JP2006315355A - Liquid residual quantity determining method in liquid injection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for determining a liquid residual quantity in a liquid injection apparatus, wherein a liquid residual quantity in a mounted liquid cartridge is accurately detected to improve handling performance of the liquid injection apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: When a cartridge is replaced which has a more ink liquid residual quantity than specified one, the used ink rate of the cartridge is set when the history in which once a cartridge having a used ink rate more than a specified value and residual ink (a small quantity of ink remains) is removed, is found. When an ink liquid type of the replaced cartridge is different, or a used ink rate of the removed cartridge is more than the specified value, a used ink rate of a mounted cartridge is set at 0%. When an inkjet printer has no history in which there is small quantity of ink remains, nor is changed an ink liquid type, and further when used ink rate of the removed cartridge is less than the specified value, the final used ink rate of the removed cartridge is set as a used ink rate of the newly mounted cartridge, and a processing is continued. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for determining a remaining amount of liquid in a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid supplied from a detachable liquid cartridge onto an object to be processed by a liquid ejecting head.

  As an ink cartridge to be mounted on the ink jet printer, a container body mounted on the printer, a liquid storage chamber for storing ink liquid (liquid), a liquid supply hole connected to the ink liquid receiving portion on the printer side, A liquid flow path communicating with the liquid storage chamber and the liquid supply hole; and an ink end sensor (liquid end sensor) that is provided in the middle of the liquid flow path and detects the presence or absence of ink in the liquid storage chamber. Various liquid cartridges have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Then, on the printer side using such an ink cartridge, for example, an output of an ink end sensor such as an optical sensor that optically detects the presence or absence of ink or an electrical sensor that electrically detects the presence or absence of ink. And a control circuit for monitoring the ink cartridge and reporting the replacement timing of the ink cartridge.

JP 2003-39694 A

  By the way, in the conventional ink jet printer, the ink cartridge once mounted on the cartridge mounting portion of the printer is continuously used until the stored ink liquid is used up, and when the ink end sensor detects that the ink has run out, a new ink cartridge is used. The specification of the replacement is common. That is, the amount of ink liquid accommodated in the ink cartridge is maximum immediately after replacement, and gradually decreases as the ink jet printer is used.

  Therefore, for example, the ink end sensor detects the ink out of the ink cartridge, or the ink liquid is detected by a dot count process for counting and integrating the number of ink liquid droplets ejected from the print head (liquid ejecting head) of the ink jet printer. By managing the amount of ink used, it was possible to accurately report the time for ink cartridge replacement.

  However, recent ink jet printers are provided with a plurality of cartridge mounting portions for mounting ink cartridges, and some of the cartridge mounting portions are used for printing purposes (for example, limited to black-and-white printing or high-quality photographic printing). In some cases, the ink cartridge to be mounted can be replaced in accordance with a limitation, normal quality color printing, and the like. Therefore, in such an ink jet printer, an ink cartridge newly mounted by cartridge replacement is not necessarily a new ink cartridge.

  Therefore, the ink remaining amount in the replaced ink cartridge cannot be grasped only by the ink end detection by the conventional ink end sensor and the dot count process, and the ink remaining amount display becomes inaccurate, Or, out of ink may occur during printing, paper in the middle of printing may be wasted, or printing processing may continue as a result of ink out being not detected, resulting in idle printing on the print head and damaging the print head There was sex.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid ejecting apparatus that can accurately detect the remaining amount of liquid in the mounted liquid cartridge and can improve the handleability of the liquid ejecting apparatus. It is to provide a judgment method.

