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170 can be easily formed or firmly fixed. Finally, an upper electrode terminal 168 and a lower electrode terminal 170 are formed in end regions of the conductive layer 942 and the conductive layer 944. When the upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170 are formed, the upper electrode terminal 168 and the lower electrode terminal 170 are formed so as to be electrically connected to the piezoelectric layer 160.

  FIG. 28 shows still another embodiment of an ink cartridge to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 28A is a cross-sectional view of the bottom of the ink cartridge according to the present embodiment. The ink cartridge of the present embodiment has a through hole 1c on the bottom surface 1a of the container 1 that stores ink. The bottom of the through-hole 1c is closed by the actuator 650 to form an ink reservoir.

  FIG. 28B shows a detailed cross section of the actuator 650 and the through hole 1c shown in FIG. FIG. 28C shows a plan view of the actuator 650 and the through hole 1c shown in FIG. The actuator 650 has a diaphragm 72 and a piezoelectric element 73 fixed to the diaphragm 72. The actuator 650 is fixed to the bottom surface of the container 1 so that the piezoelectric element 73 faces the through hole 1c through the vibration plate 72 and the substrate 71. The diaphragm 72 is elastically deformable and has ink resistance.

  Depending on the amount of ink in the container 1, the amplitude and frequency of the counter electromotive force generated by the residual vibration of the piezoelectric element 73 and the diaphragm 72 change. A through hole 1c is formed at a position facing the actuator 650, and a minimum amount of ink is secured in the through hole 1c. Therefore, the ink end of the container 1 can be reliably detected by measuring in advance the vibration characteristics of the actuator 650 determined by the amount of ink secured in the through hole 1c.

  FIG. 29 shows another embodiment of the through hole 1c. In each of FIGS. 29A, 29B, and 29C, the left figure shows a state where no ink K is present in the through hole 1c, and the right figure shows a state where the ink K remains in the through hole 1c. Indicates. In the embodiment of FIG. 28, the side surface of the through hole 1c is formed as a vertical wall. In FIG. 29 (A), the through hole 1c has a side surface 1d that is slanted in the vertical direction and is open to the outside. In FIG. 29B, stepped portions 1e and 1f are formed on the side surface of the through hole 1c. The upper step portion 1f is wider than the lower step portion 1e. In FIG. 29C, the through hole 1c has a groove 1g extending in the direction in which the ink K is easily discharged, that is, in the direction of the ink supply port 2.

  According to the shape of the through hole 1c shown in FIGS. 29A to 29C, the amount of ink K in the ink reservoir can be reduced. Accordingly, since M ′ cav described in FIGS. 20 and 21 can be made smaller than M′max, the vibration characteristics of the actuator 650 at the ink end can be determined by the amount of ink K that can be printed on the container 1. Since it can be greatly different from the remaining case, the ink end can be detected more reliably.

  FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the actuator. The actuator 660 has a packing 76 outside the through hole 1c of the substrate or the mounting plate 78 constituting the actuator 660. A caulking hole 77 is formed on the outer periphery of the actuator 660. The actuator 660 is fixed to the container 1 by caulking through the caulking hole 77.

  31A and 31B are perspective views showing still another embodiment of the actuator. In the present embodiment, the actuator 670 includes a recess forming substrate 80 and a piezoelectric element 82. A recess 81 is formed on one surface of the recess forming substrate 80 by a technique such as etching, and a piezoelectric element 82 is attached to the other surface. Of the recess forming substrate 80, the bottom of the recess 81 acts as a vibration region. Therefore, the vibration region of the actuator 670 is defined by the peripheral edge of the recess 81. Further, the actuator 670 is similar to the structure in which the substrate 178 and the diaphragm 176 are integrally formed in the actuator 106 according to the embodiment of FIG. Accordingly, the manufacturing process can be shortened when manufacturing the ink cartridge, and the cost is reduced. The actuator 670 has a size that can be embedded in the through hole 1 c provided in the container 1. Thereby, the recess 81 can also act as a cavity. Note that the actuator 106 according to the embodiment of FIG. 20 may be formed so as to be embedded in the through hole 1c in the same manner as the actuator 670 according to the embodiment of FIG.

  FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which the actuator 106 is integrally formed as the mounting module body 100. The module body 100 is attached to a predetermined portion of the container 1 of the ink cartridge. The module body 100 is configured to detect the consumption state of the liquid in the container 1 by detecting a change in at least the acoustic impedance in the ink liquid. The module body 100 of the present embodiment includes a liquid container mounting portion 101 for mounting the actuator 106 to the container 1. The liquid container mounting portion 101 has a structure in which a cylindrical portion 116 that houses an actuator 106 that oscillates in response to a drive signal is placed on a base 102 having a substantially rectangular plane. When the module body 100 is mounted on the ink cartridge, the actuator 106 of the module body 100 is configured so as not to contact from the outside, so that the actuator 106 can be protected from external contact. The leading edge of the cylindrical portion 116 is rounded so that it can be easily fitted into a hole formed in the ink cartridge.

  FIG. 33 is an exploded view showing the configuration of the module body 100 shown in FIG. The module body 100 includes a liquid container mounting portion 101 made of resin, and a piezoelectric device mounting portion 105 having a plate 110 and a recess 113. Further, the module body 100 includes lead wires 104a and 104b, an actuator 106, and a film 108. Preferably, the plate 110 is made of a material that hardly rusts, such as stainless steel or a stainless alloy. The cylindrical portion 116 and the base 102 included in the liquid container mounting portion 101 have an opening 114 formed at the center so that the lead wires 104a and 104b can be accommodated, and can accommodate the actuator 106, the film 108, and the plate 110. A recess 113 is formed. The actuator 106 is joined to the plate 110 via the film 108, and the plate 110 and the actuator 106 are fixed to the liquid container mounting portion 101. Accordingly, the lead wires 104 a and 104 b, the actuator 106, the film 108, and the plate 110 are attached to the liquid container attaching portion 101 as a unit. The lead wires 104a and 104b are coupled to the upper electrode and the lower electrode of the actuator 106, respectively, and transmit a drive signal to the piezoelectric layer, while transmitting a resonance frequency signal detected by the actuator 106 to a recording device or the like. The actuator 106 oscillates temporarily based on the drive signal transmitted from the lead wires 104a and 104b. The actuator 106 vibrates residually after oscillation, and generates back electromotive force by the vibration. At this time, the resonance frequency corresponding to the liquid consumption state in the liquid container can be detected by detecting the vibration period of the counter electromotive force waveform. The film 108 adheres the actuator 106 and the plate 110 to make the actuator liquid-tight. The film 108 is preferably formed of polyolefin or the like and bonded by heat fusion.

  The plate 110 has a circular shape, and the opening 114 of the base 102 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The actuator 106 and the film 108 are formed in a rectangular shape. The lead wire 104, the actuator 106, the film 108, and the plate 110 may be detachable from the base 102. The base 102, the lead wire 104, the actuator 106, the film 108, and the plate 110 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the module body 100. Furthermore, the centers of the base 102, the actuator 106, the film 108, and the plate 110 are disposed on the substantially central axis of the module body 100.

  The area of the opening 114 of the base 102 is formed larger than the area of the vibration region of the actuator 106. A through hole 112 is formed at a position facing the vibration portion of the actuator 106 at the center of the plate 110. As shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, a cavity 162 is formed in the actuator 106, and the through hole 112 and the cavity 162 together form an ink reservoir. The thickness of the plate 110 is preferably smaller than the diameter of the through hole 112 in order to reduce the influence of residual ink. For example, it is preferable that the depth of the through hole 112 is not more than one third of the diameter. The through-hole 112 has a substantially perfect circular shape that is symmetric with respect to the central axis of the module body 100. The area of the through hole 112 is larger than the opening area of the cavity 162 of the actuator 106. The peripheral edge of the cross section of the through hole 112 may be a taper shape or a step shape. The module body 100 is mounted on the side, top, or bottom of the container 1 so that the through hole 112 faces the inside of the container 1. When the ink is consumed and the ink around the actuator 106 runs out, the resonance frequency of the actuator 106 changes greatly, so that a change in the ink level can be detected.

  FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the module body. In the module body 400 of this embodiment, a piezoelectric device mounting portion 405 is formed in the liquid container mounting portion 401. In the liquid container mounting portion 401, a cylindrical column portion 403 is formed on a base 402 on a square whose plane is substantially rounded. Further, the piezoelectric device mounting portion 405 includes a plate-like element 406 and a concave portion 413 that stand on the cylindrical portion 403. The actuator 106 is disposed in the recess 413 provided on the side surface of the plate-like element 406. Note that the tip of the plate-like element 406 is chamfered at a predetermined angle so that it can be easily fitted into a hole formed in the ink cartridge.

  FIG. 35 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the module body 400 shown in FIG. Similar to the module body 100 shown in FIG. 32, the module body 400 includes a liquid container mounting portion 401 and a piezoelectric device mounting portion 405. The liquid container mounting portion 401 has a base 402 and a cylindrical portion 403, and the piezoelectric device mounting portion 405 has a plate-like element 406 and a recess 413. The actuator 106 is joined to the plate 410 and fixed to the recess 413. The module body 400 further includes lead wires 404a and 404b, an actuator 106, and a film 408.

  According to the present embodiment, the plate 410 has a rectangular shape, and the opening 414 provided in the plate-like element 406 is formed in a rectangular shape. The lead wires 404 a and 404 b, the actuator 106, the film 408, and the plate 410 may be configured to be detachable from the base 402. The actuator 106, the film 408, and the plate 410 are disposed symmetrically with respect to a central axis that passes through the center of the opening 414 and extends in the vertical direction with respect to the plane of the opening 414. Further, the centers of the actuator 406, the film 408, and the plate 410 are disposed on the substantially central axis of the opening 414.

  The area of the through hole 412 provided at the center of the plate 410 is formed larger than the area of the opening of the cavity 162 of the actuator 106. The cavity 162 and the through hole 412 of the actuator 106 together form an ink reservoir. The thickness of the plate 410 is smaller than the diameter of the through hole 412, and is preferably set to a size equal to or less than one third of the diameter of the through hole 412, for example. The through hole 412 has a substantially perfect circular shape that is symmetric with respect to the central axis of the module body 400. The peripheral edge of the cross section of the through hole 412 may be a taper shape or a step shape. The module body 400 can be attached to the bottom of the container 1 such that the through hole 412 is disposed inside the container 1. Since the actuator 106 is arranged in the container 1 so as to extend in the vertical direction, the ink end point is set by changing the height of the base 402 and changing the height at which the actuator 106 is arranged in the container 1. Can be easily changed.

  FIG. 36 shows still another embodiment of the module body. Similar to the module body 100 shown in FIG. 32, the module body 500 of FIG. 36 includes a liquid container mounting portion 501 having a base 502 and a cylindrical portion 503. The module body 500 further includes lead wires 504a and 504b, an actuator 106, a film 508, and a plate 510. The base 502 included in the liquid container mounting portion 501 has an opening 514 at the center so as to accommodate the lead wires 504a and 504b, and a recess 513 so as to accommodate the actuator 106, the film 508, and the plate 510. Is done. The actuator 106 is fixed to the piezoelectric device mounting portion 505 via the plate 510. Accordingly, the lead wires 504a and 504b, the actuator 106, the film 508, and the plate 510 are integrally attached to the liquid container attachment portion 501. In the module body 500 of the present embodiment, a columnar portion 503 whose upper surface is slanted in the vertical direction is formed on a base on a square whose plane is substantially rounded. The actuator 106 is disposed on a recess 513 provided obliquely in the vertical direction on the upper surface of the cylindrical portion 503.

  The tip of the module body 500 is inclined, and the actuator 106 is mounted on the inclined surface. Therefore, when the module body 500 is mounted on the bottom or side of the container 1, the actuator 106 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the container 1. The inclination angle of the tip of the module body 500 is preferably between approximately 30 ° and 60 ° in view of detection performance.

  The module body 500 is mounted on the bottom or side of the container 1 so that the actuator 106 is disposed in the container 1. When the module body 500 is attached to the side portion of the container 1, the actuator 106 is attached to the container 1 so as to face the upper side, the lower side, or the lateral side of the container 1 while being inclined. On the other hand, when the module body 500 is mounted on the bottom of the container 1, it is preferable that the actuator 106 is attached to the container 1 so as to face the ink supply port side of the container 1 while being inclined.

  FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the bottom of the ink container when the module body 100 shown in FIG. The module body 100 is mounted so as to penetrate the side wall of the container 1. An O-ring 365 is provided on the joint surface between the side wall of the container 1 and the module body 100 to keep the module body 100 and the container 1 liquid-tight. The module body 100 is preferably provided with a cylindrical portion as described in FIG. 32 so that the O-ring can be sealed. By inserting the tip of the module body 100 into the container 1, the ink in the container 1 comes into contact with the actuator 106 through the through hole 112 of the plate 110. Since the resonance frequency of the residual vibration of the actuator 106 differs depending on whether the surrounding of the vibration part of the actuator 106 is liquid or gas, the ink consumption state can be detected using the module body 100. Further, not only the module body 100 but also the module body 400 shown in FIG. 34, the module body 500 shown in FIG. 36, or the module bodies 700A and 700B and the mold structure 600 shown in FIG. The presence or absence of ink may be detected.

  FIG. 38A shows a cross-sectional view of the ink container when the module body 700B is mounted on the container 1. FIG. In this embodiment, the module body 700B is used as one of the mounting structures. The module 700B is mounted on the container 1 such that the liquid container mounting portion 360 protrudes into the container 1. A through hole 370 is formed in the mounting plate 350, and the through hole 370 faces the vibration portion of the actuator 106. Further, a hole 382 is formed in the bottom wall of the module body 700B, and a piezoelectric device mounting portion 363 is formed. Actuator 106 is deployed to block one of the holes 382. Therefore, the ink comes into contact with the vibration plate 176 through the hole 382 of the piezoelectric device mounting portion 363 and the through hole 370 of the mounting plate 350. The hole 382 of the piezoelectric device mounting portion 363 and the through hole 370 of the mounting plate 350 together form an ink reservoir. The piezoelectric device mounting portion 363 and the actuator 106 are fixed by a mounting plate 350 and a film member. A sealing structure 372 is provided at a connection portion between the liquid container mounting portion 360 and the container 1. The sealing structure 372 may be formed of a plastic material such as a synthetic resin, or may be formed of an O-ring. Although the module body 700B and the container 1 in FIG. 38A are separate bodies, the piezoelectric device mounting portion of the module body 700B may be configured as a part of the container 1 as shown in FIG.

  The module 700B in FIG. 38A does not require the lead wires shown in FIGS. 32 to 36 to be embedded in the module. Therefore, the molding process is simplified. Furthermore, the module body 700B can be replaced and recycled.

  When the ink cartridge is shaken, the ink adheres to the upper surface or the side surface of the container 1, and the ink dripping from the upper surface or the side surface of the container 1 may contact the actuator 106, so that the actuator 106 may malfunction. However, since the liquid container mounting portion 360 protrudes into the container 1 in the module 700B, the actuator 106 does not malfunction due to ink dripping from the upper surface or side surface of the container 1.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 38A, only a part of the vibration plate 176 and the mounting plate 350 is attached to the container 1 so as to come into contact with the ink in the container 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 38A, it is not necessary to embed the electrodes of the lead wires 104a, 104b, 404a, 404b, 504a, and 504b shown in FIGS. 32 to 36 in the module body. Therefore, the molding process is simplified. Furthermore, the actuator 106 can be replaced and recycled.

