JP2009012226A - Ink cartridge and image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink cartridge and image recorder which can see whether the ink cartridge loaded is a proper article at low cost irrespective of the using state of the ink cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: The ink cartridge 20 is equipped with an ink film 50 and a shaft 30. The ink film 50 is wound around the shaft 30. The shaft 30 is shaped with a hollow body whose one end is opened at least. The shaft 30 is equipped with an identification part which has an electrical property according to the classification of the ink film 50. The identification part contains an electroconductive element terminals 31, 32 exposed to the inner circumference surface of the shaft 30 and an electroconductive part 50 connected between the electroconductive element terminals 31 and 32. With this configuration, the information of the identification part is given to the outside by providing the shaft 30 with the identification part irrespective the using state of the ink cartridge 20. The area of the identification part can be made small by providing the shaft 30 with the identification part. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink cartridge having an ink film for thermal transfer, and an image recording apparatus that is detachably equipped with an ink cartridge and transfers ink from the ink film conveyed with the recording medium to the recording medium.

  A thermal transfer type image recording apparatus generally includes an ink cartridge that is detachable from a main body so as to be replaceable. The ink cartridge generally has an ink film for thermal transfer, a supply shaft around which the ink film before being transferred is wound, and a take-up shaft for winding the ink film after being transferred from the supply shaft. is doing. One end of the ink film is fixed to the supply shaft, and the other end is fixed to the take-up shaft.

  In the ink cartridge before use, almost all of the ink film is wound around the supply shaft, and no ink film is wound around the take-up shaft. By performing the image recording operation, the ink film is unwound from the supply shaft and wound on the winding shaft. When the ink film wound around the supply shaft disappears, the ink cartridge becomes unusable and the ink cartridge needs to be replaced.

  As the replacement ink cartridge, an appropriate product having good compatibility with the image recording apparatus should be used, but a counterfeit product imitating the appropriate product is also available. When a counterfeit product is used as a replacement ink cartridge, the original image recording quality as an image recording apparatus cannot be ensured, and there may be a problem that the life of the main body of the image recording apparatus is shortened. In order to prevent such a problem, a technique for discriminating between a proper product and a counterfeit product has been developed.

  For example, whether or not the installed ink cartridge is a proper product is provided by providing a pattern-like mark for identifying the proper product at the tip of the ink film transport direction and detecting this mark directly with a sensor. Is disclosed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Also, by applying a high-dielectric material to a predetermined location of the ink cartridge and detecting the frequency according to the dielectric constant of the high-dielectric material with a sensor that contacts the high-dielectric material, whether the installed ink cartridge is appropriate A technique for determining whether or not is disclosed is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Furthermore, a film as an electrical detection target is formed on the surface opposite to the printing surface of the ink film, and the mounted ink cartridge is electrically detected by a sensor provided in the vicinity of the printing position. Has been disclosed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
JP 2000-141929 A JP-A-11-42822 JP 2003- 211766 A

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, since the discrimination mark is provided at the front end in the ink film transport direction, the mark can be detected only before the start of use. When an ink cartridge that has been used halfway is mounted, the mark cannot be detected, so even if it is a proper product, it is not determined that it is a proper product. Further, in this technique, considering the case where a discrimination mark is provided at an intermediate portion or a rear end portion in the transport direction, in this case, it is impossible to determine whether the product is a proper product before the start of use.

  In the technique of Patent Document 2, a high dielectric material that is not directly related to the manufacture of the ink cartridge must be applied to the ink cartridge, which increases the manufacturing cost of the ink cartridge.

  In the technique of Patent Document 3, if a film is formed in all areas from the front end to the rear end in the ink film conveyance direction, it is determined whether or not the ink cartridge is a proper product even when the ink cartridge used halfway is installed. Although it can be discriminated, the area on which the film is to be formed becomes very large and the manufacturing cost increases.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge and an image recording apparatus that can determine at low cost whether or not an installed ink cartridge is an appropriate product regardless of the state of use of the ink cartridge.

