JP2010105252A - Cartridge system and liquid cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cartridge system provided with a liquid cartridge having a tank constituted of a light shielding wall face to store even a liquid of low light stability, and capable of getting accurately a liquid residual amount visually, and the liquid cartridge used in the system. <P>SOLUTION: A printer 1 includes the cartridge 10 having the tank 30 constituted of the light shielding wall face, and a cartridge attaching part 8, the cartridge 10 includes a magnetic sheet 37 for displaying a visible schematic liquid level S1 corresponding to a liquid level 31a of ink 31 in the tank 30, the magnetic sheet 37 is constituted to change a position of the schematic liquid level S1 proportionally to a position change of the liquid level 31a, in accompaniment to a volume change of the ink 31, and the cartridge attaching part 8 includes a photosensor 40 for detecting the position of the schematic liquid level S1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge system in which a liquid cartridge having a tank composed of a light-shielding wall surface is detachably mounted on a cartridge mounting portion, and a liquid cartridge used in the cartridge system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a liquid ejection apparatus such as an ink jet printer apparatus is used as a liquid cartridge having a tank for containing a liquid mounted on a cartridge mounting portion. In the liquid ejecting apparatus, an optical element such as a photo interrupter is used to detect the remaining amount of liquid in the tank and notify the user when the remaining amount is less than a certain level, thereby providing an effect on a new liquid cartridge. I try to encourage them. In such a remaining amount detecting means, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged opposite to each other in the cartridge mounting portion, and the liquid cartridge is provided with a translucent window on the wall surface between the two elements, and the liquid cartridge. A float that is displaced according to the surface is accommodated in the tank. When the remaining amount exceeds a certain level, the light from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element through an optical path passing through the window. On the other hand, when the remaining amount becomes less than a certain level, the float blocks the optical path and emits light. The light receiving element cannot receive light from the element. Therefore, it is possible to detect whether or not the remaining amount of liquid is less than a certain level by detecting the presence or absence of light reception by the light receiving element.

  However, in the case of such remaining amount detection means, it is necessary to use a liquid that is relatively resistant not only to light from the light emitting element but also to other external light as the liquid stored in the tank. There are restrictions on the liquids that can be used.

  On the other hand, there is also a tank constituted by a light shielding member (see Patent Document 1). The liquid cartridge according to Patent Document 1 has a soft ink bag and two film-like strips extending from the left and right side surfaces of the ink bag, and the leading ends of the strips are superimposed above the ink bag. Yes. As the ink in the tank decreases, the two strips are misaligned, so the amount of liquid remaining can be detected by visually recognizing this misalignment amount at the tip of each strip. Yes.

On the other hand, there are some which do not use an optical element as the remaining amount detecting means (see Patent Document 2). In the liquid cartridge according to Patent Document 2, the liquid level has reached the position of the magnetic sensor by storing the float containing the magnetic material in the tank and detecting the float with a magnetic sensor provided in the lower part of the tank. To detect.
JP 05-201019 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 01-120353

  Here, according to the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, although the liquid stored in the liquid cartridge is not restricted in terms of light resistance, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to accurately grasp the remaining amount of liquid in the tank. is there. More specifically, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, it is possible to visually recognize the remaining amount of liquid based on the amount of deviation of the strip, but in paragraph 0014 of the document, “the side surface 11a and 11b of the bag As described in `` Considering the case where there is a slight variation in dents '', the amount of deviation of the strip is not unambiguous with respect to the remaining amount of liquid, it can only be used as a guide, and it is accurate. It is not suitable for grasping the remaining amount.

  Further, in the configuration of Patent Document 2, since the magnetic sensor detects the float, the remaining amount of liquid can be detected without using an optical element. However, if the magnetic sensor is not operated, the remaining amount of liquid can be detected. I can't figure out. Further, the remaining amount of liquid cannot be grasped due to a malfunction or malfunction of the magnetic sensor.

  Such a problem that it is desired to accurately grasp the remaining amount of liquid in the tank by visually recognizing that a fuel such as ethanol is accommodated in the tank in addition to the cartridge system that accommodates ink in the tank as in the ink jet printer apparatus. Other cartridge systems, such as cartridge systems in fuel cells, are similarly present or inherent.

  Therefore, the present invention includes a liquid cartridge having a tank configured with a light-shielding wall surface so as to accommodate a liquid with low light resistance, and a cartridge system capable of more accurately grasping the remaining amount of liquid by visual recognition, It is an object to provide a liquid cartridge for use in a system.

  The cartridge system according to the present invention is a cartridge system comprising a liquid cartridge having a tank configured to contain liquid and having a light-shielding wall surface, and a cartridge mounting portion on which the liquid cartridge is removably mounted. In addition, the liquid cartridge is provided with a display unit that displays a visually recognizable schematic liquid level corresponding to the liquid level of the residual liquid in the tank, and the display unit is provided with a change in the volume of the residual liquid. The liquid level detection is configured to change the position of the schematic liquid level in proportion to the change in the position of the liquid level of the residual liquid, and the cartridge mounting portion detects the position of the schematic liquid level. Is provided.

  By adopting such a configuration, the tank is configured with a light-shielding wall surface, so that liquid that is not subject to light resistance restrictions can be accommodated, and a pattern proportional to a change in the position of the liquid level of the residual liquid is possible. Since the liquid level is displayed, the remaining amount of liquid can be accurately grasped by visual recognition.

