JP2009214517A - Cartridge, image forming device and cartridge regenerating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cartridge and an image forming device for attaining the environmental protection by energy-saving, and to further provide a cartridge regenerating device capable of reusing the cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: In an ink cartridge 10, when a storage element block 10B exists in a first position, a storage element 10a exists in a rewritable position from an external part, and a used display color part 10p is hidden by a casing 10f, and is not displayed outside. When the storage element block 10B exists in a second position, the storage element 10a exists in an unrewritable position from the external part, and the used display color part 10p can be visually observed through used display windows 10w1 and 10w2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge for displaying a used cartridge, an image forming apparatus using the cartridge, and a cartridge reproducing apparatus for reproducing a used cartridge.

  In general, as an image forming apparatus that combines a printer / fax / copier or a combination of these functions, an image forming unit that employs an electrophotographic method is known. For example, liquid discharge that discharges liquid droplets of recording liquid is known. Recording is performed while a recording medium (hereinafter also referred to as “paper” is not limited to a material, and the recording medium, a transfer material, and the like are also used synonymously) using a recording head constituted by a head. Some are equipped with an image forming unit of an ink jet system that performs image formation (recording, printing, printing, and printing are also used synonymously) by attaching liquid droplets (hereinafter also referred to as ink droplets) to paper. is there.

  In such an image forming apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as a printer), since ink is a consumable item, an ink bag is housed in a removable cartridge and ink is supplied from the cartridge to the recording head. is there.

  At this time, the cartridge is equipped with a storage element that stores product information, used information, and the like of the cartridge, and read / write control of the storage element and information management of the storage element are performed on the image forming apparatus side. .

  For example, in Patent Document 1, it is determined whether the product is a genuine product or a non-genuine reproduction product based on information from a storage element mounted on the cartridge. Warning. In addition, an invention is disclosed in which when a warning is issued, the user selects whether to continue or stop printing, and in the case of continuing, the empty ejection amount of the image forming apparatus is increased so that no head non-ejection occurs. As a result, it is possible to make the user recognize that the product is an irregular reproduction product and to prevent the image forming apparatus from causing head non-ejection.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, a storage element for managing information is mounted on a cartridge, and both the main body and the cartridge count and record the number of usable images of the cartridge and the cumulative number of actually used images. A configuration is disclosed in which cartridge replacement is notified when the use limit number of images is exceeded. In addition, a configuration is disclosed in which, when a cartridge is replaced with another cartridge, the main body side memory is reflected in the usable limit number of images and the cumulative number of images of the cartridge after replacement.

  Also, for example, if ink runs out in the cartridge (ink end), or ink runs out during ink supply during the next print job or maintenance (ink near end), this is displayed and the cartridge In addition to prompting replacement, measures have been taken so that the memory element mounted in the cartridge cannot be used again accidentally by writing used data.

  However, in order to determine whether or not the cartridge has been used up to now, the cartridge is mounted on an image forming apparatus or an information reading device capable of reading storage element information, and information is stored from the storage element. Had to get. Further, as long as the cartridge is mounted on the image forming apparatus, power is supplied from the image forming apparatus, but it is useless to continue supplying power to the storage elements of the used cartridge.

JP 2007-62203 A JP 2002-169431 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in the prior art, and it is possible to check the use of a cartridge on which a storage element is mounted without using an image forming apparatus or the like, and to supply power after use. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cartridge and an image forming apparatus that are not received and achieve environmental protection by energy saving, and further provide a cartridge reproducing apparatus that can reuse (reuse) the cartridge.

The present invention provided to solve the above problems is as follows.
[1] A consumable storage unit (ink bag 10i) for storing consumables (ink), and a casing 10f in which the consumable storage unit (ink bag 10i) is stored so that the consumables (ink) can be supplied to the outside. And a storage element 10a for storing information on the cartridge in a rewritable manner and a used display portion (used display color portion 10p), and at least a first position (block insertion position fixing spring 10s at the position of the block) in the casing 10f. And a storage element block 10B that is movably stored in both directions: a position where the insertion position fixing groove 10d1 comes) and a second position (a position where the block insertion position fixing groove 10d2 comes to the position of the block insertion position fixing spring 10s). When the memory element block 10B is in the first position, the memory element 10a is rewritable from the outside (memory element 10a is located on the front side of the ink cartridge 10 and is in contact with the storage element connector pin 4p when mounted on the image forming apparatus), and the used display portion (used display color portion 10p) is not displayed outside. When the storage element block 10B is at the second position, the storage element 10a cannot be rewritten from the outside (the storage element 10a is inside the casing 10f of the ink cartridge 10 to form an image). The used display part (used display color portion 10p) is displayed on the outside (visible through the used display windows 10w1 and 10w2). Cartridge) (ink cartridge 10, FIGS. 4 to 9).
[2] The cartridge according to [1], wherein the storage element block includes an adsorption portion (storage element block adsorption portion 10v) made of a magnetic material.
[3] The cartridge according to [1] or [2] uses a cartridge holder (cartridge holder 4) mounted as a cartridge (ink cartridge 10) in which the consumable is ink, and ink of the cartridge. The image forming means (recording head 34) for forming an image, the remaining ink management means (ASIC 101, CPU 102, cartridge information storage memory 103) for managing the remaining ink amount of the cartridge, and the storage element of the cartridge Information writing / updating means (storage element connector 4n, storage element connector pin 4p) for writing or updating, and moving means for moving the storage element block (storage element block 10B) of the cartridge from the first position to the second position ( Cartridge eject pin 4i), and the ink When the remaining amount management means detects an ink near end or an ink end in the cartridge, the information writing / updating means writes or updates used information in the storage element of the cartridge, and the moving means stores the storage element in the cartridge. An image forming apparatus that moves a block from a first position to a second position (inkjet recording apparatus, FIGS. 1, 2, and 3).
[4] The image forming apparatus according to [3], further including a display window (cartridge ink non-display window 4w) for displaying a used display portion displayed on the cartridge in which the storage element block is in the second position. FIG. 10).
[5] The moving unit according to [3], wherein the moving unit includes an ejecting mechanism (cartridge ejecting pin 4i) for ejecting the cartridge after moving the storage element block of the cartridge from the first position to the second position. Image forming apparatus (FIG. 16).
[6] Cover detection means (cartridge holder cover open / close detection sensor 4d) for detecting opening and closing of the cover of the cartridge holder, and when the cover detection means detects the cover open state, the moving means is the cartridge The image forming apparatus according to [5] (FIGS. 10 and 25).
[7] A cartridge holder (cartridge holder 200f) in which the cartridge (ink cartridge 10) according to [1] or [2] is mounted, and ink that is a consumable item in the ink cartridge Consumables supply means (ink supply part connection portion 208z) and information writing / updating means (storage element connector 205, storage element connector) for writing or updating information in the storage element (storage element 10a) of the ink cartridge A cartridge reproducing apparatus (cartridge reproducing apparatus) comprising: a pin 205p) and a moving means (storage element block pull-out pin 206p) for moving the storage element block (storage element block 10B) of the ink cartridge from the second position to the first position. 200, FIG. 26, FIG. 29).