  The ink cartridge according to the present invention includes an ink film and a shaft. The ink film is wound around the shaft body. The shaft body is a hollow body having at least one end opened. The shaft body includes an identification unit having electrical characteristics corresponding to the type of ink film. The identification unit includes a conductor terminal exposed on the inner peripheral surface of the shaft body.

  In this configuration, by providing the shaft body with the identification unit, the information of the identification unit is provided to the outside regardless of the use state of the ink cartridge. By providing the identification unit in the shaft body, the area of the identification unit can be reduced.

  In this configuration, when there are a plurality of conductor terminals, the identification unit may include a conductive unit connected between each.

  Further, the shaft body may be a supply shaft around which the ink film before the transfer process is wound, or a take-up shaft that winds up the ink film after the transfer process.

  Furthermore, even if the conductor terminal is disposed at a plurality of positions in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft body, the conductor terminal exhibits a ring shape along the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface of the shaft body, and in the axial direction of the shaft body It may be arranged at one or more positions.

  The image recording apparatus of the present invention includes a bearing member, two main body side terminals, a measurement unit, and a determination unit. The bearing member is a protrusion that is fitted onto the open end of the shaft body. The two main body side terminals are provided in the bearing member, and acquire information of the identification unit having electrical characteristics corresponding to the type of the ink film in a state where the shaft body is fitted on the bearing member. The measurement unit measures a resistance value or a voltage value between the two main body side terminals. The determination unit determines the suitability of the ink cartridge based on the resistance value or the voltage value.

  In this configuration, since the two main body side terminals are provided in the bearing member, the image recording apparatus can acquire the information of the identification unit when the shaft body is externally fitted to the bearing member.

  In this configuration, the two main body side terminals are arranged apart from each other in the axial direction or the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface side of the bearing member, and may always acquire the information of the identification unit, or the outer peripheral surface side of the bearing member The information of the identification part may be acquired at the time of rotation of the shaft body.

  The resistance value or voltage value may be converted into an analog signal or digital data. The discriminating unit discriminates the suitability of the ink cartridge based on an analog signal or digital data.

  Further, the two main body side terminals may be urged toward the outer side in the radial direction.

  According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  By providing the shaft body with the identification unit, the information of the identification unit is provided to the outside regardless of the use state of the ink cartridge, and the image recording apparatus can acquire the information of the identification unit regardless of the use state of the ink cartridge.

  By providing the identification unit on the shaft body, the area of the identification unit can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the ink cartridge can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The image recording apparatus 10 includes a thermal head 11, a platen roller 12, a first bearing member 13, a second bearing member 14, an ink film sensor 15, a main body having ink film transport rollers 16 and 17, and an ink cartridge 20. Yes. In this embodiment, the first bearing member 13 corresponds to the bearing member of the present invention.

  The ink cartridge 20 includes a supply shaft 30, a take-up shaft 40, and an ink film 50. In this embodiment, the supply shaft 30 corresponds to the shaft body of the present invention. The ink cartridge 20 is detachable from the main body. Each of the supply shaft 30 and the take-up shaft 40 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The supply shaft 30 is detachably fitted to the first bearing member 13. The supply shaft 30 is rotatably supported by the first bearing member 13. The winding shaft 40 is detachably fitted to the second bearing member 14. The winding shaft 40 is rotatably supported by the second bearing member 14. The ink film 50 includes a film-like base material and image recording ink applied on the base material.

  The ink film 50 is stretched over the ink film transport rollers 16 and 17 with the ink cartridge 20 mounted on the main body, and is disposed between the thermal head 11 and the platen roller 12. A sheet P that is an example of a recording medium is disposed between the ink film 50 and the platen roller 12.

  The ink film sensor 15 detects whether the ink film 50 is on a predetermined transport path.

  The platen roller 12 rotates while pressing the paper P and the ink film 50 against the thermal head 11. The thermal head 11 transfers the ink applied to the ink film 50 onto the paper P based on the image data.

