JP2008137218A - Liquid cartridge and recording system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To grasp the remaining amount of a liquid in a liquid cartridge when it is mounted without forcing increase in cost of a recording apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: Light barrier parts 162a and 162b for intercepting injecting light from a light emitting part and a slit 161 which the injecting light passes through and reaches a light receiving part are formed on a part 115b to be irradiated. When the liquid cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus in a direction 144, the light barrier parts 162a and 162b and the slit 161 pass through a detecting position 142 which is irradiated with the injecting light. Therefore, the strength of the light received by the light receiving part is changed between A0 and A1. Besides, as the part 115b to be irradiated moves in accordance with decrease in the liquid in a liquid storing room, the number where the strength of the light becomes A0 and the number where it becomes A1 are changed in accordance with the amount of remaining of the liquid. Therefore, by detecting the number where the strength of the light becomes A0 and the number where it becomes A1, the amount of remaining of the liquid when it is mounted can be obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid cartridge, particularly a liquid cartridge that is mounted on a recording apparatus and supplies liquid to the recording apparatus, and a recording system having the liquid cartridge.

  In order to supply a liquid to a recording apparatus typified by an ink jet recording apparatus that discharges a recording liquid, a liquid cartridge that is separate from the recording apparatus may be used. When replacing such a liquid cartridge, if only a small amount of liquid remains in the installed liquid cartridge, for example, immediately after replacement, the liquid will be emptied as soon as a large amount of printing is performed. The liquid cartridge needs to be replaced. In order to prevent such a situation, it is detected whether or not the remaining amount of the liquid remaining in the liquid cartridge at the time of mounting is small, and if it is small, a warning is given that a replacement will be required soon. A configuration such as is required.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 detects the degree of horizontal displacement of a float that is displaced in accordance with a decrease in liquid in a liquid cartridge by a reflective optical sensor that moves in the horizontal direction with respect to the liquid cartridge. is there. As a result, it is possible to detect at any time how much liquid remains in the liquid cartridge. Further, even if the optical sensor is not moved, the remaining amount of liquid can be detected in the same manner as in Patent Document 1, for example, by arranging a plurality of optical sensors in the horizontal direction. It may be possible to determine whether or not the remaining amount of the liquid is small by detecting the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid cartridge immediately after the mounting of the liquid cartridge using such a detection method.

JP 2004-34406 A (FIG. 2)

  However, if the optical sensor is moved relative to the liquid cartridge as in Patent Document 1, the size of the recording apparatus increases, and if a plurality of optical sensors are used, the number of parts increases. Therefore, assuming a liquid cartridge that employs these detection methods, the cost of the recording apparatus is forced to increase.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid cartridge and a recording system capable of grasping the remaining amount of liquid at the time of mounting without compromising the cost of the recording apparatus.

  The liquid cartridge of the present invention is emitted from the mounting portion where the liquid cartridge is mounted from a predetermined mounting direction through the insertion port, a light emitting portion that emits light in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction, and the light emitting portion. And a light detection means having a light receiving portion for receiving the emitted light. A liquid storage chamber in which the liquid is stored, a lead-out port for leading the liquid to the outside, and a remaining amount detection mechanism for detecting the remaining amount of the liquid provided in the liquid storage chamber are provided. The remaining amount detecting mechanism is a float that displaces following the liquid level in accordance with a decrease in the liquid in the liquid storage chamber, and is displaced along a predetermined path in conjunction with the displacement of the float, A first portion that emits the emitted light toward the light-receiving portion; and a second portion that is irradiated so that the second portion that blocks the emitted light is alternately arranged. The irradiated portion has a number of times that the first portion intersects the emitted light and a second portion of the output portion between the time when the irradiated portion is inserted into the insertion opening and the time when the mounting in the mounting portion is completed. At least one of the number of times of crossing the incident light is configured to be different depending on where the irradiated portion is located in the predetermined path.

  The recording system of the present invention is a recording system that includes a liquid cartridge and a recording apparatus in which the liquid cartridge is mounted, and discharges and adheres the liquid supplied from the liquid cartridge to a discharge medium. Then, the recording apparatus emits light from a mounting portion to which the liquid cartridge is mounted from a predetermined mounting direction, a light emitting portion that emits light in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction, and the light emitting portion. And a light detecting unit having a light receiving unit for receiving the emitted light, and the light detecting unit can sandwich a part of the liquid cartridge mounted on the mounting unit between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. It is provided at the position. The liquid cartridge includes a liquid storage chamber in which liquid is stored, a lead-out port for leading the liquid to the outside, and a remaining amount detection mechanism for detecting the remaining amount of liquid provided in the liquid storage chamber. The remaining amount detecting mechanism is a float that displaces following the liquid level in accordance with a decrease in the liquid in the liquid storage chamber, and is displaced along a predetermined path in conjunction with the displacement of the float. And an irradiated portion formed such that a first portion that makes the emitted light toward the light receiving portion and a second portion that blocks the emitted light are alternately arranged. The irradiated portion has a number of times that the first portion intersects the emitted light and a second portion of the output portion between the time when the irradiated portion is inserted into the insertion opening and the time when the mounting in the mounting portion is completed. At least one of the number of times of crossing the incident light is configured to be different depending on where the irradiated portion is located in the predetermined path.

  According to the liquid cartridge and the recording system of the present invention, the remaining amount detection mechanism is displaced along a predetermined path in accordance with a decrease in the liquid in the liquid storage chamber. The irradiated portion is at least one of the number of times the emitted light intersects the first part and the number of times the emitted light intersects the second part depending on which of the predetermined paths the remaining amount detection mechanism is located. Are configured differently. Therefore, by detecting the emitted light in the light receiving unit and measuring the number of times the first part or the second part intersects, it is acquired in which of the predetermined paths the remaining amount detection mechanism is located. That is, the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid cartridge is acquired.

  In the present invention, the remaining amount detection mechanism further includes an arm portion that connects the float and the irradiated portion, and a pivot support mechanism that pivotally supports the arm portion. Is preferred. According to this configuration, since the arm connects the irradiated portion and the pivot point of the pivot mechanism, for example, the remaining amount detection mechanism is compared to a case where the remaining amount detection mechanism is configured by a disk-shaped member. Constructed compactly. Further, when it is desired to set a large distance between the irradiated portion and the pivot point, it is only necessary to extend the length of the arm, so that the remaining amount detection mechanism is kept compact.

  In the present invention, the remaining amount detection mechanism further includes a restriction mechanism for restricting movement of the float and the irradiated portion within the predetermined path, and the restriction mechanism includes the liquid of the arm portion. It is preferable that the liquid stored in the storage chamber regulates rotation in a direction in which the float tends to float. According to this configuration, when the remaining amount of liquid is large, the arm does not rotate, but the arm starts to rotate after being reduced from a certain amount, so the situation that needs to know the remaining amount (when the liquid decreases) Therefore, the remaining amount of liquid can be detected with high accuracy.

  Further, in the present invention, the irradiated portion moves from the mounting head side in the predetermined mounting direction to the rear side of the mounting by moving along the predetermined path as the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber decreases. It is preferable to be displaced. According to this configuration, by displacing the irradiated portion from the mounting head side in the predetermined mounting direction to the rear side of the mounting, the number of times the first portion during mounting intersects the emitted light according to the remaining amount of ink. It is possible to reliably change at least one of the number of times the second portion intersects the emitted light. Therefore, the remaining amount of liquid can be detected more reliably. Further, the remaining amount detecting mechanism can be configured so that the change in the remaining amount of the liquid after the liquid cartridge is mounted can be detected by the change in the position of the irradiated portion. In this case, it is possible to detect the remaining amount at the time of wearing and the subsequent change in the remaining amount with the same mechanism.

  In the present invention, the predetermined mounting direction is a horizontal direction, and the irradiated portion is always positioned above the pivot point of the pivot mechanism while moving along the predetermined path. It is preferable. According to this configuration, it is possible to increase the amount of displacement from the mounting head side to the mounting rear side in the predetermined mounting direction of the irradiated portion, so that the remaining amount of liquid can be detected more reliably.

  In the present invention, the irradiated portion is provided with at least one or more of the first parts and at least two or more of the second parts, and the first and second parts are Even if the irradiated portion is located in any of the predetermined paths, the emitted light is preferably arranged on a straight line drawn by irradiating the irradiated portion. According to this configuration, the first and second portions are arranged on a straight line on which emitted light is irradiated regardless of the amount of liquid in the liquid storage chamber, that is, on a straight line along the mounting direction. On the other hand, as described above, the irradiated portion is displaced along the mounting direction in accordance with the decrease in the liquid. Accordingly, at least one of the number of times that the first portion intersects and the number of times that the second portion intersects when the liquid cartridge is mounted is reliably changed according to the decrease in the liquid.

  Further, in the present invention, the remaining amount detecting mechanism includes a remaining amount detecting member including the float and the irradiated portion, and a remaining amount detecting member integrated therewith, and a pivot that pivotally supports the remaining amount detecting member. The first and second portions extend along a circumference centered on the pivot point of the pivot mechanism, and are alternately arranged in the radial direction passing through the pivot point, The first portion may have a configuration in which the closer to the pivot point, the longer or shorter the length in the extending direction. According to this configuration, the liquid cartridge can be configured such that the irradiation position of the emitted light moves in the radial direction with respect to the remaining amount detecting member when the liquid cartridge is mounted. In this case, the emitted light surely intersects the first and second portions. The first portion extends along the circumference centered on the pivot point, and is formed such that the length in the extending direction is longer or shorter depending on the distance from the pivot point. . On the other hand, since the remaining amount detecting member rotates along the circumferential direction in accordance with the decrease in the liquid, at least one of the number of times that the first portion intersects and the number of times that the second portion intersects is reduced in the liquid. It will surely change according to.

  Also, in the present invention, one end of the first part is arranged at the same position in the circumferential direction around the pivot point of the pivot mechanism, and the first part is Also, it is preferable to extend from the one end along the same direction with respect to the circumferential direction. According to this configuration, one end of the first portion is at the same position in the circumferential direction and extends in the same direction. On the other hand, as described above, the first portion is formed to be longer or shorter depending on the distance from the pivot point. Therefore, a liquid cartridge that reliably reduces or increases the number of times that the first portion intersects the emitted light in accordance with the decrease in the liquid is reliably realized.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the remaining amount detecting member is formed in a disc shape centered on a pivot point of the pivot mechanism. When the remaining amount detecting member has a shape other than a disk, for example, a rectangular shape, the end surface along the plane is formed on the remaining amount detecting member. If such an end surface passes through the liquid level when the remaining amount detection member rotates, bubbles may adhere to the end surface. When bubbles are attached to the end face, the remaining amount detecting member is difficult to move, and the remaining amount of liquid is hardly detected stably. On the other hand, when the remaining amount detecting member has a disk shape, an end surface along a plane is not formed as in the case where the remaining amount detecting member has a rectangular shape. Air bubbles are difficult to adhere to the end face. Therefore, the remaining amount of liquid is detected stably.