  The tank contains a magnet whose position varies with a change in the liquid surface position of the residual liquid, and the display section is made of a magnetic sheet whose portion corresponding to the position of the magnet changes color. There may be. By setting it as such a structure, the discoloration boundary position of a magnetic sheet can be displayed visually as a typical liquid surface of a residual liquid.

  A float member that has the magnet and floats in the liquid may be provided in the tank. By setting it as such a structure, a magnet can be correctly tracked with respect to the position fluctuation | variation of a liquid level, and the position can be more correctly displayed as a typical liquid level.

  The magnetic sheet may be formed so that a symbol is displayed in a region discolored when the magnet passes. By adopting such a configuration, for example, “empty” is displayed in the discolored region through which the magnet has passed, and it is time to replace the liquid cartridge when all of this display becomes visible. Can be encouraged. Further, the symbols to be displayed are not limited to characters, and may be graphics.

  The magnet may be a permanent magnet. By adopting such a configuration, the configuration of the liquid cartridge is simplified, and the present system can be realized at low cost.

  The magnet may be an electromagnet that is energized and magnetized by mounting the liquid cartridge on the cartridge mounting portion, and the electromagnet may have a core material made of a soft magnetic material. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the display of the magnetic sheet from being changed due to a change in the position of the magnet in a state where the liquid cartridge is not mounted in the cartridge mounting portion. Therefore, for example, even when the user removes the liquid cartridge from the cartridge mounting portion and carries it, the position information of the schematic liquid level displayed immediately before the removal can be held.

  The magnet may be a magnetic body made of a soft magnetic material magnetized by a magnet disposed outside the liquid cartridge when the liquid cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to realize a liquid cartridge in which the display of the magnetic sheet does not change in the unmounted state with a simple configuration.

  The display unit may be made of thermal paper that changes color in response to heat, and the cartridge mounting unit may be provided with a heat source so as to face the thermal paper in a state where the liquid cartridge is mounted. Good. By adopting such a configuration, compared to the portion of the thermal paper that is immersed in the liquid, the portion located above the liquid surface is likely to rise in temperature due to heating, so only the portion on the liquid surface is present. By changing the color, a schematic liquid level can be displayed.

  In addition, the liquid level detection unit may include an optical sensor that detects a discolored portion in the display unit. For example, the discolored portion as described above can be read by an optical sensor such as a reflective photo interrupter, and thus the remaining amount of liquid can be electrically detected.

  Further, the cartridge mounting portion has an insertion / removal port through which the liquid cartridge is inserted / removed, and the display portion is a portion visible through the insertion / removal port in a state where the liquid cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion. It may be provided. With such a configuration, even when the liquid cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the user can visually recognize the display portion through the insertion / removal opening without providing a separate window.

  The liquid cartridge may be a printer that stores ink as the liquid in the tank and discharges the ink onto a recording medium to form an image. With such a configuration, it is possible to realize a printer that can use ink that is not limited in terms of light resistance and can intuitively grasp the remaining amount of ink by visual recognition.

  The liquid cartridge according to the present invention is a liquid cartridge that is installed in a cartridge system and has a tank composed of a light-shielding wall that contains liquid therein, and corresponds to the liquid level of the residual liquid in the tank. A display unit that displays a visually recognizable schematic liquid level, and the display unit displays the schematic liquid level in proportion to a change in position of the liquid level of the residual liquid as the volume of the residual liquid changes. It is configured to change position.

  By adopting such a configuration, the tank is configured with a light-shielding wall surface, so that liquid that is not subject to light resistance restrictions can be accommodated, and a pattern proportional to a change in the position of the liquid level of the residual liquid is possible. Since the liquid level is displayed, the remaining amount of liquid can be accurately grasped by visual recognition.

  The tank contains a magnet whose position varies with a change in the liquid surface position of the residual liquid, and the display section is made of a magnetic sheet whose portion corresponding to the position of the magnet changes color. There may be. By setting it as such a structure, the discoloration boundary position of a magnetic sheet can be displayed visually as a typical liquid surface of a residual liquid.

  A float member that has the magnet and floats in the liquid may be provided in the tank. By setting it as such a structure, a magnet can be correctly tracked with respect to the position fluctuation | variation of a liquid level, and the position can be more correctly displayed as a typical liquid level.

  The display unit may be made of thermal paper that changes color in response to heat generated from an external heat source in a state where the display unit is mounted on the cartridge system. By adopting such a configuration, compared to the portion of the thermal paper that is immersed in the liquid, the portion located above the liquid surface is likely to rise in temperature due to heating, so only the portion on the liquid surface is present. By changing the color, a schematic liquid level can be displayed.

  According to the present invention, a cartridge system including a liquid cartridge having a tank configured with a light-shielding wall so as to accommodate a liquid with low light resistance, and a cartridge system capable of more accurately grasping the liquid remaining amount by visual recognition, A liquid cartridge for use in the system can be provided.

  Hereinafter, an ink jet printer apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “printer apparatus”) and a liquid cartridge that stores liquid ink (hereinafter referred to as “cartridge”) for a cartridge system and a liquid cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. An example will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Overview of the entire printer]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a printer apparatus 1 to which a cartridge system according to the present invention is applied. In this embodiment, the printer apparatus 1 includes a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like. A so-called multifunction machine is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer apparatus 1 includes a printer unit 2 that records an image by an ink jet method at a lower part of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 1a, and a scanner unit 3 at an upper part of the casing 1a. ing.