  A drive shaft (not shown) is inserted into the take-up shaft 40 on the opposite side of the second bearing member 14 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the ink film 50. The drive shaft is rotated by a drive source such as a motor. As the drive shaft rotates, the take-up shaft 40 rotates, whereby the ink film 50 is unwound from the supply shaft 30 and passes between the thermal head 11 and the platen roller 12 and taken up by the take-up shaft 40. It is done. The ink film 50 is transported together with the paper P when being transported between the thermal head 11 and the platen roller 12 in a predetermined transport direction.

  In the transport direction of the ink film 50, one end of the ink film 50 is fixed to the supply shaft 30, and the other end is fixed to the take-up shaft 40. The unused portion of the ink film 50 that has not been transferred is wound around the supply shaft 30. The portion of the ink film 50 that has been fed out from the supply shaft 30 and subjected to the transfer process is taken up by the take-up shaft 40. In the ink cartridge 20 before the start of use, almost all of the ink film 50 is wound around the supply shaft 30, and the ink film 50 is not wound around the winding shaft 40. In addition, in the ink cartridge 20 before the start of use, a part of the ink film 50 may be wound around the winding shaft 40 in order to smoothly wind the ink film 50 around the winding shaft 40.

  The thermal head 11 is arranged over the entire image recording area in the main scanning direction, which is a direction orthogonal to the transport direction of the ink film 50. The image recording apparatus 10 records an image by performing a transfer process in which ink is thermally transferred from the ink film 50 to the paper P transported together with the ink film 50 during the image recording operation.

  By repeating the image recording operation, the ink film 50 is drawn out from the supply shaft 30 and taken up on the take-up shaft 40. When the ink film 50 wound around the supply shaft 30 disappears, the ink cartridge 20 becomes unusable and the ink cartridge 20 needs to be replaced.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a partial configuration of the supply shaft 30, the ink film 50, and the first bearing member 13. 3A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the supply shaft 30 around which the ink film 50 is wound, and FIG. 3B is an end view taken along line X1-X2 of FIG.

  The supply shaft 30 has two conductor terminals 31 and 32 and a non-conductive portion which is a part other than the conductor terminals 31 and 32. The conductor terminals 31 and 32 have conductivity, and the non-conductive portion does not have conductivity. The conductor terminals 31 and 32 are disposed, for example, in the vicinity of one end of the supply shaft 30 in the axial direction. The conductor terminal 31 and the conductor terminal 32 are arranged with a non-conductive portion sandwiched between each other in the circumferential direction, and the conductor terminal 31 and the conductor terminal 32 are not electrically connected by other members. Is not electrically conductive. Each of the conductor terminals 31 and 32 is exposed on the inner peripheral surface of the supply shaft 30.

  The supply shaft 30 includes a conductive portion 51 having conductivity between the conductor terminals 31 and 32 on the inner peripheral surface of the supply shaft 30. The conductive part 51 is formed, for example, by applying conductive ink to a base material. The conductor terminals 31 and 32 and the conductive portion 51 correspond to the identification portion of the present invention. The conductive portion 51 is disposed at a position where the two conductor terminals 31 and 32 are connected, and electrically connects the two conductor terminals 31 and 32.

  The first bearing member 13 includes openings 131 and 132, conductive main body side terminals 133 and 134, and springs 135 and 136. The main body side terminals 133 and 134 correspond to the two main body side terminals of the present invention.

  The openings 131 and 132 are provided at positions that can simultaneously face the two conductor terminals 31 and 32 in a state where the supply shaft 30 is externally fitted to the first bearing member 13. Each of the main body side terminals 133 and 134 is disposed so as to face each of the conductor terminals 31 and 32 from the inside of the first bearing member 13 through the openings 131 and 132, and a part of the first bearing member 13. It is exposed on the outer peripheral surface. Each of the main body side terminals 133 and 134 is urged outwardly in the radial direction by springs 135 and 136, respectively.