  Moreover, in this invention, the 3rd part which uses the said emitted light as the light which goes to the said light-receiving part is further formed in the said to-be-irradiated part, The said 3rd part is a part of the said 1st part. The longest one in the extending direction is formed at a position separated rearward with respect to the moving direction of the remaining amount detecting member according to a decrease in the liquid in the liquid storage chamber, or at a position adjacent rearward with respect to the moving direction. It is preferable that it extends from an edge of the remaining amount detecting member to a position where the emitted light is irradiated. According to this configuration, the third portion is formed behind the first portion with respect to the moving direction of the remaining amount detecting member according to the decrease of the liquid, that is, at a position where the emitted light is irradiated when the liquid is most decreased. ing. On the other hand, the third portion extends from the edge of the remaining amount detection member to a position where the emitted light is irradiated. Accordingly, it is possible to configure the liquid cartridge so that the emitted light is never irradiated to the second portion when the liquid is reduced most during mounting. As a result, a liquid cartridge capable of easily detecting the state in which the liquid is most reduced is realized.

  Further, in the present invention, the remaining amount detecting mechanism includes a remaining amount detecting member including the float and the irradiated portion, and a remaining amount detecting member integrated therewith, and a pivot that pivotally supports the remaining amount detecting member. The first and second portions are alternately arranged along a circumferential direction around the pivot point of the pivot mechanism, and each of the first portions is elongated. It has a shape, The extension direction may be comprised so that the inclination with respect to the straight line which passes along the said pivot point may become large or small, so that the said circumferential direction progresses. According to this configuration, the liquid cartridge can be configured such that the irradiation position of the emitted light moves in the radial direction with respect to the remaining amount detecting member when the liquid cartridge is mounted. On the other hand, since the inclination between the first portion and the straight line passing through the pivot point increases or decreases in the circumferential direction, the remaining amount is such that the first portions overlap with each other in the radial direction. A detection member can be configured. Therefore, the number of times the emitted light intersects with the first portion during mounting changes reliably according to the decrease in the liquid.

  Further, in the present invention, one end of the first part is disposed at a position separated from the pivot point by the same distance, and the other end of the first part is inserted into the insertion port. The number of times that the first portion intersects with the emitted light is reduced or increased according to the decrease in the liquid in the liquid storage chamber after the mounting in the mounting portion is completed. It is preferable to arrange | position. According to this configuration, the liquid cartridge that can detect that the remaining amount of the liquid is smaller as the number of times that the emitted light intersects the first portion when mounting is smaller or larger is reliably realized.

  In the present invention, a plurality of the first portions are formed on the irradiated portion, and the plurality of first portions are emitted when the liquid cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus. It is preferable that the irradiated portion is formed so as to intersect the circumference of a circle centering on the pivot point passing through the position where the irradiation is performed. According to this configuration, after the liquid cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus, the irradiation position of the emitted light moves along the circumference centering on the pivot point as the liquid decreases. That is, the emitted light intersects the plurality of first portions according to the decrease in the liquid. Therefore, a liquid cartridge capable of acquiring the remaining amount of liquid at the present time is realized by measuring the number of first portions that have intersected so far.

  In the present invention, the remaining amount detecting mechanism may move the float and the irradiated object so as to move linearly along a moving direction that intersects both the mounting direction and a direction parallel to the path of the emitted light. The first portion extends along the moving direction, and the first and second portions may be arranged with respect to the mounting direction. Good. According to this configuration, a liquid cartridge capable of detecting the remaining amount of liquid at the time of attachment / detachment is realized even when the irradiated portion moves linearly in accordance with the decrease in the liquid.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that a plurality of the first portions having different lengths in the moving direction are arranged in the mounting direction. According to this configuration, since the length of the first portion is different with respect to the moving direction of the irradiated portion, the number of the first portions where the emitted light intersects is ensured when mounted along the mounting direction. Change. Therefore, even when the irradiated portion moves linearly as the liquid decreases, a liquid cartridge that can detect the remaining amount of liquid at the time of attachment / detachment is reliably realized.

  The following is a description of the printer system 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer system 1. The printer system 1 includes an ink cartridge 10 and an ink jet printer 20. The ink jet printer 20 (hereinafter referred to as “printer 20”) includes a control unit 22, a notification unit 29, an ink jet head 23, a transport unit 24, and a storage case 30. The control unit 22 controls various operations of the printer 20. The notification unit 29 notifies the user of the printer 20 of various information related to the operation status of the printer 20 in accordance with instructions from the control unit 22. For example, the notification unit 29 may have a display, and various information may be displayed on the display to notify the user.

  The inkjet head 23 has a plurality of nozzles 23a. An ink flow path (not shown) is formed inside the ink jet head 23, and the ink supplied from the ink flow path is discharged downward from the nozzle 23a. The transport unit 24 transports the printing paper P below the inkjet head 23. The ink ejected from the inkjet head 23 lands on the printing paper P transported by the transport unit 24. The control unit 22 controls ink ejection from the inkjet head 23 and conveyance of the printing paper P by the conveyance unit 24 based on image data transmitted from a personal computer or the like connected to the printer 20. As a result, the printer 20 forms an image corresponding to the image data on the printing paper P.

  The storage case 30 is a case in which the ink cartridge 110 is stored. A rectangular parallelepiped housing space 32 (mounting portion) is formed inside the housing case 30, and the ink cartridge 110 is attached to and detached from the housing space 32 along the direction of arrow B. A recess 34 is formed on the inner surface of the storage case 30 that defines the storage space 32. The recess 34 extends from the opening of the accommodation space 32 along the direction B to the back of the accommodation space 32.

  The housing case 30 includes an optical sensor unit 31, an ink inflow port 33, and a lid unit 35. The optical sensor unit 31 is installed so as to be exposed in the accommodation space 32 in the accommodation case 30. The ink inlet 33 is an opening through which the ink flowing out from the ink outlet 119 flows when connected to the ink outlet 119 of the ink cartridge 110 when the ink cartridge 110 is mounted in the storage case 30. The ink inlet 33 communicates with the ink flow path in the inkjet head 23 through the ink tube 25. As a result, ink from the ink cartridge 110 is introduced into the ink flow path in the inkjet head 23. The lid portion 35 opens and closes an opening that is an entrance / exit of the housing case 30, and is installed in the housing case 30 so as to be swingable along the direction of the arrow A. The lid 35 opens the opening of the storage case 30 when the ink cartridge 110 is attached to and detached from the storage case 30, and closes the opening of the storage case 30 when the ink cartridge 110 is attached.

  The ink cartridge 110 has substantially the same rectangular parallelepiped shape as the storage space 32 and is slightly smaller than the storage space 32. Convex portions 113 are formed on the side surfaces of the ink cartridge 110. The protrusion 113 has substantially the same shape as the recess 34 formed in the housing case 30 and has a size that can be accommodated in the recess 34. The ink cartridge 110 has an ink outlet 112. When the ink cartridge 110 is attached to and detached from the storage case 30, the ink cartridge 110 is slid along the direction of arrow B while the convex portion 113 of the ink cartridge 110 and the concave portion 34 of the storage case 30 are fitted to each other. . That is, the convex portion 113 and the concave portion 34 are guide members that move the ink cartridge 110 along the attaching / detaching direction B. When the ink cartridge 110 is attached to the storage case 30, the ink outlet 112 communicates with the ink inlet 33.

  FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams showing the internal structure of the ink cartridge 110 and the configuration of the housing case 30. FIG. 2A and 2B, the ink cartridge 110 is in the mounting posture in which it is mounted in the storage case 30. In this specification, the posture of the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is mounted in the storage case as shown in FIG. 2 is referred to as “mounting posture”. FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIB-IIB in FIG.

  The ink cartridge 110 has a cartridge housing 114 (hereinafter referred to as “housing 114”). The housing 114 is made of a material having a property of transmitting light. For example, it is made of a translucent resin material. A hollow ink storage chamber 114c is formed inside the housing 114, and the ink 99 is stored in the ink storage chamber 114c. That is, the housing 114 defines an ink storage chamber 114c (liquid storage chamber) that stores ink. The casing 114 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and has a convex portion 114d protruding from the left side in FIG. 2A, and the internal space of the convex portion 114d becomes a part of the ink storage chamber 114c. ing.

  The ink storage chamber 114 c communicates with an ink outlet 39 through which ink flows out through the passage 38. An opening / closing mechanism (not shown) that opens and closes the ink outlet 39 is provided in the passage 38. This opening / closing mechanism normally closes the ink outlet 39 and opens the ink outlet 39 when the ink outlet 39 is connected to the ink inlet 33 of the storage case 30.

  A remaining amount detection mechanism for detecting the remaining amount of ink 99 is installed in the ink storage chamber 114c. The remaining amount detection mechanism includes a member to be detected 115 and a float member 116. The detected member 115 is a plate-like member made of a material having a property of blocking light, and includes an arm portion 115a and an irradiated portion 115b. The arm portion 115a is bent at substantially right angles at the corner portions 115e and 115f. The irradiated portion 115b is fixed to one end of the arm portion 115a, and the float member 116 is fixed to the other end. The float member 116 is made of a material such as resin so that the mass per unit volume is smaller than the density of the ink 99. For example, it may be formed of a material having a specific gravity smaller than that of the ink, or may be formed as a hollow body having a cavity inside when formed of a material having a specific gravity greater than that of the ink.

  The irradiated portion 115b has a generally square shape. A substantially rectangular slit 161 is formed in the irradiated portion 115b. In FIG. 2A, the slit 161 extends downward from the upper end of the irradiated portion 115b to a position near the lower end of the irradiated portion 115b. And it is arrange | positioned in the position a little left from the center of the to-be-irradiated part 115b regarding the left-right direction of FIG. Further, light blocking portions 162a and 162b are formed so as to sandwich the slit 161. In the irradiated portion 115b, the slit 161 is a portion through which light emitted from the light emitting element 31a passes (a portion that directs the emitted light toward the light receiving element 31b; a first portion), and the light blocking portions 162a and 162b are light emitting elements. This is a portion (second portion) that blocks light emitted from 31a.

  The arm 115a is pivotally supported by a pivot mechanism. Such a pivot mechanism is composed of a swing shaft 117a and a bearing (not shown). The swing shaft 117a is fixed to one corner 115e that is bent at the arm 115a. Further, the swing shaft 117a is rotatably supported by the bearing. Accordingly, the arm portion 115a can rotate with the swing shaft 117a as a pivot point. In the present embodiment, the swing shaft 117a is supported at a position close to the lower portion of the left inner wall surface of the ink storage chamber 114c. Further, the position at which the swing shaft 117a is supported is such that the float member 116 is disposed near the bottom surface in the ink storage chamber 114c in the vertical direction, and the irradiated portion 115b is the region of the convex portion 114d in the ink storage chamber 114c. It is adjusted to be placed inside.

  A protrusion 115d is formed at the lower end of the irradiated portion 115b. The protrusion 115d abuts on the protrusion 114d to restrict the movement of the irradiated portion 115b so as not to move below the position shown in FIG. 2 (regulation mechanism). Accordingly, the arm portion 115a is in a state in which the corner portion 115f is disposed vertically above the corner portion 115e in a state where the ink 99 is accommodated in the ink cartridge 110 to the maximum amount. Further, the arm portion 115a and the irradiated portion 115b are in the same position from the state in which the ink 99 is accommodated in the ink cartridge 110 to the maximum amount to the state in which the liquid level of the ink 99 reaches the float member 116. Is retained. Then, when the liquid level of the ink 99 descends along the direction R and reaches the float member 116, the float member 116 follows the liquid level of the ink 99 and rotates and moves in the direction Q1 about the swing shaft 117a. Begin to. In conjunction with this, the irradiated portion 115b also moves along the direction Q2. As described above, the float member 116 is disposed at a position close to the bottom surface of the ink storage chamber 114c. Therefore, in a state where the liquid level of the ink 99 is lowered and reaches the float member 116, the remaining amount of the ink 99 in the ink storage chamber 114c is small.