The above object of the present invention is to provide a cartridge mounting portion to which a liquid cartridge having a liquid end sensor for detecting whether or not the remaining amount of liquid inside is a certain level or more, and a liquid cartridge mounted to the cartridge mounting portion. In the liquid ejecting apparatus, comprising: a liquid ejecting head that ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid ejecting target onto the object to be processed; and a dot count unit that counts the number of droplets ejected from the liquid ejecting head. A liquid remaining amount determination method for determining a liquid remaining amount in the liquid cartridge based on a signal and a liquid usage rate calculated by the dot count means,
After the liquid cartridge that has been detected by the liquid end sensor as having a liquid level equal to or greater than a certain level removed from the cartridge mounting portion, the liquid cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting portion next is also liquidated by the liquid end sensor. If it is detected that the remaining charge is above a certain level,
When the type of liquid contained in the newly installed liquid cartridge is different from the type of liquid contained in the removed liquid cartridge, or the liquid usage rate in the previously removed liquid cartridge is the specified value At the above time, the liquid usage rate in the newly installed liquid cartridge is set to 0%,
When the history of removing the liquid cartridge in a state where the liquid usage rate is equal to or higher than the specified value and the liquid end sensor detects that the remaining amount of liquid is equal to or higher than a predetermined value is stored in the liquid ejecting apparatus, Set the liquid usage rate in the liquid cartridge attached to the specified value,
There is no change in the type of liquid contained in the newly installed liquid cartridge, the liquid usage rate in the previously removed liquid cartridge is less than the specified value, and the liquid usage rate is more than the specified value. In addition, when the history of removing the liquid cartridge in the state where the liquid remaining amount is detected to be a certain level or more by the liquid end sensor is not stored in the liquid ejecting apparatus, the final amount of liquid used in the previously removed liquid cartridge Set the rate to the liquid usage rate of the newly installed liquid cartridge,
This is achieved by a method for determining the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the process is continued.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the following five cases (a) to (e) are conceivable as the case where the liquid cartridge is replaced when the remaining amount of liquid contained in the liquid cartridge is equal to or greater than a certain level. .
(A) In order to continuously process a large amount of the object to be processed, it is replaced with a new liquid cartridge.
(B) Changing the type of liquid to be sprayed on the object to be processed.
(C) Use again to use up the liquid in the remaining liquid cartridge.
(D) Although it is not necessary to replace, it is removed accidentally and attached again.
(E) When other types of liquid cartridges arranged together are exchanged due to running out of liquid, the liquid cartridge with a small remaining amount of liquid is then exchanged.

For example, in the case of the above (c), the amount of liquid remaining in the newly installed liquid cartridge should be small, so when the liquid cartridge is newly installed, the dot counting means on the liquid ejecting apparatus side However, if the liquid usage rate is initialized in the same manner as when a new cartridge is mounted, there is a large gap between the actual liquid usage rate. That is, since the amount of liquid remaining is not accurately grasped, the accuracy of the liquid remaining amount display in the liquid cartridge is greatly reduced, and the liquid ejection processing to the object to be processed is interrupted due to running out of liquid or inadvertently sudden There is a possibility that inconveniences such as occurrence of idling in the liquid ejecting head may occur due to the liquid running out.
Therefore, in the case of the above (c), for example, the liquid ejecting apparatus has previously detected that the liquid usage rate is equal to or higher than a specified value and the liquid end sensor detects that the remaining amount of liquid is equal to or higher than a certain level. It is best to check whether or not the history of removal of the liquid cartridge is stored, and when it is stored, it is best to set the liquid usage rate in the newly installed liquid cartridge to the specified value and continue the process. .

  On the other hand, in the case of the above (d), the amount of liquid remaining in the newly mounted liquid cartridge matches the final liquid usage rate in the previously removed liquid cartridge. It is best to continue the liquid usage rate calculated by the dot counting means without initializing it by exchanging the cartridge.

In the cases (a), (b), and (e) described above, the newly installed liquid cartridge is highly likely to be a new liquid cartridge. It is best to initialize the liquid usage rate calculated by the dot count means by cartridge replacement.
As described above, in order to more accurately grasp the liquid usage rate in the liquid cartridge newly mounted by cartridge replacement, it is effective to estimate the case leading to cartridge replacement.

  In the liquid remaining amount determining method in the liquid ejecting apparatus having the above configuration, the dot counting process on the liquid ejecting apparatus side, the presence or absence of the detection of liquid breakage by the liquid end sensor installed in the liquid cartridge, and the remaining in the liquid ejecting apparatus Cases leading to cartridge replacement based on usage history, etc. to estimate the cases leading to cartridge replacement and setting the liquid usage rate after cartridge replacement to the best liquid usage rate corresponding to the estimated cartridge replacement case Regardless of the case, it is possible to accurately grasp the remaining liquid amount in the newly mounted liquid cartridge.