FIG. 38B shows a cross-sectional view of an ink container as an example when the actuator 106 is mounted on the container 1. In the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of FIG. 38B, the protection member 361 is attached to the container 1 as a separate body from the actuator 106. Therefore, although the protection member 361 and the actuator 106 are not integrated as a module, the protection member 361 can protect the actuator 106 from being touched by the user's hand. A hole 380 provided in the front surface of the actuator 106 is disposed on the side wall of the container 1. The actuator 106 includes a piezoelectric layer 160, an upper electrode 164, a lower electrode 166, a vibration plate 176, and a mounting plate 350. A vibration plate 176 is formed on the upper surface of the mounting plate 350, and a lower electrode 166 is formed on the upper surface of the vibration plate 176. A piezoelectric layer 160 is formed on the upper surface of the lower electrode 166, and an upper electrode 164 is formed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer 160. Accordingly, the main part of the piezoelectric layer 160 is formed so as to be sandwiched from above and below by the main part of the upper electrode 164 and the main part of the lower electrode 166. The circular portions that are the main parts of the piezoelectric layer 160, the upper electrode 164, and the lower electrode 166 form a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element is formed on the vibration plate 176. The vibration region of the piezoelectric element and the diaphragm 176 is a vibration part where the actuator actually vibrates. A through hole 370 is provided in the mounting plate 350. Further, a hole 380 is formed in the side wall of the container 1. Therefore, the ink contacts the vibration plate 176 through the hole 380 of the container 1 and the through hole 370 of the mounting plate 350. The hole 380 of the container 1 and the through hole 370 of the mounting plate 350 together form an ink reservoir. In the embodiment of FIG. 38B, the actuator 106 is protected by the protective member 361, so that the actuator 106 can be protected from contact with the outside.

  In addition, it may replace with the attachment plate 350 in the Example of FIG. 38 (A) and (B), and may use the board | substrate 178 of FIG.

  FIG. 38C shows an embodiment including a mold structure 600 including the actuator 106. In this embodiment, a mold structure 600 is used as one of the attachment structures. The mold structure 600 includes an actuator 106 and a mold part 364. The actuator 106 and the mold part 364 are integrally formed. The mold part 364 is formed of a plastic material such as silicon resin. The mold part 364 has a lead wire 362 inside. Mold portion 364 is formed to have two legs extending from actuator 106. In order to fix the mold part 364 and the container 1 in a liquid-tight manner, the mold part 364 has two hemispherical ends of the mold part 364. The mold part 364 is mounted on the container 1 so that the actuator 106 protrudes into the container 1, and the vibration part of the actuator 106 contacts the ink in the container 1. The mold part 364 protects the upper electrode 164, the piezoelectric layer 160, and the lower electrode 166 of the actuator 106 from ink.

  The mold structure 600 in FIG. 38C does not require the sealing structure 372 between the mold part 364 and the container 1, so that the ink hardly leaks from the container 1. In addition, since the mold structure 600 does not protrude from the outside of the container 1, the actuator 106 can be protected from contact with the outside. When the ink cartridge is shaken, the ink adheres to the upper surface or the side surface of the container 1, and the ink dripping from the upper surface or the side surface of the container 1 contacts the actuator 106, so that the actuator 106 may malfunction. . In the mold structure 600, since the mold part 364 protrudes inside the container 1, the actuator 106 does not malfunction due to the ink dripping from the upper surface or the side surface of the container 1.

  FIG. 39 shows an embodiment of an ink cartridge and an ink jet recording apparatus using the actuator 106 shown in FIG. The plurality of ink cartridges 180 are mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus having a plurality of ink introduction portions 182 and holders 184 corresponding to the respective ink cartridges 180. The plurality of ink cartridges 180 accommodate different types of ink, for example, colors. On the bottom surface of each of the plurality of ink cartridges 180, an actuator 106 that is a means for detecting at least acoustic impedance is mounted. By mounting the actuator 106 on the ink cartridge 180, the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 180 can be detected.

  FIG. 40 shows details of the periphery of the head portion of the ink jet recording apparatus. The ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink introduction unit 182, a holder 184, a head plate 186, and a nozzle plate 188. A plurality of nozzles 190 for ejecting ink are formed on the nozzle plate 188. The ink introduction part 182 has an air supply port 181 and an ink introduction port 183. The air supply port 181 supplies air to the ink cartridge 180. The ink introduction port 183 introduces ink from the ink cartridge 180. The ink cartridge 180 has an air introduction port 185 and an ink supply port 187. The air introduction port 185 introduces air from the air supply port 181 of the ink introduction unit 182. The ink supply port 187 supplies ink to the ink introduction port 183 of the ink introduction unit 182. When the ink cartridge 180 introduces air from the ink introduction part 182, the supply of ink from the ink cartridge 180 to the ink introduction part 182 is promoted. The holder 184 communicates the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 180 via the ink introduction unit 182 to the head plate 186.

  FIG. 41 shows another embodiment of the ink cartridge 180 shown in FIG. In the ink cartridge 180A of FIG. 41A, the actuator 106 is mounted on a bottom surface 194a formed obliquely in the vertical direction. Inside the ink container 194 of the ink cartridge 180, a wave barrier 192 is provided at a position facing the actuator 106 at a predetermined height from the inner bottom surface of the ink container 194. Since the actuator 106 is mounted obliquely with respect to the vertical direction of the ink container 194, the ink can be swept well.

  A gap filled with ink is formed between the actuator 106 and the wave barrier 192. Further, the interval between the wave preventing wall 192 and the actuator 106 is set to such an extent that the ink is not retained by the capillary force. When the ink container 194 rolls, an ink wave is generated inside the ink container 194 due to the roll, and the shock may cause the actuator 106 to malfunction because the actuator 106 detects a gas or a bubble. By providing the wave preventing wall 192, ink waves near the actuator 106 can be prevented, and malfunction of the actuator 106 can be prevented.

  The actuator 106 of the ink cartridge 180B shown in FIG. 41B is mounted on the side wall of the supply port of the ink container 194. The actuator 106 may be mounted on the side wall or bottom surface of the ink container 194 as long as it is in the vicinity of the ink supply port 187. The actuator 106 is preferably mounted at the center of the ink container 194 in the width direction. Since the ink passes through the ink supply port 187 and is supplied to the outside, providing the actuator 106 in the vicinity of the ink supply port 187 ensures that the ink and the actuator 106 come into contact until the ink near end point. Therefore, the actuator 106 can reliably detect the time point of the ink near end.

  Further, by providing the actuator 106 in the vicinity of the ink supply port 187, the positioning of the actuator 106 on the ink container and the contact on the carriage is ensured when the ink container is mounted on the cartridge holder on the carriage. The reason is that the most important in the connection between the ink container and the carriage is a reliable connection between the ink supply port and the supply needle. This is because even if there is a slight deviation, the tip of the supply needle is damaged, or the sealing structure such as the O-ring is damaged and the ink leaks out. In order to prevent such problems, an ink jet printer usually has a special structure that allows accurate alignment when an ink container is mounted on a carriage. Therefore, by arranging the actuator in the vicinity of the supply port, the alignment of the actuator can be ensured at the same time. Furthermore, by mounting the actuator 106 at the center in the width direction of the ink container 194, the alignment can be performed more reliably. This is because, when the ink container swings about the center line in the width direction when mounted on the holder, the vibration is least.

  FIG. 42 shows still another embodiment of the ink cartridge 180. 42A is a sectional view of the ink cartridge 180C, FIG. 42B is an enlarged sectional view of the side wall 194b of the ink cartridge 180C shown in FIG. 42A, and FIG. 42C is a front view thereof. FIG. In the ink cartridge 180C, the semiconductor storage means 7 and the actuator 106 are formed on the same circuit board 610. As shown in FIGS. 42B and 42C, the semiconductor memory means 7 is formed above the circuit board 610, and the actuator 106 is formed below the semiconductor memory means 7 on the same circuit board 610. Atypical O-ring 614 is attached to side wall 194b so as to surround actuator 106. A plurality of crimping portions 616 for joining the circuit board 610 to the ink container 194 are formed on the side wall 194b. The caulking unit 616 joins the circuit board 610 to the ink container 194, and presses the odd-shaped O-ring 614 against the circuit board 610, so that the vibration region of the actuator 106 can come into contact with the ink, and the outside of the ink cartridge. Keep inside and fluid tight.