  The optical sensor unit 31 includes a light emitting element 31a (light emitting unit) and a light receiving element 31b (light receiving unit). The light emitting element 31a and the light receiving element 31b are arranged at the same position with respect to the vertical direction in the figure. The light emitting element 31 a is connected to the control unit 22 and emits light in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 22. The light receiving element 31b is also connected to the control unit 22, and receives the light and transmits a signal indicating the intensity of the received light to the control unit 22. As described above, the housing 114 is made of a light-transmitting material. Therefore, as long as there is no shield on the light path in the ink storage chamber 114c, the light from the light emitting element 31a passes through the housing 114 and reaches the light receiving element 31b along the virtual line. However, when light is incident perpendicular to the thickness direction of the side wall constituting the casing 114, the light does not pass through the inside of the ink storage chamber 114c, but must pass through the side of the side wall until reaching the light receiving element 31b. I must. Therefore, in the case where the light enters perpendicularly to the thickness direction of the side wall constituting the casing 114, the intensity of light reaching the light receiving element 31b is extremely smaller than the case where the light reaches the light receiving element 31b in parallel with the thickness direction of the side wall. Note that the entire housing 114 does not need to be made of a light-transmitting material. For example, most of the housing 114 does not transmit light, and light emitted from the light emitting element 31a along the virtual straight line described above. A window having a light transmission property may be formed so as to penetrate through the housing 114.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, in the first embodiment, the light emitting element 31a and the light receiving element 31b are arranged so as to sandwich the convex portion 114d. Thus, the emitted light 141 from the light emitting element 31a passes through the convex portion 114d and reaches the light receiving element 31b.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2A, the position through which the light emitted from the light emitting element 31a passes (hereinafter referred to as “detection position”) is also located in the convex portion 114d. That is, the detection position 142 is a position that is sandwiched between the light emitting element 31a and the light receiving element 31b when the ink cartridge 110 is mounted in the storage case 30.

  With the above configuration, the position of the irradiated portion 115b changes according to the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 114c. For example, when the amount of remaining ink is large, the light blocking portion 162a or 162b is located in the ink storage chamber 114c. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of ink is another size, the slit 161 is positioned at the detection position. When the light blocking portion 162a or 162b is located at the detection position 142, the emitted light from the light emitting element 31a is blocked, but when the slit 161 is located at the detection position 142, the light emitting element 31a. The light emitted from the light reaches the light receiving element 31b. Therefore, the intensity of the light received by the light receiving element 31b when the slit 161 is located at the detection position 142 is the intensity of the light received by the light receiving element 31b when the light blocking portion 162a or 162b is not located at the detection position 142. Greater than.

  The following is a description of how the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b changes according to the remaining amount of ink 99. First, a change in strength when the ink cartridge 110 is used until it is used until the remaining amount of ink 99 becomes small will be described. Next, a change in strength when the ink cartridge 110 is attached and detached will be described.

  The intensity of the light received by the light receiving element 31b in accordance with the decrease of the ink in the ink storage chamber 114c when the ink is used continuously after the ink cartridge 110 is mounted until the ink inside becomes empty is as follows. To change. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a one-dot chain line in FIG. FIG. 3A shows a state until the liquid level of the ink 99 reaches the float member 116. FIG. 3B shows a state after the liquid level of the ink 99 is lowered and reaches the float member 116, and the irradiated portion 115b is slightly moved from the position of FIG. 3A along the direction Q2 of FIG. Show. FIG. 3C shows a state after the liquid level of the ink 99 is lowered and the irradiated portion 115b is further moved from the position of FIG. 3B. FIG. 3D shows a state after the liquid level of the ink 99 is lowered and the irradiated portion 115b is further moved from the position of FIG.

  The state of the irradiated portion 115b changes as follows according to the amount of the ink 99 in the ink cartridge 110. 3A, the irradiated portion 115b is in a state where the light blocking portion 162a is located at the detection position 142. In FIG. 3B, the irradiated portion 115 b is in a state where the slit 161 is located at the detection position 142. In FIG. 3C, the irradiated portion 115 b is in a state where the light blocking portion 162 b is located at the detection position 142. In FIG. 3D, the irradiated portion 115 b has finished passing through the detection position 142 and is positioned to the right of the detection position 142. As described above, the irradiated portion 115b moves from the left to the right in FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows changes in the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b when the light irradiation range changes as shown in FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (d). The horizontal axis of FIG. 4 represents time (and the amount of ink 99 consumed), and the vertical axis represents light intensity. The light intensity A1 indicates the intensity when the light from the light emitting element 31a reaches the light receiving element 31b without being blocked by the detected member 115. The light intensity A0 indicates the intensity when the light from the light emitting element 31a is blocked by the detection member 115. t1 to t4 correspond to times when the irradiated portion 115b is in the respective states of FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (d).

  At t1, since the light is blocked by the light blocking unit 162a, the intensity of the light received by the light receiving element 31b is A0. At t2, since light is received by the light receiving element 31b through the slit 161, the intensity of the light received by the light receiving element 31b is A1. At t3, since the light is blocked by the light blocking unit 162b, the intensity of the light received by the light receiving element 31b is A0. After t4, since the irradiated portion 115b has already passed the detection position 142, the light intensity is A1.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the ink 99 in the ink containing chamber 114c decreases and the remaining amount becomes small, the liquid level of the ink 99 reaches the float member 116, and the float member 116 starts to move. When the ink 99 further decreases, in conjunction with the float member 116, the first position where the light blocking portion 162a is located at the detection position 142, the second position where the slit 161 is located at the detection position 142, the light The position of the member to be detected 115 changes in the order of the third position where the blocking part 162b is located at the detection position 142 and the fourth position where the irradiated part 115b has passed the detection position 142. Accordingly, the light received by the light receiving element 31b is in the first state where the intensity is A0, the second state where the intensity is A1, the third state where the intensity is A0, and the fourth state where the intensity is A1. The state changes in order.

  The control unit 22 grasps the remaining amount of the ink 99 in four stages by grasping the first to fourth states at the present time. Specifically, the control unit 22 measures how many times the light received by the light receiving element 31b is switched between a state where the light is A0 and a state where the light intensity is A1. And it determines with it being each of the 1st-4th state at the present time according to whether the frequency | count of switching is 0 times-3 times. Then, the control unit 22 notifies the user of information indicating the remaining amount of the ink 99 via the notification unit 29 based on the determination result regarding the remaining amount of the ink 99. For example, according to each of the first to fourth states, the remaining amount of the ink 99 is still sufficient, the remaining amount of the ink 99 is small, the remaining amount of the ink 99 is further decreased, A message indicating that the remaining amount of ink 99 is almost empty may be displayed on the display.

  Further, the ink cartridge 110 is not only in the mounting posture from the beginning of use until the present time, but also when the ink cartridge 110 is attached to and detached from the storage case 30 during use, the remaining amount of the ink 99 in the ink cartridge 110 is attached and detached. It has the structure which can grasp | ascertain. FIG. 5 shows how the ink cartridge 110 is attached to and detached from the storage case 30. The broken line represents the ink cartridge 110 at a position slid rightward from the mounting posture. When the ink cartridge 110 is attached to the storage case 30, the ink cartridge 110 moves to the position of the attachment posture through the position indicated by the broken line. At this time, the detection position 142 moves relative to the irradiated portion 115b so as to cut the irradiated portion 115b parallel to the direction 143, for example.

  Here, as described above, the casing 114 is made of a light-transmitting material. For this reason, the emitted light from the light emitting element 31a passes through the housing 114 and enters the ink containing chamber 114c. However, when the left side wall 114e of the casing 114 is located at the detection position 142, the emitted light from the light emitting element 31a is incident perpendicular to the thickness direction (left and right direction in the figure) of the left side wall 114e. For this reason, the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b in a state where the left side wall 114e is located at the detection position 142 is significantly smaller than before and after this state. In the following description, even when the left side wall 114e is located at the detection position 142, the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b is the same as when the light blocking portions 162a and 162b are located at the detection position 142. Assume A0.

  6 (a), 7 (a), 8 (a), and 9 (a) are enlarged views of a region surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 6A, FIG. 7A, FIG. 8A, and FIG. 9A, when ink cartridges 110 having different amounts of ink 99 from each other are attached to the storage case 30 along the arrow 144. FIG. FIG. 8 shows how the detection position 142 moves relative to the irradiated portion 115b. The remaining amount of ink 99 in FIGS. 6A, 7A, 8A, and 9A corresponds to the remaining amount of ink 99 in FIGS. 3A to 3D. To do. 6 (a), 7 (a), 8 (a), and 9 (a), the solid line indicates the ink cartridge 110 in the mounted position, and the broken line indicates the ink immediately before taking the mounted position. A cartridge 110 is shown. 6 (b), FIG. 7 (b), FIG. 8 (b), and FIG. 9 (b), the detection position 142 is shown in FIG. 6 (a), FIG. It is a graph showing the change of the intensity | strength of the light which the light receiving element 31b receives at the time of relative movement like Fig.8 (a) and FIG.9 (a), respectively.

  In the case of FIG. 6A, the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b changes as shown in FIG. 6B. First, before the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. 6A, light from the light emitting element 31a is received by the light receiving element 31b without being blocked. At this time, the intensity of light is A1 (t5). Next, when the detection position 142 reaches the left side wall 114e of the ink cartridge 110 (the side wall portion on the left side of the convex portion 114d), the light path is blocked by the left side wall 114e. At this time, the intensity of light is A0 (t6). Next, when the detection position 142 finishes passing through the left side wall 114e, a light path is formed in the space between the left side wall 114e and the irradiated portion 115b, so that the light intensity is A1 (t7). Next, after the detection position 142 reaches the irradiated part 115b, the detection position 142 passes through the light blocking part 162b and the slit 161 in order. Therefore, the light intensity once changes to A0 (t8) and then becomes A1 (t9). Next, when the detection position 142 passes through the slit 161 and reaches the light blocking part 162a, the light intensity becomes A0 (t10). In the mounting posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 6A, the light blocking portion 162a is in the detection position 142, so that the light intensity becomes A0 after t10.

  In the case of FIG. 7A, the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b changes as shown in FIG. 7B. First, before the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. 7A, the light from the light emitting element 31a is received by the light receiving element 31b without being blocked. At this time, the intensity of light is A1 (t11). Next, when the detection position 142 reaches the left side wall 114 e of the ink cartridge 110, the light path is blocked by the housing 114. At this time, the light intensity is A0 (t12). Next, when the detection position 142 finishes passing through the left side wall 114e, a light path is formed in the space between the left side wall 114e and the irradiated portion 115b, so that the light intensity is A1 (t13). Next, when the detection position 142 reaches the irradiated portion 115b, the detection position 142 passes through the light blocking portion 162b and relatively moves to the slit 161. Therefore, the light intensity once changes to A0 (t14) and then becomes A1 (t15). Here, in the mounting posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 7A, since the slit 161 is in the detection position 142, the light intensity is A1 after t15.

