JP2009101533A - Ink remaining amount detecting method, recording device, and ink tank - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a recording device which can be easily assembled without receiving the influence of the fitting precision of a sensor and an ink tank, and can confirm an ink remaining amount at an optional time. <P>SOLUTION: The inside of an ink tank is provided with a movable plate displaced in accordance with the consumption of ink, and the displace amount of the movable plate is detected as resistance value, and is converted into an ink remaining amount. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink remaining amount detection method, a recording apparatus, and an ink tank for detecting the remaining amount of ink inside an ink tank.

  In a recording apparatus that performs recording using ink in an ink tank, if ink runs out during recording, the recording quality deteriorates. Therefore, as a method for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank, Patent Document 1 discloses that the sensor plate detects the detection plate when the detection plate in the ink tank is displaced according to the remaining amount of ink and is displaced to a predetermined position. Thus, there is disclosed a technique capable of detecting that the remaining amount of ink has reached a predetermined amount.

JP-A-6-99588

  However, the method of Patent Document 1 is a method that can be detected only when the amount of ink reaches a predetermined amount, and the user cannot always know the remaining amount of ink. In addition, since the attachment position of the sensor and the attachment position of the ink tank affect the detection accuracy, if the attachment accuracy differs for each printing apparatus, the detection accuracy may vary. Further, when trying to increase the detection accuracy, high accuracy is required for mounting the sensor in the assembly of the recording apparatus, which may increase the manufacturing cost.

  Therefore, the present invention provides an ink remaining amount detection method, a recording apparatus, and an ink tank that can be easily assembled without being affected by the mounting accuracy of sensors and ink tanks and allow a user to know the ink remaining amount at any time. It aims to be realized.

  Therefore, an ink tank according to the present invention includes an ink storage portion that can store ink, a movable portion that can be displaced in accordance with a change in the amount of ink contained in the ink storage portion, and a displacement that is dependent on the displacement of the movable portion. And a variable resistance portion whose resistance value changes.

  The recording apparatus of the present invention includes a recording unit that performs recording using ink stored in an ink tank, and a control unit that controls the recording. The recording apparatus includes the ink tank. It is possible to calculate the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank by detecting the resistance value.

  The ink remaining amount detecting method according to the present invention is an ink remaining amount detecting method for an ink tank in which the amount of ink stored changes due to consumption of ink contained in the ink tank. The resistance value of the variable resistance portion provided in the ink tank is changed by displacing the movable portion.

  According to the present invention, an ink storage portion that can store ink in an ink tank, a movable portion that can be displaced in accordance with a change in the amount of ink stored in the ink storage portion, and a displacement of the movable portion. And a variable resistance section whose resistance value changes accordingly. This realizes an ink remaining amount detection method, a recording apparatus, and an ink tank that can be easily assembled without being affected by the accuracy of sensor and ink tank mounting, and allow the user to know the ink remaining amount at any time. be able to.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a recording apparatus to which the present embodiment is applicable, and shows a state in which the main body cover 208 is opened and the inside of the housing 204 is exposed. Further, for convenience of explanation, a part of the housing 204 (portion drawn with a broken line) is shown in perspective.

  The recording apparatus 200 includes four ink tanks 100Bk, 100C, 100M, and 100Y for black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). May be written). An ink discharge unit (not shown) that discharges ink supplied from the ink tank 100 is provided vertically below the ink tank 100. The ink tank 100 is individually mounted at a predetermined position determined for each ink type, and ink can be supplied from the ink tank 100 to the ink discharge section via a flow path. Further, the ink tank 100Bk employs an ink capacity larger than those of the other ink tanks 1C, 1M, and 1Y.