  Terminals 612 are formed in the semiconductor memory means 7 and in the vicinity of the semiconductor memory means 7. The terminal 612 exchanges signals between the semiconductor storage means 7 and the outside of the ink jet storage device or the like. The semiconductor memory means 7 may be constituted by a rewritable semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM. Since the semiconductor storage means 7 and the actuator 106 are formed on the same circuit board 610, a single attachment process is sufficient when the actuator 106 and the semiconductor storage means 7 are attached to the ink cartridge 180C. Further, the work process at the time of manufacturing and recycling the ink cartridge 180C is simplified. Furthermore, since the number of parts is reduced, the manufacturing cost of the ink cartridge 180C can be reduced.

  The actuator 106 detects the ink consumption state in the ink container 194. The semiconductor storage means 7 stores ink information such as the remaining ink amount detected by the actuator 106. In other words, the semiconductor storage means 7 stores information on characteristic parameters such as the characteristics of ink and ink cartridges used for detection. The semiconductor storage unit 7 is configured to resonate when the ink in the ink container 194 is full, that is, when the ink is filled in the ink container 194 or at the end, that is, when the ink in the ink container 194 is consumed. Store the frequency as one of the characteristic parameters. The resonance frequency when the ink in the ink container 194 is full or in an end state may be stored when the ink container is first attached to the ink jet recording apparatus. Further, the resonance frequency when the ink in the ink container 194 is full or in an end state may be stored during the manufacture of the ink container 194. The resonance frequency when the ink in the ink container 194 is full or end is stored in the semiconductor storage unit 7 in advance, and the variation in detecting the remaining amount of ink is corrected by reading the resonance frequency data on the ink jet recording apparatus side. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect that the ink remaining amount has decreased to the reference value.

  FIG. 43 shows still another embodiment of the ink cartridge 180. In the ink cartridge 180D shown in FIG. 43A, a plurality of actuators 106 are mounted on the side wall 194b of the ink container 194. A plurality of integrally molded actuators 106 shown in FIG. 24 are preferably used as the plurality of actuators 106. The plurality of actuators 106 are arranged on the side wall 194b at intervals in the vertical direction. By disposing a plurality of actuators 106 on the side wall 194b at intervals in the vertical direction, the remaining amount of ink can be detected stepwise.

  In the ink cartridge 180E shown in FIG. 43B, an actuator 606 that is long in the vertical direction is mounted on the side wall 194b of the ink container 194. A change in the remaining amount of ink in the ink container 194 can be continuously detected by the actuator 606 that is long in the vertical direction. The length of the actuator 606 is preferably at least half the height of the side wall 194b. In FIG. 43B, the actuator 606 has a length from the upper end to the lower end of the side wall 194b.

  In the ink cartridge 180F shown in FIG. 43C, a plurality of actuators 106 are mounted on the side wall 194b of the ink container 194 in the same manner as the ink cartridge 180D shown in FIG. A wave barrier 192 that is long in the vertical direction is provided. A plurality of integrally molded actuators 106 shown in FIG. 24 are preferably used as the plurality of actuators 106. A gap filled with ink is formed between the actuator 106 and the wave barrier 192. Further, the interval between the wave preventing wall 192 and the actuator 106 is set to such an extent that the ink is not retained by the capillary force. When the ink container 194 rolls, a wave of ink is generated inside the ink container 194 due to the roll, and gas and bubbles are detected by the actuator 106 due to the impact, and the actuator 106 may malfunction. By providing the wave preventing wall 192 as in the present invention, it is possible to prevent the ink from flowing near the actuator 106 and prevent the actuator 106 from malfunctioning. Further, the wave preventing wall 192 prevents bubbles generated by the ink swinging from entering the actuator 106.

  FIG. 44 shows still another embodiment of the ink cartridge 180. The ink cartridge 180G in FIG. 44A includes a plurality of partition walls 212 extending downward from the upper surface 194c of the ink container 194. Since the lower end of each partition wall 212 and the bottom surface of the ink container 194 are spaced apart from each other, the bottom of the ink container 194 communicates. The ink cartridge 180G has a plurality of storage chambers 213 defined by a plurality of partition walls 212, respectively. The bottoms of the plurality of storage chambers 213 communicate with each other. In each of the plurality of storage chambers 213, the actuator 106 is mounted on the upper surface 194 c of the ink container 194. The integrally formed actuator 106 shown in FIG. 24 is preferably used as the plurality of actuators 106. The actuator 106 is disposed approximately at the center of the upper surface 194 c of the storage chamber 213 of the ink container 194. The capacity of the storage chamber 213 is the largest on the ink supply port 187 side, and the capacity of the storage chamber 213 gradually decreases as the ink supply port 187 moves away from the ink container 194. Therefore, the interval at which the actuator 106 is disposed is wide on the ink supply port 187 side, and becomes narrower as the distance from the ink supply port 187 to the back of the ink container 194 increases.

  Since the ink is discharged from the ink supply port 187 and air enters from the air introduction port 185, the ink is consumed from the storage chamber 213 on the ink supply port 187 side to the storage chamber 213 at the back of the ink cartridge 180G. For example, while the ink in the storage chamber 213 closest to the ink supply port 187 is consumed and the ink level in the storage chamber 213 closest to the ink supply port 187 is lowered, the other storage chamber 213 is filled with ink. ing. When the ink in the storage chamber 213 closest to the ink supply port 187 is consumed, air enters the second storage chamber 213 counted from the ink supply port 187 and the ink in the second storage chamber 213 is consumed. For the first time, the ink level in the second storage chamber 213 begins to drop. At this time, the third and subsequent storage chambers 213 counted from the ink supply chamber 187 are filled with ink. In this way, ink is consumed in order from the storage chamber 213 close to the ink supply port 187 to the storage chamber 213 far away.

  As described above, since the actuator 106 is arranged at an interval on the upper surface 194c of the ink container 194 for each storage chamber 213, the actuator 106 can detect a decrease in the ink amount in stages. Furthermore, since the capacity of the storage chamber 213 gradually decreases from the ink supply port 187 to the back of the storage chamber 213, the time interval at which the actuator 106 detects the decrease in the ink amount gradually decreases, and the ink end The frequency can be detected higher as the value approaches.

  The ink cartridge 180H in FIG. 44B has one partition wall 212 extending downward from the upper surface 194c of the ink container 194. Since the lower end of the partition wall 212 and the bottom surface of the ink container 194 are spaced apart from each other, the bottom of the ink container 194 is in communication. The ink cartridge 180H has two storage chambers 213a and 213b divided by a partition wall 212. The bottoms of the storage chambers 213a and 213b communicate with each other. The capacity of the storage chamber 213a on the ink supply port 187 side is larger than the capacity of the storage chamber 213b at the back as viewed from the ink supply port 187. The capacity of the storage chamber 213b is preferably smaller than half of the capacity of the storage chamber 213a.

  The actuator 106 is mounted on the upper surface 194c of the storage chamber 213b. Further, the storage chamber 213b is formed with a buffer 214, which is a groove for catching air bubbles entering when the ink cartridge 180H is manufactured. In FIG. 44B, the buffer 214 is formed as a groove extending upward from the side wall 194 b of the ink container 194. Since the buffer 214 captures the bubbles that have entered the ink storage chamber 213b, the malfunction that the actuator 106 detects as the ink end due to the bubbles can be prevented. Further, by providing the actuator 106 on the upper surface 194c of the storage chamber 213b, the ink amount in the storage chamber 213a grasped by the dot counter can be determined with respect to the ink amount from the detection of the ink near end to the complete ink end state. By applying correction corresponding to the consumption state, ink can be consumed to the end. Furthermore, by adjusting the capacity of the storage chamber 213b by changing the length or interval of the partition wall 212, the amount of ink that can be consumed after ink near-end detection can be changed.

  44C, the porous member 216 is filled in the storage chamber 213b of the ink cartridge 180I of FIG. 44B. The porous member 216 is installed so as to fill the entire space from the upper surface to the lower surface in the accommodation chamber 213b. The porous member 216 is in contact with the actuator 106. When the ink container falls down or during reciprocation on the carriage, air may enter the ink storage chamber 213b, which may cause the actuator 106 to malfunction. However, if the porous member 216 is provided, air can be trapped and air can be prevented from entering the actuator 106. In addition, since the porous member 216 holds ink, the ink container is shaken, so that it is possible to prevent the ink from being applied to the actuator 106 and causing the actuator 106 to erroneously detect that there is no ink. The porous member 216 is preferably installed in the storage chamber 213 having the smallest capacity. Further, by providing the actuator 106 on the upper surface 194c of the storage material 213b, it is possible to correct the ink amount from the detection of the ink near end to the complete ink end state, and to consume the ink to the end. Furthermore, by adjusting the capacity of the storage chamber 213b by changing the length or interval of the partition wall 212, the amount of ink that can be consumed after ink near-end detection can be changed.