  Accordingly, it is possible to improve the accuracy of displaying the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid cartridge, and to prevent the occurrence of inadvertent sudden liquid breakage. It is possible to improve the handleability of the liquid ejecting apparatus by preventing the occurrence of idling.

Further, the above object of the present invention is to mount a cartridge mounting portion to which a liquid cartridge having a liquid end sensor for detecting whether or not the remaining amount of liquid in the interior is greater than a certain level, and to be mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid supplied from a liquid cartridge onto an object to be processed; and a dot count unit that counts the number of droplets ejected from the liquid ejecting head. A liquid remaining amount determining method for determining the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid cartridge based on the detection signal of the liquid and a liquid usage rate calculated by the dot counting means,
After the liquid cartridge that has been detected by the liquid end sensor as having a liquid level equal to or greater than a certain level removed from the cartridge mounting portion, the liquid cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting portion next is also liquidated by the liquid end sensor. If it is detected that the remaining charge is above a certain level,
When the liquid usage rate in the previously removed liquid cartridge is greater than the specified value, the liquid usage rate in the newly installed liquid cartridge is set to be equivalent to the maximum value of the liquid consumption consumed in the maintenance process,
When the liquid usage rate in the previously removed liquid cartridge is less than the specified value, the liquid is the sum of the final liquid usage rate in the previously removed liquid cartridge plus the maximum amount of liquid consumption consumed in the maintenance process Set the usage rate to the liquid usage rate of the newly installed liquid cartridge,
This is achieved by a method for determining the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the process is continued.

  In the method for determining the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid ejecting apparatus having the above-described configuration, the case where the cartridge is replaced is estimated based on dot count processing on the liquid ejecting apparatus side and whether or not the liquid end sensor provided in the liquid cartridge detects the out of liquid. Since the liquid usage rate after cartridge replacement is set to the best liquid usage rate corresponding to the estimated cartridge replacement case, the remaining amount of liquid can be accurately grasped.

  Accordingly, it is possible to improve the accuracy of displaying the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid cartridge, and to prevent the occurrence of inadvertent sudden liquid breakage. It is possible to improve the handleability of the liquid ejecting apparatus by preventing the occurrence of idling.

  Also, in this liquid remaining amount determination method, when the liquid usage rate in the previously removed liquid cartridge is less than the specified value, the setting of the liquid usage rate in the newly installed liquid cartridge is consumed in the maintenance process. Since the equivalent of the maximum value of the liquid consumption is added, even if maintenance processing is performed in which the liquid consumption reaches the maximum after replacement of the liquid cartridge, there is no sudden out of liquid, and the liquid ejection The stability and reliability of processing in the apparatus can also be improved.

  In the liquid remaining amount determining method in the liquid ejecting apparatus having the above-described configuration, it is preferable that the specified value of the liquid usage rate is set between 60% and 90%.

According to the method for determining the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention, the dot count on the liquid ejecting apparatus side when the liquid cartridge is replaced even though the remaining amount of liquid contained therein is equal to or greater than a certain level. Estimate cases of cartridge replacement based on processing and whether or not a liquid end sensor is installed on the liquid cartridge, and after replacing the cartridge to the best liquid usage rate corresponding to the estimated cartridge replacement case Since the liquid usage rate is set, the remaining amount of liquid in the newly mounted liquid cartridge can be accurately grasped regardless of the case of cartridge replacement.
Accordingly, it is possible to improve the accuracy of displaying the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid cartridge, and to prevent the occurrence of inadvertent sudden liquid breakage. It is possible to improve the handleability of the liquid ejecting apparatus by preventing the occurrence of idling.