According to the cartridge of the present invention, since it is possible to identify the used cartridge visually, it is not necessary to attach the used cartridge to the image forming apparatus or the information reading apparatus again, and it is possible to save energy by not involving power consumption. Environmental protection can be achieved. In addition, since power is not supplied from the image forming apparatus after the use, it is possible to avoid wasteful power supply and achieve environmental protection by energy saving.
According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the cartridge of the present invention becomes an ink end or an ink near end, an appropriate measure can be taken, and wasteful power supply can be avoided and environmental protection by energy saving can be achieved.
According to the cartridge reproducing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to reuse (reuse) the cartridge capable of environmental protection by energy saving according to the present invention, so that further environmental protection can be achieved.

Hereinafter, a cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and a cartridge reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating the overall configuration of a mechanism unit of an ink jet recording apparatus which is an aspect of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the entire configuration of the mechanism unit of the ink jet recording apparatus. FIG. With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, an outline of an internal configuration and a mechanism part of the ink jet recording apparatus will be described.

  1 and 2, a carriage 33 is slidably held in a main scanning direction by a guide rod 31 and a stay 32, which are guide members horizontally mounted on left and right side plates 21A and 21B constituting the frame 21. 2 is moved and scanned in the direction indicated by the arrow (carriage main scanning direction) in FIG. 2 through a timing belt (not shown) by a main scanning motor (not shown).

  As shown in the figure, the carriage 33 has a recording head 34 composed of four droplet ejection heads that eject ink droplets of each color of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (Bk). A plurality of ink ejection openings are arranged in a direction crossing the main scanning direction, and are mounted with the ink droplet ejection direction facing downward.

  As an inkjet head constituting the recording head 34, a piezoelectric actuator such as a piezoelectric element, a thermal actuator that uses a phase change caused by film boiling of a liquid using an electrothermal transducer such as a heating resistor, and a metal phase change caused by a temperature change. It is possible to use a shape memory alloy actuator to be used, an electrostatic actuator using an electrostatic force, or the like provided as pressure generating means for generating a pressure for discharging a droplet.

  A driver IC is mounted on the recording head 34 and is connected to a control unit (not shown) via a harness (flexible print cable) 22.

  The carriage 33 is equipped with a sub tank 35 for each color for supplying each color ink to the recording head 34. The ink tanks 10k, 10c, 10m, and 10y of the respective colors mounted on the cartridge holder 4 serving as the cartridge loading section are connected to the sub tanks 35 of the respective colors via the ink supply tubes 36 of the respective colors (“ink cartridge 10” when not distinguished). In other words, each color ink is replenished and supplied. The cartridge loading 4 is provided with a supply pump unit for feeding ink in the ink cartridge 10, and the ink supply tube 36 is engaged with the rear plate 21 </ b> C constituting the frame 21 in the middle of turning. It is held by the member 25.

  On the other hand, as a paper feeding unit for feeding the papers 42 stacked on the paper stacking unit (pressure plate) 41 of the paper feeding tray 2, a half-moon roller (feeding) that separates and feeds the papers 42 one by one from the paper stacking unit 41. The sheet roller 43 and the sheet feeding roller 43 are opposed to each other, and a separation pad 44 made of a material having a large friction coefficient is provided.

  In order to feed the paper 42 fed from the paper feeding unit to the lower side of the recording head 34, a guide member 45 for guiding the paper 42, a counter roller 46, a transport guide member 47, and a tip pressure roller. And a holding belt 48 which is a conveying means for electrostatically attracting the fed paper 42 and conveying it at a position facing the recording head 34.

  The transport belt 51 is an endless belt, and is configured to wrap around the transport roller 52 and the tension roller 53 and circulate in the belt transport direction (sub-scanning direction). The transport belt 51 is, for example, a surface layer that is a sheet adsorbing surface formed of a pure resin material having a thickness of about 40 μm that is not subjected to resistance control, for example, ETFE pure material, and resistance control by carbon using the same material as the surface layer. And a back layer (medium resistance layer, earth layer).

  A charging roller 56 is provided as charging means for charging the surface of the conveyor belt 51. The charging roller 56 is disposed so as to come into contact with the surface layer of the conveyor belt 51 and to be rotated by the rotation of the conveyor belt 51, and applies a predetermined pressing force to both ends of the shaft as a pressing force. The transport roller 52 also functions as an earth roller, and is in contact with the middle resistance layer (back layer) of the transport belt 51 and is grounded.

  In addition, a guide member 57 is disposed on the back side of the conveyance belt 51 so as to correspond to a printing area by the recording head 34. The guide member 57 has an upper surface that protrudes toward the recording head 34 from the tangent line of the two rollers (the conveyance roller 52 and the tension roller 53) that support the conveyance belt 51, thereby maintaining high-precision flatness of the conveyance belt 51. Like to do.

  The conveyance belt 51 rotates in the belt conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) in FIG. 2 when the conveyance roller 52 is rotationally driven by a sub-scanning motor (not shown).

  Further, as a paper discharge unit for discharging the paper 42 recorded by the recording head 34, a separation claw 61 for separating the paper 42 from the conveying belt 51, a paper discharge roller 62, and a paper discharge roller 63 are provided. The paper discharge tray 3 is provided below the paper discharge roller 62. Here, the height from between the paper discharge roller 62 and the paper discharge roller 63 to the paper discharge tray 3 is increased to some extent in order to increase the amount that can be stored in the paper discharge tray 3.

  A duplex unit 71 is detachably mounted on the back surface of the apparatus body 1. The duplex unit 71 takes in the paper 42 returned by the reverse rotation of the conveyance belt 51, reverses it, and feeds it again between the counter roller 46 and the conveyance belt 51. The upper surface of the duplex unit 71 is a manual feed tray 72.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, a maintenance / recovery mechanism 81 including a recovery means for maintaining and recovering the nozzle state of the recording head 34 is disposed in the non-printing area on one side of the carriage 33 in the scanning direction. Yes. The maintenance / recovery mechanism 81 includes a cap member (hereinafter referred to as “cap”) 82a to 82d (hereinafter referred to as “cap 82” when not distinguished) and a nozzle surface for capping each nozzle surface of the recording head 34. A wiper blade 83 that is a blade member for discharging, and an empty discharge receiver 84 that receives liquid droplets when performing empty discharge for discharging liquid droplets that do not contribute to recording in order to discharge the thickened recording liquid. . Here, the cap 82a is a suction and moisture retention cap, and the other caps 82b to 82d are moisture retention caps.

  Then, the waste liquid of the recording liquid generated by the maintenance / recovery operation by the maintenance / recovery mechanism 81, the ink discharged to the cap 82, the ink attached to the wiper blade 83 and removed by the wiper cleaner, and the idle ejection receiver 84 are idled. The discharged ink is discharged and stored in a waste liquid tank (not shown).