  FIG. 44D shows an ink cartridge 180J in which the porous member 216 of the ink cartridge 180I of FIG. 44C is composed of two types of porous members 216A and 216B having different hole diameters. The porous member 216A is disposed above the porous member 216B. The hole diameter of the upper porous member 216A is larger than the hole diameter of the lower porous member 216B. Alternatively, the porous member 216A is formed of a member having a lower liquid affinity than the porous member 216B. Since the porous member 216B having a smaller pore diameter has a larger capillary force than the porous member 216A having a larger pore diameter, the ink in the storage chamber 213b is collected and held in the lower porous chamber member 216B. Therefore, once the air reaches the actuator 106 and the absence of ink is detected, the ink reaches the actuator again and does not detect the presence of ink. Further, the ink is absorbed by the porous member 216B on the side far from the actuator 106, so that the ink in the vicinity of the actuator 106 is improved, and the amount of change in the acoustic impedance change when detecting the presence or absence of ink increases. Further, by providing the actuator 106 on the upper surface 194c of the storage material 213b, it is possible to correct the ink amount from the detection of the ink near end to the complete ink end state, and to consume the ink to the end. Furthermore, by adjusting the capacity of the storage chamber 213b by changing the length or interval of the partition wall 212, the amount of ink that can be consumed after ink near-end detection can be changed.

  FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view showing an ink cartridge 180K, which is another embodiment of the ink cartridge 180I shown in FIG. The porous member 216 of the ink cartridge 180 shown in FIG. 45 is compressed so that the horizontal sectional area of the lower part of the porous member 216 gradually decreases toward the bottom surface of the ink container 194, and the pore diameter is small. Designed to be Ink cartridge 180K in FIG. 45A is provided with ribs on the side walls in order to compress the hole diameter on the lower side of porous member 216 to be small. Since the pore diameter at the bottom of the porous member 216 is reduced by being compressed, the ink is collected and held at the bottom of the porous member 216. Ink is absorbed by the lower portion of the porous member 216 far from the actuator 106, so that the ink in the vicinity of the actuator 106 is improved, and the amount of change in the acoustic impedance change when detecting the presence or absence of ink increases. Therefore, the ink is applied to the actuator 106 mounted on the upper surface of the ink cartridge 180K due to the shaking of the ink, and the actuator 106 can be prevented from erroneously detecting that no ink is present.

  On the other hand, in the ink cartridge 180L of FIGS. 45B and 45C, the horizontal cross-sectional area of the lower portion of the porous member 216 gradually increases toward the bottom surface of the ink container 194 in the width direction of the ink container 194. In order to compress the ink container so as to be smaller, the horizontal sectional area of the storage chamber gradually decreases toward the bottom surface of the ink container 194. Since the pore diameter at the bottom of the porous member 216 is reduced by being compressed, the ink is collected and held at the bottom of the porous member 216. Ink is absorbed in the lower portion of the porous member 216B far from the actuator 106, so that ink near the actuator 106 is improved, and the amount of change in acoustic impedance change when detecting the presence or absence of ink increases. Therefore, when the ink shakes, ink is applied to the actuator 106 mounted on the upper surface of the ink cartridge 180L, and the actuator 106 can be prevented from erroneously detecting that no ink is present.

  FIG. 46 shows still another embodiment of the ink cartridge using the actuator 106. The ink cartridge 220A shown in FIG. 46A includes a first partition 222 provided so as to extend downward from the upper surface of the ink cartridge 220A. Since a predetermined gap is provided between the lower end of the first partition 222 and the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 220A, ink can flow into the ink supply port 230 through the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 220A. A second partition 224 is formed on the ink supply port 230 side from the first partition 222 so as to extend upward from the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 220A. Since a predetermined gap is provided between the upper end of the second partition 224 and the upper surface of the ink cartridge 220A, ink can flow into the ink supply port 230 through the upper surface of the ink cartridge 220A.

  A first storage chamber 225 a is formed in the back of the first partition 222 when viewed from the ink supply port 230 by the first partition 222. On the other hand, the second partition 224 forms a second storage chamber 225 b on the front side of the second partition 224 when viewed from the ink supply port 230. The capacity of the first storage chamber 225a is larger than the capacity of the second storage chamber 225b. Capillary passages 227 are formed by providing a gap between the first partition 222 and the second partition 224 to allow capillary action. Therefore, the ink in the first storage chamber 225 a is collected in the capillary passage 227 by the capillary force of the capillary passage 227. Therefore, it is possible to prevent gas or bubbles from entering the second storage chamber 225b. Further, the water level of the ink in the second storage chamber 225b can be gradually and stably lowered. Since the first storage chamber 225a is formed behind the second storage chamber 225b when viewed from the ink supply port 230, after the ink in the first storage chamber 225a is consumed, the second storage chamber 225b of ink is consumed.

  The actuator 106 is attached to the side wall of the ink cartridge 220A on the ink supply port 230 side, that is, the side wall of the second storage chamber 225b on the ink supply port 230 side. The actuator 106 detects the ink consumption state in the second storage chamber 225b. By mounting the actuator 106 on the side wall of the second storage chamber 225b, it is possible to stably detect the remaining amount of ink at a point closer to the ink end. Furthermore, by changing the height at which the actuator 106 is mounted on the side wall of the second storage chamber 225b, it is possible to freely set at which point the remaining amount of ink is used as the ink end. Since the ink is supplied from the first storage chamber 225a to the second storage chamber 225b by the capillary passage 227, the actuator 106 is not affected by the roll of the ink due to the roll of the ink cartridge 220A. Can reliably measure the remaining amount of ink. Furthermore, since the capillary passage 227 holds the ink, the ink is prevented from flowing back from the second storage chamber 225b to the first storage chamber 225a.

  A check valve 228 is provided on the upper surface of the ink cartridge 220A. The check valve 228 can prevent ink from leaking outside the ink cartridge 220A when the ink cartridge 220A rolls. Further, by installing the check valve 228 on the upper surface of the ink cartridge 220A, it is possible to prevent ink from evaporating from the ink cartridge 220A. When the ink in the ink cartridge 220A is consumed and the negative pressure in the ink cartridge 220A exceeds the pressure of the check valve 228, the check valve 228 is opened, air is sucked into the ink cartridge 220A, and then the ink is closed and the ink is closed. The pressure in the cartridge 220A is kept constant.

  46 (C) and 46 (D) show a detailed cross section of the check valve 228. The check valve 228 in FIG. 46C includes a valve 232 having a blade 232a formed of rubber. A ventilation hole 233 for the outside of the ink cartridge 220 is provided in the ink cartridge 220 so as to face the blade 232a. The air hole 233 is opened and closed by the blade 232a. When the ink in the ink cartridge 220 decreases and the negative pressure in the ink cartridge 220 exceeds the pressure of the check valve 228, the check valve 228 opens the blade 232 a to the inside of the ink cartridge 220 and removes external air. The ink cartridge 220 is taken in. The check valve 228 shown in FIG. 46D includes a valve 232 and a spring 235 made of rubber. When the negative pressure in the ink cartridge 220 exceeds the pressure of the check valve 228, the check valve 228 opens the spring 235 by pressing the spring 235, and sucks outside air into the ink cartridge 220 and then closes. Thus, the negative pressure in the ink cartridge 220 is kept constant.

  In the ink cartridge 220B of FIG. 46B, a porous member 242 is disposed in the first storage chamber 225a instead of providing the check valve 228 in the ink cartridge 220A of FIG. 46A. The porous member 242 holds the ink in the ink cartridge 220B and prevents the ink from leaking out of the ink cartridge 220B when the ink cartridge 220B rolls.

