JP2012000854A - Ink supply device and ink cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for settling at least one of a purpose of reliably detecting installation of an ink cartridge or a purpose of reliably detecting a light transmission state of a remaining amount detector.SOLUTION: The ink cartridge 30 includes: an ink chamber 36 for storing ink; a first projection 45 provided at a front end side of a front side of an installation direction 56; a second projection 46 provided at a lower end side of a front side of the installation direction 56; and a remaining amount detector 33 provided at a back side in the installation direction 56 than the first projection 45 and the second projection 46. The cartridge installing unit 110 includes: an optical sensor 116 for detecting a rib 48 of the first projection 45; an optical sensor 117 for detecting a rib 136 of a slide member 135 moved by the second projection 46; and an optical sensor 114 for detecting a light transmission state of the remaining amount detector 33, after the ribs 48, 136 are detected, at a detection position on a back side in the installation direction 56 than respective detection positions of the optical sensors 116, 117.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink supply device in which an ink cartridge is mounted in a cartridge mounting portion, and an ink cartridge.

  Conventionally, in a so-called tube supply type image recording apparatus, an ink cartridge is disposed outside a carriage on which a recording head is mounted, and the ink cartridge and the recording head are connected via a tube. For example, the ink cartridge is mounted in a horizontal direction through an opening with respect to a cartridge mounting portion having an opening in the front of the apparatus main body (see Patent Document 1). The cartridge mounting portion detachably accommodates the ink cartridge. When the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, an ink path from the ink cartridge to the recording head is formed. Ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the recording head through the ink passage.

  There is a case where a remaining amount detection unit for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is provided, and a sensor for detecting the remaining amount detection unit of the ink cartridge is provided in the cartridge mounting unit (Patent Document 2). . In addition, the cartridge mounting unit may be provided with a sensor for detecting whether an ink cartridge is mounted. In addition, a sensor for detecting the type of ink cartridge such as the color and capacity of ink stored in the ink cartridge may be provided in the cartridge mounting portion.

JP 2009-1332098 A JP 2007-15393 A

  It is desirable that the detected portion or the remaining amount detection portion provided in the ink cartridge according to various purposes is reliably detected by a sensor provided in the cartridge mounting portion.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides means for solving at least one of an object of reliably detecting mounting of an ink cartridge or an object of detecting a remaining amount detection unit reliably. With the goal.

  The present invention provides an ink chamber (36) in which ink is stored, and a first detected portion (45) provided on the front side and the upper side in the mounting orientation (56) in the mounting posture to the cartridge mounting portion (110). ), A second detected portion (46) provided on the front side and the lower end side of the mounting orientation (56) in the mounting posture, the first detected portion (45), and the second detected portion ( 46) is provided on the rear side of the mounting direction (56), the ink stored in the ink chamber (36) can flow in, and the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber (36) changes. An ink supply device (110) having a cartridge mounting portion (110) capable of mounting the ink cartridge (30) including the remaining amount detecting portion (33) whose light transmission state changes based on the mounting direction (56). 100). The cartridge mounting part (110) includes a first sensor (116) for detecting the first detected part (45) at a first detection position in the mounting process in which the ink cartridge (30) is mounted, and the mounting process. A second sensor (117) for detecting the second detected portion (46) at the second detection position, and a third position behind the mounting direction (56) from the first detection position and the second detection position. At the detection position, when the first detected portion (45) and the second detected portion (46) are detected and a predetermined time has elapsed, light passing through the remaining amount detecting portion (33) is detected. A third sensor (114).

  The ink cartridge according to the present invention is disposed so as to face the front surface (40) where the ink supply part (37) capable of supplying ink from the ink chamber (36) storing ink to the outside is located, and the front surface (40). A main body (31) having a rear surface (42) and a first light blocking portion (45) provided on one end side of the front surface (40) and capable of being detected in the mounting process to the cartridge mounting portion (110). A second light blocking portion (46) provided on the other end side of the front surface (40) and capable of being detected during the mounting process to the cartridge mounting portion (110), and the first light blocking portion (45). In addition, an ink chamber (36) and ink can be introduced into the rear surface (42) side from the second light blocking portion (46) so that the remaining amount can be detected in a state where the ink chamber is installed in the cartridge mounting portion (110). Part (33), It is intended to Bei.