  The ink tank 100 and the ink discharge unit are mounted on a carriage 201. The carriage 201 scans in a direction parallel to an arrow α in the drawing, and is a recording medium (not shown) supplied further vertically below the ink discharge unit. ). The recording medium is supplied into the recording apparatus 200 from an automatic paper feeder 202 provided on the back surface of the housing 204. In the recording unit, scanning of the carriage 201 in the main scanning direction and conveyance of the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction are performed. Recording is performed by a so-called serial scan method which is alternately performed. After recording, the recording medium is discharged to the paper discharge tray 203.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of the ink tank 100. The ink tank 100 is cut out along the bottom surface of the ink tank 100 and divided into a tank portion 500 and a bottom surface portion 600. FIG. In addition, the part shown with the broken line in the figure is what looked through the internal structure.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the ink tank 100 as seen from the cut surface of FIG. Hereinafter, the structure of the ink tank 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  The ink tank 100 is covered with a tank case 102 on the outside, and has a supply port 111 for supplying ink to the recording apparatus 200 on the bottom surface. Inside the ink tank 100, an ink storage chamber 104 in which the ink 103 is stored, and an ink flow path 114 that guides the ink 103 in the ink storage chamber 104 to the supply port 111 are provided. In the ink storage chamber 104, at least a part of the constituent members is made of a flexible member, and a flexible member having a movable plate 105 is joined to one side of the side surface of the tank unit 500 provided perpendicular to the bottom surface portion 600. Has been. Further, the side surface facing the movable plate 105 is integrated with the tank case 102.

  A spring 106 is provided inside the ink storage chamber 104. The spring 106 is installed between the movable plate 105 and the inner wall of the tank case 102 opposite to the movable plate 105, and is provided so as to apply a force in a direction of expanding between the two. A negative pressure is generated inside the ink storage chamber 104 by the force in the direction of expanding the ink storage chamber 104. This negative pressure is controlled to a strength sufficient to prevent the ink 103 from leaking to the outside and to prevent air from entering the ink tank 100.

  With the above configuration, when the ink 103 in the ink tank 100 is consumed, the ink storage chamber 104 is reduced, and accordingly, the movable plate 105 approaches one side surface of the tank case 102. At this time, the biasing force of the spring 106 is applied to the position of the center of gravity of the movable plate 105 so that the movable plate 105 is displaced while maintaining a state perpendicular to the bottom surface. Here, it is assumed that the ink consumption amount and the moving distance between the movable plate 105 are always in a constant correspondence relationship.

  A conductive portion 107 is provided on the end surface of the movable plate 105 on the bottom surface portion 600 side, and the conductive portion 107 includes two conductive contact needles 100A1 and 100B1. Conductive wiring 100A2 and conductive wiring 100B2 are provided on the surface forming the inner surface of tank case 102 of bottom surface portion 600, and contact needle 100A1 is always in contact with conductive wiring 100A2 and contact needle 100B1 is in contact with conductive wiring 100B2 inside tank case 102. It is configured as follows. Here, each of the conductive wirings 100A2 and 100B2 has a predetermined electrical resistance. When the movable plate 105 moves as the ink is consumed, the two contact needles 100A1 and 100B1 slide on the conductive wirings 100A2 and 100B2 while maintaining contact.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the ink tank 100 of the present embodiment from the bottom side. Conductive tank side contacts 100A3 and 100B3 are provided on the surface of the bottom surface portion 600 that defines the outside of the tank case 102. The tank side contact 100A3 is a part of the conductive wiring 100A2 exposed to the outside of the tank case, and is provided through the bottom surface portion 600. The tank side contact 100B3 is a part of the conductive wiring 100B2 exposed to the outside of the tank case 102, and is provided through the bottom surface portion 600 in the same manner as the tank side contact 100A3.

  5 is a side sectional view showing a state where the ink tank 100 is mounted on the carriage 201, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a portion of the carriage 201 where the ink tank 100 is mounted. The ink tank 100 is fixed to the carriage 201 by applying a repulsive force of the latch lever 110 that is displaced during mounting to the inside of the carriage 201. At that time, the first engagement portion 112 and the second engagement portion 113 of the ink tank 100 engage with the corresponding first engagement portion 212 and second engagement portion 213 provided on the carriage 201 side. Is positioned. When the ink tank 100 is mounted, the supply port 111 provided in the bottom surface portion 600 of the ink tank 100 and the ink introduction port 211 of the carriage 201 are fluidly connected, and ink is supplied from the ink tank 100 to the ink ejection unit 220. Is possible. The carriage 201 is provided with two conductive contacts, that is, main body side contacts 200A and 200B. By mounting the ink tank 100 on the carriage 201, each of the tank side contacts 100A3 and 100B3 provided in the ink tank 100 is electrically connected to the main body side contacts 200A and 200B installed at positions corresponding to the respective contacts. The

Hereinafter, a method for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 100 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the main body control circuit 400 of the recording apparatus 200 and the resistance circuit 300 in the ink tank 100 when the ink tank 100 is mounted on the recording apparatus 200. The resistance circuit 300 and the main body control circuit 400 are electrically connected via the contacts A and B. Here, in each contact, the contact A is a connection point between the tank side contact 100A3 and the main body side contact 200A, and the contact B is a connection point between the tank side contact 100B3 and the main body side contact 200B.