Hereinafter, a liquid cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a liquid cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a method for determining a remaining amount of liquid in an ink jet printer equipped with the liquid cartridge shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the ink cartridge (liquid cartridge) 1 according to the present embodiment accommodates an ink liquid (liquid) 4 in a container body 3 that is mounted on a cartridge mounting portion 2 of an ink jet printer (device). An ink storage chamber (liquid storage chamber) 5, a liquid supply hole 7 connected to an ink liquid receiving portion (liquid receiving portion) 2 a of the cartridge mounting portion 2, and a liquid flow that communicates the ink storage chamber 5 and the liquid supply hole 7. A passage 9, an air opening hole (not shown) for introducing external air into the ink storage chamber 5 as the ink liquid 4 in the ink storage chamber 5 is consumed, and a liquid installed in the middle of the liquid flow path 9. A pressure adjusting means (negative pressure generating means) 11 for adjusting the ink liquid pressure supplied to the ink liquid receiving portion 2a through the supply hole 7 to a predetermined pressure, and a midway in the liquid flow path 9 upstream of the pressure adjusting means 11 Equipped with ink storage An ink end sensor (liquid end sensor) 13 for detecting the presence or absence of the ink 4 in 5, a air open type liquid cartridge equipped with.

For example, the cartridge mounting unit 2 is equipped with a print head (liquid ejecting head) that ejects and applies ink liquid onto a sheet (processing medium) and is mounted so as to be able to reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the sheet conveying direction ( (Not shown).
The print head ejects the ink liquid 4 supplied from the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 2 into a sheet having a predetermined particle diameter on a sheet to be processed.

  The droplets of the ink liquid 4 ejected from the print head are counted by dot count means (not shown), and the ink usage rate (actually relative to the dot count value when all the effective ink liquid amount stored in the liquid storage chamber 5 is consumed). Is a ratio of the dot count value counted in (1), and the unit is calculated and stored as%).

  In the case of this embodiment, the ink end sensor 13 oscillates by a piezoelectric vibrating body and detects the presence or absence of ink by the difference in residual vibration generated depending on whether the fluid flowing in the liquid flow path 9 is ink or air. It is presence / absence detection means. When the ink end sensor 13 detects the intrusion of air, the ink liquid 4 in the ink storage chamber 5 is consumed, and the air introduced into the ink storage chamber 5 from the atmosphere opening hole enters the liquid flow path 9. Assuming that the ink has entered, a signal indicating no ink is output.

In the case of the ink cartridge 1 of the present embodiment, the ink liquid 4 supplied to the liquid supply hole 7 via the pressure adjusting means 11 is stored in the liquid flow path 9 between the ink end sensor 13 and the pressure adjusting means 11. In addition, a buffer chamber 15 is provided in which a predetermined amount of ink liquid can be supplied after the ink end sensor 13 detects the absence of ink liquid.
Furthermore, the amount of ink stored in the buffer chamber 15 including the capacity of the liquid flow path 9 between the ink end sensor 13 and the pressure adjusting unit 11 in this embodiment is the effective amount of ink stored in the ink storage chamber 5. It is set to about 10%. This is because even if the ink end sensor 13 detects that the ink has run out, the printing during processing is surely terminated, the necessary maintenance process is performed, or the user is provided with a margin for preparing a replacement ink cartridge. It is consideration of.

Therefore, specifically, for example, the effective ink liquid amount stored in the ink storage chamber 5 is about 10 grams, and the ink liquid storage amount in the buffer chamber 15 is about 1 gram.
Therefore, the ink end sensor 13 detects the absence of ink, and the control circuit 19 on the ink jet printer side determines that the ink remaining amount in the ink containing chamber 5 is low and is in an ink-low state. When about 90% is consumed.

The ink end sensor 13 is connected to the connection terminal 18 on the outer surface of the container body 3.
When the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 2, the connection terminal 18 is electrically connected to the connection terminal 2b on the cartridge mounting portion 2 side, and the ink end sensor 13 is connected via these connection terminals 2b and 18. It is connected to the control circuit 19 on the ink jet printer side.

  The control circuit 19 performs a dot count process for counting the number of ink liquid droplets ejected from the nozzles of the print head during the printing process of the ink jet printer, or performs cleaning or the like according to the operation status of the ink jet printer. Ink calculated from the liquid droplets of the counted ink liquid 4 is finally detected by detecting the presence or absence of the ink liquid 4 in the liquid storage chamber 5 from the output signal of the ink end sensor 13. According to the usage rate, an instruction to stop printing or replace the cartridge 1 is given.