  The printer unit 2 of the printer apparatus 1 has an opening 4 on the front surface (front side) of the housing 1a. Inside the opening 4, a lower paper feed tray 5 and an upper paper discharge tray 6 are provided. Two stages are provided. The paper feed tray 5 can store a plurality of recording sheets as a recording medium. For example, a plurality of recording sheets of various sizes of A4 size or less can be stored.

  A door 7 is provided at the lower right portion of the front of the printer unit 2 so as to be openable and closable. A cartridge mounting portion 8 (see FIG. 2) is provided inside the door 7. Therefore, when the door 7 is opened, the cartridge mounting portion 8 is exposed to the front side, and the cartridge 10 (see FIG. 2) can be detached from the horizontal direction through the insertion / removal opening 8a that is an opening of the cartridge mounting portion 8. The cartridge mounting unit 8 is provided with a housing case 9 (see FIG. 2) for the cartridge 10 corresponding to the ink color to be used. In the printer unit 2, for example, cyan (C) which is dye ink, magenta Three color inks (M) and yellow (Y) and black (Bk) black ink which is pigment ink are used. Accordingly, the cartridge mounting portion 8 is provided with a storage case 9 that is divided into four interiors, and cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (Bk) are provided in each of the divided spaces. ) Is stored.

  The scanner unit 3 provided in the upper part of the printer apparatus 1 is configured as a so-called flat bed scanner. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, a document cover 1b is provided on the upper surface of the printer apparatus 1 so as to be opened and closed as a top plate of the printer apparatus 1. A platen glass on which the document is placed, an image sensor that reads an image of the document, and the like are disposed below the document cover 1b.

  An operation panel 11 for operating the printer unit 2 and the scanner unit 3 is provided on the upper front portion of the printer apparatus 1. The operation panel 11 includes various operation buttons and a liquid crystal display 11a as an output unit for outputting information. The printer apparatus 1 is output from the operation panel 11 as a result of operation of the operation panel 11 by an operator. Operation is possible based on the instructions. Further, when the printer apparatus 1 is connected to an external computer, the printer apparatus 1 can operate based on an instruction transmitted from the computer via a printer driver or a scanner driver.

  A slot portion 12 is provided in the upper left portion of the front surface of the printer apparatus 1. Various small memory cards, which are storage media, can be loaded into the slot unit 12, and data stored in the small memory card loaded into the slot unit 12 can be read out by performing a predetermined operation on the operation panel 11. It has become. The read data can be displayed on the liquid crystal display of the operation panel 11, and an image arbitrarily selected based on this display can be recorded on the recording paper by the printer unit 2.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the printer unit 2 included in the printer apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, a paper feed tray 5 is provided near the bottom of the printer apparatus 1, and a flat plate-like shape that is long in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 is provided above the paper feed tray 5. A platen 14 is provided. Further above the platen 14, an image recording unit 17 accommodated in a carriage 16 is provided. The image recording unit 17 discharges ink from a nozzle hole (not shown) to the discharge head 15a. A sub tank 15b for supplying ink and a head control board 15c (for example, COF: Chip on Film) for outputting a drive signal to a piezoelectric actuator (not shown) provided in the ejection head 15a are configured. The sub tank 15 b included in the image recording unit 17 communicates with the cartridge 10 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 8 of the printer apparatus 1 via the flexible tube 22. The supplied ink is temporarily stored and further supplied to the ejection head 15a.

  A paper transport path 18 extends from the rear of the paper feed tray 5. The sheet conveying path 18 is composed of a curved path 18a that is curved from the rear to the top of the paper feed tray 5 and further forward, and a straight path 18b that extends further forward from the end point of the curved path 18a. In the portion other than the place where the unit 17 is disposed, the outer guide surface and the inner guide surface are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval.

  A paper feed roller 19 for supplying the recording paper in the paper feed tray 5 to the paper transport path 18 is provided immediately above the paper feed tray 5. Further, in the vicinity of the downstream portion of the curved path 18a in the paper transport path 18, a pair of transport rollers 20 including a transport roller and a pinch roller is provided so that the paper transport path 18 is sandwiched from above and below by both rollers. Further, a pair of paper discharge rollers 21 including a paper discharge roller and a pinch roller is provided in the vicinity of the downstream portion of the straight path 18b in the paper transport path 18 so that the paper transport path 18 is sandwiched from above and below by both rollers. . The image recording unit 17 and the platen 14 described above are provided between the conveying roller pair 20 and the paper discharge roller pair 21 so as to sandwich the straight path 18b from above and below.

[Cartridge configuration]
Example 1
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a cartridge 10A according to the first embodiment as an example of the cartridge 10 used in the printer device 1 described above. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view when viewed from the side. (B) has shown the IIIb-IIIb arrow sectional drawing in (a). As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the cartridge 10A includes a tank 30 having a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the thickness dimension in the left-right direction is smaller than the vertical dimension and the front-rear dimension. The tank 30 is composed of a light-shielding wall member so as not to transmit light such as natural light from the outside. The tank 30 includes an ink 31 that is ejected onto a recording sheet and forms an image. A float 32 whose position changes in accordance with the remaining amount of ink 31 is accommodated.