  Thus, with the supply shaft 30 fitted on the first bearing member 13, the main body side terminals 133 and 134 are partially connected to the conductor terminals 31 and 32 while the supply shaft 30 makes one rotation. In this case, they are simultaneously contacted and electrically connected. For this reason, when the main body side terminals 133 and 134 and the conductor terminals 31 and 32 are in contact with each other, the main body side terminals 133 and 134 are conducted through the conductive portion 51 on the inner peripheral surface of the supply shaft 30. The electrical resistance value between the side terminals 133 and 134 is reduced.

  Here, consider a case where a dummy ink cartridge is mounted on the image recording apparatus 10 in place of the proper ink cartridge 20. In the counterfeit ink cartridge, a predetermined region of the portion in contact with the ink film supply shaft corresponds to the identification unit. In the imitation ink cartridge, there is no conductive portion 51 on the supply shaft, and there are no conductor terminals 31 and 32. Therefore, even if the supply shaft rotates once, the two main body side terminals 133 and 134 may be conducted. Absent. For this reason, the electrical resistance value between the two main body side terminals 133 and 134 becomes very large. Therefore, by measuring the electrical resistance value between the main body side terminals 133 and 134 while rotating the supply shaft once, whether the ink cartridge attached to the image recording apparatus 10 is a proper product or a counterfeit product. Is determined. In this embodiment, the resistance value is used for discrimination of the ink cartridge. A voltage value may be used instead of the resistance value.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image recording apparatus 10.

  The image recording apparatus 10 includes a control unit 60. The control unit 60 includes a storage unit 61, a display unit 62, an operation unit 63, an image recording unit 64, a main body cover detection unit 65, an ink film sensor 15, a drive source 66, and a measurement. Each of the parts 67 is electrically connected. The controller 60 controls these devices in an integrated manner. The control unit 60 corresponds to the determination unit of the present invention.

  The storage unit 61 stores a program for operating the image recording apparatus 10 and information such as image data. The display unit 62 displays the state of the image recording apparatus 10 and the like. The operation unit 63 receives various inputs from the user. The controller 60 records the image based on the image data on the sheet P by the image recording unit 64 by driving the drive source 66 according to the program.

  The ink film sensor 15 detects whether the ink film 50 is on a predetermined transport path and outputs the detection result to the control unit 60. The control unit 60 detects whether the ink cartridge 20 is attached to the main body based on the detection result of the ink film sensor 15.

  The body cover detection unit 65 detects the open / close state of the body cover (not shown) and outputs the detection result to the control unit 60. When the ink cartridge 20 is replaced, the main body cover is always opened and closed. Therefore, when the main body cover is once opened and then closed, the control unit 60 assumes that the ink cartridge 20 has been replaced, and that the ink cartridge 20 is adapted. The sex determination process is started.

  An interface circuit 68 is electrically connected to the measuring unit 67, and each of the main body side terminals 133 and 134 is electrically connected to the interface circuit 68.

  The controller 60 measures the electrical resistance value between the main body side terminals 133 and 134 during the compatibility determination process of the ink cartridge 20. The interface circuit 68 converts the resistance value between the body side terminals 133 and 134 into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal to the measuring unit 67. The measuring unit 67 measures the electrical resistance value between the main body side terminals 133 and 134 based on the analog signal input from the interface circuit 68. In the present embodiment, the interface circuit 68 may perform conversion to digital data instead of conversion to an analog signal.

  The control unit 60 temporarily stores the analog signal measured by the measurement unit 67 in the storage unit 61. The storage unit 61 stores in advance an analog signal range when the ink cartridge 20 is a proper product. The control unit 60 compares the analog signal T1 measured by the measurement unit 67 with the range of the analog signal T2 in the case of a proper product stored in advance in the storage unit 61, and the analog signal T1 is compared with the analog signal T2. If it is within the range, it is determined that the mounted ink cartridge 20 is a proper product, and if it is out of the range, it is determined that the product is not a proper product but a counterfeit product.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the control unit 60.

