JP2009096006A - Recording liquid storage container and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for easily detecting the existence of ink in an ink storage container, in a configuration in which radio-communication takes place between a memory chip provided for an ink storage container in order to hold ink information or the like and a printer body. <P>SOLUTION: The ink storage container has a structure in which an area near the bottom of an ink storage chamber is divided into a first area and a second area. When ink decreases to a predetermined amount or below, the first area is assigned as an ink removal part and the second area is assigned as an ink remaining part. The radio chip is attached to the external face of the container facing the first area with a container member between them. The radio communication means of the printer body has a first antenna disposed adjacent to the radio chip provided for the ink storage container and a second antenna disposed opposite the radio chip with the ink storage section of the ink storage container between them. Using the first antenna, information communication with the memory chip is carried out. In addition, a determination of the existence of ink is made based on whether the second antenna can make a radio communication or not. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid storage container for a recording apparatus and a recording apparatus. In particular, it is suitable for application to an inkjet printing apparatus that uses ink as a recording liquid to be applied to a recording medium, and a recording liquid storage container that stores ink as a recording liquid.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording using a plurality of colors of ink, an apparatus in which a plurality of ink storage containers each filled with ink of each color is mounted as an example is known. In this ink jet recording apparatus, since it is possible to replace only a specific ink storage container according to the frequency of ink use, the ink can be used up for each color without waste, and the economy is excellent. Have.

  In such an ink jet recording apparatus, an ink supply path for guiding ink from an ink container to an ink head is provided for each color individually. Then, in the control unit or the like on the ink jet recording apparatus main body, color printing is realized by performing printing control such as ink ejection in the ink head for each color.

  On the other hand, the print quality in the ink jet recording apparatus depends not only on the resolution of the recording head but also greatly depends on the viscosity of the ink, the degree of bleeding on the recording medium, and the like. For this reason, improvements in ink characteristics and drive signals supplied to the recording head have been performed with the aim of improving print quality. Furthermore, improvements have been made to the idle discharge cycle for preventing clogging of the nozzle openings and maintenance conditions such as forced discharge in the capping state.

  For this reason, a configuration has been proposed in which a storage chip in which data relating to the ink storage container is stored is provided in the ink storage container to communicate with the recording apparatus. For example, these data are read from the recording device, and printing is performed under optimum conditions, or data relating to the usage state of the ink storage container is stored in a storage chip.

  Further, as seen in Patent Document 1 and the like, as a configuration of the semiconductor memory chip, a configuration is disclosed in which information communication between the ink storage container and the printer main body is performed in a non-contact manner by wireless radio waves. In the case of wireless communication, since communication is possible even in a packaging form, there is an advantage that it can be used for various purposes such as merchandise management at the time of distribution in addition to the above-described uses.

  In general, a wireless communication system called a wireless tag or RFID can use a medium frequency band of 135 kHz or less, a 13.56 MHz short wave band, a 860 to 960 MHz UHF band, a 2.45 GHz microwave band. and so on. The medium and short wave bands use the electromagnetic induction phenomenon caused by the magnetic field generated by the reader / writer, and the UHF band and microwave band use the electric field energy of the carrier wave for power generation. Depending on the frequency band, characteristics such as communication distance and directivity differ, as well as the influence of external factors such as noise, metal, and moisture. Regarding the influence of moisture, it is known that microwaves are best absorbed and communication becomes impossible when moisture is present.

On the other hand, in the conventional ink jet recording apparatus, as means for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage container, for example, electrodes are provided at two positions in the ink storage container, and the resistance value between the two electrodes is detected. Thus, a method for detecting the remaining amount of ink is known. In addition, by means of detecting the remaining amount of ink by means of measuring the weight of ink (gravity sensor, etc.), or by means of optically detecting ink in the ink storage container (photo interrupter sensor, etc.), There is a method for detecting the remaining amount of ink.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-320914

  However, the conventional ink jet recording apparatus described above has a problem in that the electrode method requires an electrode member in the ink container and the ink container cost increases. In the gravimetric method, the measurement mechanism including the weight sensor is complicated, large, and expensive. In addition, the optical method requires a transparent or translucent prism-like member, and is subject to restrictions on the ink storage container material and shape.