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, in the non-printing area on the other side in the scanning direction of the carriage 33, idle discharge is performed to discharge liquid droplets that do not contribute to recording in order to discharge the recording liquid thickened during recording or the like. An empty discharge receiver 88 for receiving the droplets at the time is disposed, and the empty discharge receiver 88 is provided with an opening 89 along the nozzle row direction of the recording head 34.

  Further, a communication circuit unit (interface) such as a USB for transmitting / receiving data to / from the host is provided on the inner rear side of the apparatus main body 1 and constitutes a control unit that controls the entire image forming apparatus. A control circuit board is provided.

  In the ink jet recording apparatus configured as described above, the sheets 42 are separated and fed one by one from the sheet feeding tray 2, and the sheet 42 fed substantially vertically upward is guided by the guide 45, and the transport belt 51 and the counter roller 46, and the leading end is guided by the conveying guide 47 and pressed against the conveying belt 51 by the leading end pressing roller 49, and the conveying direction is changed by approximately 90 °.

  At this time, a positive voltage output and a negative output are alternately repeated from the AC bias supply unit to the charging roller 56 by a control circuit (not shown), that is, a charging voltage pattern in which an alternating voltage is applied and the conveying belt 51 alternates. That is, plus and minus are alternately charged in a band shape with a predetermined width in the sub-scanning direction which is the circumferential direction. When the paper 42 is fed onto the conveyance belt 51 charged alternately with plus and minus, the paper 42 is attracted to the conveyance belt 51, and the paper 42 is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction by the circular movement of the conveyance belt 51.

  Therefore, by driving the recording head 34 according to the image signal while moving the carriage 33, ink droplets are ejected onto the stopped paper 42 to record one line, and after the paper 42 is conveyed by a predetermined amount, Record the next line. Upon receiving a recording end signal or a signal that the trailing edge of the paper 42 has reached the recording area, the recording operation is finished and the paper 42 is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 3.

  Further, during printing (recording) standby, the carriage 33 is moved to the maintenance / recovery mechanism 81 side, and the recording head 34 is capped by the cap 82 to keep the nozzles in a wet state, thereby preventing ejection failure due to ink drying. . In addition, the recording liquid is sucked from the nozzle by a suction pump (not shown) with the recording head 34 capped by the cap 82 (referred to as “nozzle suction” or “head suction”), and the recovered recording liquid and bubbles are discharged. Perform the action. In addition, an idle ejection operation for ejecting ink not related to recording is performed before the start of recording or during recording. As a result, the stable ejection performance of the recording head 34 is maintained.

FIG. 3 shows an electrical configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus) shown in FIGS.
In FIG. 3, a cartridge holder cover opening / closing detection sensor 4d is a sensor for detecting opening / closing of the cartridge holder cover 4 of the ink jet recording apparatus. The storage element connectors 4nk, 4nc, 4nm, and 4ny are connectors for communicating with the storage elements 10ak, 10ac, 10am, and 10ay mounted on the ink cartridges 10 of the respective colors. The cartridge eject pin power units 4mk, 4mc, 4mm, and 4my are power units for moving the eject pins 4i corresponding to the ink cartridges 10 of the respective colors. The cartridge status display LEDs 4Lk, 4Lc, 4Lm, and 4Ly are LEDs that can notify the status of each color ink cartridge 10 by turning on, turning off, blinking, and changing colors.

  The ASIC 101 is a device dedicated to an image forming apparatus that controls the entire image forming apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus). The CPU 103 is a central processing unit, the cartridge information storage memory 103 is a memory for storing information collected from the storage element 10a of the cartridge 10, and the program memory 104 is an entire image forming apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus). This is a memory storing a program for controlling the.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic external view illustrating an ink cartridge used in the image forming apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus) of FIGS. 1 and 2 as an embodiment of the cartridge according to the present invention. Here, a front view, a side view, a rear view, a top view, and a bottom view of the ink cartridge 10 are shown. Since the configuration of the side surface of the ink cartridge 10 is the same when viewed from either side, the right side view is shown as an example.

  The ink cartridge 10 contains consumable ink inside, and has an ink supply port 10z on the front surface. When the ink cartridge 10 is mounted on the image forming apparatus, the ink inside the cartridge is exposed to the outside from the ink supply port 10z. It is possible to supply.

  The used display windows 10w1 and 10w2 are display windows that can perform a used display externally when the ink cartridge 10 is used up without ink. It arrange | positions at a surface (10w2) and an upper surface (10w1). Further, the used display windows 10w1 and 10w2 are configured by making a through-hole in the outer shape (casing 10f) of the ink cartridge 10. Or, if it is necessary to deal with foreign matter entering the hole, insert a transparent resin or glass.

FIG. 5 is an upper front view illustrating the configuration of the upper part of the front of the ink cartridge of the present invention.
FIG. 5A shows a shape of a conventional ink cartridge 90 shown for comparison, and a storage element 90a in which a storage element terminal 90t is arranged is fixed to the front surface of the casing 90f.
On the other hand, in the ink cartridge 10 of the present invention shown in FIG. 5B, the storage element 10a is mounted on the storage element block 10B, and the storage element block 10B is mounted on the casing 10f of the ink cartridge 10. It has a structure. The configuration of the memory element 10a itself is the same as the conventional configuration.

  Further, the memory element block 10B has memory element block adsorption portions 10v on the upper and lower sides with the memory element 10a interposed therebetween. The storage element block suction portion 10v is made of a material necessary for sucking and moving the storage element block 10B by the mechanism of the cartridge playback device 200 when the ink cartridge 10 is mounted on the cartridge playback device 200 (described later). It is an adsorption part. For example, when it is assumed that the reproducing apparatus 200 side performs adsorption using a magnetic force such as a magnet, the adsorption unit 10v is a simple or alloy magnetic material (ferromagnetic material) such as iron, Ni, or Co that can be adsorbed by the magnetic force, or It shall consist of permanent magnets (magnetic body), such as a ferrite magnet, a neodymium magnet, a samabaco magnet, and an alnico magnet. Or you may comprise the memory element block 10B whole with a magnetic material or a permanent magnet.

The block horizontal position fixing rail 10r is a convex portion for guiding the memory element block 10B provided in a hole hollowed in a rectangle in accordance with the shape of the memory element block 10B as a memory element block insertion region in the casing 10f to the inside of the hole. It is a rail. Further, the block horizontal position fixing rail 10r is arranged with one rail on each of the upper and lower left and right upper and lower sides of the storage element block insertion area (rectangular hole) of the casing 10f, and is connected to the recessed groove provided in the storage element block 10B. By fitting, it becomes a rail for determining the insertion position.
In the figure, the casing 10f side is a convex portion and the storage element block 10B side is a concave portion, but the casing 10f side may be a concave groove and the storage element block 10B side may be a convex rail. The position of the rail 10r may be the upper and lower surfaces of the storage element block insertion region (rectangular hole), and the number of rails 10r may be increased or decreased in accordance with the required insertion position accuracy.