  When the control unit 60 detects that the main body cover is changed from the open state to the closed state (S1), the control unit 60 places the ink film 50 in order to remove slack and wrinkles of the ink film 50 that are likely to occur when the main body cover is opened. Quantify and send (S2). Thereby, the ink film 50 is stretched without slack, and the detection accuracy of the ink film sensor 15 is improved.

  Based on the detection result of the ink film sensor 15, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the ink cartridge 20 is attached to the main body (S3). If not, for example, “no ink cartridge” is displayed on the display unit 62. Is displayed (S4).

  When the ink cartridge 20 is mounted, the resistance value between the main body side terminals 133 and 134 is measured (S5).

  The control unit 60 determines whether or not the measured analog signal T1 is within the range of the analog signal T2 in the case of the proper product stored in the storage unit 61 in advance (S6). In this case, it is determined that the installed ink cartridge 20 is a proper product, and for example, “image recordable” is displayed on the display unit 62 (S7).

  As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the positional relationship between the main body side terminals 133 and 134 and the conductor terminals 31 and 32 is different from the case where they are in contact with each other as shown in FIG. In some cases, they are separated from each other as shown in FIG.

  When the measured analog signal T1 is out of the range of the analog signal T2 in the case of a proper product stored in the storage unit 61 in advance, the cause is that the ink cartridge 20 is a counterfeit product. The main body side terminals 133 and 134 and the conductor terminals 31 and 32 may be separated as shown in FIG.

  When the measured analog signal T1 is outside the range of the analog signal T2 when the measured analog signal T1 is a proper product stored in the storage unit 61 in S6, the control unit 60 rotates the supply shaft 30 once. 6A, the main body side terminals 133 and 134 and the conductor terminals 31 and 32 are brought into contact with each other at least at one time. The control unit 60 measures the resistance value between the main body side terminals 133 and 134 while rotating the supply shaft 30 (S8).

  The control unit 60 determines whether or not the measured analog signal T1 is within the range of the analog signal T2 in the case where it is a proper product stored in advance in the storage unit 61 (S9). In this case, it is determined that the installed ink cartridge 20 is a proper product, and for example, “image recordable” is displayed on the display unit 62 (S7).

  When the measured analog signal T1 is outside the range of the analog signal T2 in the case where the measured analog signal T1 is a proper product stored in the storage unit 61 in S9, the control unit 60 displays, for example, “appropriate Use an ink cartridge. ”Is displayed to warn the user to use an appropriate product (S10).

  According to the image recording apparatus 10, by providing the conductive portion 51 on the inner peripheral surface of the supply shaft 30, the main body side terminals 133 and 134 are conductive at all times from the start of use of the ink cartridge 20 to the end of use. It is electrically connected by the part 51. Since the conductive portion 51 only needs to be provided for the inner peripheral length in contact with the conductor terminals 31 and 32, only a small amount of the conductive portion 51 is required. Accordingly, whether the installed ink cartridge is appropriate or not, regardless of whether the ink cartridge 20 is in use or not, even before the start of use or in a state where it has been used halfway. Can be determined by cost.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the voltage value detected by the measuring unit 67 and time while the ink film 50 is being wound from the supply shaft 30 to the winding shaft 40. It shows that the resistance value between the main body side terminals 133 and 134 is larger as the voltage value is larger.

  The voltage value is V1 when the main body side terminals 133 and 134 and the conductor terminals 31 and 32 are not in contact with each other, and V2 is smaller than V1 when they are in contact with each other.

  The period of the rectangular wave of the voltage value is long as indicated by the period P1 in FIG. 7 immediately after the use of the ink cartridge 20 is started, and at a time near the time when most of the ink film 50 is taken up by the take-up shaft 40. 7 is shortened as indicated by the period P2. This is because the rotation speed of the supply shaft 30 increases because the outer diameter of the ink film 50 wound around the supply shaft 30 decreases.