  In the case of FIG. 8A, the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b changes as shown in FIG. 8B. First, before the state shown by the broken line in FIG. 8A, light from the light emitting element 31a is received by the light receiving element 31b without being blocked. At this time, the intensity of light is A1 (t16). Next, when the detection position 142 reaches the left side wall 114e of the ink cartridge 110, the light path is blocked by the left side wall 114e. At this time, the intensity of light is A0 (t17). Next, when the detection position 142 finishes passing through the left side wall 114e, a light path is formed in the space between the left side wall 114e and the irradiated portion 115b, and the light intensity becomes A1 (t18). When the detection position 142 reaches the light blocking portion 162b, the light intensity becomes A0 (t19). Here, in the mounting posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 8A, the light blocking portion 162b is located at the detection position 142. Therefore, after t19, the light intensity is A0.

  In the case of FIG. 9A, the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b changes as shown in FIG. 9B. First, before the state shown by the broken line in FIG. 9A, the light from the light emitting element 31a is received by the light receiving element 31b without being blocked. At this time, the intensity of light is A1 (t20). Next, when the detection position 142 reaches the left side wall 114e of the ink cartridge 110, the light path is blocked by the left side wall 114e. At this time, the intensity of light is A0 (t21). Next, when the detection position 142 finishes passing through the left side wall 114e, a light path is formed in the space between the left side wall 114e and the irradiated portion 115b, so that the light intensity is A1 (t22). Here, in the mounting posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 9A, the detection position 142 is located between the irradiated portion 115b and the left side wall 114e. Therefore, after t21, the light intensity is A0.

  As described above, when the ink cartridge 110 is attached to the housing case 30, the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b depends on the remaining amount of the ink 99 in the ink cartridge 110 at the time of attachment, as shown in FIG. The changes are different as shown in FIGS. 7B, 8B, and 9B.

  Therefore, the control unit 22 acquires the remaining amount of the ink 99 in the ink cartridge 110 when the ink cartridge 110 is attached to the storage case 30 based on the signal from the light receiving element 31b. For example, the memory included in the control unit 22 includes a light intensity change mode as shown in FIGS. 6B, 7B, 8B, and 9B. Is stored in association with the remaining amount of ink 99 corresponding to the change mode. Then, the control unit 22 determines which change mode stored in the memory corresponds to the change mode of the light intensity indicated by the signal from the light receiving element 31b, and determines the remaining amount of the ink 99 from the determination result. get.

  In the present embodiment, whether the detection position 142 passes through the slit 161 and the light blocking portions 162a and 162b in the case of FIGS. 6B, 7B, 8B, and 9B. No is different from each other. Accordingly, the number of times the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b becomes A0 and the number of times A1 from when the detection position 142 passes through the left side wall 114e until the ink cartridge 110 reaches the mounting posture are shown in FIG. b), FIG. 7B, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 9B are different from each other. Table 1 below shows the number of times the light intensity becomes A0 and the number of times A1 in each case. The time in parentheses indicates the time when A0 or A1 is reached. In Table 1, the number of times that the intensity of light becomes A1 is that the emission light is slit once when the path of the emission light from the light emitting element 31a is formed between the irradiated portion 115b and the left side wall 114e. The number of passes 161 corresponds to the number of additions. In Table 1, the number of times the light intensity becomes A0 corresponds to the number of times that the light emitted from the light emitting element 31a is blocked by the light blocking unit 162a or 162b.

  Data shown in Table 1 is stored in the memory of the control unit 22. On the other hand, the control unit 22 acquires the number of times the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b is A0 and the number of times A1 based on the signal from the light receiving element 31b. The control unit 22 compares the acquired number of times with the data stored in the memory, so that the remaining amount of ink in the mounted ink cartridge 110 is in any one of the states shown in FIGS. 6B to 9B. Get the equivalent. Then, the remaining amount of the acquired ink 99 is notified to the user via the notification unit 29. For example, the remaining amount of the ink 99 in the mounted ink cartridge 110 is still sufficient, depending on which of the change modes of FIGS. Since there is no ink cartridge for replacement, a message indicating that the remaining amount of ink 99 will soon be empty or the remaining amount of ink 99 is almost empty is displayed on the display according to the remaining amount of ink 99 It may be displayed.

  In the first embodiment, the remaining amount of the ink 99 can be grasped in at least four stages as shown in FIG. 6 when the ink cartridge 110 is mounted. It is also possible to grasp the remaining amount of 99. For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 7A, the separation distance between the irradiated portion 115 b and the housing 114 is different according to the remaining amount of the ink 99. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 7B, the lengths of the period 171 and the period 172 in which the light intensity is A1 are different from each other. Based on this, by determining that the remaining amount of the ink 99 is smaller as the period 172 is longer, it is possible to grasp the remaining amount of the ink 99 in five stages or more in total.

  In the above description, the case where the remaining amount of ink 99 is acquired when the ink cartridge 110 is mounted is shown. However, when the ink cartridge 110 is removed from the housing case 30, the number of times the light intensity received by the light receiving element 31b becomes A0 or A1 is the same as when the ink cartridge 110 is mounted. Accordingly, when the ink cartridge 110 is removed from the storage case 30, it is possible to grasp the remaining amount of the ink 99 in the same manner.

  In the present embodiment, when the ink 99 is sufficiently filled in the ink storage chamber 114c, the irradiated portion 115b is disposed substantially vertically above the swing shaft 117a (see FIG. 2). Therefore, when the ink 99 reaches the float member 116 and the arm portion 115a starts to rotate, the irradiated portion 115b moves substantially to the right in FIG. The irradiated portion 115b is always positioned substantially above the swinging shaft 117a until the ink 99 is nearly empty (see FIG. 9A). Accordingly, the irradiated portion 115b corresponds to the decrease in the ink 99, and the front (mounting head side; left side in FIG. 2) in the mounting direction of the ink cartridge 110 to the rear (mounting tail side in FIG. 2) and the right side in FIG. ). That is, the positions of the slit 161 and the light blocking portions 162a and 162b are reliably displaced in the mounting direction in accordance with the remaining amount of ink. As a result, the number of times the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b becomes A0 or the number of times A1 changes according to the remaining amount of ink, so that a configuration in which the remaining amount can be easily detected is realized.

  In the irradiated portion 115b, the slits 161 and the light blocking portions 162a and 162b are alternately arranged in the mounting direction. In addition, since the irradiated portion 115b moves substantially in the mounting direction, the slits 161 and the light blocking portions 162a and 162b are alternately arranged in the mounting direction regardless of the remaining amount of the ink 99. Is preserved. Therefore, as the ink 99 decreases, the slit 161 and the light blocking portions 162a and 162b are surely displaced in the mounting direction. Therefore, the number of times the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b becomes A0 or the number of times A1 becomes the ink. It changes more reliably according to the remaining amount.

  Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the slit 161 is formed in the irradiated portion 115b so as to extend along the vertical direction. Accordingly, as the ink 99 decreases, the slit 161 is reliably displaced with respect to the detection position 142 in the mounting direction.

[Second Embodiment]
The following is a description according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted. Further, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the ink cartridge 210 and the storage case 30 according to the second embodiment.

  The ink cartridge 210 includes a detected member 215 and a float member 116 that constitute a remaining amount detection mechanism. The detected member 215 includes an arm part 215a and an irradiated part 215b. The arm part 215a is a plate-like member that is bent twice substantially at a right angle, like the arm part 115a. The irradiated portion 215b is fixed to one end of the arm portion 215a, and the float member 116 is fixed to the other end. A swing shaft 117a is fixed to the lower corner of the bent corner of the arm 215a. The position where the swing shaft 117a is supported by the ink cartridge 210 is adjusted such that the float member 116 fixed to the other end of the arm portion 215a is disposed near the bottom surface in the ink storage chamber 214c. The irradiated portion 215b includes a slit forming portion 215c in which fine slits are formed. The slit forming portion 215c is disposed at the left end of the irradiated portion 215b in FIG. 10 and occupies a belt-like range from the upper end to the lower end of the irradiated portion 215b.

  In addition, a projection 215d is formed at the lower end of the irradiated portion 215b. The protrusion 215d is in contact with the casing 214 of the ink cartridge 210, thereby restricting the movement of the irradiated portion 215b so as not to move below the position shown in FIG. As a result, the irradiated portion 215b is held at the same position from the state in which the ink 99 is contained in the ink cartridge 210 to the maximum amount to the state in which the liquid level of the ink 99 reaches the float member 116. Yes. When the liquid level of the ink 99 descends and approaches the float member 116, the float member 116 follows the liquid level of the ink 99 and moves along the direction L1. In conjunction with this, the irradiated portion 215b also moves along the direction L2. As described above, the float member 116 is disposed at a position close to the bottom surface of the ink storage chamber 214c. Therefore, in a state where the liquid level of the ink 99 is lowered and approaches the float member 116, the ink 99 in the ink storage chamber 214c is in a very small state.

  FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 10, and shows a state in which the irradiated portion 215 b is displaced when the ink cartridge 210 is continuously used in a mounted posture. ing. FIG. 11A shows a state until the liquid level of the ink 99 reaches the float member 116. FIG. 11B shows a state after the liquid level of the ink 99 is lowered and reaches the float member 116, and the irradiated portion 215b is slightly moved from the position of FIG. 10 along the direction L2. FIG. 11C shows a state after the liquid level of the ink 99 is lowered and the irradiated portion 215b is further moved from the position of FIG. 11B. In the second embodiment, reference numeral 242 denotes a range in which light from the light emitting element 31a installed in the printer 20 is irradiated.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of slits 261 are formed in the slit forming portion 215c. The slit 261 penetrates in the thickness direction of the irradiated portion 215b, and has a circular cross-sectional shape with respect to a cross section perpendicular to the thickness direction. The slits 261 are arranged in a lattice pattern so as to be evenly distributed in the region from the upper end to the lower end of the left half of the irradiated portion 215b in FIG. The light irradiated to the slit forming part 215c passes through the irradiated part 215b through the slit 261. These slits 261 are formed such that the cross-sectional diameter of the slit 261 is smaller than the diameter of the light irradiation range 242 and the interval between the slits 261 is also smaller than the diameter of the irradiation range 242 on average.

  The position of the irradiation range 242 with respect to the irradiated portion 215b changes as follows according to the amount of the ink 99 in the ink cartridge 210. In the state of FIG. 11A, the irradiation range 242 is located outside the region of the slit forming portion 215c of the irradiated portion 215b. In the state of FIG. 11B, the irradiation range 242 is located in the region of the slit forming portion 215c. In the state of FIG. 11C, the irradiation range 242 is located outside the region of the irradiated portion 215b.

  FIG. 12 shows changes in the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b when the light irradiation range changes as shown in FIGS. The horizontal axis in FIG. 12 represents time (and the amount of ink 99 consumed), and the vertical axis represents light intensity. t29 to t31 correspond to times when the irradiated portion 215b is in each of the states shown in FIGS. 11 (a) to 11 (c).