FIG. 6 is a schematic external view illustrating the storage element block 10B mounted on the ink cartridge 10 of the present invention. The front view, side view, rear view, top view, and bottom view of the storage element block 10B shown in FIG. The figure is shown.
Here, the block insertion position fixing grooves 10d1 and 10d2 on the upper surface and the bottom surface of the memory element block 10B are recess grooves assuming fitting with the insertion position fixing spring 10s of the casing 10f. Further, the block horizontal position fixing groove 10d3 is a groove of a recess assuming the fitting of the block horizontal position fixing rail 10r of the casing 10f. In the same figure of the memory element block 10B, the casing 10f side is assumed to have a convex shape, so the memory element block 10B side has a concave shape. However, the casing 10f side has a concave shape, and the memory element block 10B side has a concave shape. The 10B side may be configured with a convex shape.

FIG. 7 is an external cross-sectional view for explaining a fixed position of the storage element block 10B mounted on the casing 10f of the ink cartridge 10 of the present invention.
The casing 10f is provided with a block insertion position fixing spring 10s so as to protrude at a predetermined position on the upper and lower surfaces inside the storage element block insertion region (rectangular hole).

  When the memory element block 10B is inserted into the memory element block insertion area (rectangular hole) of the casing 10f, the block insertion position fixing groove 10d1 which is the first fixing groove is fitted with the block insertion position fixing spring 10s to store the memory element block. 10 is fixed as the first position (FIG. 7A). When the memory element block 10B is further inserted, the block insertion position fixing groove 10d2 as the second fixing groove is fitted with the block insertion position fixing spring 10s, and the memory element block 10B is fixed as the second position (FIG. 7). (B)).

  The condition of the block insertion position fixing spring 10s is that the casing 10f or the storage element block 10B can be moved from the first position and the second position with a constant insertion pressure and extraction pressure when the casing 10f or the storage element block 10B is moved in the insertion direction and the extraction direction. It is. In order to generate such a pressure, the block insertion position fixing spring 10s preferably has a convex shape formed of a metal spring or rubber. Further, if the necessary pressure can be generated, the convex portion may be formed by a mold material for forming the casing 10f.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state where used display is present and absent by the storage element block 10B mounted on the ink cartridge 10 of the present invention, and is used in the used display windows 10w1 and 10w2 as seen from the side and top surfaces of the ink cartridge 10. It is a figure showing the presence or absence of a completed display.

  Since the material surface of the memory element block 10B can be seen from the used display windows 10w1 and 10w2, a used display color portion 10p representing used can be formed in a part of the memory element block 10B. Is preferred. That is, in FIG. 8A, the storage element block 10B is located closer to the front direction (left side in the figure, the first position), and the used display windows 10w1 and 10w2 have a material surface of the storage element block 10B. Since it is visible, the display is in use (or available). On the other hand, in FIG. 8B, the storage element block 10B is located closer to the back side (right side in the figure, the second position), and the used display windows 10w1 and 10w2 are used on the storage element block 10B. Since the display color portion 10p becomes visible, the display is used (or unusable). The used display color is preferably red, which generally indicates a warning. However, if the cartridge user can be discriminated, colors other than red may be used as the used display color.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 10 of the present invention and a conventional ink cartridge 90.
FIG. 9A is a side cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 10 with a storage element block according to the present invention. Here, the ink cartridge 10 houses an ink bag 10i which is a bag containing image forming ink in a casing 10f. At this time, since the storage element block 10 in the ink cartridge 10 is larger than the storage element 90a of the conventional storage element mounting ink cartridge 90 of FIG. 9B, the shape of the ink bag 10i is deformed accordingly.

As described above, the ink cartridge 10 which is one aspect of the cartridge according to the present invention includes (1) a consumable storage unit (ink bag 10i) for storing a consumable (ink),
(2) a casing 10f in which the consumable storage unit (ink bag 10i) can be stored so that the consumable (ink) can be supplied to the outside;
(3) A storage element 10a for storing information on the cartridge in a rewritable manner and a used display portion (used display color portion 10p), and at least a first position (position of the block insertion position fixing spring 10s) in the casing 10f. A storage element block 10B that is movably accommodated in both directions of a second position (a position where the block insertion position fixing groove 10d2 comes to the position of the block insertion position fixing spring 10s), With
(4) When the storage element block 10B is in the first position, the storage element 10a is rewritable from the outside (the storage element is located when the storage element 10a is on the front side of the ink cartridge 10 and is attached to the image forming apparatus). The used display portion (used display color portion 10p) is not displayed outside (hidden by the casing 10f),
(5) When the storage element block 10B is in the second position, the storage element 10a cannot be rewritten from the outside (when the storage element 10a is inside the casing 10f of the ink cartridge 10 and is attached to the image forming apparatus). And the used display portion (used display color portion 10p) is displayed on the outside (visible through the used display windows 10w1 and 10w2). .

  Here, an example in which ink is stored as a cartridge corresponding to the ink jet recording apparatus is shown, but the consumable item is not limited to this. For example, toner is used as a consumable item corresponding to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The present invention can also be applied to a stored cartridge or the like.

  10 is a top view and a side sectional view of the cartridge holder 4 in the image forming apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus) shown in FIGS. Here, a cartridge holder portion of the image forming apparatus capable of storing four color ink cartridges 10 is shown.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the cartridge holder outer shape 4 f shows an outer shape line as a casing of the cartridge holder 4. Further, the cartridge holder 4 displays the used display window 10w1 of the ink cartridge 10 fixed inside the holder 4 and displays the ink non-display window 4w and the state of the ink cartridge 10 to the user by turning on, turning off, blinking, and changing the color. The cartridge status display LED 4L to be notified, protects the ink cartridge 10 stored in the cartridge holder 4 in the closed state, and detects opening / closing of the cartridge holder cover 4c and the cartridge holder cover 4c in which the ink cartridge 10 can be replaced in the opened state. A cartridge holder cover open / close detection sensor 4d is provided (FIG. 10A).

Further, the cartridge holder 4 is connected to the cartridge eject pin 4 i used when ejecting the ink cartridge 10 from the cartridge holder 4 and pressing the storage element block 10 B of the ink cartridge 10, and the terminal 10 t of the storage element 10 a of the ink cartridge 10. The storage element connector pin 4p that contacts and electrically reads and writes the storage element 10a, the storage element connector 4n that holds the storage element connector pin 4p via a spring, and the ink supply port 10z of the ink cartridge 10 are connected. The ink supply port connection portion 4z which is a connection portion for sucking ink, the positional relationship between the storage element 10a of the ink cartridge 10 and the storage element connector pin 4p of the holder 4, and the ink supply port 10z of the ink cartridge 10 Ink supply port connection of holder 4 Positional relationship of 4z comprises a cartridge inserting position fixed spring 4s for fixing the ink cartridge 10 so that each the optimum connection status (Figure 10 (b)).
The cartridge eject pins 4i are provided one above the other across the storage element connector 4n.

  On the upper surface of the cartridge holder 4, cartridge status display LEDs 4L are arranged for the respective colors. In conventional image forming apparatuses, in order to notify the user that the ink cartridge 90 has been used, the LED is changed from being constantly lit to blinking, or the lighting color is changed from green indicating a safe state to red indicating a warning. It used expressions such as changing it.