  The period of the rectangular wave of the voltage value is stored in the storage unit 61 in advance, and the period of the rectangular wave of the detected voltage value is compared with the period of the rectangular wave stored in the storage unit 61, whereby the ink film The usage amount of 50 can be estimated and displayed on the display unit 62. According to this, the user can easily recognize the usage amount of the ink film 50, and if the remaining amount of the ink film 50 is reduced, an ink cartridge for replacement can be prepared in advance. Ink shortage can be suppressed.

  The conductive portion 51 may be provided on the take-up shaft 40, the conductor terminals 31 and 32 may be provided on the take-up shaft 40, and the main body side terminals 133 and 134 may be provided on the second bearing member 14. In this case, the winding shaft 40 corresponds to the shaft body of the present invention, and the second bearing member 14 corresponds to the bearing member of the present invention.

  By providing the conductive portion 51 on the winding shaft 40, the conductor terminals 31 and 32 are electrically connected by the conductive portion 51 at all times from the start of use of the ink cartridge 20 to the end of use. Since the conductive portion 51 only needs to be provided for the inner peripheral length in contact with the conductor terminals 31 and 32, only a small amount of the conductive portion 51 is required. Therefore, whether the installed ink cartridge is appropriate or not, regardless of the state of use of the ink cartridge 20, regardless of whether the ink cartridge 20 is in use or before being used. Can be determined.

  Three or more conductor terminals 31 and 32 may be provided as long as the main body side terminals 133 and 134 can be in a conductive state and a non-conductive state.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The operation of each part is the same as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a partial configuration of the supply shaft 300, the ink film 500, and the first bearing member 130. 10A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the supply shaft 300 around which the ink film 500 is wound, and FIG. 10B is an end view taken along the line Y1-Y2 of FIG. In this embodiment, the supply shaft 300 corresponds to the shaft body of the present invention, and the first bearing member 130 corresponds to the bearing member of the present invention.

  The supply shaft 300 has conductor terminals 310 and 320 and non-conductive parts that are parts other than the conductor terminals 310 and 320. The conductor terminals 310 and 320 have conductivity, and the non-conductive portion does not have conductivity. The conductor terminals 310 and 320 are disposed, for example, in the vicinity of one end of the supply shaft 300 in the axial direction. The conductor terminal 310 and the conductor terminal 320 are arranged with the non-conductive portion sandwiched between each other in the axial direction, and unless the conductor terminal 310 and the conductor terminal 320 are electrically connected by other members, Is not electrically conductive. Each of the conductor terminals 310 and 320 is exposed on the inner peripheral surface of the supply shaft 300.

  The supply shaft 300 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the supply shaft 300 and includes a conductive portion 510 having conductivity between the conductor terminals 310 and 320. The conductive part 510 is formed, for example, by applying conductive ink to a base material. The conductor terminals 310 and 320 and the conductive portion 510 correspond to the identification portion of the present invention. The conductive portion 510 is disposed at a position where the conductor terminals 310 and 320 are connected, and electrically connects the conductor terminals 310 and 320.

  The first bearing member 130 includes openings 1310 and 1320, conductive main body side terminals 1330 and 1340, a spring 1350, and a spring (not shown). The main body side terminals 1330 and 1340 correspond to the two main body side terminals of the present invention.

  The openings 1310 and 1320 are provided at positions that can simultaneously face the conductor terminals 310 and 320 in a state where the supply shaft 300 is externally fitted to the first bearing member 130. Each of the main body side terminals 1330 and 1340 is disposed so as to face each of the conductor terminals 310 and 320 from the inside of the first bearing member 130 through the openings 1310 and 1320, and a part of the terminals of the first bearing member 130. It is exposed on the outer peripheral surface. Each of the main body side terminals 1330 and 1340 is biased outward in the radial direction by a spring 1350 and a spring (not shown).