  At t29, when the irradiation range 242 is located outside the region of the slit forming portion 215c of the irradiated portion 215b, the light received by the light receiving element 31b is A0 because the light is blocked by the irradiated portion 215b. The intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b at t31 is A1 because light is received by the light receiving element 31b without passing through the irradiated portion 215b. At t30, when the irradiation range 242 is located within the region of the slit forming portion 215c, light is transmitted through the irradiated portion 215b through at least one of the slits 261. On the other hand, since the slit 261 is smaller than the irradiation range 242, the irradiation range 242 includes a region where the slit 261 is not opened. Therefore, a part of the light irradiated to the irradiation range 242 is blocked by a region where the slit 261 is not opened. For this reason, the intensity A2 of the light received by the light receiving element 31b at t30 is larger than A0 at t29 and smaller than A1 at t31.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the light intensity received by the light receiving element 31b changes twice when the remaining amount of the ink 99 becomes small. Therefore, it is measured how many times the light intensity has changed so far. Thus, the remaining amount of the ink 99 can be grasped in three stages. Since the light intensity changes in three stages A0, A1, and A2, it is determined whether the current light intensity is A0 to A2 without measuring how many times it has changed so far. By doing so, it is possible to grasp the remaining amount of the ink 99 in three stages.

  In the second embodiment, the remaining amount of the ink 99 in the ink cartridge 210 is not only when the ink cartridge 210 is in the mounted posture from the start of use until the present time but also when the ink cartridge 210 is attached to and detached from the storage case 30. It has a configuration that can be grasped. FIG. 13 shows how the ink cartridge 210 is attached to and detached from the storage case 30. The broken line represents the ink cartridge 210 that is slightly slid to the right from the mounting posture. When the ink cartridge 210 is attached to or detached from the housing case 30, it moves between the position indicated by the broken line and the position of the mounting posture. At this time, the irradiation range 242 moves relative to the irradiated portion 215b so as to cut the irradiated portion 215b parallel to the direction 243, for example.

  FIG. 14A, FIG. 14C, and FIG. 14E are enlarged views of a region surrounded by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 14 (a), 14 (c), and 14 (e) show that when the ink cartridge 210 having a different remaining amount of the ink 99 is attached to the receiving case 30 along the arrow 244, the irradiated portion 215b is shown. A state in which the irradiation range 242 relatively moves is shown. The remaining amount of ink 99 in FIGS. 14A, 14C, and 14E corresponds to the remaining amount of ink 99 in FIGS. 11A to 11C. In FIG. 14A, FIG. 14C, and FIG. 14E, the solid line indicates the ink cartridge 210 in the mounted posture. A broken line indicates the ink cartridge 210 immediately before taking the mounting posture. 14 (b), 14 (d), and 14 (f), the irradiation range 242 with respect to the irradiated portion 215b is as shown in FIGS. 14 (a), 14 (c), and 14 (e). It is a graph showing the change of the intensity | strength of the light which the light receiving element 31b receives at the time of relative movement, respectively.

  In the case of FIG. 14A, the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b changes as shown in FIG. 14B. First, before the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. 14A, light from the light emitting element 31a is received by the light receiving element 31b without being blocked. At this time, the intensity of light is A1 (t32). Next, when the irradiation range 242 reaches the left side wall of the casing 214 of the ink cartridge 210, the light path is blocked by the casing 214. At this time, the intensity of light is A0 (t33). Next, when the irradiation range 242 finishes passing through the left side wall, a light path is formed in the space between the left side wall and the irradiated portion 215b, so that the light intensity is A1 (t34). Next, when the irradiation range 242 is positioned at the slit forming portion 215c of the irradiated portion 215b, the light intensity is A2 (t35). In the mounting posture indicated by the solid line in FIG. 14A, the irradiation range 242 is completely blocked by the irradiated portion 215b, and thus the light intensity is A0 (t36).

  In the case of FIG. 14C, the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b changes as shown in FIG. First, before the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. 14C, the light from the light emitting element 31a is received by the light receiving element 31b without being blocked. At this time, the intensity of light is A1 (t37). Next, when the irradiation range 242 reaches the left side wall of the casing 214 of the ink cartridge 210, the light path is blocked by the casing 214. At this time, the light intensity is A0 (t38). Next, when the irradiation range 242 finishes passing through the left side wall, a light path is formed in the space between the left side wall and the irradiated portion 215b, so that the light intensity is A1 (t39). Next, when the irradiation range 242 is positioned at the slit forming portion 215c of the irradiated portion 215b, the light intensity is A2 (t40). Here, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 14C, when the ink cartridge 210 is inserted until it is in the mounting posture, the irradiation range 242 is positioned within the region of the slit forming portion 215c. Therefore, after t40, the light intensity is A2.

  In the case of FIG. 14 (e), the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b changes as shown in FIG. 14 (f). First, before the state indicated by the broken line in FIG. 14E, the light from the light emitting element 31a is received by the light receiving element 31b without being blocked. At this time, the intensity of light is A1 (t41). Next, when the irradiation range 242 reaches the left side wall of the casing 214 of the ink cartridge 210, the light path is blocked by the left side wall. At this time, the light intensity is A0 (t42). Next, when the irradiation range 242 finishes passing through the left side wall, a light path is formed in the space between the left side wall and the irradiated portion 215b, so that the light intensity is A1 (t43). Here, as shown by a solid line in FIG. 14E, when the ink cartridge 210 is inserted until it is in the mounting posture, the irradiation range 242 is positioned between the irradiated portion 215b and the left side wall. Therefore, after t43, the light intensity is A1.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the change in intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b when the ink cartridge 210 is mounted in the housing case 30 is the remaining amount of the ink 99 in the mounted ink cartridge 210. It will be different. Based on the signal from the light receiving element 31b, the control unit 22 acquires the remaining amount of the ink 99 in the ink cartridge 210 when the ink cartridge 210 is attached to the storage case 30.

  In the present embodiment, the number of times that the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b reaches A0 to A2 from when the irradiation range 242 passes through the left side wall 114e until the ink cartridge 110 reaches the mounting posture is shown in FIG. (B), FIG. 14 (d), and FIG. 14 (f) are as shown in Table 2 below.

  Data shown in Table 2 is stored in the memory of the control unit 22. On the other hand, the control unit 22 acquires the number of times that the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b becomes A0 to A2 based on the signal from the light receiving element 31b. The control unit 22 compares the acquired number of times with the data stored in the memory, so that the remaining amount of ink in the mounted ink cartridge 110 is in any one of the states shown in FIGS. 6B to 9B. Get the equivalent. Then, the remaining amount of the acquired ink 99 is notified to the user via the notification unit 29. For example, when the remaining amount of ink 99 is smaller than a predetermined value, the user may be warned via the notification unit 29 that the remaining amount of ink 99 is small.

  According to the second embodiment, the light intensity is A0, A2, and A1 and the remaining ink 99 at t36, t40, and t43, which are inserted into the storage case 30 until the ink cartridge 210 is mounted. Different from each other depending on the amount. Therefore, even if the remaining amount of ink is grasped only based on whether the intensity of the light received by the light receiving element 31b is inserted into the housing case 30 until the ink cartridge 210 is in the mounting posture, it is any one of A0 to A2. Good.

  In the second embodiment, the remaining amount of ink 99 can be grasped in at least three stages as shown in FIG. 14 when the ink cartridge 210 is mounted. It is also possible to grasp the remaining amount of 99. For example, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14C, the separation distance between the irradiated portion 215b and the housing 214 differs depending on the remaining amount of the ink 99. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 14B and 14D, the periods 271 and 272 in which the light intensity is A1 have different lengths. Based on this, by determining that the remaining amount of the ink 99 is smaller as the period 272 is longer, it is possible to grasp the remaining amount of the ink 99 in four or more stages in total. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, it is also possible to grasp the remaining amount of the ink 99 when the ink cartridge 210 is removed from the storage case 30.

[Third Embodiment]
The following is a description of the third embodiment. In the following, description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted. Moreover, the same code | symbol as 1st Embodiment is attached | subjected about the same structure as 1st Embodiment. FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the ink cartridge 310 and the configuration of the storage case 30 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVB-XVB in FIG.

  The ink cartridge 310 has a remaining amount detection mechanism. This remaining amount detecting mechanism includes a remaining amount detecting member 350. The remaining amount detecting member 350 is formed by integrally forming the detected member 315 and the float member 116. The float member 116 is fixed in the vicinity of the periphery of the detected member 315. The detected member 315 is a plate-like member having a disk shape. A swing shaft 117a is fixed to the center of the disc-shaped member 315 to be detected. The swing shaft 117 a is supported by a bearing 117 b fixed to the housing 114 so that the detected member 315 can swing along the circumferential direction L. The diameter of the detected member 315 is slightly smaller than the height of the ink storage chamber 114c. Further, the detected member 315 is arranged at the center in the left-right direction of the ink containing chamber 114c in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the light emitting element 31a and the light receiving element 31b are disposed substantially at the center of the housing case 30 in the vertical direction. In FIG. 15A, the housing 114 is disposed near the left side wall. The swing shaft 117a is supported by the bearing 117b so that the detection position 342 irradiated with the light emitted from the light emitting element 31a is disposed at a predetermined position. Accordingly, the detection position 342 is near the center in the vertical direction of the detected member 315, in the vicinity of the left end of the detected member 315 in FIG. 15A, and at the same position as the swing shaft 117a in the vertical direction. Placed in.

  A slit 361 is formed in the detected member 315. The slit 361 is formed at a position spaced 90 degrees clockwise from the position where the float member 116 is fixed. And it cuts longer than the shortest distance from a periphery to the detection position 342 toward the center from the periphery of the to-be-detected member 315 (refer FIG.16 (c)).

  In the detected member 315, slits 391a to 391c extending along the circumferential direction are formed. The slits 391a to 391c are formed in the vicinity of the periphery of the detected member 315. Among these, the slit 391 c is closest to the periphery of the detected member 315, and the slit 391 a is most separated from the periphery of the detected member 315. One end of the slits 391a to 391c far from the slit 361 is at the same position in the circumferential direction, and the other end is spaced from the one end in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 15A along the circumferential direction. Is arranged. Of the other ends of the slits 391a to 391c, the other end of the slit 391a that is farthest from the slit 361 in the circumferential direction is the other end of the slit 391b. The other end of the slit 391c is closest to the slit 361. The other end of the slit 391c may be separated from the slit 361 or may be adjacent. In addition, light blocking portions 362 that block light emitted from the light emitting elements 31a are formed between the slits 361 and in the vicinity of the slits 361.

  The following is a description of how the remaining amount of ink 99 in the ink storage chamber 114c is detected. FIGS. 15A and 16A to 16C show the inside of the ink cartridge 110 in the mounted posture. In these drawings, the amounts of ink 99 in the ink storage chamber 114c are different from each other. FIG. 15A shows a case where the ink 99 is almost full in the ink storage chamber 114c. At this time, the detection position 342 is arranged in the vicinity of one end of the slits 391a to 391c far from the slit 361. When the ink 99 is decreased, the float member 116 rotates about the swing shaft 117a in the clockwise direction in FIG. Then, the detected member 315 rotates along the direction L as the float member 116 moves.