  When the physical ink remaining amount detecting means cannot be provided, means for counting the cumulative number of ink droplets ejected and converting the ink consumption into an ink consumption amount may be used. However, the ink droplet counting method is only used as a rough guide because it is not highly accurate due to variations in initial ink injection amount and ink droplet volume. For this reason, the user runs out of ink in the middle of printing, and in order to avoid this, inconveniences such as replacement with a new ink container even though there is ink remaining have occurred. Against this background, there has been a demand for an ink remaining amount detection method that is versatile, simple, and low in cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and is an ink jet recording capable of accurately determining the presence or absence of ink in a configuration in which communication between an ink storage container and a printer main body is performed in a non-contact manner using wireless radio waves. An object is to provide an apparatus. More preferably, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capable of detecting a state where a predetermined amount of ink is left and performing an ink out warning warning.

The configuration for solving the above problems is as follows:
A recording liquid storage container including a recording liquid storage section, wherein the bottom surface of the recording liquid storage section includes a first area for removing residual recording liquid when the residual recording liquid becomes a predetermined amount or less, and a residual A second region for holding the recording liquid,
A recording liquid storage container comprising a communication unit that performs two-way wireless communication with the recording apparatus main body at a position overlapping the first region.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately determine the presence or absence of a recording liquid in a configuration in which communication between the recording liquid storage container and the recording apparatus main body is performed in a non-contact manner using wireless radio waves. More preferably, it is possible to detect a state in which the recording liquid has decreased to a predetermined amount.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a state in which a recording head unit 405 and an ink cartridge 1 as an ink container are mounted on a carriage in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Although not shown, ink storage containers corresponding to a plurality of ink colors are juxtaposed in the depth direction of the figure. The first engaging portion 5 and the second engaging portion 6 of the ink cartridge 1 with respect to the first engaging portion 455 provided in the recording head unit 405 and the second engaging portion 256 provided in the ink cartridge holder 220. Engage each other. As a result, the ink cartridge 1 is mounted and fixed to the head unit 405 and the ink cartridge holder 220.

  In FIG. 1, the carriage is stationary at a predetermined wireless communication position, and an ink cartridge is attached to the first communication antenna 215 and the second communication antenna 216 fixed to the printer main body by a fixing member (not shown). 1 is sandwiched. A communication module 100 is provided on the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 1.

  The second communication antenna 216 is disposed vertically above the first communication antenna 215. The first and second communication antennas are connected to a communication unit configured on a control circuit on the main body side described later. The communication unit includes an antenna switching unit, and can perform communication with the communication module 100 provided in the ink cartridge 1 by switching to the first or second antenna as necessary. The communication system uses a 2.45 GHz band microwave system which is an electromagnetic wave that is easily absorbed by the recording liquid.

  The second communication antenna 216 is formed with a width substantially equal to or smaller than the width of the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 1 provided with the communication module 100 (in the depth direction in the figure). For this reason, the magnetic field generated by the second antenna 216 that reaches the communication module 100 provided in the ink cartridge 1 to be communicated does not pass through the other ink cartridge. Therefore, even if a plurality of ink cartridges are arranged, the communication state is not affected by ink cartridges other than the target ink cartridge 1.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining the configuration of the communication module 100 provided in the ink cartridge. The communication module 100 has a configuration in which a circuit chip 130 and a dipole antenna 140 formed of copper foil, aluminum foil or the like are mounted on a base sheet 101 formed of PET film, PEN film or the like, and a cover sheet is further laminated. is there.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the circuit chip 130 includes a storage circuit 134 including a power supply circuit 137, a control circuit 135, a flash memory, and the like via an RF circuit 138 connected to the antenna 140.

  The RF circuit 138 is a circuit that detects and inputs an AC signal generated by electric field energy to the antenna 140 and outputs the power component extracted by the detection to the power supply circuit 137 and the signal component to the control circuit 135. It also has a function of receiving a signal from the control circuit 135, modulating it into an AC signal, and transmitting it to the printer body via the antenna 140.

  The antenna 140, the RF circuit 138, and the power supply circuit 137 generate electric power by electric field energy, and the control circuit 135 transmits and receives predetermined information as radio waves by the electric power supplied from the power supply circuit 137. In addition, the control circuit 135 performs internal operation control including read / write operations for the storage circuit 134.

  The storage circuit 134 stores identification data of the product type of the ink cartridge, identification data of the product type of the printer main body, unique ID data of the ink cartridge, manufacturing date and expiration date, ink remaining amount, and the like. Yes.