  The control circuit 19 can store whether or not the ink usage rate of the removed ink cartridge is equal to or higher than a predetermined value and the ink end sensor detects the presence of ink, and is provided on the ink jet printer side. Based on the ink usage rate (liquid usage rate) calculated by the dot count means and the output of the ink end sensor, a history required when replacing the ink cartridge is stored.

Further, the control circuit 19 according to the present embodiment estimates the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 1 newly installed in the cartridge mounting unit 2 at the time of cartridge replacement, and ejects the ink 4 according to the estimation result. Control, display of the remaining amount of ink liquid 4, notification of cartridge replacement timing, and the like.
Specifically, the control circuit 19 estimates the ink usage rate of the ink liquid 4 in the newly installed ink cartridge 1 by cartridge replacement by the liquid remaining amount determination method shown in FIG.

  The liquid remaining amount determination method of the present embodiment includes a detection signal from the ink end sensor 13 provided in the ink cartridge 1, a calculated value of dot count means provided on the ink jet printer side, and a control circuit 19 on the ink jet printer side. The ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge 1 is estimated based on the written usage history.

  First, as shown in steps S <b> 101 to S <b> 103, the ink cartridge 1 detected by the ink end sensor 13 that the remaining amount of the ink liquid 4 is equal to or greater than a certain amount (for example, about 10% of the effective ink liquid amount) is the cartridge. When the ink end sensor 13 detects that the remaining amount of ink is equal to or higher than the ink cartridge 1 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 2 after being removed from the mounting unit 2, the process proceeds to step S104.

  In step S104, the ink usage rate of the ink liquid 4 up to the specified value (for example, 70% in this embodiment) and the remaining amount of the ink end sensor 13 remain in the newly installed control circuit 19 on the ink jet printer side. When a history of replacement at a certain level or higher is recognized, it is considered that the ink cartridge 1 that has been used in the past has been remounted, and the process proceeds to step S111. In step S111, the ink usage rate in the ink cartridge 1 is set to a specified value of 70%.

If it is determined in step S104 that there is no history of removal at an ink usage rate of 70% to 90%, the process proceeds to the next step S121, and the ink stored in the newly mounted ink cartridge 1 is reached. It is determined whether or not the type of the liquid 4 is different from the type of the ink liquid contained in the removed ink cartridge 1.
When it is determined that the types of the ink liquids 4 are different, it is assumed that a new cartridge 1 has been mounted by exchanging the ink type, and the process proceeds to step 131 where the ink liquid in the newly mounted ink cartridge 1 is determined. 4 is set to 0%.

When the type of ink liquid 4 in the newly installed ink cartridge 1 is the same as the type of ink liquid 4 in the removed ink cartridge 1, the process proceeds from step S121 to step S141.
In step S141, it is determined whether the ink usage rate of the ink liquid 4 in the previously removed ink cartridge 1 is 70% or more. When the ink usage rate of the ink liquid 4 in the previously removed ink cartridge 1 is 70% or more, it is considered that the ink cartridge 1 has been replaced with a new ink cartridge 1, and the process proceeds to step S131 to newly install the ink cartridge. The ink usage rate of the ink liquid 4 at 1 is set to 0%.

  If it is determined in step S141 that the ink usage rate of the ink liquid 4 in the previously removed ink cartridge 1 is less than 70%, it is assumed that the ink cartridge 1 that was mistakenly removed is mounted again, and the process returns to step S151. Then, the final ink usage rate of the ink liquid 4 in the previously removed ink cartridge 1 is set to the ink usage rate of the ink liquid 4 in the newly installed ink cartridge 1.

  As described above, in the liquid remaining amount determination method of the present embodiment, when the ink cartridge 1 is replaced, the detection signal of the ink end sensor 13 provided in the ink cartridge 1 and the ink jet printer side are provided. Based on the count value of the dot count means and the use history written in the storage circuit 17 of the ink cartridge 1, the cartridge replacement case is estimated and the ink usage rate of the newly installed ink cartridge 1 is set. After that, the printing process is continued.