  Thus, with the supply shaft 300 fitted on the first bearing member 130, the main body side terminals 1330 and 1340 are respectively connected to the conductor terminals 310 and 320 at all times during one rotation of the supply shaft 300. At the same time, they are contacted and electrically connected. For this reason, when the main body side terminals 1330 and 1340 are in contact with the conductor terminals 310 and 320, the main body side terminals 1330 and 1340 are electrically connected via the conductive portion 510 on the inner peripheral surface of the supply shaft 300. The electrical resistance value between the side terminals 1330 and 1340 becomes small.

  Here, consider a case where a counterfeit ink cartridge is mounted on the image recording apparatus 100 in place of the proper ink cartridge 200. In the counterfeit ink cartridge, a predetermined region of the portion in contact with the ink film supply shaft corresponds to the identification unit. In the imitation ink cartridge, since the conductive portion 510 is not provided on the supply shaft and the conductor terminals 310 and 320 are not provided, the main body side terminals 1330 and 1340 are not conducted. For this reason, the electrical resistance value between the main body side terminals 1330 and 1340 becomes very large. Therefore, by measuring the electrical resistance value between the main body side terminals 1330 and 1340 when the ink cartridge is mounted, it is determined whether the ink cartridge mounted on the image recording apparatus 100 is a proper product or a counterfeit product. Is done. In this embodiment, the resistance value is used for discrimination of the ink cartridge. A voltage value may be used instead of the resistance value.

  The controller 60 measures the electrical resistance value between the main body side terminals 1330 and 1340 during the compatibility determination process of the ink cartridge 200. The interface circuit 68 converts the resistance value between the body side terminals 1330 and 1340 into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal to the measurement unit 67. The measuring unit 67 measures the electrical resistance value between the main body side terminals 1330 and 1340 based on the analog signal input from the interface circuit 68.

  The control unit 60 temporarily stores the analog signal measured by the measurement unit 67 in the storage unit 61. The storage unit 61 stores in advance an analog signal range when the ink cartridge 200 is a proper product. The control unit 60 compares the analog signal T1 measured by the measurement unit 67 with the range of the analog signal T2 in the case of a proper product stored in advance in the storage unit 61, and the analog signal T1 is compared with the analog signal T2. If it is within the range, it is determined that the mounted ink cartridge 200 is a proper product, and if it is out of the range, it is determined that it is not a proper product but a counterfeit product.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the supply shaft 300 viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. The positional relationship between the body side terminals 1330 and 1340 and the conductor terminals 310 and 320 is always in contact with each other as shown in FIG. Since the conductive portion 510 is provided between the conductor terminals 310 and 320, the main body side terminals 1330 and 1340 are conducted, and the electrical resistance value between the main body side terminals 1330 and 1340 is always reduced. Therefore, in the first embodiment, the ink cartridge cannot be determined unless the supply shaft is rotated. However, in this embodiment, the ink cartridge can be determined when the ink cartridge is mounted in the image recording apparatus.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the voltage value detected by the measurement unit 67 and time while the ink film 500 is being wound from the supply shaft 300 to the winding shaft 400. In this embodiment, since the two main body side terminals are always conductive, the voltage value is constant. Here, the voltage value may change. This is because it may vary depending on the material configuration of the conductor terminals 310 and 320.

  The conductive portion 510 may be provided on the take-up shaft 400, the conductor terminals 310 and 320 may be provided on the take-up shaft 400, and the main body side terminals 1330 and 1340 may be provided on the second bearing member 140. In this case, the take-up shaft 400 corresponds to the shaft body of the present invention, and the second bearing member 140 corresponds to the bearing member of the present invention.

  By providing the conductive portion 510 on the take-up shaft 400, the conductor terminals 310 and 320 are electrically connected by the conductive portion 510 at all times from the start of use of the ink cartridge 200 to the end of use. Since the conductive portion 510 only needs to be provided for the length in the axial direction in contact with the conductor terminals 310 and 320, only a small amount of the conductive portion 510 is required. Therefore, whether the installed ink cartridge is a proper product, regardless of the use state of the ink cartridge 200, whether the ink cartridge 200 is in use or in a state where it is used halfway. Can be determined.