  As described above, the ink cartridge mounted on the carriage is separated from the carriage, and the ink cartridge or the actuator 106 is mounted on the carriage. However, the ink is integrated with the carriage and mounted on the inkjet recording apparatus together with the carriage. The actuator 106 may be attached to the tank. Further, the actuator 106 may be mounted on an off-carriage type ink tank that supplies ink to the carriage via a tube or the like that is separate from the carriage. Furthermore, the actuator of the present invention may be attached to an ink cartridge that is configured so that the recording head and the ink container are integrated and replaceable.

    The various ink cartridges with the ink consumption detection function according to the present embodiment have been described above. These ink cartridges were provided with a liquid sensor (actuator or the like) and storage means (semiconductor storage means). As features of the present embodiment, functions and advantages obtained by a combination of these configurations will be described below.

  Referring to FIG. 47, the ink cartridge 800 corresponds to, for example, the cartridge of FIG. The ink cartridge 800 includes a liquid sensor 802 and a consumption information memory 804. The liquid sensor 802 includes the above-described elastic wave generating means or actuator, and outputs a signal corresponding to the ink consumption state. The consumption information memory 804 is one form of the storage means for the liquid container of the present invention. The consumption information memory 804 is a rewritable memory such as an EEPROM and corresponds to the above-described semiconductor storage means (FIG. 1, reference numeral 7).

  The recording apparatus control unit 810 is configured by a computer that controls the inkjet recording apparatus. The recording device control unit 810 includes a consumption detection processing unit 812. The consumption detection processing unit 812, the liquid sensor 802, and the consumption information memory 804 constitute an ink consumption detection device. The consumption detection processing unit 812 detects the consumption state by controlling the liquid sensor 802, writes consumption related information to the consumption information memory 804, and reads the consumption related information from the consumption information memory 804.

  The recording device control unit 810 further includes a consumption information presentation unit 814 and a printing operation control unit 816. The consumption information presentation unit 814 presents the consumption state information detected by the consumption detection processing unit 812 to the user using the display 818 and the speaker 820. A graphic or the like indicating the remaining ink amount is displayed on the display 818, and a notification sound or synthesized sound indicating the remaining ink amount is output from the speaker 820. An appropriate operation may be guided by the synthesized voice.

  The printing operation control unit 816 controls the printing operation unit 822 based on the consumption state information detected by the consumption detection processing unit 812. The printing operation unit 822 is a print head, a head moving device, a paper feeding device, or the like. For example, the consumption detection processing unit 812 causes the printing operation unit 822 to stop the printing operation when it is determined that there is no ink remaining.

  The recording device control unit 810 may further control other configurations based on the detected consumption state. For example, an ink replenishing device, an ink cartridge changing device, and the like may be provided and controlled.

  Next, the consumption information memory 804 will be described in detail. The consumption information memory 804 stores consumption related information related to detection of the consumption state using the liquid sensor 802. The consumption related information includes detected consumption state information. The consumption state information is stored in the consumption state information storage unit 806 of the consumption information memory 804. The consumption detection processing unit 812 writes consumption state information obtained using the liquid sensor 802 in the consumption state information storage unit 806. Then, the consumption state information is read and used by the recording device control unit 810.

  Storing the consumption state information in the consumption information memory 804 is particularly advantageous when the ink cartridge 800 is detached. Assume that the ink cartridge 800 is removed from the ink jet recording apparatus in a state where the ink is consumed halfway. A consumption information memory 804 that stores the ink consumption state is always present together with the ink cartridge 800. The ink cartridge 800 is mounted again in the same ink jet recording apparatus or in another ink jet recording apparatus. At this time, the consumption state is read from the consumption information memory 804, and the recording device control unit 810 operates based on the consumption state. For example, it is found that the ink is empty or a cartridge with a small amount of ink is installed, and that fact is notified to the user. In this way, the previous consumption state information of the ink cartridge 800 can be reliably used after desorption.

  The consumption state information may further store a consumption state estimated from the printing amount. The printing amount is represented by, for example, the number of dots of ink jet recording. The amount of ink corresponding to one dot is known in advance. Differences in the ink amount depending on the dot size may be considered. The ink consumption can be estimated from the number of dots in the printing process. The liquid sensor 802 can reliably detect the passage of the ink liquid level. Therefore, it is preferable to estimate the ink consumption state before and after passing through the liquid level from the printing amount. This estimated value is stored in the consumption information memory 804.

  Note that the detection of passage of the liquid level by the liquid sensor 802 is realized based on, for example, the change in the residual vibration state described above. The residual vibration state corresponds to the acoustic impedance. Further, the passage through the liquid surface may be detected using a reflected wave with respect to the elastic wave described above.

  The consumption related information includes detection characteristic information. The detection characteristic information is information used when acquiring consumption state information using a liquid sensor. In the present embodiment, the detection characteristic information is a characteristic to be detected according to the liquid consumption state. The detection characteristic information is, for example, information on the resonance frequency indicating the magnitude of the acoustic impedance. In the present embodiment, pre-consumption detection characteristic information and post-consumption detection characteristic information are stored as detection characteristic information. The pre-consumption detection characteristic information indicates a detection characteristic before starting consumption of ink, that is, a detection characteristic in the ink full state. The post-consumption detection characteristic information indicates a detection characteristic scheduled to be detected when the ink is consumed up to a predetermined detection target, specifically, a detection characteristic when the ink liquid level falls below the liquid sensor 802.

  The consumption detection processing unit 812 reads the detection characteristic information, and detects the ink consumption state using the liquid sensor 802 based on the detection characteristic information. When a detection signal corresponding to the pre-consumption detection characteristic is obtained, it is considered that ink consumption has not progressed yet and the remaining amount of ink is large. At least, it can be clearly seen that the ink level is above the liquid sensor 802. On the other hand, when a detection signal corresponding to the detection characteristic after consumption is obtained, the consumption of ink proceeds and the remaining amount is low. The ink level is below the liquid sensor 802.

  One advantage of storing the detection characteristic information in the consumption information memory 804 will be described. The detection characteristics are determined by various factors such as the shape of the ink cartridge, the specification of the liquid sensor, and the specification of the ink. When design changes such as improvements are made, the detection characteristics may also change. If the consumption detection processing unit 812 always uses the same detection characteristic information, it is not easy to cope with such a change in the detection characteristic. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the detection characteristic information is stored in the consumption information memory 804 and used. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with changes in detection characteristics. Of course, even when an ink cartridge having a new specification is provided, the recording device can easily use the detection characteristic information of the cartridge.

  More preferably, the detection characteristic information for each ink cartridge is measured and stored in the consumption information memory 804. Even if the specifications of the ink cartridge are the same, the detection characteristics differ due to manufacturing variations. For example, the detection characteristics differ depending on the shape and thickness of the container. In the present embodiment, since each ink cartridge has the consumption information memory 804, detection characteristic information unique to the consumption information memory 804 can be stored. The influence on the detection of manufacturing variation can be reduced, and the detection accuracy can be improved. Thus, the present embodiment is advantageous with respect to the difference in detection characteristics of individual ink cartridges.

  Further, the detection characteristic information may take the form of “correction information” for correcting information for detection held in advance by a printer driver of a printer (ink jet recording apparatus). The printer driver has reference characteristic information for detection. The detection characteristic information of the memory on the cartridge side is information for correcting the reference characteristic information according to the type of the cartridge or according to individual differences of the cartridge. The detection characteristic information may be a specific correction value. Alternatively, the detection characteristic information as the correction information may be an identification symbol for correction. Correction corresponding to the identification symbol is performed on the printer side.

  The consumption information memory 804 further stores information relating to ink as storage means for the liquid container of the present invention. The consumption information memory 804 stores ink type information. Furthermore, this storage means stores the date of manufacture, cleaning sequence information, image processing information, and the like. Such information can also be suitably used for controlling the ink jet recording apparatus.