  According to the present invention, the remaining amount detection part (33) is provided on the rear side of the mounting direction (56) from the first light blocking part (45) and the second light blocking part (46). The light blocking unit (45), the second light blocking unit (46), and the remaining amount detecting unit (33) can be detected efficiently and accurately. Further, the first light blocking unit (45) and the second light blocking unit (46) can stably mount the ink cartridge (30) on the cartridge mounting unit (110), and the remaining amount detecting unit (33). Ink can be prevented from adhering to the ink.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of a printer 10 including an ink supply device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the cartridge mounting unit 110. FIG. 5 is a front view of the cartridge mounting unit 110. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 90. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a state immediately after the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a state where the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 and the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45 is detected. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a state where the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 and the rib 138 of the slide member 135 is detected. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a state in which the ink cartridge 30 having the long second protrusion 46 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 and the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45 is detected. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a state in which the ink cartridge 30 having a long dimension of the detected element 49 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 and the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45 is detected. FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing output signals of the optical sensors 114, 116, and 117. FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing output signals of the optical sensors 114, 116, and 117.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example in which the present invention is embodied, and it is needless to say that the embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Overview of Printer 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 records an image by selectively ejecting ink droplets onto a recording sheet based on an ink jet recording method. The printer 10 includes an ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 is provided with a cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 can be mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. The cartridge mounting portion 110 is provided with an opening 112 whose one surface is open to the outside. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into or removed from the cartridge mounting part 110 through the opening 112.

  The ink cartridge 30 stores ink that can be used by the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are connected by the ink tube 20 in a state where the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110. The recording head 21 is provided with a sub tank 28. The sub tank 28 temporarily stores the ink supplied through the ink tube 20. The recording head 21 selectively ejects the ink supplied from the sub tank 28 from the nozzles 29 by the ink jet recording method.

  The recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 15 to the transport path 24 by the paper feed roller 23 is transported onto the platen 26 by the transport roller pair 25. The recording head 21 selectively ejects ink onto a recording sheet that passes over the platen 26. Thereby, an image is recorded on the recording paper. The recording sheet that has passed through the platen 26 is discharged by a discharge roller pair 22 to a discharge tray 16 provided on the most downstream side of the transport path 24.

[Ink cartridge 30]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink cartridge 30 is a container for storing ink. A space formed inside the ink cartridge 30 is an ink chamber 36 for storing ink. The ink chamber 36 may be formed by the main body 31 forming the appearance of the ink cartridge 30, or may be formed by a member different from the main body 31.

  2 and 3, the ink cartridge 30 is indicated by an arrow 50 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with the lower surface in the drawing as the bottom surface and the upper surface in the drawing as the top surface. Is inserted / removed along the direction (hereinafter referred to as “insertion / removal direction 50”). The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 while standing. This standing state corresponds to the mounting posture. The direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110 is the mounting direction 56, and the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is extracted is the removal direction 55. Further, the height direction 52 in the standing state corresponds to the direction of gravity. That is, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 110 along the insertion / extraction direction 50 and is removed from the cartridge mounting unit 110 along the insertion / extraction direction 50.

  The ink cartridge 30 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body 31. The main body 31 is thin in the width direction (left-right direction) 51, and has a flat shape in which the height direction 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 are larger than the width direction 51. The wall of the main body 31 that is the front side of the mounting direction 56 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 is the front wall 40, and the wall of the main body 31 that is the rear side of the mounting direction 56 is the rear wall 42. The front wall 40 and the rear wall 42 face each other in the insertion / extraction direction 50. The front wall 40 and the rear wall 42 are a pair of left and right side walls extending in the insertion / removal direction 50, connecting the side walls to the front wall 40 and the rear wall 42, and extending upward from the upper end of the front wall 40 toward the upper end of the rear wall 42. The wall 39 and the lower wall 41 extending from the lower end of the front wall 40 toward the lower end of the rear wall 42 are partitioned by four walls. The insertion / extraction direction 50 is parallel to the depth direction 53. The front wall 40 corresponds to the front surface. The rear wall 42 corresponds to the rear surface. The upper wall 39 corresponds to the upper surface. The lower wall 41 corresponds to the bottom surface.