In the ink jet printer, the following five cases (A) to (E) are used as the case where the ink cartridge 1 is replaced even though the remaining amount of the ink liquid 4 accommodated therein is equal to or greater than a certain level. Conceivable.
(A) Replace with a new ink cartridge 1 to print on a large amount of paper.
(B) The type of the ink liquid 4 is changed in order to change the print quality.
(C) The ink liquid 4 in the remaining ink cartridge 1 is used again in order to use it up.
(D) Although it is not necessary to replace, it is removed accidentally and attached again.
(E) When other types of ink cartridges 1 arranged together are replaced due to running out of ink, the ink cartridge 1 with a small amount of ink liquid is replaced.

  For example, in the case of (C), the amount of ink remaining in the newly installed ink cartridge 1 should be small, so when the ink cartridge 1 is newly installed, If the dot count means initializes the ink usage rate of the ink liquid 4 in the same manner as when a new cartridge is mounted, there is a large difference between the actual ink usage rate of the ink liquid 4. That is, since the remaining amount of the ink liquid 4 is inaccurately grasped, the accuracy of the remaining amount display of the ink liquid 4 in the ink cartridge 1 is greatly reduced, and interruption due to running out of ink in the middle of printing or inadvertent suddenness. There is a possibility that inconveniences such as the occurrence of idling in the print head may occur due to the ink running out.

  Therefore, in the case of the above (C), for example, an ink jet printer in which the ink usage rate has been previously detected to be greater than a specified value and the ink end sensor detects that the remaining amount of ink is greater than or equal to a certain level. It is best to check whether or not the history of cartridge removal is stored, and when it is stored, it is best to set the ink usage rate in the newly installed ink cartridge to a specified value and continue the process.

  On the other hand, in the case of the above (D), since the amount of ink remaining in the newly mounted ink cartridge 1 matches the final ink usage rate in the previously removed ink cartridge 1, the ink jet It is best to continue the ink usage rate calculated by the dot count means on the printer side without initializing it by replacing the cartridge.

In the cases (A), (B), and (E) described above, the newly installed ink cartridge 1 is highly likely to be a new ink cartridge 1, and in this case, the ink jet printer side It is best to initialize the ink usage rate calculated by the dot count means by replacing the cartridge.
Thus, in order to grasp the ink usage rate in the newly installed ink cartridge 1 more accurately, it is effective to estimate the case leading to cartridge replacement.

  That is, according to the method for determining the remaining amount of liquid shown in FIG. 2, the dot count process on the ink jet printer side, whether or not the ink end sensor 13 provided in the ink cartridge 1 detects the ink liquid shortage, and further, the remaining amount in the ink jet printer. In order to estimate the cases leading to cartridge replacement based on the usage history, etc., and to set the ink usage rate after cartridge replacement to the best ink usage rate corresponding to the estimated cartridge replacement case, Regardless of the case, the remaining amount of the ink liquid 4 in the newly mounted ink cartridge 1 can be accurately grasped.

  Accordingly, it is possible to improve the accuracy of displaying the remaining amount of the ink liquid 4 in the ink cartridge 1 and to prevent the occurrence of inadvertent and sudden ink loss. It is possible to improve the handleability of the ink jet printer by preventing the occurrence of idling in the head.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the method for determining the remaining amount of liquid in the ink jet printer according to the present invention.
The liquid remaining amount determining method of the present embodiment simplifies the processing steps in the liquid remaining amount determining method shown in FIG. 2 and suddenly runs out of ink when maintenance processing such as cleaning is performed after the ink cartridge 1 is replaced. This is to prevent the occurrence of

  Specifically, as shown in steps S201 to S203, after the ink cartridge 1 detected by the ink end sensor 13 that the remaining amount of the ink liquid 4 is equal to or greater than a certain level is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 2, the next When the ink end sensor 13 detects that the remaining amount of the ink liquid is equal to or greater than a certain level even in the ink cartridge 1 mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 2, the ink in the ink cartridge 1 previously removed is detected in the next step S204. It is determined whether the ink usage rate of the liquid 4 is 70% or more.