  As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the float 32 has an arm shape extending substantially in the front-rear direction, and a pivotal support portion 33 pivotally supported by the wall portion of the tank 30 is provided at the rear end thereof. (Portion) 34 is provided with a magnet 35 so as to face one side wall 30 a of the tank 30. A hollow buoyancy body 36 is provided between the pivotal support portion 33 and the distal end portion 34. This buoyancy body 36 is partially removed from the liquid surface 31 a of the ink 31 regardless of the attitude (inclination) of the float 32 as long as there is no external obstruction such as the tip of the float 32 contacting the inner wall surface of the tank 30. The buoyancy that can be exposed is generated. Accordingly, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3A, when a relatively large amount of ink 31 is left in the tank 30 of the cartridge 10, the magnet 35 and the buoyancy body 36 are relatively upward. From this state, as the ink 31 decreases (that is, as the position of the liquid surface 31a is lowered), the ink 31 is lowered as indicated by a solid line in FIG. In addition, the magnet 35 also descends as the buoyancy body 36 moves downward, and in the case of the magnet 35 according to the present embodiment, the magnet 35 is located away from the buoyancy body 36 with respect to the pivotal support portion 33. The moving range of the magnet 35 is wider than the moving range of the buoyancy body 36.

 SHAPE \ * MERGEFORMAT As shown in FIG. 3 (b), a magnetic sheet (display part) 37 is affixed to the outer surface of one side wall 30a of the tank 30, and is indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3 (a). As described above, the magnetic sheet 37 is provided so as to include the entire movable range of the magnet 35 in a side view. This magnetic sheet 37 is obtained by attaching a magnetic powder capsule 37a, which is a microcapsule containing magnetic powder, to a transparent film 37b, and the magnetic powder in the magnetic powder capsule 37a is turned by an external magnetic field, Two colors (for example, white and black) can be switched and displayed according to the orientation. In addition, the magnetic sheet 37 according to the present embodiment displays a dark color (for example, black) in a portion that is not yet affected by the magnetic field from the magnet 35 when viewed from the outside, while the magnetic field from the magnet 35 is displayed. The received part is displayed in a light color (for example, white) reversed (discolored). In general, the color reversal (discoloration) state in the magnetic sheet 37 is maintained unless an external magnetic field is newly applied. Note that the magnetic sheet 37 shown in FIG. 3B is shown with an enlarged magnetic powder capsule 37a with an increased thickness in order to facilitate understanding of the configuration. Forms a film.

  In the case of the cartridge 10A according to the first embodiment, the surface of the magnetic sheet 37 that faces the magnet 35 with the side wall 30a interposed therebetween, that is, the surface opposite to the surface that contacts the tank 30 (ie, from the outside). The visually recognizable surface) displays a light color by the magnetic field from the magnet 35. Then, when the ink 31 is consumed and the liquid level 31a in the tank 30 is lowered, the magnet 35 is also lowered accordingly, and the light-colored area in the magnetic sheet 37 is enlarged. Here, the dark color area of the magnetic sheet 37 before the magnet 35 opposes forms a schematic filling area A2 corresponding to the area where the ink 31 exists in the tank 30, and the light color area includes the ink 31. A typical air gap region A1 corresponding to the region not to be formed is formed. The boundary line between the typical gap area A1 and the typical filling area A2 forms a schematic liquid surface S1 corresponding to the liquid surface 31a of the ink 31 in the tank 30 (see FIG. 3B). .

  With the configuration as described above, the cartridge 10A according to the present embodiment allows the user to visually recognize the schematic liquid level S1 displayed on the magnetic sheet 37, and can grasp the remaining amount of ink. Further, the schematic liquid level S1 is displaced in proportion to the actual liquid level 31a of the ink 31, so that the remaining amount of ink can be grasped more accurately and intuitively. Further, since the tank 30 is composed of a light-shielding wall surface, the ink material is not restricted in terms of light resistance, and the degree of freedom in selection is increased.

  In the above description, the float 32 is configured such that the magnet 35 is separated from the buoyancy body 36 with respect to the pivot 33, but the magnet 35 is closer to the pivot 33 than the buoyancy body 36. Also good. In this case, since the buoyancy body 36 may have a smaller buoyancy, the size of the cartridge 10A can be reduced, or the ink storage capacity can be increased. Further, the buoyancy body 36 and the magnet 35 may be provided at an equidistant position from the pivotal support portion 33.

  Further, the float 32 may be configured so that the magnet 35 and the buoyancy body 36 are disposed with the pivotal support portion 33 interposed therebetween. In this case, since the magnet 35 rises as the liquid level 31a is lowered, the vertical positional relationship between the schematic gap region A1 and the schematic filling region A2 is opposite to the example described above.

  Furthermore, in the above description, the magnetic sheet 37 is provided so as to include the entire movable range of the magnet 35 in a side view, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, you may provide so that the one part range including the lowest position may be included among all the movable ranges of the magnet 35. FIG. Even in this case, the schematic gap region A1 can be displayed on the magnetic sheet 37 from the middle of the time when the remaining amount of the ink 31 is decreasing.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the state in which the above-described cartridge 10A is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 8 from the front direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge mounting portion 8 is provided with an optical sensor 40 so as to face the magnetic sheet 37. The optical sensor 40 is composed of a reflective photo interrupter or the like, and includes a light emitting unit 41 and a light receiving unit 42. The cartridge mounting portion 8 is provided with an actuator (not shown) so that the optical sensor 40 can be moved up and down along the magnetic sheet 37. Therefore, the display of the magnetic sheet 37 can be scanned by the optical sensor 40, the position of the schematic liquid surface S1 is detected using the scan data, and the liquid crystal display 11a (FIG. 1), information for prompting replacement of the cartridge 10A can be displayed.

  If it is only necessary to detect that the remaining amount of the ink 31 is less than the predetermined value, the optical sensor 40 does not need to be configured to be movable up and down. What is necessary is just to arrange oppositely to the lower predetermined position of. Thus, when the schematic liquid level S1 is displayed at the position of the magnetic sheet 37 facing the optical sensor 40, this display can be read to detect that the remaining amount of the ink 31 is less than a predetermined amount.