  FIG. 48 shows processing of the consumption detection processing unit 812 that uses the consumption information memory 804. First, it is determined whether or not an ink cartridge is mounted (S10). It is detected that a new or partially used ink cartridge has been installed. This process uses a switch or the like (not shown) provided in the ink jet recording apparatus. When the cartridge is mounted, the detection characteristic information is read from the consumption information memory 804 (S12), and the consumption state information is further read (S14). The consumption information presentation unit 814 and the printing operation control unit 816 of the recording device control unit 810 use the read consumption state information.

  The consumption detection processing unit 812 detects the ink consumption state using the liquid sensor 802 based on the read detection characteristic information (S16). The detected consumption state is stored in the consumption information memory 804 (S18). This consumption state is also used by the recording apparatus control unit 810. It is determined whether or not the ink cartridge has been removed (S20). If not removed, the process returns to S16.

  Next, an appropriate timing for storing the detection characteristic information in the consumption information memory 804 will be described. Here, it is assumed that measured values of detection characteristics of individual ink cartridges are stored.

  Referring to FIG. 49, a new ink cartridge is equipped with a consumption information memory 804 storing standard detection characteristics. After the ink cartridge is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus, the detection characteristics are measured. The detection characteristics are measured between the time of mounting and before the start of printing. In order to ensure the measurement, it is preferable to measure the detection characteristics immediately after mounting.

  The detection characteristic is measured by the same method as that for detecting normal ink consumption. The consumption state is detected using the liquid sensor 802, and the detection result (measured value) is recorded as the detection characteristic at the time of a new article. The default standard detection characteristics are changed to measured values. When printing is started, the consumption state is detected using the corrected detection characteristic. The progress of ink consumption is grasped from the difference between the detection characteristic and the newly obtained detection result.

  According to the present embodiment, by adjusting the initial detection characteristics as described above, variations based on individual differences among ink cartridges can be appropriately absorbed, and detection accuracy can be improved.

  Another suitable timing for storing the detection characteristics in the consumption information memory 804 will be described. The measurement value of the detection characteristic information may be stored in the manufacturing process of the ink cartridge. Also in this case, variations based on individual differences among ink cartridges can be appropriately absorbed, and detection accuracy can be improved. In this embodiment, it is possible to measure and record the detection characteristics before ink injection. Therefore, the measured values of both the pre-consumption detection characteristic information and the post-consumption detection characteristic information can be stored in the consumption information memory 804.

  Next, the arrangement of the liquid sensor 802 and the consumption information memory 804 on the ink cartridge 800 will be described.

  The liquid sensor 802 and the consumption information memory 804 may be arranged at different locations on the ink cartridge 800 (FIG. 1, FIG. 7, etc.). Both configurations may be arranged at different locations on the same wall surface of the ink cartridge 800 (FIG. 42). Both configurations may be arranged on different wall surfaces of the ink cartridge 800 (FIG. 1 and the like). The wall surface on which the liquid sensor 802 is installed may be orthogonal to the wall surface on which the consumption information memory 804 is installed (FIGS. 7 and 9).

  Referring to FIG. 50, preferably, a liquid sensor 802 and a consumption information memory 804 are provided at the center in the container width direction. 50, the supply port 830 is provided on the lower surface of the cartridge. The liquid sensor 802 and the consumption information memory 804 are provided on the vertical wall. These are all in the center of the container width direction. Further, the liquid sensor 802 and the consumption information memory 804 are provided in the vicinity of the supply port 830. The advantages of such an arrangement are described below.

  51A and 51B show a configuration example of positioning of the supply port. A rectangular positioning protrusion 832 is provided around a supply port (not shown) on the lower surface of the cartridge. The positioning protrusion 832 is fitted into the positioning recess 834 on the recording apparatus side. The positioning recess 834 has a shape corresponding to the positioning protrusion 832.

  In the above configuration, the ink cartridge is positioned in the ink jet recording apparatus at the supply port 830. The supply port 830, the liquid sensor 802, and the consumption information memory 804 are all provided at the center in the width direction of the container. Therefore, even if the cartridge is mounted in a state where it is rotated slightly in the horizontal direction around the supply port 830, the positional deviation amount of the liquid sensor 802 and the consumption information memory 804 due to such rotation is reduced, thereby positioning accuracy. Can be improved.

  Furthermore, as shown in the above example, generally, the supply port is required to have high positioning accuracy, and a positioning configuration that satisfies this requirement is provided. By providing the sensor and the memory in the vicinity of the supply port, the configuration for positioning the supply port also functions as the configuration for positioning the sensor and the memory. One positioning arrangement affects not only the supply port, but also the sensor and memory. Sensors and memory can be positioned with a simple configuration. And the detection accuracy can be improved.

  In a preferred embodiment, the liquid sensor 802 and the consumption information memory 804 are provided on the same consumption detection substrate. FIG. 42 shows an example of such a configuration. In FIG. 42, the semiconductor memory 7 and the actuator 106 are provided on the same substrate 610. According to this configuration, the sensor and the memory can be easily attached. In FIG. 52, the consumption detection board 836 is further arranged in the vicinity of the supply port 830 and in the center in the container width direction. As a result, the positional deviation can be reduced as described above.

  Preferably, an attachment module body in which the liquid sensor (actuator) and the attachment structure are integrated is mounted on the consumption detection substrate. The mounting module body is shown in FIG. By using the mounting module body, as described above, the liquid sensor can be protected from the outside. Further, the mounting becomes easy, the work can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

  Returning to FIG. 42, in the present embodiment, a positioning structure for positioning the consumption detection substrate with respect to the liquid container is provided. Although reference numerals are omitted in FIG. 42, as shown in the side view of FIG. 42B, a plurality of protrusions for mounting the substrate protrude outward from the ink cartridge. This protrusion has a positioning function. The number of protrusions is five. As shown in the front view of FIG. 42C, one protrusion is provided at the top, two at the center, and two at the bottom. These protrusions are fitted in the positioning holes (and mounting holes) of the substrate 610. Thereby, since a board | substrate is positioned correctly, an attachment position precision can be improved.

  The substrate positioning structure is not limited to the above. The notch groove and the protrusion may engage with each other. The substrate may fit into the recess on the container side. At the time of mounting, the outer periphery of the substrate is restrained by the inner wall of the recess, thereby realizing positioning. The entire circumference of the recess and the entire circumference of the substrate may not have the same shape. The recess may be provided with at least two ribs, and the substrate may be sandwiched between these ribs.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 53 is a functional block diagram of an ink jet recording apparatus provided with the ink consumption detection apparatus of the present embodiment. Unlike the configuration of FIG. 47, the ink cartridge 900 includes only the liquid sensor 902. The consumption information memory 910 is disposed in the recording device control unit 904.

  The recording device control unit 904 includes a consumption detection processing unit 906, a consumption information presenting unit 912, and a printing operation control unit 914 similarly to the configuration of FIG. The consumption information presentation unit 912 uses the display 916 and the speaker 918 to present the detected consumption state to the user. The printing operation control unit 914 controls the printing operation unit 920 based on the detected consumption state.

  The recording device control unit 904 further includes a cartridge identification unit 908. The consumption detection processing unit 906, the cartridge identification unit 908, the consumption information memory 910, and the liquid sensor 902 constitute an ink consumption detection device.

  A cartridge identification unit 908 identifies an ink cartridge mounted on the inkjet recording apparatus. Consumption related information corresponding to the identified ink cartridge is read from the consumption information memory 910. As described above, the consumption related information includes consumption state information and detection characteristic information. The consumption state information that is the detection result is used by the consumption information presentation unit 912 and the printing operation control unit 914. The detection characteristic information is used by the consumption detection processing unit 906 for detection processing.

  An example of the operation of the above detection apparatus will be described. When the ink cartridge 900 is mounted, the cartridge identification unit 908 identifies the ink cartridge 900 and records the identification information in the consumption information memory 910. For example, an identification number assigned to the ink cartridge 900 is read. The identification information may be obtained from the liquid sensor 902. In addition, as described with reference to FIG. 49, the detection characteristics are measured and stored in the consumption information memory 910 at the time of mounting. Using this detection characteristic, the consumption state is measured and recorded in the consumption information memory 910.