  When it is determined in step S204 that the ink usage rate of the ink liquid 4 in the ink cartridge 1 previously removed is 70% or more, it is considered that the ink cartridge 1 has been replaced with a new ink cartridge 1, and the process returns to step S205. Then, the ink usage rate of the ink liquid 4 in the newly installed ink cartridge 1 is set to the maximum value of the ink liquid consumption consumed by the cleaning process (ink consumption during the level 3 cleaning process).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S204 that the ink usage rate of the ink liquid 4 in the ink cartridge 1 previously removed is less than 70%, it is assumed that the ink cartridge 1 that was mistakenly removed is attached again, and step S206 is performed. The ink of the newly installed ink cartridge 1 is added with the ink usage rate corresponding to the maximum value of the ink consumption consumed in the cleaning process to the final ink usage rate of the previously removed ink cartridge 1. The usage rate is set and the liquid remaining amount determination process is terminated.

  In the method for determining the remaining amount of liquid shown in FIG. 3, the case of cartridge replacement is estimated on the basis of dot count processing on the ink jet printer side and whether or not the ink end sensor 13 provided in the ink cartridge 1 detects ink liquid shortage. Since the ink usage rate after the cartridge replacement is set to the best ink usage rate corresponding to the estimated cartridge replacement case, the remaining amount of the ink liquid 4 can be accurately grasped.

  Accordingly, the accuracy of displaying the remaining amount of the ink liquid 4 in the ink cartridge 1 is improved, the occurrence of inadvertent sudden ink liquid shortage is prevented, and the printing process on the paper is interrupted due to ink liquid shortage or application. The point that it is possible to improve the handleability of the ink jet printer by preventing the occurrence of idling in the head is the same as in the case of the remaining liquid amount determination method shown in FIG.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the estimation of the case (B) is excluded from the cartridge replacement cases as compared with the case of the liquid remaining amount determination method shown in FIG. It is naturally effective to use the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in combination with the embodiment shown in FIG.

  Moreover, in the liquid remaining amount determination method of the present embodiment, when the ink usage rate in the previously removed ink cartridge 1 is less than 70%, the ink usage rate in the newly installed ink cartridge 1 is set. Since the value corresponding to the maximum value of the ink consumption consumed in the cleaning process is added, even if the cleaning process that maximizes the ink consumption after the replacement of the ink cartridge 1 is performed, the ink runs out suddenly. In other words, the stability and reliability of the printing process in the ink jet printer can be improved.

In the liquid remaining amount determination method of the present invention, the liquid remaining amount detected by the liquid end sensor that the liquid remaining amount in the liquid cartridge is equal to or greater than a certain amount is the ink stored in the liquid storage chamber 5 described in the above embodiment. The amount of the effective ink liquid of the liquid 4 is not limited to about 10%.
For example, the remaining amount of liquid detected when the remaining amount of liquid in the ink cartridge 1 is equal to or greater than a certain value is set to correspond to the maximum amount of ink consumed by the cleaning process, or the ink suddenly runs out during printing. In order to prevent the occurrence of the problem, it may be set to correspond to the ink consumption required for printing one to several pages, or may be set to other appropriate amount.
Similarly, the prescribed value of the amount of liquid used is described as 70% of the effective ink liquid amount, but is not limited to this, and a range of 60% to 90% is preferable. The optimum value is selected depending on the method of using the liquid in the apparatus. That is, for example, when an ink cartridge with a small amount of effective ink is used in a device with a large amount of maintenance at the time of replacement, if the specified value is about 80%, even if it is mounted with ink, the maintenance at the time of replacement causes the ink end. In this case, the specified value is set to 70% to 60%.

  In addition, the configurations of the liquid cartridge, the liquid end sensor, the cartridge mounting unit, the liquid ejecting head, the dot count unit, the liquid ejecting device, and the like according to the method for determining the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention are limited to the configurations of the above embodiments. It goes without saying that various forms can be taken based on the gist of the present invention.

Furthermore, the use of the liquid cartridge according to the present invention is not limited to the ink cartridge 1 mounted on an ink jet printer that is a device including a print head as a liquid ejecting head as in the above-described embodiment.
For example, a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing color filters such as liquid crystal displays, an organic EL display, an electrode material ejecting head used for forming electrodes such as an FED (surface emitting display), and a bioorganic matter ejecting head used for biochip manufacturing The present invention is also applicable to a liquid cartridge that is mounted on a liquid ejecting apparatus that uses a liquid ejecting head that discharges a liquid such as a sample ejecting apparatus as a precision pipette.