  FIG. 4A is a side sectional view of the ink cartridge 1. The interior of the ink cartridge 1 is divided into an ink storage chamber 11 that is a recording liquid storage portion and a negative pressure generating member storage chamber 12 that communicates with the ink supply port 7, both of which are connected via a communication port 13. ing. While the ink 10 is stored as it is in the ink storage chamber 11, the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 12 is provided with an ink absorber 15 such as a sponge or fiber assembly that is impregnated and held with ink. The ink absorber 15 is sufficient to prevent ink leakage from the ink discharge portion in balance with the holding force of the meniscus formed in the ink discharge nozzle portion of the print head, and enables the ink discharge operation of the print head. This is for generating an appropriate negative pressure within a certain range. Ink 10 in the ink storage chamber 11 is supplied from the ink supply port 7 to the recording head via the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 12.

  A step portion 21 is formed on a part of the bottom surface 22 of the ink storage chamber 11 to constitute a first region for removing the remaining recording liquid. When the remaining amount of ink becomes a predetermined amount or less, the ink accumulates in the second region other than the stepped portion 21 on the bottom surface 22 and no ink remains on the upper surface of the stepped portion 21, thereby reliably preventing radio wave absorption by the ink. Can make a state. FIG. 5B shows a configuration in which the upper surface of the step portion 21 is inclined downward toward the second region. Thereby, the residual ink on the upper surface of the stepped portion 21 is more reliably removed. FIG. 3C shows a configuration in which a water repellent layer 25 is applied to the upper surface of the stepped portion 21. This configuration is also one of means for ensuring the remaining ink removal on the stepped portion. As the water-repellent material, fluorine resin, silicone rubber, polyethylene resin, or the like can be used.

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

  The latch lever 3 is formed of a resin integrally with the exterior of the ink cartridge 1, and is configured to be displaceable around the supported portion when performing an attachment operation to the ink cartridge holder or the like. The left and right outer walls of the ink cartridge 1 are integrated with a first engaging portion 5 and a second engaging portion 6 (in this example, integrated with the latch lever 3) that can be engaged with a locking portion of an ink cartridge holder described later. Is provided). By these engagements, the ink cartridge 1 is mounted and held in the ink cartridge holder.

  A communication module 100 is provided at a position overlapping the step portion 21 of the ink storage chamber 11 on the bottom surface of the ink cartridge.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the inkjet printer 200 according to the present invention, with the main body cover 201 being opened. As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 200 according to the present embodiment includes a recording head and four types of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow (hereinafter abbreviated as “K”, “C”, “M”, and “Y”). A carriage 205 on which ink cartridges 1K, 1C, 1M, and 1Y are mounted is provided. Also, the main part of the printer, such as a mechanism in which the carriage 205 moves for scanning and performs recording, is covered with the main body cover 201 and other case parts.

  A front surface of the printer main body is provided with a paper discharge unit (not shown) provided with a paper discharge roller, and a paper discharge tray 203 subsequent thereto. An automatic paper feeder (ASF) 202 is provided on the back of the main body. Further, an operation panel 213 provided with a display for displaying the status of the printer in both the closed state and the open state of the main body cover, a power switch, and a reset switch is provided.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the above-described inkjet printer, and mainly shows a control circuit 300 which is a control means in the form of a PCB (recording wiring board) in the printer main body and a configuration controlled thereby.

  In FIG. 6, a control circuit 300 executes data processing and operation control related to the printer. Specifically, the CPU 301 executes processing related to printing according to a program stored in the ROM 303. The RAM 302 is used as a work area when the CPU 301 executes processing.

  As schematically shown in FIG. 6, the recording head unit 405 mounted on the carriage 205 has a plurality of ejection openings for ejecting ink of “K”, “C”, “M”, and “Y”. The recording heads (not shown) are formed. Ink cartridges 1K, 1C, 1M, and 1Y are detachably mounted on the recording head unit 405 and the ink cartridge holder 220 in correspondence with these recording heads.

  A connector (not shown) provided on the carriage 205 and a control circuit 300 on the main body side are signal-connected via a flexible cable 206. Further, when the recording head unit 405 is mounted on the carriage 205, the connector of the carriage 205 and the connector of the recording head unit 405 are signal-connected. Similarly, the drive circuit provided in each print head is signal-connected to the control circuit 300 on the main body side via the connector of the print head unit, the connector of the carriage 205, and the flexible cable 206. As a result, the control circuit 300 can control ink ejection and the like in each recording head.