  In the cartridge mounting portion 8 shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic sheet 43 is also provided on the wall surface 8 b of the cartridge mounting portion 8 located on the opposite side of the magnet 35 from the magnetic sheet 37 attached to the tank 30. Yes. The magnetic sheet 43 has the same configuration as the magnetic sheet 37 attached to the tank 30 and includes the entire movable range of the magnet 35 in the side view or the lowermost of the movable range of the magnet 35. It is provided so as to include a partial range including the position. Thereby, also in the magnetic sheet 43, the typical void area A1, the typical filling area A2, and the typical liquid level S1 can be displayed. After the cartridge 10A is extracted, the ink remaining amount of the cartridge 10A is reduced to this level. It can be visually recognized from the magnetic sheet 43.

  4 shows the case where the magnetic sheet 43 having the same characteristics as the magnetic sheet 37 is used. As a result, the display color of the magnetic sheet 43 is an inversion of the display color of the magnetic sheet 37. It is colored. However, if a dark color is displayed when there is no magnetic field action from the magnet 35 and a light color is displayed by the magnetic field action, a light color is exhibited in the typical air gap region A1 like the magnetic sheet 37. In the typical filling region A2, it is also possible to exhibit a dark color.

  FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the cartridge 10A in an unused state for preventing the schematic liquid level S1 from being displayed on the magnetic sheet 37 due to the displacement of the magnet 35 when not in use. The structure is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 5, in the unused cartridge 10A according to this embodiment, a sheet magnet 45 made of a sheet-like permanent magnet is superimposed on the outer surface of the magnetic sheet 37. The tank 30 is supported by a protective seal 46. Further, the sheet magnet 45 causes a magnetic field to act on the magnetic sheet 37 to display the entire area in a dark color.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the schematic liquid level S <b> 1 from being displayed on the magnetic sheet 37 by the magnetic field from the magnet 35 in the unused cartridge 10 </ b> A that is being conveyed or displayed at the storefront. Since the sheet magnet 45 can also be removed when the protective seal 46 is removed, the schematic liquid level S1 can be displayed on the magnetic sheet 37 by the magnetic field from the magnet 35 as described above.

(Example 2)
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the cartridge 10B according to the second embodiment is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 8 as another example of the cartridge 10 from the front direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the cartridge 10B has the same configuration as that of the cartridge 10A according to the first embodiment, and the soft magnetic body 50 is floated 32 in the cartridge 10B instead of the magnet 35 of the cartridge 10A. This is different in that it is provided at the front end portion 34. In the cartridge mounting portion 8, the magnet 51 is provided on the wall surface 8 b located on the opposite side of the soft magnetic body 50 from the magnetic sheet 37. The magnet 51 may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, and is provided so as to include at least a region occupied by the magnetic sheet 37 in a side view in the movable range of the soft magnetic body 50. In the cartridge 10B, parts having the same configuration as the cartridge 10A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  With such a configuration, in the cartridge 10 </ b> B mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 8, the soft magnetic body 50 is magnetized by the magnet 51, and the schematic liquid level S <b> 1 is displayed on the magnetic sheet 37 by the magnetic field from the soft magnetic body 50. be able to. On the other hand, when the cartridge 10B is detached from the cartridge mounting portion 8, the soft magnetic body 50 is not magnetized and does not generate a magnetic field, so that the magnetic sheet 37 is displayed regardless of the displacement of the soft magnetic body 50. It will not be changed. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the schematic liquid level S1 from being displayed on the magnetic sheet 37 in the unused cartridge 10B being displayed at the store or in the store.

(Example 3)
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the cartridge 10C according to the third embodiment is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 8 as another example of the cartridge 10 from the side. As shown in FIG. 7, the cartridge 10C is partially provided with the same configuration as the cartridge 10A according to the first embodiment. However, instead of the magnet 35 of the cartridge 10A, a coil is wound around an iron core. An electromagnet 53 is provided at the tip 34 of the float 32. In addition, two electrodes 55 arranged on the upper and lower sides are attached to the front wall portion 30 c of the tank 30, and the air in the tank 30 is between each electrode 55 and a coil (not shown) of the electromagnet 53. Are connected by a conductor 54 which is wired. In the cartridge mounting portion 8, an electrode 56 to which electric power is supplied from a power source (not shown) is provided on the wall portion facing the front wall portion 30c of the mounted cartridge 10C, and the cartridge 10C is mounted. Then, the electrodes 55 and 56 are electrically connected to each other. In the cartridge 10C, parts having the same configuration as the cartridge 10A are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the case of the cartridge 10 </ b> C having such a configuration, when the cartridge 10 </ b> C is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 8, the electrodes 55 and 56 are conducted, the coil is energized, and the electromagnet 53 is magnetized. As a result, the schematic liquid level S1 can be displayed on the magnetic sheet 37 by the magnetic field from the electromagnet 53, similarly to the cartridges 10A and 10B described above. When the cartridge 10C is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 8, the electromagnet 53 is not magnetized and does not generate a magnetic field. Therefore, the display of the magnetic sheet 37 is changed regardless of the displacement of the electromagnet 53. There is no. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the schematic liquid level S1 from being displayed on the magnetic sheet 37 in the unused cartridge 10C being displayed at the store or in the store.