  In the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the cartridge ink non-display window 4w is provided so that the used display window 10w1 (or 10w2) of the ink cartridge 10 can be visually observed during storage in the cartridge holder 4, so Using the used display window 10w1 (or 10w2) provided in the ink cartridge 10 can notify the user of the use. For example, when the ink cartridge 10 is used up, the used display window 10w1 of the ink cartridge 10 is displayed in red, and this red display can be visually confirmed from the cartridge ink non-display window 4w. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the LED display for notifying the user that the ink cartridge 10 has been used can be omitted.

FIG. 11 shows the relationship of the pressure applied to the ink cartridge 10 in the cartridge holder 4.
First, FIG. 11A is a pressure diagram applied in the insertion / removal direction in a state where the ink cartridge 10 is inserted to the deepest part of the cartridge holder 4. At this time, the ink cartridge 10 is in contact with the storage element connector pin 4p (FIG. 10B), but the storage element connector pin 4p is in the most bent state, so that the contact pressure per connector pin is Is 1N, the memory element connector pin 4p in the figure is 4 pins, so that a contact pressure of 4N is generated in the extraction direction. On the other hand, a force for fixing the cartridge by the insertion position fixing spring 4s of the cartridge holder 4 is generated in the insertion / extraction direction. At this time, in order to move the ink cartridge 10 in the insertion / removal direction, a force of 10N error ± 1N is required. Therefore, the ink cartridge 10 does not move from the cartridge holder 4 because the insertion position fixing spring 4s generates a reaction force of 4N against the contact pressure generated by the storage element connector pin 4p.

  Next, FIG. 11B is a pressure diagram applied in the insertion / removal direction in a state where the ink cartridge 10 is inserted up to the standard part of the cartridge holder 4. At this time, the ink cartridge 10 is in contact with the storage element connector pin 4p, but since the storage element connector pin 4p is bent to the standard position, the contact pressure per connector pin is 0.5N. In this case, since the memory element connector pin 4p in the figure is 4 pins, a contact pressure of 2N is generated in the extraction direction. On the other hand, a force for fixing the ink cartridge 10 is generated in the insertion / removal direction by the insertion position fixing spring 4s of the cartridge holder 4, and a force of 10N error ± 1N is required to move the ink cartridge 10 in the insertion / removal direction. The Therefore, the ink cartridge 10 does not move from the cartridge holder 4 because the insertion position fixing spring 4s generates a reaction force of 2N against the contact pressure generated by the storage element connector pin 4p.

  Next, FIG. 11C is a pressure diagram necessary for the user to insert the ink cartridge 10 into the cartridge holder 4. At this time, the ink cartridge 10 is held in the cartridge holder 4 with a pressure of 10N error ± 1N by the cartridge insertion position fixing spring 4s. For this reason, when the user inserts the ink cartridge 10 into the cartridge holder 4, it is necessary to work with an insertion force of 11 N or more.

  FIG. 11D is a pressure diagram necessary for the user to remove the ink cartridge 10 from the cartridge holder 4. At this time, the ink cartridge 10 is held at a pressure of 10 N error ± 1 N by the cartridge insertion position fixing spring 4 s inside the cartridge holder 4. For this reason, when the user pulls out the ink cartridge 10 from the cartridge holder 4, it is necessary to work with a pulling force of 11N or more.

  FIG. 12 shows a state where the cartridge eject pin 4i of the cartridge holder 4 is moved to the pressing position of the storage element block 10B. That is, the cartridge eject pin 4i is moved to the pressing position of the storage element block 10B in order to start pressing the storage element block 10B. FIG. 13 is a pressure diagram when the cartridge eject pin 4i is operated in a state where the ink cartridge 10 is inserted to the standard part of the cartridge holder 4.

At this time, since the ink cartridge 10 is inserted up to the standard part of the cartridge holder 4 under the conditions shown in FIG. 13, a pressure of 2N is generated in the extraction direction by the storage element connector pin 4p. However, since the memory element block 10B changes its position when a pressure exceeding 6N error ± 1N is applied by the holding force of the block insertion position fixing spring 10s, only the contact pressure of the memory element connector pin 4p is applied. Then there is no change in position.
Here, when the pressing force of the cartridge eject pin 4i rises to 3N, the extraction direction pressure becomes 5N by the combined force with the connector contact pressure 2N. Since this pressure level has reached 5N, which is the lower limit error of the holding force of the block insertion position fixing spring 10s, this pressure balance becomes the limit point where the position of the memory element block 10B changes and does not change.

Next, FIG. 14 shows a state in which the cartridge eject pin 4i presses the storage element block 10B and changes it in the used position (second position) direction. FIG. 15A is a pressure diagram when the memory element block 10B starts to change its position by the eject pin pressing force.
Under the conditions of FIG. 15A, the memory element connector pin 4p is not in contact with the memory element block 10B, the pressing force generated by the cartridge eject pin 4i (eject pin pressing force), and the block insertion position. The balance is established by the hold force generated by the fixed spring 10s. Therefore, when the memory element block 10B changes its position when a pressure exceeding 6N error ± 1N is applied by the holding force of the block insertion position fixing spring 10s, by applying an eject pin pressing force exceeding 7N, The position of the storage element block 10B can be changed reliably.

FIG. 15B is a pressure diagram in a state where the storage element block 10B is inserted to the used position (the deepest portion, the second position), and the cartridge eject pin 4i presses the storage element block 10B to store it. It is a pressure figure at the time of completing the movement to the used position of the element block 10B.
Since the memory element block 10B changes to the deepest part regardless of the holding force of the block insertion position fixing spring 10s, all the force pressed by the cartridge eject pin 4i is applied to the ink cartridge 10 and the cartridge insertion position is fixed. It will be applied to the spring 4s. At this time, the holding force of the cartridge insertion position fixing spring 4s is larger than the holding force 6N error ± 1N of the storage element block insertion position fixing spring 10s, and is set to 10N error ± 1N. Therefore, when a pressing force of 7N or more and less than 9N is used to change the insertion position of the memory element block 10B, the position of the memory element block 10B can be changed to used (second position). However, the ink cartridge 10 cannot be ejected in the extraction direction. By achieving such a pressing force balance, only the position of the storage element block 10B can be brought into the used display state without ejecting the ink cartridge 10.

FIG. 16 shows a state in which the cartridge eject pin 4i presses the storage element block 10B and the ink cartridge 10 is ejected.
Here, the eject pin reference position P0 is a reference position where the cartridge eject pin 4i is neither pressed nor in contact with the storage element block 10B of the ink cartridge 10. The used display start position Ps is a position where the cartridge eject pin 4i comes into contact with the storage element block 10B and starts pressing. The used display completion position Pf is a position at which the storage element block 10B is completely changed to the used display position (second position) by the cartridge eject pin 4i. The cartridge ejection completion position Pi is a position at which the ink cartridge 10 is completely ejected by the cartridge ejection pin 4i.