  Here, when the ink cartridge 310 is attached / detached along the attaching / detaching direction 344, the slits 391a to 391c pass through the detection position 342. When the slits 391a to 391c pass through the detection position 342, if these slits (first portion) are located at the detection position 342, the emitted light from the light emitting element 31a passes through these slits. The intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b is A1. Further, when the light blocking unit 362 (second portion) is located at the detection position 342, the light emitted from the light emitting element 31a is blocked, so that the intensity of the light received by the light receiving element 31b is A0. Accordingly, as in the first and second embodiments, the number of slits that have passed through the detection position 342 is detected from the combination of the number of times the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b is A0 and the number of times it is A1. In the state of FIG. 15A, since the slits 391a to 391c pass through the detection position 342, the number of detected slits is three. In addition, the number of times the light blocking unit 362 blocks the emitted light during that time is 4.

  FIG. 16A shows a case where the ink 99 has been reduced to some extent from the state of FIG. In FIG. 16A, the detection position 342 is located between one end of the slit 391a closer to the slit 361 and one end of the slit 391b closer to the slit 361 in the circumferential direction of the detected member 315. When the ink cartridge 310 is attached and detached along the direction 344, the slits 391b and 391c pass through the detection position 342, so the number of slits detected is two. In addition, the number of times the light blocking unit 362 blocks the emitted light during that time is 3.

  FIG. 16B shows a case where the ink 99 has further decreased to some extent from the state of FIG. In FIG. 16B, the detection position 342 is located between one end of the slit 391b closer to the slit 361 and one end of the slit 391c closer to the slit 361 in the circumferential direction of the detected member 315. When the ink cartridge 310 is attached and detached along the direction 344, the slit 391c passes through the detection position 342, and thus the number of detected slits is one. In addition, the number of times the light blocking unit 362 blocks the emitted light during that time is 2.

  FIG. 16C shows a case where the ink 99 further decreases from the state of FIG. 16B, and the ink 99 in the ink storage chamber 114c is almost empty. In FIG. 16C, the detection position 342 is located within a range where the slit 361 (third portion) is formed. When the ink cartridge 310 is attached / detached along the direction 344, the formation region of the slit 361 is arranged on the path passing through the detection position 342. Therefore, the detected member 315 does not block the detection position 342 when the ink cartridge 310 is attached or detached. That is, the number of detected slits is zero.

  As described above, the number of slits detected in each of FIGS. 15A and 16A to 16C is different from each other, and the number of times the light blocking unit 362 blocks the emitted light. Are different from each other. Based on this, the control unit 22 acquires the number of slits from the signal from the light receiving element 31b, and notifies the user of information indicating the remaining amount of ink corresponding to the acquired number via the notification unit 29. For example, depending on whether the number of slits is 3, 2, 1, or 0, the remaining amount of ink 99 in the mounted ink cartridge 110 is still sufficient, and the remaining amount of ink 99 is small. Therefore, a message indicating that an ink cartridge for replacement should be prepared, the remaining amount of ink 99 will soon be empty, or the remaining amount of ink 99 is almost empty is displayed on the display according to the remaining amount of ink 99 May be. Note that the remaining amount of the ink 99 may be acquired based on the number of times the light blocking unit 362 blocks the emitted light.

[Fourth Embodiment]
In the fourth embodiment, the remaining amount of the ink 99 in the ink cartridge is determined not only when the ink cartridge is attached to or detached from the housing case, but also during use of the ink cartridge (from the start of use of the ink cartridge to the current position). (If it remains the same). FIG. 17 shows a remaining amount detecting member 450 according to the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the remaining amount detecting member 350 is replaced with a remaining amount detecting member 450 in the third embodiment.

  The remaining amount detection member 450 includes a detected member 415 and a float member 116. The detected member 415 has a generally disk shape. The float member 116 is fixed in the vicinity of the periphery of the disk of the member 415 to be detected.

  In addition, a plurality of slits 461 are formed in the detected member 415. These slits 461 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the detected member 415. Of the slits 461, the slit 461b closest to the float member 116 in the circumferential direction of the detection member 415 is formed to have a larger width in the circumferential direction than the other slits 461a. In addition, the slit 461a is formed at a position that is spaced 90 ° clockwise in the circumferential direction from the position where the float member 116 is fixed, and is detected from the periphery toward the center of the detected member 415. It is cut longer than the shortest distance to 442. On the other hand, the widths of the slits 461a in the circumferential direction are equal to each other. In addition, the slits 461a extend from the vicinity of the periphery of the detected member 415 toward the center thereof to the same length. A light blocking part 462 is formed between the slits 461a and 461b.

  In addition to the slit 461, the detected member 415 is formed with slits 491a to 491c extending along the circumferential direction. All of the slits 491a to 491c are formed between the slit 461a and the periphery of the detected member 415. Of these, the slit 491 a is closest to the periphery of the detected member 415, and the slit 491 c is farthest from the periphery of the detected member 415. One end of each of the slits 491a to 491c is disposed at a position slightly closer to the float member 116 than the slit 461a farthest from the slit 461b in the circumferential direction. The other ends of the slits 491a to 491c are arranged at different positions. The other end of the slit 491a is farthest from the slit 461b in the circumferential direction, and the other end of the slit 491c is closest to the slit 461b.

  By having the remaining amount detecting member 450 as described above, the remaining amount detecting member 450 rotates along the direction M in accordance with the decrease in ink when the ink cartridge is attached to the storage case and starts to be used. . Therefore, as the ink decreases, the slit 461a passes through the detection position 442 one after another. That is, the slits 461a and the light blocking portions 462 are alternately detected at the detection position 442. Based on this, the control unit 22 measures the number of slits 461a and light blocking units 462 that have passed through the detection position 442 from the time the ink cartridge is mounted to the present time, according to a signal from the light receiving element 31b. Then, the remaining amount of the ink 99 at the current time is acquired according to the measured number.

  Further, the remaining amount detection member 450 can acquire the remaining amount of the ink 99 as follows even when the ink cartridge is attached to and detached from the storage case.

  FIG. 17 shows a detection position 442 when the remaining amount of ink 99 is close to the maximum amount. In this state, when the ink cartridge is mounted in the storage case, the detection position 442 moves relative to the remaining amount detection member 450 in the direction of the arrow 444a along the alternate long and short dash line 481a. Therefore, the slits 491a to 491c pass through the detection position 442 until the ink cartridge is completely installed. That is, when the remaining amount of ink 99 is close to the maximum amount, the optical sensor unit 31 detects that all of the slits 491 a to 491 c have passed the detection position 442.

  When the ink 99 decreases, the remaining amount detecting member 450 rotates in the direction M within the ink cartridge. It is assumed that the ink 99 has decreased to m1 which is smaller than the maximum amount. At this time, it is assumed that the remaining amount detection member 450 rotates and moves along the direction M from the position shown in FIG. 17 by an angle between the alternate long and short dash line 481b and the alternate long and short dash line 481a. When the ink cartridge is mounted in the storage case in such a state, the detection position 442 moves relative to the direction of the arrow 444b along the alternate long and short dash line 481b. Therefore, the slits 491a and 491b pass through the detection position 442 until the ink cartridge is completely installed. That is, when the remaining amount of the ink 99 is m1, the optical sensor unit 31 detects that two of the slits 491a to 491c have passed the detection position 442.

  It is assumed that the remaining amount of the ink 99 further decreases from m1 to m2 smaller than m1, and the remaining amount detecting member 450 is rotated and moved from the state of FIG. . When the ink cartridge is mounted in the storage case in such a state, the detection position 442 relatively moves in the direction of the arrow 444c along the one-dot chain line 481c. Therefore, only the slit 491a passes through the detection position 442 until the ink cartridge is completely installed. That is, when the remaining amount of the ink 99 is m2, the optical sensor unit 31 detects that one of the slits 491a to 491c has passed the detection position 442.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, as in the third embodiment, when the ink cartridge having the remaining amount detecting member 450 is attached to and detached from the storage case, some of the slits 491a to 491c are detected. By acquiring through the optical sensor unit 31 whether the position 442 has been passed, the remaining amount of the ink 99 is grasped in three stages.

  In the present embodiment, the remaining amount of the ink 99 may be grasped only based on the number of times the light blocking unit 462 blocks the light emitted from the light emitting element 31a. Further, the remaining amount of the ink 99 may be grasped based on a combination of the number of times the light blocking unit 462 blocks the light emitted from the light emitting element 31a and the number of slits that have passed through the detection position 442.

[Fifth Embodiment]
In the fifth embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, the remaining amount of the ink 99 in the ink cartridge can be acquired both when the ink cartridge is used and when the ink cartridge is attached to and detached from the storage case. It is. In the following description, description of the same configuration as that of the fourth embodiment is omitted. Moreover, the same code | symbol as the thing in 4th Embodiment is attached | subjected to the same structure as 4th Embodiment. FIG. 18 shows a remaining amount detecting member 550 according to the fifth embodiment.

  The remaining amount detection member 550 includes a detected member 515 and a float member 116. A plurality of slits 561 a and slits 561 b are formed in the detected member 515. The remaining amount detecting member 550 corresponds to the remaining amount detecting member 450 of the fourth embodiment in which a slit 561a is formed instead of the slit 461a and the slits 491a to 491c. A light blocking portion 562 is formed between the slits 561a.

  One end of the slit 561 a is disposed on the periphery of the detected member 515. Each of the slits 561a is formed to extend linearly from one end along the direction away from the periphery of the detection member 515. The other end of the slit 561 a is disposed inside a circle 582 smaller than the detected member 515 concentric with the detected member 515 and in the vicinity of the circle 582. The slit 561a is formed so that an acute angle between the slit 561a and the detected member 515 in the radial direction is larger as the slit 561a is closer to the slit 561b. For example, among the slits s1 to s3, the slit s1 is farthest from the slit 561b, and the slit s3 is closest to the slit 561b. Of the acute angles θ1 to θ3 between the slits s1 to s3 and the radial direction, θ1 related to s1 farthest from the slit 561b is the smallest, and θ3 related to s3 closest to the slit 561b is the largest.

  Here, a plurality of virtual straight lines corresponding to a virtual straight line 581a passing through the slit s1 and the center of the detected member 515, and a virtual straight line 581a rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 18 with respect to the center of the detected member 515. (For example, virtual lines 581b and 581c correspond to such virtual lines). At this time, the slit 561a is further formed in the detected member 515 so as to satisfy the following conditions A and B.

  (Condition A) The slits 561a are formed so that the number of slits 561a crossed by the virtual line changes according to the rotation angle from the virtual line 581a.

  For example, the number of slits 561a traversed by the virtual straight line 581a is one. On the other hand, the number of slits 561a traversed by the virtual straight line 581b rotated by the angle α1 from the virtual straight line 581a is two. The number of slits 561a traversed by the virtual straight line 581c rotated by the angle α2 (> α1) from the virtual straight line 581a is three.

  (Condition b) The number of slits 561a traversed by a virtual line is equal to or larger than the number of slits 561a traversed by any other virtual line whose rotational angle from the virtual line 581a is smaller than that virtual line. . That is, as the rotation angle from the virtual straight line 581a increases, the slits 561a are formed so that the number of slits 561a that the virtual straight line crosses increases stepwise.

  Since the slit 561a is formed as described above, the remaining amount detecting member 550 can grasp the remaining amount of the ink 99 when the ink cartridge is attached to the storage case. .

  FIG. 18 shows a detection position 542 when the remaining amount of ink 99 is close to the maximum amount. When the ink cartridge in which the remaining amount detecting member 550 is provided is mounted in the storage case, the detection position 542 is relatively to the detected member 515 in the direction of the arrow 544a along the virtual straight line 581a. Moving. In this case, the number of slits 561a (corresponding to the slit s1) detected by the optical sensor unit 31 at the detection position 542 is one.