  It is assumed that the ink cartridge 900 has been removed and mounted again. At this time, information on the remounted cartridge remains in the consumption information memory 910. The information is read and used for subsequent processing.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, even when the consumption information memory is arranged on the recording apparatus side, the same advantages as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  Various other modifications applying the present embodiment are also possible. For example, the consumption information memory may be divided into an ink cartridge and a recording device control unit. One may record the consumption state and the other may record the detection characteristic information. One may record standard detection characteristic information, and the other may record detection characteristic measurement values.

  In another embodiment, the consumption information memory may be provided in the ink cartridge, and the liquid sensor may be provided on the recording apparatus side. An example of such a configuration is shown in FIG. Furthermore, a configuration in which both the liquid sensor and the consumption information memory are provided in the recording apparatus can be employed.

  Another modification relating to the embodiment will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the consumption state as the detection result and the detection characteristic information used for detection are recorded in the consumption information memory as the consumption related information. On the other hand, only one piece of information may be recorded.

  47 and 52, one liquid sensor is provided in the ink cartridge. On the other hand, a plurality of liquid sensors may be provided. A more detailed consumption state is recorded by using the plurality of liquid sensors. It is also preferable to record detection characteristic information for each liquid sensor.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid sensor is composed of a piezoelectric element. As described above, a change in acoustic impedance may be detected using a piezoelectric element. The consumption state may be detected using a reflected wave with respect to the elastic wave. The time from the generation of the elastic wave to the arrival of the reflected wave is obtained. The consumption state may be detected by some principle using the function of the piezoelectric element.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid sensor generates vibration and generates a detection signal indicating the ink consumption state. On the other hand, the liquid sensor may not generate vibrations by itself. That is, both vibration generation and detection signal output may not be performed. Vibration is generated by another actuator. Alternatively, the liquid sensor may generate a detection signal indicating the ink consumption state when vibration occurs in the ink cartridge as the carriage moves. Ink consumption is detected using vibrations that are naturally generated by printer operation without actively generating vibrations.

  47 and 52 may not be realized by a computer of the recording apparatus. Some or all of the functions may be provided in an external computer. A display and a speaker may also be provided in an external computer.

  In the present embodiment, the liquid container is an ink cartridge, and the liquid using apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus. However, the liquid container may be an ink container other than an ink cartridge or an ink tank. For example, a sub tank on the head side may be used. The ink cartridge may be a so-called off-carriage type cartridge. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to containers that contain liquids other than ink.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. Various changes or improvements can be added to the above embodiment. It is apparent from the description of the scope of claims that embodiments with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows one Example of the ink cartridge for single colors, for example, black ink. It is a figure which shows one Example of the ink cartridge which accommodates multiple types of ink. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus suitable for the ink cartridge illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a detailed cross section of a sub tank unit 33. It is a figure which shows the manufacturing method of the elastic wave generation means 3, 15, 16, and 17. FIG. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of the elastic wave generation means 3 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the other Example of the ink cartridge of this invention. It is a figure which shows other Example of the ink cartridge of this invention. It is a figure which shows other Example of the ink cartridge of this invention. It is a figure which shows other Example of the ink cartridge of this invention. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of the ink cartridge of this invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 11. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of the ink cartridge of this invention. It is a figure which shows the plane of other embodiment of the through-hole 1c. It is a figure which shows the cross section of embodiment of the inkjet recording device of this invention. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of an ink cartridge suitable for the recording apparatus illustrated in FIG. 15. FIG. 6 is a view showing another embodiment of the ink cartridge 272 of the present invention. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of the ink cartridge 272 of this invention, and an inkjet recording device. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the ink cartridge 272 illustrated in FIG. 16. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of an actuator 106. It is a figure which shows the periphery of the actuator 106 and its equivalent circuit. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between ink density and ink resonance frequency detected by an actuator. It is a figure which shows the back electromotive force waveform of the actuator. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of the actuator. It is a figure which shows the cross section of a part of actuator 106 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the whole cross section of the actuator 106 shown in FIG. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a method of manufacturing the actuator 106 shown in FIG. 24. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of the ink cartridge of this invention. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of the through-hole 1c. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of the actuator 660. FIG. FIG. 38 is a diagram showing still another embodiment of the actuator 670. 2 is a perspective view showing a module body 100. FIG. It is an exploded view which shows the structure of the module body 100 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of the module body. FIG. 35 is an exploded view showing a configuration of the module body 100 shown in FIG. 34. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of the module body. It is a figure which shows the example of the cross section which mounted | wore the ink container 1 with the module body 100 shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows other embodiment of the module body. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an ink cartridge and an ink jet recording apparatus using the actuator shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. It is a figure which shows the detail of an inkjet recording device. FIG. 41 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the ink cartridge 180 shown in FIG. 40. FIG. 10 is a view showing still another embodiment of the ink cartridge 180. FIG. 10 is a view showing still another embodiment of the ink cartridge 180. FIG. 10 is a view showing still another embodiment of the ink cartridge 180. FIG. 45 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the ink cartridge 180 shown in FIG. 44 (C). FIG. 10 is a view showing still another embodiment of an ink cartridge using the module body 100. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration in which a liquid sensor and a consumption information memory are provided in an ink cartridge together with an ink jet recording apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the consumption detection process part of FIG. FIG. 47 is a diagram illustrating recording timing of detection characteristics in the consumption information memory of FIG. 46. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the liquid sensor and consumption information memory to an ink cartridge. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement of supply ports of an ink cartridge. It is a figure which shows the example of arrangement | positioning of the liquid sensor and consumption information memory to an ink cartridge. It is a figure which shows the example of the inkjet recording device which concerns on another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

800 Ink cartridge, 802 Liquid sensor, 804 Consumption information memory, 806 Consumption state information storage unit, 808 Detection characteristic information storage unit, 810 Recording device control unit, 812 Consumption detection processing unit, 814 Consumption information presentation unit, 816 Printing operation control unit

Claims (25)

A liquid container to be attached to the liquid utilization device,
A liquid sensor having a piezoelectric element;
Storage means;
A liquid container comprising:   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores consumption related information.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the consumption related information includes consumption state information obtained using the liquid sensor.   The liquid container according to claim 2, wherein the consumption-related information includes detection characteristic information used when acquiring a consumption status using a liquid sensor.   5. The liquid according to claim 4, wherein the storage unit stores pre-consumption detection characteristic information indicating a detection characteristic before the consumption of the liquid in the liquid container is started as the detection characteristic information. container.   5. The post-consumption detection characteristic information indicating a detection characteristic scheduled to be detected when the liquid is consumed up to a predetermined detection target is stored as the detection characteristic information. The liquid container in any one of -5.   The liquid container according to claim 5, wherein the detection characteristic information is information on a resonance frequency representing a magnitude of acoustic impedance.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores ink type information.   The liquid container according to claim 8, wherein the ink type information is information acquired using a liquid sensor.   The liquid container according to claim 4, wherein the storage unit stores the measurement value of the detection characteristic information after the liquid container is attached to the liquid utilization apparatus.   The liquid container according to claim 4, wherein the storage unit stores a measurement value of the detection characteristic information in a manufacturing process of the liquid container.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores pre-consumption information.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores consumption change amount information.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid sensor and the storage unit are provided on the same substrate.   The liquid container according to claim 14, wherein the substrate is disposed in the vicinity of a supply port for supplying a liquid from the liquid container.   The liquid container according to claim 14, wherein an attachment module body in which the liquid sensor and the attachment structure are integrated is attached to the substrate.   The liquid container according to claim 14, further comprising a positioning structure that positions the substrate with respect to the liquid container.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein a liquid consumption state is detected by the liquid sensor based on a change in acoustic impedance.   19. The liquid container according to claim 18, wherein the liquid sensor outputs a signal indicating a residual vibration state, and the liquid consumption state is detected based on the residual vibration state changing according to the liquid consumption state. .   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a semiconductor memory.   21. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid container is an ink cartridge attached to an ink jet recording apparatus.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the storage means is rewritable.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is integrally attached to the liquid container.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit stores information related to ink. A substrate,
A sensor having a piezoelectric element and attached to the first position of the substrate;
Storage means mounted at a second position of the substrate;
A liquid detection apparatus comprising:

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