  In the resistance circuit 300, the conductive wiring 100B2 has a relatively higher resistance value R than the conductive wiring 100A2. In the circuit connecting the contacts A and B, the resistance of the conductive wiring 100B2 is a variable resistance, and the conductive portion 107 moves while sliding on the conductive wirings 100A2 and 100B2 as the ink in the ink tank 100 is consumed. The variable resistance value r is configured to change low. That is, the ratio of the resistance in the circuit connecting the contacts A and B is changed by the movement of the conductive portion 107. Therefore, the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 100 can be detected by detecting the variable resistance value r. The movement range of the conductive portion 107, which is a movable member, corresponds to the range in which the movable plate 105 in the ink tank 100 shown in FIG. 1 can move.

Here, the moving distance of the conductive portion 107 is d, and the distance that the conductive portion 107 moves from the initial state where the ink is most in the ink tank 100 until the ink in the ink tank 100 becomes empty is the maximum. The moving distance is d _max . Then, the moving distance d = 0 when the variable value of the resistor r the r0 of (ink prior to consumption), the value of the variable resistance value r when the moving distance d = d _max and r1.

  FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the variable resistance value r and the moving distance d, and FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relationship between the variable resistance value r and the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 100. It is. As shown in FIG. 8, the relationship between the moving distance d and the variable resistance value r is a proportional relationship. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the ink consumption amount and the movement distance of the conductive portion 107 always have a constant correspondence (proportional relationship).

On the other hand, the main body control circuit 400 includes a resistance value detection unit 403, and detects a change in the resistance value of the variable resistance value r by detecting a potential by applying a constant current ip between the contacts A and B. Can do. Contact A resistance value detecting means 403 is obtained when applying a constant current ip, the potential difference between B and Vp, when the applied voltage by the resistance value detecting means 403 and V _in, the value of Vp is a variable resistance value r It has the following relationship.
_{Vp = r / r0 × V in} ···················· ( Equation 1)

Here, r0 and V _in so constant, contacts A, the potential difference Vp between B changes in proportion to the variable resistance value r. That is, the change in Vp is proportional to the ink consumption.

  The potential difference Vp between the contacts A and B calculated in this way is digitized by A / D conversion and sent to the ink remaining amount calculation circuit 401.

  The main body control circuit 400 further includes information storage means 402. The information storage unit 402 stores information necessary for calculating the remaining amount of ink, and the remaining ink level calculation circuit 401 stores the calculated potential difference Vp between the contacts A and B and the information storage unit 402. The ink remaining amount is calculated from the information.

  Here, the information stored in the information storage unit 402 includes the variable range of the potential difference Vp between the contacts A and B determined by the range of the moving distance d of the conductive portion 107, the movable range of the conductive portion 107, and before ink consumption (moving) This is the value (initial value) of the potential difference Vp detected at the distance d = 0).

FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the potential difference Vp and the remaining amount of ink. The value of the potential difference Vp at the movement distance d = d _max has the smallest resistance value, and the potential difference at that time is defined as the potential difference Vp = V _r1 . Further, the value of Vp at the movement distance d = 0 has the largest resistance value. If the potential difference at that time is the potential difference Vp = V0, the relationship between the remaining ink amount and the potential difference Vp is as shown in FIG. Therefore, the remaining ink amount [%] can be calculated by the following calculation formula.
Vp = ((V0−V _r1 ) / 100 × remaining ink amount) + V _r1 (Equation 2)
Can be expressed as
Ink remaining amount = (Vp−V _r1 ) / (V0−V _r1 ) × 100 (Equation 3)
It becomes.

Further, the value of V _r1 and the variable range of Vp differ depending on the capacity of the ink tank 100. However, by providing the information storage unit 402 with each piece of information for each capacity of the ink tank 100, even when the ink tanks 100 having different capacities are mounted together as in the recording apparatus 200 of FIG. The remaining ink amount can be calculated by the same calculation method.