  An encoder scale 209 is provided along the movement path of the carriage 205, and an encoder sensor 211 is provided on the carriage 205. The detection signal of this sensor is input to the control circuit 300 via the flexible cable 206, and thereby the movement position of the carriage 205 can be known. This position information is used for each print head ejection control.

  In the printer of this embodiment, ink of each color is supplied to the recording head unit 405, and the recording head unit 405 scans a recording medium such as paper by moving the carriage 205, and the ink is applied to the recording medium during this scanning. Is recorded. That is, the carriage 205 is slidably engaged with the guide shaft 207 extending in the moving direction, and can be moved as described above by the carriage motor and its driving force transmission mechanism. In each of the recording heads corresponding to the inks “K”, “C”, “M”, and “Y”, ink ejection is performed based on ejection data sent from the control circuit 300 on the main body side via the flexible cable 206. Is done.

  Further, a paper feed mechanism such as a paper feed roller and a paper discharge roller is provided, and a recording medium (not shown) fed from the automatic paper feeder 202 can be conveyed to the paper discharge tray 203. The recording head scans in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction by the paper feed roller as the carriage 205 moves, and during that time, ink is ejected from each recording head to the recording medium, and recording is performed in an area having a width corresponding to the ejection port of the recording head. I do. Between this scanning and the next scanning, a predetermined amount of paper is fed according to the width by the paper feeding mechanism, thereby sequentially recording on the recording medium.

  A first antenna 215 and a second antenna 216 that transmit and receive wireless signals for bidirectional wireless communication with the communication module 100 provided in the ink cartridge are provided at predetermined positions within the carriage movable range. ing. The first antenna 215 and the second antenna 216 are connected to the antenna switcher 305 in the wireless communication unit 304 configured on the control circuit 300, respectively. The wireless communication unit 304 has a function of adjusting the output power within a predetermined range, and is adjusted in advance to the minimum output capable of communication via the second antenna 216 in the absence of ink. If ink is present in the ink container, when the communication radio wave passes through the ink, the radio wave is absorbed and attenuated by the ink, and a communication error may occur. The control circuit 300 determines the ink material based on the success or failure of communication with the communication module 100. For example, the presence or absence of ink can be determined based on the magnitude of the communication error occurrence probability.

  In FIG. 4, since the step portion 21 is formed on the bottom surface of the ink storage chamber 11, when the ink consumption progresses, the top surface of the step portion 21 is first exposed, and the ink is applied to the bottom surface portion 22 of the ink storage chamber. Remains. The ink remaining on the bottom surface portion 22 is almost absorbed by the negative pressure generating member storage chamber 12, but there may be some remaining. However, since no ink remains in the stepped portion 21, it is possible to create a state where there is no ink between the communication module 100 and the second antenna.

  FIG. 7 is an example of a data configuration for explaining access data for the communication module. Example 1 is an example of a data structure related to reading of the unique ID, and data signals of “start code + color code” and “control code” are sent. “Start code + color code” means the start of a series of data signals by the “start code” signal, and the “color code” signal identifies the ink type that is the target of this series of data signals. To do. The “color” of the ink here includes not only ink colors such as Y, M, and C but also inks having different densities.

  The “color code” has codes corresponding to the ink colors “K”, “C”, “M”, and “Y”. The control circuit 135 shown in FIG. 3 compares the color information indicated by this code with its own color information stored in the storage circuit 134, and performs processing for fetching the subsequent data signal only. If they do not match, processing for ignoring the subsequent data signal capture is performed. As a result, even if a data signal is sent from the main body side to each ink cartridge in common, the ink type can be specified by including the above-described color information in the data signal, and the subsequent processing is performed with the specified ink type. Can only be done for.

  In the unique ID reading operation, the “start code + color code” code is taken in by all the ink cartridge communication modules, and the “INVENTORY” code matches the “color code” of the ink cartridge control circuit 135 (FIG. 3). ) Only capture. The control circuit 135 that has received the “INVENTORY” code returns the unique ID stored in the storage circuit 134.

  Example 2 is an example of writing to the memory circuit. As shown in FIG. 7, each of “start code + color code”, “control code”, “unique ID code”, “address code”, “data code” A data signal is sent.