FIG. 17 is a pressure diagram when the cartridge eject pin 4i presses the storage element block 10B and the ink cartridge 10 is ejected.
At this time, since the memory element block 10B changes to the deepest part regardless of the holding force of the block insertion position fixing spring 10s, all the force pressed by the cartridge eject pin 4i is applied to the ink cartridge 10, and the cartridge This is applied to the insertion position fixing spring 4s. Here, by applying a pressing force of 11 N or more to the ink cartridge 10 from the cartridge eject pin 4i, the hold force 10N error ± 1N of the cartridge insertion position fixing spring 4s is exceeded, so that the ink cartridge 10 can be ejected. .

Hereinafter, a processing procedure for detecting the used state of ink and performing ejection and used processing in the image forming apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus) shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 using the ink cartridge 10 will be described.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the ink cartridge used display confirmation after the power is turned on in the image forming apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus) according to the present invention.
First, after the power supply of the image forming apparatus is turned on (S101), in order to ensure that the mounting state of the ink cartridge 10 does not change, the procedure shown in FIG. Confirm (S102).
After confirming that the cartridge holder cover 4c is in the closed state, the presence / absence states of the ink cartridges 10 for each color are sequentially confirmed using the procedure of FIG. 19 described later (S103 to S106).
Next, after confirming that the ink cartridge 10 is present, processing for confirming the use of the ink cartridges 10 for each color is performed using the procedure shown in FIG. 20 to be described later, and the process ends (S107 to S110).

FIG. 19 is a flowchart for checking the presence / absence of the designated color cartridge. Here, the presence or absence of all the ink cartridges 10 for each color is confirmed in the same flow.
If the ink cartridge 10 is not used, data can be read from the storage element 10a of the ink cartridge 10. Therefore, first, data at a specific address is read in the recording element 10a of the ink cartridge 10 of the designated color (S201).
If the data read is successful (Yes in S202), it is determined that there is an ink cartridge, and “present” information of the ink cartridge 10 of the designated color is stored in the cartridge information storage memory 103 (S203).
If the data read is unsuccessful (No in S202), it is determined that there is no ink cartridge, and “None” information of the designated color ink cartridge 10 is stored in the cartridge information storage memory 103 (S204).

FIG. 20 is a process flow diagram for confirming the use of the designated color cartridge. Here, a flow of reading the remaining ink amount of the ink cartridge 10 and writing used information to the ink cartridge 10 is shown.
First, the presence / absence of the ink cartridge 10 is not confirmed by the ink cartridge 10 itself, but the target cartridge presence / absence information is read from the cartridge information storage memory 103 (S301).
Next, based on the information, it is determined whether there is an ink cartridge 10 of the designated color (S302). If there is no ink cartridge 10 of the specified color (No in S302), the process proceeds to the next process.
If there is an ink cartridge 10 of the designated color (Yes in S302), the remaining ink level of the ink cartridge 10 is read (S303), and it is determined whether there is no remaining ink level (S304). If there is an ink remaining amount (No in S304), the process proceeds to the next process.
When there is no remaining ink (Yes in S304), used information is written in the storage element 10a of the ink cartridge 10 (S305), and the used display process shown in FIG. 21 is performed for the ink cartridge 10 (S306).

FIG. 21 is a flowchart of the designated color cartridge used display execution. Here, a flow for performing the used display of the ink cartridge 10 by the cartridge eject pin 4i is shown.
First, for the ink cartridge 10 that is determined to have no ink remaining in the process of FIG. 20 (S401), the target cartridge eject pin 4i is moved to the used display completion position Pf and the storage element block 10B is pressed to the second position. (S402), a used display state is set.
Next, after the used display state is established, the memory element 10a is not in contact with the memory element connector pin 4p, so that data communication is impossible. Thereby, it is determined that the used display is completed (S403).
Next, the cartridge eject pin 4p is moved to the eject pin reference position P0 (S404), and the presence or absence of the ink cartridge 10 is confirmed according to the procedure of FIG. 19 (S405).
When it is determined that there is no storage element 10a (Yes in S406), the used display processing of the ink cartridge 10 of the designated color is completed (S407).
If it is determined that the storage element 10a is present (No in S406), it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the ink cartridge 10 of the designated color, and various processes are stopped in preparation for user replacement (S408). Next, a warning is displayed by the cartridge status display LED 4L so as to replace the ink cartridge 10 of the designated color (S409).

FIG. 22 is a flowchart for checking the used display of the ink cartridge 10 when the cartridge holder cover is opened and closed.
Here, when the cartridge holder cover 4c is first opened / closed by the user (S501), the cartridge holder cover open / close detection sensor 4d confirms the closed state of the cartridge holder cover 4c by the procedure shown in FIG. 23 described later (S502). As a result, there is a possibility that the ink cartridge inside the cartridge holder 4 has been replaced. Therefore, immediately after the cartridge holder cover 4c is closed, the presence / absence check of the ink cartridge 10 and the use confirmation of the ink cartridge 10 are checked. This is performed (S503).
That is, the presence / absence state of each color ink cartridge 10 is sequentially confirmed using the procedure of FIG. 19 (S504 to S507).
Next, after confirming that the ink cartridge 10 is present, the process of confirming the use of the ink cartridges 10 of each color is performed using the procedure of FIG. 20 and the process is terminated (S508 to S511).

FIG. 23 is a flowchart for checking the closed state of the cartridge holder cover.
The image forming apparatus of the present invention does not allow the ink cartridge 10 to be removed from the cartridge holder 4 during operation. Therefore, during the operation of the image forming apparatus, it is confirmed that the cartridge holder cover 4c is closed in order to ensure that the ink cartridge 10 is protected (S601). When it is determined that the cartridge holder cover 4c is closed (Yes in S602), the process proceeds to the next process.
On the other hand, when it is determined that the cartridge holder cover 4c is in the open state (No in S602), since the expected value is that the cartridge holder cover 4c is in the closed state, the image forming apparatus is set to close the cartridge holder cover 4c. Issues a warning (S603).

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for checking the used display of the ink cartridge 10 when ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 10 to the sub tank 35.
First, in order to supply ink to the sub tank 35, it is necessary to check the remaining amount of ink in the sub tank 35 and determine whether it is insufficient (S701). If there is no ink shortage (No in S702), the process flow ends.
On the other hand, when the ink in the sub tank 35 is insufficient (Yes in S702), a process for supplying ink from the ink cartridge 10 to the sub tank 35 is started. That is, in order to ensure that the mounting state of the ink cartridge 10 does not change, it is confirmed by the procedure of FIG. 23 that the cartridge holder cover 4c is closed (S703).
Next, after confirming that the cartridge holder cover 4c is in the closed state, the presence / absence states of the ink cartridges 10 of the respective colors are sequentially confirmed using the procedure of FIG. 19 (S704 to S707).
As a result, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 10 is confirmed (S708), ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 10 to the sub tank 35 (S709). Then, the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge 10 in the cartridge information storage memory 103 is updated by the amount of ink supplied this time (S710).
Next, using the procedure of FIG. 20, the process of confirming the use of the ink cartridges 10 for each color is performed and the process ends (S711 to S714).