Example 4
FIG. 8 is a drawing schematically showing a cartridge 10D according to the fourth embodiment as another example of the cartridge 10. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view seen from the side, and FIG. FIG. As shown in FIG. 8A, the cartridge 10D has the same configuration as that of the cartridge 10C according to the third embodiment. However, in the cartridge 10D according to the present embodiment, the cartridge 10C is suspended in the air. Instead of the conductive wire 54, a conductive wire 58 wired to the float 32 and the tank 30 is provided. That is, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 8, the two conductive wires 58 drawn out from the electromagnet 53 are wired from the tip 34 to the pivotal support 33 through the float 32, and pass through the axis of the pivotal support 33. The left and right side walls 30a, 30b of the tank 30 are drawn out. Furthermore, each conducting wire 58 drawn to the left and right is wired to the front wall portion 30c of the tank 30 along the side wall portions 30a and 30b, and is connected to an electrode 59 provided here. In the cartridge 10D, parts having the same configuration as the cartridge 10C are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the case of the cartridge 10 </ b> D having such a configuration, when the cartridge 10 </ b> D is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 8, the coil is energized from the electrode 59 through the conducting wire 58, and the electromagnet 53 is magnetized. As a result, the schematic liquid level S1 can be displayed on the magnetic sheet 37 by the magnetic field from the electromagnet 53, similarly to the cartridges 10A to 10C described above. Moreover, since the conducting wire 58 is wired in the float 32, it does not affect the operation of the float 32 when the liquid level 31a is lowered. Other functions and effects are the same as those in the cartridge 10.

(Example 5)
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state where the cartridge 10E according to the fifth embodiment is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 8 as another example of the cartridge 10 from the front direction. A cartridge 10E shown in FIG. 9 includes a tank 30 having a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the thickness dimension in the left-right direction is smaller than the vertical dimension and the front-rear dimension, similarly to the cartridges 10A to 10D described above. The tank 30 is composed of a light-shielding wall member so as not to transmit light such as natural light from the outside to the inside, and ink 31 for forming an image by being discharged onto a recording sheet is accommodated therein. However, the float 32 such as the cartridges 10A to 10D is not provided.

  On the other hand, a thermal paper (display unit) 60 is affixed to one side wall 30a of the tank 30, and the thermal paper 60 is vertically arranged so as to include the entire movable range of the liquid surface 31a of the ink 31. It is provided over a long range. The thermal paper 60 changes its color in response to external heat of a predetermined temperature or higher. In this embodiment, the thermal paper 60 is white at room temperature and black when the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature. Further, in the cartridge mounting portion 8, a heat source 61 is provided at a portion facing the thermal paper 60, and the entire area of the thermal paper 60 can be heated by the heat source 61.

  When the cartridge 10E having such a configuration is heated by the heat source 61 in a state in which the cartridge 10E is mounted, the region of the thermal paper 60 that is located above the liquid surface 31a of the ink 31 exceeds a predetermined temperature. The region that is heated to exhibit black color and is located below the liquid surface 31a remains white while the heat from the heat source 61 is absorbed by the ink 31 and does not reach the predetermined temperature. Accordingly, in the thermal paper 60, the black area forms the typical gap area A1, the white area forms the typical filling area A2, and the boundary line forms the typical liquid surface S1. Then, by visually recognizing the schematic liquid surface S1, the liquid surface 31a of the ink 31 can be accurately grasped.

  Also in the cartridge 10E according to the present embodiment, the position of the schematic liquid surface S1 is detected by using the optical sensor 40 shown in FIG. 4, and the liquid crystal display 11a (see FIG. 1) is detected based on the detection result. Information prompting replacement of the cartridge 10A can be displayed.

(Example 6)
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state where the cartridge 10F according to the sixth embodiment is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 8 as another example of the cartridge 10 from the front direction. The cartridge 10F shown in FIG. 10 has a configuration in which a thermal paper 60 is attached to one side wall portion 30a of the tank 30 in the same manner as the cartridge 10E described above. On the other hand, the cartridge 10 </ b> E is placed on a movable table 64 that moves up and down according to the amount of ink remaining in the tank 30. The movable table 64 includes a base 65 on which the cartridge 10E is placed, and an elastic body 66 made of a coil spring or the like connected to the lower portion of the base 65, and the liquid level 31a in the tank 30 is lowered. This is a mechanism in which the base 65 is raised by substantially the same dimension as the distance. Further, a heat source 67 is provided at a portion of the cartridge mounting portion 8 that faces the thermal paper 60, and the heat source 67 has a height so as to face the liquid surface 31 a of the ink 31 in the tank 30 from the side. The position is fixed.

  When the cartridge 10F having such a configuration is heated by the heat source 67 in a state in which the cartridge 10F is mounted, the vicinity region including the portion corresponding to the liquid level 31a is heated in the thermal paper 60, and The liquid level S1 is displayed. When the ink 31 is consumed, the elastic body 66 expands with a decrease in the weight of the ink 31 and raises the cartridge 10F, so that the heat source 67 is always positioned facing the liquid surface 31a from the side. Accordingly, even when the position of the liquid surface 31a changes, the schematic liquid surface S1 can be displayed on the thermal paper 60 by the heat from the heat source 67, and the liquid surface 31a of the ink 31 can be accurately displayed by visual recognition. Can grasp.

(Example 7)
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which the cartridge 10G according to Example 7 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 8 as another example of the cartridge 10 from the front direction. The cartridge 10G shown in FIG. 11 has the same configuration as that of the cartridge 10F described above, but the heat source 67 is movable in the vertical direction, and the heat source 67 and the base 65 are connected to the pulley 68. It is different in that it is connected via a wire 69 hung on.