  In the writing operation, the command is received by all the ink cartridge communication modules, and only the control circuit 135 of the ink cartridge whose “color code” matches matches the code after “WRITE”. Further, by determining that the “WRITE” code is a command accompanied by a unique ID, only the control circuit 135 having the same “unique ID code” continues the subsequent processing. The next “address code” indicates the address of the memory array that is the write destination, and the last “data code” indicates the content to be written.

  Note that the content represented by the “control code” is not limited to the above example, and for example, a control code related to a continuous write command, a verify command, or the like can be added. Further, a code (for example, WRITE-ALL, not shown) that does not accompany the “unique ID code” in the write command, that is, can be written in common to all accessible communication modules may be prepared.

  Example 4 is a read operation from the memory circuit. The configuration of the data signal is the same as in the case of the above writing, and only the control circuit 135 of the ink cartridge having the same “color code” and “unique ID” performs internal processing according to the “READ” code. That is, the data designated by the address code is read, and the read data is returned.

  In the configuration as described above, a process for detecting the presence or absence of ink in the ink cartridge by a predetermined operation when the printer main body of the present embodiment is in the idling state will be specifically described below.

  The communication unit 304 is switched by the antenna switching unit to the second antenna 216, that is, the communication antenna for detecting the presence or absence of ink. For the four types of mounted ink cartridges, the carriage is moved to a position where the communication module 100 of the first ink cartridge can communicate. The main body communication unit 304 issues a predetermined number of dummy commands, and counts the number of successful responses from the communication module 100. If the number of successful responses is less than a predetermined success threshold, it is determined that ink is present, and if it is greater, it is determined that no ink is present. Next, the carriage is moved to the position of the second ink cartridge, the same determination is performed, and all colors are processed in the same manner. Since the dummy command is a function only for determining whether or not the command communication is successful, it may be anything as long as it is accompanied by predetermined return data.

  Further, the determination may be made not by the number of successful responses but by the success rate of the responses. The control circuit 300 sends a wireless signal a plurality of times from the second antenna 216, and the remaining amount of the recording liquid is determined when the ratio of the number of replies from the communication module 100 to the number of transmissions of the wireless signal is greater than a predetermined threshold. It is determined that the amount is below the fixed amount.

  Alternatively, the determination may be made based on the number of consecutive successful responses. The control circuit 300 sends a wireless signal a plurality of times from the second antenna 216, and determines that the recording liquid is below a predetermined amount when the number of consecutive responses from the communication module 100 to the wireless signal is greater than a predetermined threshold. .

  In the process of consuming ink, in order to reliably determine whether ink has run out, a sequence in which the ink outage determination is further counted, and when the ink outage determination is continuously made a predetermined number of times, the sequence for determining that ink has run out for the first time is performed. It can also be adopted.

  As a method for determining the presence or absence of ink, gradually increase the output in a predetermined step from an output level where communication is not possible even in the absence of ink. If the output level at which communication is successful for the first time is greater than a predetermined threshold, ink is present and small In some cases, there is a method of determining that ink is not used.

  If there is an individual difference in the detection capability of the wireless communication module 100 provided in the ink cartridge, the detection capability is ranked and the rank information is stored in the storage chip (storage circuit 134) of the wireless communication module 100. The communication unit of the printer main body reads the rank information from the storage circuit 134 of the wireless communication module 100 by the first antenna, and adjusts the radio wave output based on this. Then, the ink presence / absence detection signal of the adjusted radio wave output can be emitted from the second antenna to improve the ink presence / absence detection accuracy.

  In this embodiment, the ink cartridge 1 stores predetermined information in the storage circuit 134 in an updatable manner, and the printer main body 200 and the like read and write predetermined information from the storage circuit 134 of the ink cartridge 1. However, the information storage medium of the ink cartridge 1 is a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which predetermined information is fixedly stored, and the printer main body 200 and the wireless communication device 215 only read predetermined information from the ink cartridge 1. It is also possible.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, the ink cartridge 1 is exemplified as having a flash memory as an information storage medium. It is also possible to replace this with an element such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), or a FeRAM (Ferroelectric RAM) to which a battery is connected.