It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the liquid cartridge which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining a remaining amount of liquid in an ink jet printer in which the liquid cartridge illustrated in FIG. 1 is mounted. 6 is a flowchart showing another embodiment of a method for determining a remaining amount of liquid in an ink jet printer equipped with the liquid cartridge shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ink cartridge (liquid cartridge), 2 ... Cartridge mounting part, 2a ... Ink liquid receiving part, 3 ... Container main body, 4 ... Ink liquid (liquid), 5 ... Ink storage chamber (liquid storage chamber), 7 ... Liquid supply Hole: 9 ... Liquid flow path, 11 ... Pressure adjusting means, 13 ... Ink end sensor (liquid end sensor), 15 ... Buffer chamber, 17 ... Memory circuit, 19 ... Control circuit

Claims (3)

A cartridge mounting portion to which a liquid cartridge having a liquid end sensor for detecting whether or not the remaining amount of liquid inside is a certain level or more is mounted, and a liquid supplied from the liquid cartridge mounted to the cartridge mounting portion is covered. In a liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a liquid ejecting head that ejects a processed material; and a dot count unit that counts the number of liquid droplets ejected from the liquid ejecting head, the detection signal of the liquid end sensor and the dot count unit are A liquid remaining amount determining method for determining the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid cartridge based on a calculated liquid usage rate,
After the liquid cartridge that has been detected by the liquid end sensor as having a liquid level equal to or greater than a certain level removed from the cartridge mounting portion, the liquid cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting portion next is also liquidated by the liquid end sensor. If it is detected that the remaining charge is above a certain level,
When the type of liquid contained in the newly installed liquid cartridge is different from the type of liquid contained in the removed liquid cartridge, or the liquid usage rate in the previously removed liquid cartridge is the specified value At the above time, the liquid usage rate in the newly installed liquid cartridge is set to 0%,
When the history of removing the liquid cartridge in a state where the liquid usage rate is equal to or higher than the specified value and the liquid end sensor detects that the remaining amount of liquid is equal to or higher than a predetermined value is stored in the liquid ejecting apparatus, Set the liquid usage rate in the liquid cartridge attached to the specified value,
There is no change in the type of liquid contained in the newly installed liquid cartridge, the liquid usage rate in the previously removed liquid cartridge is less than the specified value, and the liquid usage rate is more than the specified value. In addition, when the history of removing the liquid cartridge in the state where the liquid remaining amount is detected to be a certain level or more by the liquid end sensor is not stored in the liquid ejecting apparatus, the final amount of liquid used in the previously removed liquid cartridge Set the rate to the liquid usage rate of the newly installed liquid cartridge,
A method for determining a remaining amount of liquid in a liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the processing is continued. A cartridge mounting portion to which a liquid cartridge having a liquid end sensor for detecting whether or not the remaining amount of liquid inside is a certain level or more is mounted, and a liquid supplied from the liquid cartridge mounted to the cartridge mounting portion is covered. In a liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a liquid ejecting head that ejects a processed material; and a dot count unit that counts the number of liquid droplets ejected from the liquid ejecting head, the detection signal of the liquid end sensor and the dot count unit are A liquid remaining amount determining method for determining the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid cartridge based on a calculated liquid usage rate,
After the liquid cartridge that has been detected by the liquid end sensor as having a liquid level equal to or greater than a certain level removed from the cartridge mounting portion, the liquid cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting portion next is also liquidated by the liquid end sensor. If it is detected that the remaining charge is above a certain level,
When the liquid usage rate in the previously removed liquid cartridge is greater than the specified value, the liquid usage rate in the newly installed liquid cartridge is set to be equivalent to the maximum value of the liquid consumption consumed in the maintenance process,
When the liquid usage rate in the previously removed liquid cartridge is less than the specified value, the liquid is the sum of the final liquid usage rate in the previously removed liquid cartridge plus the maximum amount of liquid consumption consumed in the maintenance process Set the usage rate to the liquid usage rate of the newly installed liquid cartridge,
A method for determining a remaining amount of liquid in a liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the processing is continued. The method for determining the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the prescribed value of the liquid usage rate is set between 60% and 90%.

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