  In the case of such a cartridge 10G, a mechanism in which the base 65 rises by half of the descending distance of the liquid surface 31a of the ink 31 in the tank 30 (that is, an elastic body 66 having such a spring constant). ), The heat source 67 can be held at a position facing the liquid surface 31a. That is, when the liquid level 31a is lowered by H in the tank 30, the base 65 is raised by H / 2 in this mechanism. Therefore, when viewed from the system outside the tank 30, the liquid level 31a is lowered by H / 2. It will be. On the other hand, as the base 65 is raised, the heat source 67 connected thereto via the wire 69 is lowered by H / 2. Accordingly, the relative position between the liquid surface 31a in the tank 30 and the heat source 67 is always kept constant.

  Thus, in the case of the configuration according to the present embodiment, since the rising distance of the base 65 with respect to the falling distance of the liquid surface 31a can be reduced, the height dimension can be suppressed. Note that the spring constant of the elastic body 66 and the connection mode between the base 65 and the heat source 67 by the pulley 68 and the wire 69 are not limited to the above-described configuration, and other connection modes are adopted according to the spring constant of the elastic body 66. can do. In addition, the lowering range of the cartridge 10F can be reduced as the spring constant of the elastic body 66 is reduced.

(Example 8)
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cartridge 10H according to the eighth embodiment as another example of the cartridge 10 from the side. The cartridge 10H shown in FIG. 12 has a partially similar configuration to the cartridge 10A according to the first embodiment. However, in this cartridge 10H, the magnetic sheet is not attached to the rear wall portion 30d but the side wall portion 30a of the tank 30. (Display part) 70 is affixed. Further, a float 71 having an arm shape extending substantially in the front-rear direction is provided in the tank 30, and a pivotal support portion 72 that is pivotally supported on the wall portion of the tank 30 is provided at the front end thereof. Part) 73 is provided with a magnet 74 so as to face the rear wall 30d of the tank 30. In addition, a buoyancy body 75 that is hollow is provided between the pivotal support portion 72 and the distal end portion 73.

  In the case of such a cartridge 10H, similarly to the cartridge 10A according to the first embodiment, the magnet 74 also descends as the liquid level 31a descends, and the magnetic sheet 70 generates a typical gap region A1 due to the magnetic field from the magnet 74. And a schematic filling area A2 and a schematic liquid level S1 are displayed. On the other hand, in this cartridge 10H, since the magnetic sheet 70 is provided on the rear wall 30d of the tank 30, the door 7 provided on the front surface of the printer unit 2 even when mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 8. By opening (see FIG. 1), the display of the magnetic sheet 70 can be visually recognized through the insertion / removal port 8a, and the remaining amount of ink can be grasped without removing the cartridge 10H.

  The configuration in which the magnetic sheet 70 is provided on the rear wall 30 d of the tank 30 in this manner can also be applied to the second embodiment having the soft magnetic body 50 and the third and fourth embodiments having the electromagnet 53. Furthermore, also in Examples 5 to 7 having the thermal paper 60, by providing the thermal paper 60 on the rear wall portion 30d of the tank 30, it is possible to open the door 7 and visually recognize the remaining amount of ink through the insertion / removal port 8a. It is.

  In addition, as a modification of the first to fourth and eighth embodiments including the magnetic sheets 37 and 70 as display units, the magnetic sheets 37 and 70 can be provided on the upper wall portion of the tank 30. In this case, if the portions where the magnets 35 and the like are attached to the floats 32 and 71 are appropriately configured so as to move along the magnetic sheets 37 and 70 on the upper wall portion of the tank 30 as the liquid level 31a is lowered. Good. Thereby, for example, a window is provided in the upper part of the housing 1a, and the display of the magnetic sheets 37 and 70 can be visually recognized through this window without operating the door 7.

Example 9
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cartridge 10I according to the ninth embodiment as another example of the cartridge 10 from the side. The cartridge 10I shown in FIG. 13 has the same configuration as that of the cartridge 10A according to the first embodiment, and is configured such that a symbol such as a character string is displayed in the schematic gap region A1 of the magnetic sheet 37. Is different. That is, the magnetic sheet 37 of the cartridge 10I is mixed with a plurality of magnetic powder capsules 37a (see FIG. 3B), and particles that are not changed by a magnetic field (not shown) are transparent film 37b (see FIG. 3B). The symbol (“empty” shown in FIG. 13) is formed by the arrangement of the particles.

  This particle has the same color as the display color of the magnetic powder capsule 37a in the schematic filling area A2, and the position where the magnet 35 faces when the remaining amount of the ink 31 in the magnetic sheet 37 becomes small ( In this embodiment, it is provided at the lower part of the magnetic sheet 37. Then, when a magnetic field acts on this position and the display color of the magnetic powder capsule 37a is changed to the schematic gap area A1, the symbol is displayed in the schematic gap area A1 so as to be visible.

  According to such a cartridge 10I, not only the schematic liquid level S1 can be displayed on the magnetic sheet 37, but also information such as letters and figures can be displayed to the user, and the ink remaining amount is reduced. When this happens, replacement of the cartridge 10I can be prompted. In addition, even in the case of the configuration including the thermal paper 60 as the display unit as in the cartridges 10E to 10G according to Examples 5 to 7, by forming a symbol in advance at a predetermined location such as the lower part of the thermal paper 60, A similar symbol can be displayed in the schematic gap region A1 that is black due to heat from the heat sources 61 and 67.