  Further, in this embodiment, the ink cartridge 1 has power generation means including the antenna 140, the RF circuit 138, and the power supply circuit 137, and exemplifies a system that uses electric field energy of microwaves. In addition, as described above, a method of generating electric power by electromagnetic induction may be used, and a battery may be mounted on the communication module 100.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a view showing the appearance of the ink jet printer 600 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in which the ink cartridge storage chamber cover 601 provided at the bottom of the main body is opened and the ink cartridge storage chamber 614 is opened. It is a perspective view shown. Ink cartridges (701K, 701C, 701M, 701Y) are installed in the ink cartridge storage chamber, and ink is supplied to the recording head (not shown) via an ink supply tube or the like (not shown) communicated with the ink cartridge storage chamber. Supply. The printer according to this embodiment has an advantage that the carriage can be formed small because the ink cartridge is installed on the main body, the main body size can be reduced, and the motor for driving the carriage can be small in driving ability.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing the ink cartridge 701 of the present embodiment. An ink supply port 707 for supplying ink is provided on the side surface of the ink cartridge, and the ink supply port 707 is sealed with a flexible seal member 705. A communication module 100 is provided on the top surface of the ink cartridge, which is one of the surfaces parallel to the ink cartridge arrangement direction.

  FIG. 10 is a side sectional view for explaining a state in which the ink cartridge 701 is attached to the main body and the ink cartridge storage chamber cover 601 is closed. The ink cartridge 701 includes an ink storage bag 704 formed of a flexible film such as a polypropylene film inside a hollow cartridge body, and is fitted to a needle-like ink introduction member 637 having an ink supply port formed on the body side. Thus, ink can be supplied. At the same time, the first communication antenna 615 formed below the ink cartridge storage chamber 614 on the main body side and the communication module 100 are adjacent to each other and communication is possible. The second communication antenna 616 is provided in a main body member constituting the ink cartridge storage chamber 614 with the ink cartridge 701 interposed between the communication module 100 and the ink cartridge storage chamber 614.

  An inclined portion 708 formed with a rib structure or the like is provided inside the ink cartridge 701. The inclined portion 708 constitutes a first support portion that supports the first region of the ink storage bag 704. Portions other than the first region of the ink storage bag 704 are supported by a second support portion constituted by the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 701 other than the first support portion. In a state where the ink cartridge 701 is mounted in the ink cartridge storage chamber 614, the first support portion is higher than the second support portion. As the ink is consumed, the ink storage bag is gradually crushed in the vertical direction in the figure, and the ink storage bag is brought into close contact with the inclined portion. As a result, it is possible to detect a communicable state by the second antenna 616, that is, a state where there is no ink in the inclined portion, with a predetermined amount of ink remaining in the ink storage bag. Therefore, even in an ink cartridge having a configuration in which ink is monotonously consumed from a single ink storage chamber as in this embodiment, an ink out warning can be given.

  In this embodiment, since the ink cartridge is not fixed on the carriage but at a predetermined position on the main body, a communication antenna is required for each ink cartridge. However, only one main body communication unit is required, and individual communication can be performed by switching only the antenna, so that the cost does not increase significantly.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view for explaining main parts such as an ink cartridge storage chamber 614, a carriage 605, and a print medium transport unit of an ink jet printer according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The carriage 605 includes a print head, and printing is performed by scanning in the depth direction of FIG. The printing medium is fed by a paper feed roller 631 and discharged through a platen 632, a paper discharge roller unit 633, a spur 634, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge storage unit 614 is disposed near the top surface in front of the main body, and the ink cartridges 701 are arranged side by side so as to be arranged in the carriage movement direction. In such a case, by providing the carriage 605 with the first communication antenna 615, the first communication antenna can move within the communication range in the vicinity of the communication module 100 attached to each ink cartridge. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare the first communication antenna 615 for each ink type.

  The second communication antenna 616 is provided in a main body member constituting the ink cartridge storage chamber 614 with the ink cartridge 701 interposed between the communication module 100 and the ink cartridge storage chamber 614.

  In the second and third embodiments, ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the recording head on the carriage through an ink supply tube or the like. In such a configuration, a sub-tank that stores the current ink to be supplied to the recording head and constitutes a negative pressure generating mechanism can be provided on the carriage. So far, the description has been mainly made on the replaceable ink cartridge. However, any liquid storage container may be used. For example, such a sub tank may be provided with a communication module. The first communication antenna can be used to communicate ink information in the sub tank, and the second communication antenna can be used to detect the presence or absence of ink in the sub tank.

  The main body communication module can communicate with a communication module with an ink container by a first antenna arranged with a gap of several millimeters. In addition, the main body communication unit can switch to the second antenna arranged with the ink storage portion of the ink storage container interposed therebetween to try to communicate with the communication module attached to the ink storage container.