  The remaining amount of ink determined in this way uses display means and sound output means provided in the main body of the recording apparatus 200, and display functions and sound output means provided in peripheral devices (such as a PC) that control the recording apparatus 200. To inform the user.

  Further, the information storage unit 402 stores the latest ink remaining amount information of each ink tank 100 mounted on the recording apparatus 200, and the information may be updated as needed. By doing so, even when the ink tank 100 is replaced, it can be recognized immediately, and can be fed back to the control unit 300 of the main body of the recording apparatus 200.

  Further, when the ink tank 100 that is the target for detecting the remaining amount of ink is not attached, it is detected by the potential difference detection means 403 that the detection destination circuit is open, and it is determined that the ink tank is not attached. it can.

When an ink tank to which the present invention is applied has an information storage area as a part of its configuration, preliminary information (for example, a value of V _r1 or a variable range of Vp) necessary for calculating the remaining amount of ink is stored in the information storage area. The latest ink remaining amount may be stored. As a result, even when the ink tank 100 that has been used is remounted, the control unit 300 of the recording apparatus 200 reads the information necessary for calculating the remaining ink amount and the usage history of the ink tank from the information storage area, Accurate ink remaining amount detection can be performed.

  In this manner, a movable plate that is displaced according to the amount of ink consumed is provided in the ink tank, and the amount of displacement of the movable plate is detected as a resistance value and converted into a remaining amount of ink. This realizes an ink remaining amount detection method, a recording apparatus, and an ink tank that can be easily assembled without being affected by the accuracy of sensor and ink tank mounting, and allow the user to know the ink remaining amount at any time. I was able to.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the basic configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof is omitted, and only characteristic portions are described.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the main body control circuit 400 of the recording apparatus 200 of the present embodiment and the resistance circuit 800 in the ink tank 700.

  In the present embodiment, in the resistance circuit 800, the conductive wirings 800A2 and 800B2 have the same resistance value R. In the circuit connecting the contacts A and B, the conductive wiring 800A2 and the conductive wiring 800B2 are variable resistances having resistance values rA and rB. Then, the conductive portion 107 moves as the ink in the ink tank 800 is consumed, and the variable resistance values rA and rB change low. Assuming that the combined resistance of the variable resistance value rA and the variable resistance value rB is rC, the combined resistance rC decreases as the ink in the ink tank 800 is consumed. Therefore, the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 800 can be detected by detecting the combined resistance rC. The movement range of the conductive portion 107 corresponds to the range in which the movable plate in the ink tank shown in FIG. 1 can move.

The moving distance of the conductive portion 107 is d, the maximum moving distance d _max when the ink tank is empty, the value of the combined resistance rC when the moving distance d = 0 (before ink consumption) is rC = rC0, and the moving distance d. The value of the total resistance rC when = d _max is rC = rC1.

  FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the combined resistance rC and the moving distance d, and FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the combined resistance rC and the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank 800. . As shown in FIG. 12, the relationship between the moving distance d and the combined resistance rC is a proportional relationship. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the ink consumption amount and the moving distance of the conductive portion 107 always have a constant correspondence (proportional relationship).

On the other hand, the main body control circuit 400 includes resistance value detection means 403, and detects a change in resistance value of the combined resistance rC by detecting a potential by applying a constant current ip / 2 between the contacts A and B. be able to. When the resistance value detecting means 403 contacts A obtained when applying a constant current ip / 2, the potential difference between B and Vcp, the applied voltage by the resistance value detecting means 403 and V _in, the value of Vcp, the combined resistance rC And has the following relationship.
_{Vcp = rC / R × V in} ··················· ( Equation 4)

Wherein, R and V _in so constant, the potential difference Vcp varies in proportion to the combined resistance rC. That is, the change in Vcp is proportional to the ink consumption.

  The potential difference Vcp between the contacts A and B calculated in this way is digitized by A / D conversion and sent to the ink remaining amount calculation circuit 401.