  The present invention includes a cartridge having a tank configured with a light-shielding wall so as to accommodate a liquid having low light resistance, and a cartridge system capable of more accurately grasping the remaining amount of liquid even by visual recognition, and the system It can be applied to the liquid cartridge used in the above.

1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a printer apparatus to which a cartridge system according to the present invention is applied. In the present embodiment, a so-called multifunction machine having a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like is illustrated as a recording apparatus. ing. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a printer unit included in the recording apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a cartridge according to a first embodiment as an example of a cartridge used in a printer device, where (a) illustrates a cross-sectional view when viewed from the side, and (b) illustrates (a). The IIIb-IIIb arrow sectional drawing of is shown. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state where the cartridge according to the first embodiment is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion from the front direction. It is a front sectional view showing typically the composition of a cartridge in an unused state, and illustrates the composition for preventing a typical liquid level from being displayed on a magnetic sheet due to the displacement of a magnet when not in use. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state where a cartridge according to Example 2 is mounted on a cartridge mounting unit as another example of the cartridge from the front direction. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state where a cartridge according to Example 3 is mounted on a cartridge mounting portion as another example of the cartridge from the side. As other examples of the cartridge, it is a drawing schematically showing a cartridge according to Example 4, (a) is a cross-sectional view seen from the side, (b) is a cross-sectional view seen from above. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state where a cartridge according to Example 5 is mounted on a cartridge mounting unit as another example of the cartridge from the front direction. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state where a cartridge according to Example 6 is mounted on a cartridge mounting unit as another example of the cartridge from the front direction. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state where a cartridge according to Example 7 is mounted on a cartridge mounting unit as another example of the cartridge from the front direction. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a cartridge according to Example 8 from the side as another example of the cartridge. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a cartridge according to Example 9 from the side as another example of the cartridge.

Explanation of symbols

1 Recording device (Droplet ejection device)
8 Cartridge mounting portion 8a Insertion / removal port 10, 10A to 10I Cartridge 30 Tank 31 Ink 31a Liquid level 32, 71 Float 35, 74 Magnet 36, 75 Buoyant body 37, 43, 70 Magnetic sheet 40 Optical sensor 50 Soft magnetic body 51 Magnet 54 , 58 Conductor 55, 56, 59 Electrode 60 Thermal paper 61, 67 Heat source 64 Movable base A1 Typical gap area A2 Typical filling area S1 Typical liquid level

Claims (15)

A cartridge system comprising a liquid cartridge having a tank configured to contain light and having a light-shielding wall surface, and a cartridge mounting portion on which the liquid cartridge is detachably mounted,
The liquid cartridge is provided with a display unit that displays a visually recognizable schematic liquid level corresponding to the liquid level of the residual liquid in the tank, and the display unit is provided with a change in volume of the residual liquid. It is configured to change the position of the schematic liquid level in proportion to the position change of the liquid level of the residual liquid,
The cartridge system, wherein the cartridge mounting unit is provided with a liquid level detection unit for detecting the position of the schematic liquid level.   The tank contains a magnet whose position varies with a change in the liquid surface position of the residual liquid, and the display unit is made of a magnetic sheet whose color corresponding to the position of the magnet is changed. The cartridge system according to claim 1.   The cartridge system according to claim 2, wherein a float member that has the magnet and floats in the liquid is provided in the tank.   4. The cartridge system according to claim 2, wherein the magnetic sheet is configured so that a symbol is displayed in a region discolored by the passage of the magnet.   The cartridge system according to claim 2, wherein the magnet is a permanent magnet.   2. The magnet according to claim 1, wherein the magnet is an electromagnet that is energized and magnetized by mounting the liquid cartridge in the cartridge mounting portion, and the electromagnet has a core material made of a soft magnetic material. The cartridge system according to any one of 2 to 4.   The magnet is a magnetic body made of a soft magnetic material magnetized by a magnet disposed outside the liquid cartridge when the liquid cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. The cartridge system according to any one of 2 to 4.   The display section is made of thermal paper that changes color in response to heat, and the cartridge mounting section is provided with a heat source so as to face the thermal paper in a state where the liquid cartridge is mounted. The cartridge system according to claim 1.   The cartridge system according to claim 2, wherein the liquid level detection unit includes an optical sensor that detects a discolored portion in the display unit.   The cartridge mounting portion has an insertion / removal port through which the liquid cartridge is inserted / removed, and the display unit is provided at a portion visible through the insertion / removal port in a state where the liquid cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion. The cartridge system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the cartridge system is provided.   11. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the liquid cartridge is a printer that stores ink as the liquid in the tank and discharges the ink onto a recording medium to form an image. Cartridge system. A liquid cartridge that contains a liquid and has a tank composed of a light-shielding wall, and is mounted on a cartridge system,
A display unit that displays a visually recognizable schematic liquid level corresponding to the liquid level of the residual liquid in the tank, and the display unit detects the position of the liquid level of the residual liquid as the volume of the residual liquid changes. A liquid cartridge configured to change the position of the schematic liquid surface in proportion to the change.   The tank contains a magnet whose position varies with a change in the liquid surface position of the residual liquid, and the display unit is made of a magnetic sheet whose color corresponding to the position of the magnet is changed. The liquid cartridge according to claim 12.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 13, wherein a float member having the magnet and floating in the liquid is provided in the tank.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the display unit is made of thermal paper that changes color in response to heat generated from an external heat source in a state where the display unit is attached to the cartridge system.

Images