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of the ejecting operation of the ink cartridge 10 in the image forming apparatus (inkjet recording apparatus) according to the present invention. Here, the ejection of the ink cartridge 10 is performed as a user assistance process for the used ink cartridge 10.
First, a process for confirming the use of the ink cartridge 10 (FIG. 20) occurs, and when any used ink cartridge 10 is displayed (S801), the ink cartridge 10 is electrically mounted in the cartridge holder 4. Since it is impossible to determine whether the ink cartridge 10 is present, the ink cartridge 10 may be pulled out from the cartridge holder 4 and used in the cartridge holder 4 unless the power is turned off or the cover is opened. It is determined that there is always an ink cartridge 10 in the display state.
That is, the power-off history of the image forming apparatus is confirmed (S802), and after the used display of the ink cartridge 10 is generated, if the power is turned off (No in S803), the ink cartridge 10 is replaced when the power is off. Therefore, the ejection process is terminated (S804).
If the power supply is not turned off after the used display of the ink cartridge 10 is generated (Yes in S803), the opening / closing history of the cartridge holder cover 4c is confirmed (S805). After the used display of the ink cartridge 10 is generated, the cover is opened. If there is (No in S806), there is a possibility that the ink cartridge 10 has been replaced when the cover is open, so the ejection process is terminated (S807).
If the cover is not opened after occurrence of the used display of the ink cartridge 10 (Yes in S806), when a signal change from closing to opening of the cartridge holder cover open / close detection sensor 4d is detected (S808), the cartridge eject pin 4i is moved to the cartridge. The ink cartridge 10 is moved to the ejection completion position Pi, and the used ink cartridge 10 is ejected (S809). As a result, the user can easily replace the used ink cartridge 10.

Next, the cartridge reproducing apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the configuration of the cartridge reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.
The cartridge reproducing device 200 includes an ink cartridge 10 of the present invention, a cartridge holder 200f in which a used cartridge is mounted, and consumable supply means (ink supply unit) for supplying ink, which is a consumable, to the ink cartridge 10. 208z), information writing / updating means (storage element connector pin 205p) for writing or updating information in the storage element 10a of the ink cartridge 10, and the storage element block 10B of the ink cartridge 10 from the second position. Moving means (storage element block lead pin 206p) for moving to the first position. Further, one storage element block lead pin 206p is arranged one above the other in the figure across the storage element connector 205 holding the storage element connector pin 205p. Further, the two storage element block lead pins 206p are arranged at positions where they can contact the casing 10f of the ink cartridge 10. FIG. 26 shows a state in which the storage element block pull-out pin 206p is moved to the adsorption position of the storage element block 10B in the cartridge holder 200f.

  Here, as a suitable example of the storage element block lead pin 206p, it is assumed that the storage element block lead pin 206p is made of an appropriate material that has a relationship of adsorbing using the magnetic force with the material of the adsorption portion 10v of the recording element block 10B. For example, when the attracting part 10v is made of a magnetic material (permanent magnet), a magnetic material (ferromagnetic material) of a simple substance or an alloy such as iron, Ni, Co or the like, or a magnetic material (permanent magnet) of the attracting part 10v. It shall consist of the magnetic body (permanent magnet) made into the polarity used as the relationship to adsorb | suck. Moreover, when the adsorption | suction part 10v consists of a magnetic material (ferromagnetic material), it shall consist of permanent magnets (magnetic body), such as a ferrite magnet, a neodymium magnet, a samabaco magnet, and an alnico magnet.

  As another suitable example of the memory element block lead pin 206p, the pin 206p is hollow and the inside of the memory element block lead pin 206p contacting the memory element block 10B using a vacuum device is evacuated, so that the memory element block 10B It is conceivable to adsorb the water.

  Note that the storage element block 10B is moved from the used display position to the usable display position by attracting the storage element block 10B using magnetic force or air pressure and operating the storage element block pull-out pin 206p as described above. However, the suction force necessary for the suction must exceed the Hall force of the block insertion position fixing spring 10s. The block insertion position fixing spring 10s has an example in which the 6N error is ± 1N as described above. In this case, a force of 7N is necessary at the minimum, and the storage element block pull-out pin 206p that can generate an adsorption force of 7N or more. Is a good example.

FIG. 27 shows an electrical configuration of the cartridge reproducing apparatus according to the present invention.
Here, the cartridge reproducing device 200 rewrites data to the storage element 10a when the ink cartridge 10 is regenerated, the ASIC 201 for the reproducing device that is a device dedicated to the reproducing device that controls the entire reproducing device, the CPU 202 that is the central processing unit of the cartridge reproducing device. A reusable cartridge writing information memory 203 storing information to be loaded, a program memory 204 storing a program for controlling the entire reproducing apparatus, and a memory communicating with the storage element 10a of each color ink cartridge 10 mounted in the cartridge reproducing apparatus 200 A storage element block for pulling out the storage element block 10B of the ink cartridge 10 of each color attached to the element connector 205 and the cartridge reproducing device 200 from the used display position (second position) to the in-use display position (first position). Drawer pin 206 Comprising a storage element blocks the drawer pin power unit 206 as a power unit, a cartridge eject pin power unit 207 is a power unit for moving the eject pin 207i to eject the ink cartridge 10 mounted after the reproduction. In addition,

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of the recycling operation of the cartridge playback apparatus 200 according to the present invention.
29 shows a state in which the storage element block pull-out pin 206p has pulled out the storage element block 10B to the usable position in the cartridge holder 200f. FIG. 30 shows the ink cartridge 10 that has been regenerated in the cartridge holder 200f. The state where the ejection operation is performed is shown. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the reproducing operation of the cartridge reproducing device 200 will be described.

First, the used ink cartridge 10 is mounted on the cartridge holder 200f of the cartridge reproducing device 200 (S901). At this time, the ink cartridge 10 is fixed to a predetermined position in the cartridge holder 200f with a predetermined holding force by the cartridge insertion position fixing spring 200s.
Next, the storage element block drawing pin 206p is moved to the adsorption position (contact position) of the storage element block 10B (S902, FIG. 26). Next, the storage element block pull-out pin 206p sucks the suction portion 10v and pulls out the storage element block 10B, whereby the position of the storage element block 10B is changed from the used display position (second position) to the usable display position (first position). ) (S903, FIG. 29). At this time, the storage element connector pin 205p contacts the storage element 10a. Next, the storage element block lead pin 206p is pulled away from the storage element block 10B and returned to the reference position (S904).
Thereafter, in order to make the data in the storage element 10a reusable from the storage element connector pin 205p, it is updated to reuse cartridge information (S905).
Further, the ink bag 10i of the ink cartridge 10 is refilled with ink from the ink supply port connection portion 208z (S906).
The ink cartridge 10 for which all the reproduction processes have been completed is ejected from the cartridge holder 200f of the cartridge reproducing apparatus 200 by the cartridge eject pin 207i (S907, FIG. 30).