  When ink is present in the ink container of the ink container, when the communication radio wave passes through the ink, the radio wave is absorbed and attenuated by the ink, and a communication error may occur. The minimum radio wave output that can be communicated in the absence of ink is set in advance at a predetermined interval across the ink container. The communication error occurrence probability is monitored. When the communication error occurrence probability is larger than a predetermined threshold, it is determined that ink is present, and when the communication error occurrence probability is smaller than the predetermined threshold, it is determined that there is no ink.

  As described above, the radio wave absorption characteristics due to moisture differ depending on the frequency band, but the microwave band is most prominent. By adjusting the antenna shape, size, and radio wave output according to the frequency band to be used and the communication distance, suitable ink presence / absence detection becomes possible.

  In combination with the ink drop counting method described above, the remaining amount of ink obtained by conversion is stored in a memory chip provided in the ink storage container to manage the remaining ink amount for each ink storage container, and the user consumes ink. Announce progress. With this configuration, it is possible to automatically stop the printing when ink is finally detected, notify the user of a warning, and prompt an appropriate measure such as replacing the ink container.

  In each of the above embodiments, the first antenna for performing information communication and the second antenna for detecting the presence or absence of ink in the ink container are provided. Accordingly, predetermined information communication can be performed without delay, and the presence or absence of ink in the ink container can be easily detected by switching the communication antenna. The ink container material is not required to be a material that blocks radio waves, and no special ink container component is required for detecting the presence or absence of ink.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view for explaining a state where the ink cartridge is mounted on the recording head and the holder in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the communication module with which the said ink cartridge was equipped. It is a block diagram explaining the function of the said communication module. It is a sectional side view of the ink cartridge. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the said inkjet recording device. It is a block diagram which shows the control structure of the said inkjet recording device. It is a figure for demonstrating the data structure with respect to the said communication module. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the inkjet recording device which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the ink cartridge which concerns on the said 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view for explaining a state where an ink cartridge is mounted on a recording apparatus main body in the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a side sectional view for explaining a state where an ink cartridge is mounted on a recording apparatus main body in an ink jet recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink cartridge 10 Ink 11 Ink storage chamber 12 Negative pressure generating member storage chamber 13 Communication port 15 Ink absorber 21 Step part 22 Ink storage chamber bottom surface part 100 Communication module 130 Circuit chip 140 Antenna 134 Storage circuit 135 Control circuit 137 Power supply circuit 138 RF circuit 205 Carriage 215 First communication antenna 216 Second communication antenna 304 Wireless communication unit 614 Ink cartridge storage chamber 615 First communication antenna 616 Second communication antenna 704 Ink storage bag 708 Inclined portion 701 Ink cartridge

Claims (24)