  Next, when the ink 99 has decreased from the state of FIG. 18, the remaining amount detecting member 550 is in a position where it has been rotationally moved along the direction N. When such an ink cartridge is attached to the storage case, the detection position 542 moves along one of the virtual straight lines X rotated about the center of the detected member 515 from the virtual straight line 581a. For example, it moves in the direction of the arrow 544b along the virtual straight line 581b. At this time, the number of slits 561a detected by the optical sensor unit 31 at the detection position 542 is equal to the number of slits 561a crossed by the virtual straight line X. On the other hand, since the slits 561a are formed so as to satisfy the above-described conditions A and B, the larger the number of slits 561a that the virtual straight line X crosses, the more the remaining amount detection member 550 becomes from the state of FIG. It is a large rotational movement. That is, it is possible to determine that the remaining amount of the ink 99 is smaller as the number of the slits 561a detected by the optical sensor unit 31 at the detection position 542 is larger.

  For example, when the detection position 542 moves along the virtual straight line 581b, the optical sensor unit 31 detects the two slits 561a. When the detection position 542 moves along the virtual straight line 581c, the optical sensor unit 31 detects the three slits 561a. Therefore, it can be determined that the remaining amount of the ink 99 is less in the latter case than in the former case.

  When the ink cartridge having the remaining amount detecting member 550 is in use, the detection position 542 is opposite to the direction N along the circle 582 with respect to the detected member 515 as the ink 99 decreases. Move in the direction. Therefore, the slits 561a and the light blocking portions 562 are alternately detected at the detection position 542. Therefore, the remaining amount detecting member 550 can grasp the remaining amount of the ink 99 in multiple stages even during use of the ink cartridge.

  In the present embodiment, the remaining amount of the ink 99 may be grasped only based on the number of times the light blocking unit 562 blocks the light emitted from the light emitting element 31a. Further, the remaining amount of the ink 99 may be grasped based on the combination of the number of times the light blocking unit 562 blocks the light emitted from the light emitting element 31a and the number of slits that have passed through the detection position 542.

[Sixth Embodiment]
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the ink cartridge 610 and the storage case 30 according to the sixth embodiment. In the following description, description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted. Further, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment.

  The remaining amount detection member 650 according to the sixth embodiment is a combination of a detected member 615 and a float member 616. The float member 616 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the mass per unit volume is smaller than the density of the ink 99. The detected member 615 is a plate-like member whose thickness direction is parallel to the direction from the front to the back in FIG. The float member 616 is fixed to the lower end of the detected member 615.

  The detected member 615 is formed with a plurality of slits 661 arranged along the vertical direction of FIG. All the slits 661 have the same shape and the same size, and are arranged at equal intervals in the vertical direction. A light blocking part 662 is formed between the slits 661.

  In addition, the detected member 615 is formed with slits 691a to 691c extending along the vertical direction. The upper ends of the slits 691a to 691c are all arranged at the same position in the vertical direction near the upper end of the detected member 615. Of the slits 691a to 691c, the slit 691c is the longest in the vertical direction, the slit 691b is the next longest, and the slit 691a is the shortest. Therefore, the lower end of the slit 691c is closest to the float member 616, the lower end of the slit 691b is next to the float member 616, and the lower end of the slit 691a is farthest from the float member 616.

  A regulating member 617 is integrally fixed to the casing 614 of the ink cartridge 610. The regulating member 617 is a plate-like member that extends vertically downward from the ceiling surface inside the housing 614. The regulating member 617 is formed with a regulating surface 617a parallel to the vertical direction. On the other hand, the inner wall surface 614d on the left side of the housing 614 extends in parallel with the regulation surface 617a and faces the regulation surface 617a in the left-right direction. The regulating member 617 is arranged such that the separation distance between the inner wall surface 614d and the regulating surface 617a is slightly larger than the maximum width in the left-right direction of the remaining amount detecting member 650. The remaining amount detecting member 650 is disposed between the inner wall surface 614d and the regulating surface 617a. The regulation surface 617a and the inner wall surface 614d regulate movement of the remaining amount detection member 650 in the left-right direction, and the remaining amount detection member 650 is movable in the up-down direction (regulation mechanism).

  In the sixth embodiment, when the ink 99 in the ink cartridge 610 decreases, the float member 616 descends as the ink liquid level falls. In conjunction with this, the entire remaining amount detecting member 650 is lowered. Since the movement of the remaining amount detection member 650 in the left-right direction in FIG. 19 is restricted by the inner wall surface 614d and the restriction surface 617a, the light blocking unit 662 is not separated from the detection position 642 in the left-right direction. As the remaining amount detecting member 650 is lowered, the state where the light blocking unit 662 is located at the detection position 642 and the state where the slit 661 is located at the detection position 642 are alternately repeated. Therefore, in the present embodiment as well as in the fourth embodiment, the current ink 99 is measured by measuring how many times the state of light intensity A1 and the state of A0 appear up to the present time. It is possible for the control unit 22 to grasp the remaining amount of the battery in multiple stages.

  Further, when the ink cartridge 610 is attached / detached along the mounting direction 643, the path through which the detection position 642 crosses the remaining amount detection member 650 differs depending on the remaining amount of the ink 99. For example, when the ink 99 is close to the maximum amount, the upper end of the remaining amount detection member 650 is in contact with the ceiling surface inside the housing 614. At this time, the detection position 642 crosses between the lower end of the slit 691c and the lower end of the slit 691b in the vertical direction. When the amount of ink 99 decreases to some extent from the maximum amount, the remaining amount detection member 650 starts to descend from the ceiling surface inside the housing 614. Then, as shown in FIG. 19, the detection position 642 passes between the lower end of the slit 691b and the lower end of the slit 691a in the vertical direction. When the ink 99 further decreases, the ink passes through between the upper ends of the slits 691a to 691c and the lower end of the slit 691a.

  As described above, the remaining amount detection member 650 is configured so that the number of slits through which the detection position 642 among the slits 691a to 691c passes varies depending on the remaining amount of the ink 99. Accordingly, the amount of ink remaining in the attached ink cartridge 610 is obtained by measuring the number of ink passing through the detection position 642 based on the signal from the light receiving element 31b when being attached to and detached from the housing case 30. Is possible.

  Also in the present embodiment, the remaining amount of the ink 99 may be grasped based only on the number of times the light blocking unit 662 blocks the light emitted from the light emitting element 31a. Further, the remaining amount of the ink 99 may be grasped based on the combination of the number of times the light blocking unit 662 blocks the light emitted from the light emitting element 31a and the number of slits that have passed through the detection position 642.

  In this embodiment, the remaining amount of the ink 99 in the ink cartridge can be acquired not only when the ink cartridge is attached to and detached from the storage case but also during use of the ink cartridge. This is because both the slit 661 and the slits 691a to 691c are formed in the remaining amount detecting member 650. However, only the slits 691a to 691c may be formed as in the remaining amount detecting member 750 in FIG. In this case, the remaining amount of the ink 99 can be detected only when the ink cartridge is attached to and detached from the storage case.

<Other variations, etc.>
In the above-described embodiment, a form in which the detected member and the float member are integrally fixed is employed. However, as long as the member to be detected moves in conjunction with the movement of the float member, they do not need to be fixed integrally. For example, the float member and the detected member are separate bodies, and the float member is in contact with the detected member. And the structure that a to-be-detected member moves along a predetermined | prescribed path | route may be sufficient when a float member pushes a to-be-detected member as the ink 99 reduces.

  Further, the above-described embodiment has a configuration in which the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 31b is reduced by blocking the light by the member to be detected. However, the configuration may be such that the detected member reflects the light from the light emitting element and the light receiving element detects the reflected light to detect the remaining amount of the ink 99. For example, FIG. 21 shows an embodiment of such a configuration. FIG. 21A shows a remaining amount detecting member 1050 having a detected member 1015 and a float member 116. The detected member 1015 includes light reflecting portions 1061a, 1061b, and 1091a to 1091c that reflect light in regions where the slits 461a, 461b, and 491a to 491c are formed in the detected member 415 of the fourth embodiment. It is formed instead. That is, the light reflecting portions 1061a, 1061b, and 1091a to 1091c correspond to the slits 461a, 461b, and 491a to 491c. Further, a light blocking portion 1062 is formed between the light reflecting portions 1061a, 1061b, and 1091a to 1091c.

  FIGS. 21B and 21C show an ink cartridge 1010 and a storage case 30 having a remaining amount detecting member 1050 as shown in FIG. The housing case 30 is provided with a light emitting element 1031a and a light receiving element 1031b. The installation angles of the light emitting element 1031a and the light receiving element 1031b are adjusted such that when the light from the light emitting element 1031a is reflected on the surface of the detection member 1015, the reflected light is received by the light receiving element 1031b. Accordingly, when the emitted light 1041c from the light emitting element 1031a reaches the light reflecting portions 1061a, 1061b or 1091a to 1091c as shown in FIG. 21C, the reflected light reaches the light receiving element 1031b. On the other hand, when the emitted light 1141b from the light emitting element 1031a reaches the light blocking unit 1062 as shown in FIG. 21B, the light is blocked by the light blocking unit 1062, so that the reflected light is received by the light receiving element 1031b. Not reach. As described above, the light reflecting portions 1061a, 1061b, and 1091a to 1091c have a function of directing the emitted light from the light emitting element 1031a to the light receiving element 1031b, similarly to the slits 461a, 461b, and 491a to 491c (the first light emitting element 1031b). portion).

  As described above, the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 1031b when the light reflecting units 1061a, 1061b, and 1091a to 1091c are located at the detection positions where the light from the light emitting element 1031a arrives is the light blocking unit 1062 at the detection position. When it is positioned, the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 1031b is larger. As a result, an ink cartridge capable of grasping the remaining amount of the ink 99 based on the intensity of light received by the light receiving element 1031b is realized in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. Note that regions other than the light reflecting portions 1061a, 1061b, and 1091a to 1091c in the detected member 1015 may be made of a material having a property of transmitting light. Also in this case, the detected member 1015 has the same function as the light blocking unit 1062 that prevents the reflected light from reaching the light receiving element 1031b because light is not reflected except in the light reflecting units 1061a, 1061b, and 1091a to 1091c. It becomes.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the irradiated portion is disposed substantially above the swing shaft 117a. However, the irradiated portion and the swing shaft 117a may have a different positional relationship from the above-described embodiment. For example, in the ink cartridge 1110 shown in FIG. 22, the irradiated portion 1115b is arranged on the left side of the swing shaft 117a. In this case, when the ink 99 in the housing 114 is reduced to a certain amount, the irradiated portion 1115b moves along the direction O, that is, substantially upward. Therefore, the slit 1161 is preferably formed so as to be inclined from the vertical direction as shown in FIG. In other words, it is preferable that a slit having a shape that relatively moves so that the detection position 1142 straddles the slit 1161 when the irradiated portion 1115b moves according to the decrease in ink is formed. By adjusting the slit shape to an appropriate one in this way, when the ink cartridge 1110 is attached or detached along the direction 1144, the number of slits detected at the detection position 1142 and the manner in which the intensity of light changes are assured. To change. Therefore, even when the irradiated portion 1115b is arranged on the left side of the swinging shaft 117a, the ink cartridge 1110 capable of detecting the remaining amount of ink at the time of attachment / detachment is realized.