  Although the present invention has been described with the embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings, and other embodiments, additions, modifications, deletions, etc. Can be changed within the range that can be conceived, and any embodiment is included in the scope of the present invention as long as the effects and advantages of the present invention are exhibited.

1 is a schematic side view illustrating an overall configuration of a mechanism unit of an ink jet recording apparatus which is an aspect of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a top view explaining the whole structure of the mechanism part of the inkjet recording device of FIG. FIG. 3 is an electrical configuration diagram of the ink jet recording apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic external view illustrating an ink cartridge which is an aspect of the cartridge according to the present invention. It is a front upper view explaining the structure of the upper part of the front of the ink cartridge of this invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic external view illustrating a storage element block mounted on the ink cartridge of the present invention. FIG. 6 is an outline cross-sectional view illustrating a fixed position of a storage element block mounted on the casing of the ink cartridge of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the state with and without the used display by the memory element block mounted in the ink cartridge of this invention. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge of the present invention and a conventional ink cartridge. FIG. 3 is a top view and a side sectional view of a cartridge holder in the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is a figure which shows the relationship of the pressure concerning an ink cartridge in a cartridge holder. It is a figure which shows the state which the cartridge eject pin of the cartridge holder moved to the press position of a memory element block. FIG. 6 is a pressure diagram when the cartridge eject pin operates in a state where the ink cartridge is inserted to the standard part of the cartridge holder. It is a figure which shows the state which the cartridge eject pin pressed the memory element block, and was changed to the used position (2nd position) direction. It is a pressure figure in case a memory element block changes in position by eject pin pressing force. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state where an ink cartridge is ejected by pressing a storage element block with a cartridge eject pin. FIG. 6 is a pressure diagram when the cartridge eject pin pushes the storage element block and the ink cartridge is ejected. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for confirming that the ink cartridge has been used after the power is turned on in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is a flowchart of the presence / absence confirmation of a designated color cartridge. FIG. 10 is a process flow diagram for confirmation of use of a designated color cartridge. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a designated color cartridge used display implementation. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for checking used display of an ink cartridge when the cartridge holder cover is opened and closed. It is a flowchart of a cartridge holder cover closed state confirmation. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for checking used display of an ink cartridge when ink is supplied from an ink cartridge to a sub tank. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an ejecting operation of the ink cartridge. It is principal part sectional drawing which shows the structure of the cartridge reproducing apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 27 is an electrical configuration diagram of the cartridge reproducing device shown in FIG. 26. It is a reproduction | regeneration operation | work flowchart of the cartridge reproduction apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a storage element block extraction pin has extracted a storage element block to a usable position in the cartridge reproducing device of FIG. FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where an ejection operation has been performed for an ink cartridge that has been completely regenerated in the cartridge reproducing device of FIG. 26;

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus main body 3 Paper discharge tray 4 Cartridge holder 4c Cartridge holder cover 4d Cartridge holder cover opening / closing detection sensor 4f Cartridge holder outer shape (casing)
4i Cartridge eject pin 4L, 4Lk, 4Lc, 4Lm, 4L Cartridge status LED
4mk, 4mc, 4mm, 4my Cartridge eject pin power section 4n, 4nk, 4nc, 4nm, 4ny Storage element connector 4p Storage element connector pin 4w Cartridge ink non-display window 4z Ink supply port connection section 10, 10k, 10c, 10m, 10y , 90 Ink cartridge 10a, 10ak, 10ac, 10am, 10ay, 90a Storage element 10B Storage element block 10d1, 10d2 Block insertion position fixing groove 10d3 Block horizontal position fixing groove 10f, 90f Casing 10i, 90i Ink bag 10r Block horizontal position fixing rail 10s Block insertion position fixing spring 10t, 90t Storage element terminal 10v Storage element block suction part 10w1, 10w2 Used display window 10z Ink supply port 21 Frame 21A, 21B side Plate 21C Rear plate 22 Harness 25 Locking member 31 Guide rod 32 Stay 33 Carriage 34 Recording head 35 Sub tank 36 Ink supply tube 41 Paper stacking section 42 Paper 43 Paper feed roller 44 Separation pad 45 Guide member 46 Counter roller 47 Transport guide member 48 Presser member 49 Tip pressure roller 51 Conveying belt 52 Conveying roller 53 Tension roller 56 Charging roller 57 Guide member 61 Separating claw 62 Discharging roller 63 Discharging roller 71 Double-sided unit 72 Manual feed tray 81 Maintenance recovery mechanism 82, 82a to 82d Cap ( Cap member)
83 Wiper blade 84, 88 Empty discharge receptacle 89 Opening 101 ASIC
102 CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 103 Cartridge information storage memory 104 Program memory 200 Cartridge reproducing | regenerating apparatus 200f Cartridge holder 200s Cartridge insertion position fixing spring 201 ASIC for reproducing | regenerating apparatus
202 CPU
203 Reuse Cartridge Write Information Memory 204 Program Memory 205 Storage Element Connector 205p Storage Element Connector Pin 206 Storage Element Extraction Pin Power Unit 206p Storage Element Block Extraction Pin 207 Cartridge Eject Pin Power Unit 207i Cartridge Eject Pin 208 Ink Fill Power Unit 208z Ink Supply port connection portion P0 Eject pin reference position Ps Used display start position Pf Used display completion position Pi Cartridge eject completion position

Claims (7)

A consumable storage unit for storing consumables;
A casing in which the consumable storage unit can store the consumables to the outside;
A storage element block that stores information relating to the cartridge in a rewritable manner and a used display section, and a storage element block that is stored in the casing so as to be movable at least in a first position and a second position;
When the storage element block is in the first position, the storage element is in a rewritable position from the outside, and the used display unit is not displayed outside,
A cartridge in which when the storage element block is in the second position, the storage element is in a position where it cannot be rewritten from the outside, and the used display section is displayed on the outside.   The cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the storage element block has an adsorption portion made of a magnetic material. A cartridge holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cartridge is mounted as a cartridge in which the consumable is ink;
Image forming means for forming an image using the ink of the cartridge;
Ink remaining amount management means for managing the ink remaining amount of the cartridge;
Information writing / updating means for writing or updating information in a storage element of the cartridge;
Moving means for moving the storage element block of the cartridge from the first position to the second position;
When the ink remaining amount management means detects an ink near end or an ink end in the cartridge,
The information writing / updating means writes or updates used information in the storage element of the cartridge;
An image forming apparatus in which the moving means moves a storage element block of the cartridge from a first position to a second position.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a display window for displaying a used display unit displayed on the cartridge in which the storage element block is in the second position.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the moving unit includes an ejecting mechanism that ejects the cartridge after moving the storage element block of the cartridge from the first position to the second position. A cover detecting means for detecting opening and closing of the cover of the cartridge holder;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the moving unit ejects the cartridge when the cover detecting unit detects a cover open state. A cartridge holder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a cartridge in a used state is mounted;
Consumable supply means for supplying consumables to the cartridge;
Information writing / updating means for writing or updating information in a storage element of the cartridge;
Moving means for moving the storage element block of the cartridge from the second position to the first position.

Images