A recording liquid storage container including a recording liquid storage section, wherein the bottom surface of the recording liquid storage section includes a first area for removing residual recording liquid when the residual recording liquid becomes a predetermined amount or less, and a residual A second region for holding the recording liquid,
A recording liquid storage container comprising a communication unit that performs two-way wireless communication with the recording apparatus main body at a position overlapping the first region.   2. The recording liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein when the recording liquid storage container is attached to a recording apparatus main body, the first area is higher than the second area.   The recording liquid storage container according to claim 2, wherein the first area is inclined downward toward the second area.   The recording liquid storage part is constituted by a flexible film bag, and when the recording liquid storage container is mounted on the recording apparatus main body, the first recording liquid is stored in the first area in order to exclude residual recording liquid from the first area. The recording liquid storage container according to claim 1, wherein the first support portion that supports the region is positioned higher than the second support portion that supports the second region.   2. The communication module is disposed on one of side surfaces parallel to the arrangement direction of the plurality of liquid storage containers when the plurality of liquid storage containers are mounted on a recording apparatus main body. 2. A recording liquid storage container according to 1. A recording liquid storage container having a recording liquid storage section, wherein the bottom of the recording liquid storage section includes a first area for removing residual recording liquid when the residual recording liquid becomes a predetermined amount or less, and residual recording A recording apparatus in which a recording liquid storage container having a communication module on a container outer surface overlapping the first area is detachably mounted,
A first and a second communication antenna for performing wireless communication with the communication module;
The first communication antenna is disposed in close contact with the communication module of the liquid storage container, and the second communication antenna is disposed between the communication module of the liquid storage container and the liquid storage container. A recording apparatus, which is disposed with the liquid storage portion interposed therebetween.   The recording apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a switching unit that switches the first or second communication antenna to connect to the wireless communication unit of the main body.   The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the wireless communication unit of the main body includes means for adjusting output power.   The communication module is provided on one of the side surfaces parallel to the arrangement direction in which a plurality of liquid storage containers are arranged in parallel. The second communication antenna and the communication module are liquids including the communication module. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the recording apparatus has a width substantially equal to or smaller than a width of the side surface of the storage container in the liquid storage container arrangement direction.   A plurality of antenna groups each including a combination of a pair of antennas including the first and second communication antennas, and a means for selectively switching one antenna from the antenna group and connecting to the wireless communication unit of the main body; The recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the recording apparatus is provided.   An antenna group including a plurality of the second communication antennas, and a means for selectively switching one antenna from the antenna group and the first antenna to connect to the wireless communication unit of the main body The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the ink jet recording apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus. A recording liquid storage container that is detachably attached to a recording apparatus that performs recording on a recording medium, and stores a recording liquid supplied to the recording apparatus;
Communication means provided in the recording liquid storage container;
An antenna disposed at a position sandwiching the recording liquid stored in the recording liquid storage container with the communication means by performing wireless communication with the communication means by an electromagnetic wave having a frequency that is easily absorbed by the recording liquid;
Control means for determining the amount of recording liquid stored in the recording liquid storage container from success or failure of communication with the communication means;
A recording apparatus. The recording liquid storage container has a recording liquid storage part, and a bottom surface of the recording liquid storage part includes a first area for removing residual recording liquid when the residual recording liquid becomes a predetermined amount or less, and residual recording A second region for holding liquid,
The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the communication unit is disposed at a position overlapping the first region.   The recording liquid storage container according to claim 13, wherein when the recording liquid storage container is attached to a recording apparatus main body, the first area is positioned higher than the second area.   The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first area is inclined downward toward the second area.   The recording liquid storage part is constituted by a flexible film bag, and when the recording liquid storage container is mounted on the recording apparatus main body, the first recording liquid is stored in the first area in order to exclude residual recording liquid from the first area. The recording apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the first support portion that supports the region is positioned higher than the second support portion that supports the second region.   17. The control unit according to claim 12, wherein the control unit sends a radio signal from the antenna, and determines the remaining amount of the recording liquid in the recording liquid storage container according to whether or not the communication unit responds to the radio signal. The recording apparatus according to claim 1.   The control means sends a wireless signal a plurality of times from the communication antenna, and the ratio of the number of replies from the communication means to the number of times of transmission of the wireless signal is greater than a predetermined threshold value so that the recording liquid is less than a predetermined amount. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the recording apparatus is determined to be present.   The control means sends a wireless signal a plurality of times from the communication antenna, and determines that the recording liquid is below a predetermined amount when the number of consecutive responses from the communication means to the wireless signal is greater than a predetermined threshold. Item 17. The recording device according to any one of Items 12 to 16.   The control means sends a radio signal of electromagnetic waves that gradually increases from the communication antenna, and when the intensity of the electromagnetic waves when a reply is received from the communication means for the radio signals, the recording liquid is less than a predetermined threshold value. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the recording apparatus is determined to be equal to or less than a predetermined amount. A recording liquid storage container for storing a recording liquid for supplying a recording liquid to a recording apparatus,
The recording liquid stored in the recording liquid storage container from the success or failure of communication with the communication means provided in the recording liquid storage container, the antenna that performs radio communication with electromagnetic waves having a frequency that is easily absorbed by the recording liquid, and the communication means A recording liquid storage container that can be attached to a recording apparatus having a control means for determining the amount of
A recording liquid storage container having a recording liquid storage portion positioned between the antenna and the communication means when mounted on the recording apparatus.   The recording liquid storage container according to claim 21, wherein when the recording liquid storage container is attached to the recording apparatus main body, the first region is located higher than the second region.   The recording liquid storage container according to claim 22, wherein the first area is inclined downward toward the second area.   The recording liquid storage part is constituted by a flexible film bag, and when the recording liquid storage container is mounted on the recording apparatus main body, the first recording liquid is stored in the first area in order to exclude residual recording liquid from the first area. The recording liquid storage container according to claim 21, wherein the first support portion that supports the region is located higher than the second support portion that supports the second region.

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