  Further, the above-described embodiment includes a form in which a slit is formed in the member to be detected. Such a slit may be made of any material and may have any shape as long as it is configured to transmit light more easily than the light blocking portion. For example, a transparent resin material may be filled in a through hole that penetrates the member to be detected, or a shape other than a rectangle or a circle may be used. Further, the light blocking unit may not completely block light. What is necessary is just to be formed with the material which does not permeate | transmit light compared with the part which permeate | transmits light, such as a slit.

  Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the to-be-detected member which consists of a material which has light-shielding property is formed with the slit and through-hole which permeate | transmit light. However, a sealing member having a light blocking property may be attached to the detected member made of a light transmissive material at the same position in the same shape as the slit or the like in the above-described embodiment. Thereby, since the light transmission part having the same function as that of the above-described embodiment is formed by a simple method, the remaining amount detection member can be easily manufactured.

  Further, according to the fifth embodiment described above, the remaining amount detection member 550 is configured such that the number of slits 561a detected at the detection position 542 when the ink cartridge is attached / detached increases as the ink decreases. ing. Specifically, the remaining amount detection member 550 is configured so that the number of detected slits 561a changes from (1) 1 → (2) 2 → (3) 3 according to the decrease in ink. Yes. However, the remaining amount detecting member 550 may be configured so that the number of detected slits 561a is temporarily reduced in accordance with the decrease in ink. For example, the number of slits 561a detected according to the decrease in ink is (1) 1 → (2) 0 → (3) 1 → (4) 2 → (5) 1 → (6) 2 Book → (7) The remaining amount detecting member 550 may be configured to change from three. Even in this case, when the number of detected slits 561a is 0, for example, it is acquired that the remaining amount of ink is larger than at least the state after (3), and the detected slits 561a are detected. If the number is three, it is acquired that the remaining amount of ink is small.

  In each of the above embodiments, the “irradiated portion” is formed with a slit and a light blocking portion, except for those explicitly described as the irradiated portion 115b in the first embodiment. It shall correspond to the part in which these of these members are formed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer system according to a first embodiment which is an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a detailed configuration around an ink cartridge in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 3 showing the position of the irradiated portion for each remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge of FIG. 2. 4 is a graph showing the intensity of light detected by an optical sensor unit in response to a decrease in ink in the ink cartridge of FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing how the ink cartridge of FIG. 2 is attached to and detached from the printer. FIG. 6A is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 6 showing a state where the ink cartridge of FIG. 2 is attached to and detached from the printer when the remaining amount of ink is sufficient. FIG. 6B is a graph showing a change in intensity of light received by the light receiving element in FIG. FIG. 7A is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 6 showing a state in which the ink cartridge of FIG. 2 is attached to and detached from the printer when the ink is scarce. FIG. 7B is a graph showing changes in the intensity of light received by the light receiving element in FIG. FIG. 8A is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 6 showing a state in which the ink cartridge of FIG. 2 is attached to and detached from the printer when ink is further remaining. FIG. 8B is a graph showing a change in intensity of light received by the light receiving element in FIG. FIG. 9A is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 6 showing how the ink cartridge of FIG. 2 is attached to and detached from the printer when the ink is almost empty. FIG. 9B is a graph showing a change in intensity of light received by the light receiving element in FIG. 9A. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a detailed configuration around an ink cartridge according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 10 showing positions of irradiated portions for each remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge of FIG. 10. 11 is a graph showing the intensity of light detected by the optical sensor unit in response to a decrease in ink in the ink cartridge of FIG. 10. It is sectional drawing which shows a mode that the ink cartridge of FIG. 10 is attached or detached with a printer. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing how the ink cartridges of FIG. 10 with different ink remaining amounts are mounted, and each graph showing the intensity of light detected by the optical sensor unit at that time. It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge of 3rd Embodiment, and its periphery. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge and its periphery when ink is reduced from the state of FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge and its periphery when the ink is further reduced from the state of FIG. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge and its periphery when the ink is further reduced from the state of FIG. It is a front view of the residual amount detection member in the ink cartridge which concerns on 4th Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a front view of a remaining amount detection member in an ink cartridge according to a fifth embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge of 6th Embodiment, and its periphery. It is a modification of the remaining amount detection member which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the modification of 1st-6th embodiment. It is a figure which shows the modification of 1st and 2nd embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer system 10-610, 1010, 1110 Ink cartridge 20 Inkjet printer 22 Control part 23 Inkjet head 23a Nozzle 24 Conveyance unit 25 Ink tube 29 Notification part 30 Housing case 31 Optical sensor part 31a, 1031a Light emitting element 31b, 1031b Light receiving element 99 Ink 114, 214, 614 Cartridge housing 114c, 214c Ink storage chamber 115-615, 1015 Detected member 115a, 215a Arm portion 115b, 215b, 1115b Irradiated portion 116, 616 Float member 117a Oscillating shaft 142-642, 1422 Detection positions 161-661, 1161 Slit 391a-391c Slit 491a-491c Slit 691a-691c Slit 162a, 162b, 462-662 Light Cross section 215c slit forming section 350-750,1050 remaining amount detecting member 617 restricting member 1061a light reflecting portion 1062 light blocking part

Claims (16)

A mounting portion in which the liquid cartridge is mounted from a predetermined mounting direction through the insertion port, a light emitting portion that emits light in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction, and a light receiving portion that receives the emitted light emitted from the light emitting portion In a liquid cartridge attached to a recording apparatus comprising:
A liquid storage chamber in which the liquid is stored, a lead-out port for leading the liquid to the outside, and a remaining amount detection mechanism for detecting the remaining amount of the liquid provided in the liquid storage chamber,
The remaining amount detection mechanism includes:
A float that displaces following the liquid level in accordance with a decrease in the liquid in the liquid storage chamber;
The first part that makes the outgoing light to the light receiving part and the second part that blocks the outgoing light are alternately arranged along a predetermined path in conjunction with the displacement of the float. An irradiated portion formed so as to be arranged in
The irradiated portion has a number of times that the first portion intersects the emitted light and a second portion of the output portion between the time when the irradiated portion is inserted into the insertion opening and the time when the mounting in the mounting portion is completed. The liquid cartridge is characterized in that at least one of the number of times of intersecting with the incident light is different depending on where the irradiated portion is located in the predetermined path.   2. The remaining amount detecting mechanism further includes an arm portion that connects the float and the irradiated portion, and a pivot mechanism that pivotally supports the arm portion. A liquid cartridge according to claim 1.   The remaining amount detecting mechanism further includes a restricting mechanism for restricting movement of the float and the irradiated portion within the predetermined path, and the restricting mechanism is a liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber of the arm portion. The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein rotation of the float in a direction in which it floats is restricted.   The irradiated portion is displaced from the mounting head side in the predetermined mounting direction to the rear side of the mounting by moving along the predetermined path as the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber decreases. The liquid cartridge according to claim 3. The predetermined mounting direction is a horizontal direction;
The liquid cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the irradiated portion is always located above a pivot point of the pivot mechanism while moving along the predetermined path.   The irradiated portion is provided with at least one or more of the first portions and at least two or more of the second portions, and the first and second portions are configured such that the irradiated portion is the 6. The liquid cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the emitted light is arranged on a straight line drawn by irradiating the irradiated portion regardless of the position of the predetermined path. The remaining amount detection mechanism includes a remaining amount detection member in which the float and the irradiated portion are integrated, and a pivot mechanism that pivotally supports the remaining amount detection member.
The first and second portions extend along a circumference centered on a pivot point of the pivot mechanism, and are alternately arranged in a radial direction passing through the pivot point, and the first portion The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the closer to the pivot point, the longer or shorter the length in the extending direction. One end of the first part is disposed at the same position in the circumferential direction around the pivot point of the pivot mechanism,
The liquid cartridge according to claim 7, wherein each of the first portions extends from the one end along the same direction with respect to the circumferential direction.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the remaining amount detecting member is formed in a disc shape centered on a pivot point of the pivot mechanism. A third portion that emits the emitted light toward the light receiving portion is further formed in the irradiated portion,
The third part is
With respect to the longest one in the extending direction of the first portion, the position separated backward with respect to the moving direction of the remaining amount detecting member according to the decrease in the liquid in the liquid storage chamber, or the moving direction It is formed at a position adjacent to the back,
The liquid cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the liquid cartridge extends from an edge of the remaining amount detection member to a position where the emitted light is irradiated. The remaining amount detection mechanism includes a remaining amount detection member in which the float and the irradiated portion are integrated, and a pivot mechanism that pivotally supports the remaining amount detection member.
The first and second portions are alternately arranged along a circumferential direction around a pivot point of the pivot mechanism,
Each of the first portions has an elongated shape, and the extending direction of the first portion increases or decreases with respect to a straight line passing through the pivot point as the circumferential direction advances. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1. One end of the first portion is disposed at a position separated by the same distance from the pivot point,
The other end of the first part is the number of times the first part intersects the emitted light between the time when the first part is inserted into the insertion port and the time when the attachment into the attachment part is completed. The liquid cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the liquid cartridge is arranged so as to decrease or increase as the liquid in the room decreases. A plurality of the first portions are formed in the irradiated portion,
The plurality of first portions intersect the circumference of a circle centered on the pivot point passing through a position irradiated with the emitted light when the liquid cartridge is mounted on the recording apparatus. The liquid cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the liquid cartridge is formed in the irradiation unit. The remaining amount detection mechanism regulates movement of the float and the irradiated portion so as to move linearly along a moving direction that intersects both the direction parallel to the path of the emitted light and the mounting direction. Further comprising a mechanism,
The first portion extends along the direction of movement;
The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first and second portions are arranged with respect to the mounting direction.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 14, wherein a plurality of the first portions having different lengths in the moving direction are arranged in the mounting direction. A recording system comprising a liquid cartridge and a recording apparatus to which the liquid cartridge is mounted, wherein the liquid supplied from the liquid cartridge is ejected and adhered to a medium to be ejected,
The recording device comprises:
A mounting portion in which the liquid cartridge is mounted from a predetermined mounting direction through the insertion port, a light emitting portion that emits light in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction, and a light receiving unit that receives the emitted light emitted from the light emitting portion. A light detecting means having a portion, and the light detecting means is provided at a position where a part of the liquid cartridge attached to the attachment portion can be sandwiched between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. ,
The liquid cartridge is
A liquid storage chamber in which the liquid is stored, a lead-out port for leading the liquid to the outside, and a remaining amount detection mechanism for detecting the remaining amount of the liquid provided in the liquid storage chamber,
The remaining amount detection mechanism includes:
A float that displaces following the liquid level in accordance with a decrease in the liquid in the liquid storage chamber;
The first part that makes the outgoing light to the light receiving part and the second part that blocks the outgoing light are alternately arranged along a predetermined path in conjunction with the displacement of the float. An irradiated portion formed so as to be arranged in
The irradiated portion has a number of times that the first portion intersects the emitted light and a second portion of the output portion between the time when the irradiated portion is inserted into the insertion opening and the time when the mounting in the mounting portion is completed. The recording system is characterized in that at least one of the number of times of intersecting with the incident light is different depending on where the irradiated portion is located in the predetermined path.

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