  In this embodiment, the case where there are two ring-shaped conductor terminals is illustrated, but a single conductor terminal may be used. In this case, the voltage value or resistance value of the conductor terminal is read.

  Finally, the description of the above-described embodiment is to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above embodiments but by the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a part of supply axis | shaft which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, an ink film, and a 1st bearing member. It is a figure which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the supply shaft around which the ink film was wound, (B) is in X1-X2 line | wire of (A) It is an end view. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of an image recording device. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process sequence of a control part. It is a figure which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the positional relationship of the main body side terminal at the time of resistance value detection, and the conductor terminal of a supply shaft. It is a figure which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the relationship between the voltage value detected by the measurement part, and time, while the ink film is wound up from the supply axis | shaft to the winding axis | shaft. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the outline of the image recording apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a part of supply axis | shaft which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, an ink film, and a 1st bearing member. It is a figure which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the supply shaft around which the ink film was wound, (B) is in the Y1-Y2 line | wire of (A). It is an end view. It is a figure which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the positional relationship of the main body side terminal at the time of resistance value detection, and the conductor terminal of a supply shaft. It is a figure which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: It is a figure which shows the relationship between the voltage value detected by the measurement part, and time, while an ink film is wound up from the supply axis | shaft to the winding axis | shaft.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10- Image recording apparatus 20- Ink cartridge 30- Shaft body 31,32- Conductor terminal (identification part)
50-Ink film 51-Conducting part (identification part)

Claims (12)

An ink cartridge having a shaft body around which a thermal transfer ink film is wound on a peripheral surface and having a hollow shaft body having at least one end opened, and detachable from an image recording apparatus,
The shaft includes an identification unit having electrical characteristics according to the type of the ink film,
The identification unit is an ink cartridge including a conductor terminal exposed on an inner peripheral surface of the shaft body.   The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein when there are a plurality of the conductor terminals, the identification unit includes a conductive unit connected between the plurality of conductor terminals.   The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the shaft body is a supply shaft around which an ink film before being transferred to transfer the ink from the ink film to a recording medium is wound.   The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the shaft body is a take-up shaft that winds up the ink film after the transfer process for transferring the ink from the ink film to the recording medium.   The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the conductor terminals are arranged at a plurality of positions in a circumferential direction on an inner peripheral surface of the shaft body.   The said conductor terminal exhibits the ring shape along the circumferential direction in the internal peripheral surface of the said shaft body, and is arrange | positioned in the 1 or more position in the axial direction of the said shaft body. ink cartridge. An ink cartridge having a hollow shaft body around which a thermal transfer ink film is wound around a peripheral surface and at least one end of which is open, the shaft body is externally fitted to a bearing member, and is detachable. An image recording apparatus for transferring ink from the ink film conveyed with the recording medium to the recording medium,
The bearing member which is a protrusion fitted to the open end of the shaft body;
Two main body side terminals that are provided in the bearing member, and that acquire information of an identification unit having electrical characteristics according to the type of the ink film in a state where the shaft body is externally fitted to the bearing member;
A measuring unit for measuring a resistance value or a voltage value between the two main body side terminals;
An image recording apparatus comprising: a determination unit configured to determine compatibility of the ink cartridge based on the resistance value or the voltage value.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the two main body side terminals are spaced apart from each other in the axial direction or the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface side of the bearing member, and the information of the identification unit can be always acquired.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the two main body side terminals are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction on the outer peripheral surface side of the bearing member, and information on the identification unit can be acquired when the shaft body is rotated. The resistance value or the voltage value is converted into an analog signal,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the determination unit determines compatibility of the ink cartridge based on the analog signal. The resistance value or the voltage value is converted into digital data,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the determination unit determines compatibility of the ink cartridge based on the digital data.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each of the two main body side terminals is urged outward in the radial direction.

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