  FIG. 15 is a view showing a state where the movable plate 105 is tilted and displaced when the ink in the ink tank 800 is consumed. This embodiment differs greatly from the first embodiment in that the remaining amount of ink can be accurately detected even when the movable plate 105 is tilted as shown in FIG. It is in. That is, in FIG. 11, the value of the combined resistance rC, that is, rA + rB is changed even when the state of the conductive portion 107 becomes a solid line or a broken line after consumption of a certain amount of ink. Therefore, it is possible to calculate the remaining amount of ink as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between the potential difference Vcp and the remaining ink amount. The value of the potential difference Vcp at the movement distance d = d _max has the smallest resistance value, and the potential difference at that time is defined as the potential difference Vcp = V _rC1 . The value of Vp in the moving distance d = 0, the resistance value becomes the largest, when the potential difference when the potential difference Vp = V _RC0, the relationship between the remaining ink level and the potential Vcp is as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the remaining ink amount is calculated in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  In this manner, a movable plate that is displaced according to the amount of ink consumed is provided in the ink tank, and the amount of displacement of the movable plate is detected as a resistance value and converted into a remaining amount of ink. This realizes an ink remaining amount detection method, a recording apparatus, and an ink tank that can be easily assembled without being affected by the accuracy of sensor and ink tank mounting, and allow the user to know the ink remaining amount at any time. I was able to.

  In this embodiment, a serial scan type recording apparatus is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a full line type recording apparatus may be used. The recording method may be performed using either an electrothermal transducer or a piezo.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of an ink tank. It is a top view which shows the ink tank seen from the cut surface of FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the ink tank according to the first embodiment from the bottom side. It is a figure which shows the recording device which can apply this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a state where an ink tank is mounted on a carriage. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the part in which the ink tank of a carriage is mounted | worn. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a main body control circuit of the recording apparatus and a resistance circuit in the ink tank when the ink tank is mounted on the recording apparatus. The relationship between a variable resistance value and a moving distance is represented in a graph. The relationship between the variable resistance value and the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is represented in a graph. The relationship between the potential difference Vp and the remaining amount of ink is shown in a graph. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a main body control circuit of a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment and a resistance circuit in an ink tank. The relationship between the total resistance and the moving distance is represented in a graph. The relationship between the total resistance and the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is represented in a graph. The relationship between the potential difference and the remaining amount of ink is shown in a graph. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a movable plate is tilted and displaced when ink in an ink tank is consumed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Ink tank 102 Tank case 103 Ink 104 Ink storage chamber 105 Movable plate 106 Spring 107 Conductive part 111 Supply port 200 Recording apparatus 201 Carriage 202 Automatic paper feeder 203 Paper discharge tray 204 Case 300 Control part 400 Main body control circuit 401 Ink remaining Quantity calculation circuit 402 Information storage means 403 Resistance value detection means 500 Tank part 600 Bottom face part

Claims (9)

  An ink containing portion that can contain ink, a movable portion that can be displaced in accordance with a change in the amount of ink that accompanies consumption of ink in the ink containing portion, and a variable resistor that has a resistance value that changes in accordance with the displacement of the movable portion. And an ink tank.   The variable resistance portion is configured by a circuit, and the circuit includes a conductive portion having a relatively low electrical resistance and a resistance portion having a relatively high electrical resistance, and the circuit is moved along with the displacement of the movable member. The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of the resistance portion occupying is changed.   The ink tank according to claim 1, wherein the displacement distance of the movable portion and the change in the resistance value are in a proportional relationship.   The ink tank according to claim 2, wherein the resistance value changes when the resistance portion and the conductive portion are in sliding contact with each other.   5. The ink tank according to claim 2, wherein the resistance value is a combined resistance obtained by combining the resistance values of the two resistance portions. 6.   The ink tank according to claim 5, wherein the resistance values of the two resistance portions are different values. In a recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that performs recording using ink stored in an ink tank; and a control unit that controls the recording.
7. A recording apparatus, wherein the ink tank according to claim 1 can be mounted, and the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is calculated by detecting the resistance value.   The control unit includes information storage means for storing an initial value of the resistance value detected before consuming the ink and a movable range of the movable unit, and the initial value of the resistance value; The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank is calculated based on the movable range and the change in the resistance value. In the ink remaining amount detection method of the ink tank, in which the amount of ink stored is changed by consuming ink stored inside,
A method for detecting a remaining amount of ink, comprising: changing a resistance value of a variable resistor provided in the ink tank by displacing a movable part in the ink tank as the ink is consumed.

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