  A remaining amount detection unit 33 is provided near the center of the front wall 40 of the main body 31 in the height direction 52. The remaining amount detection unit 33 is disposed on the rear side of the mounting direction 56 from the tip of the mounting direction 56 of the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45, the front end of the mounting direction 56 of the second protrusion 46, and the detected element 49, which will be described later. ing. The remaining amount detection unit 33 has a box shape with one opening so as to communicate with the ink chamber 36. Further, the remaining amount detection unit 33 has a pair of walls made of a translucent resin that transmits light emitted from the optical sensor 114 (see FIG. 4).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the space between the pair of left and right walls of the remaining amount detector 33 is hollow so that ink can be stored. Between the pair of left and right walls of the remaining amount detection unit 33, the indicator unit 62 of the sensor arm 60 is located. The sensor arm 60 is provided with an indicator portion 62 and a float portion 63 on both ends of a plate-like arm main body 61, respectively. In the ink chamber 36, the sensor arm 60 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 64 extending along the width direction 51. The sensor arm 60 corresponds to the amount of ink present in the ink chamber 36, and the indicator unit 62 is positioned in a lower position in the gravity direction of the remaining amount detection unit 33, and the indicator unit 62 is the gravity of the remaining amount detection unit 33. The posture can be changed to a higher posture located on the upper side in the direction. Note that FIG. 3 shows a state in which the amount of ink is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount and the indicator unit 62 is in the lower posture.

  In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110, the remaining amount detection unit 33 is configured to transmit a predetermined amount or more of infrared light with respect to the optical sensor 114 provided in the cartridge mounting unit 110. The amount detection unit 33 changes to a state in which infrared light is shielded or attenuated below a predetermined amount. If the indicator unit 62 is in the upper position, the remaining amount detection unit 33 transmits infrared light, and if the indicator unit 62 is in the lower position, the remaining amount detection unit 33 blocks or attenuates infrared light. It is determined that the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 36 has become less than a predetermined amount according to the light transmission state of the remaining amount detection unit 33.

  Note that the remaining amount detection unit 33 may not include the sensor arm 60. As will be described later, in the optical sensor 114, the light emitting element 118 and the light receiving element 119 are opposed to each other in the horizontal direction. The light emitted from the light emitting element 118 is received by the light receiving element 119. The infrared light emitted from the light emitting element 118 is blocked or attenuated when there is ink in the remaining amount detection unit 33, and is emitted from the light emitting element 118 when there is no ink in the remaining amount detection unit 33. Infrared light may be transmitted through a predetermined amount or more. Furthermore, the remaining amount detection unit 33 may be made of a soft film. In other words, the film swells when ink is present in the remaining amount detection unit 33, and the lever is held at a position where the lever blocks infrared light by contacting the rotatable lever with the film. On the other hand, when there is no ink in the remaining amount detection unit 33, the film is deflated, and the rotatable lever is rotated downward or upward so that the infrared light is not blocked. May be. Further, in a state where there is ink in the remaining amount detection unit 33, the infrared light emitted from the light emitting element 118 is reflected so as not to reach the light receiving element 119, and in a state where there is no ink in the remaining amount detection unit 33, The infrared light emitted from the light emitting element 118 may be reflected so as to reach the light receiving element 119.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an opening 34 that penetrates the front wall 40 in the depth direction 53 is formed above the remaining amount detection unit 33 in the front wall 40 of the main body 31, and in the insertion / extraction direction 50 from the opening 34. An air communication port 32 is provided on the rear wall 42 side. The atmosphere communication port 32 is a through hole that penetrates the wall forming the ink chamber 36 in the depth direction 53. The air layer of the ink chamber 36 and the atmosphere can be communicated with each other via the atmosphere communication port 32.

  The atmospheric communication port 32 is configured to be opened and closed by an atmospheric communication valve 80. When the atmosphere communication port 32 is opened, the air pressure in the ink chamber 36 maintained at a negative pressure becomes the external pressure. The atmosphere communication port 32 is not necessarily provided on the front wall 40 side, and the arrangement is not limited as long as the inside and the outside of the ink chamber 36 communicate with each other. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is used in a state in which the inside of the ink chamber 36 is maintained at a negative pressure, the air communication port 32 is not necessarily provided.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an ink supply unit 37 is provided below the remaining amount detection unit 33 on the front wall 40 of the main body 31. The ink supply unit 37 has a cylindrical outer shape, and protrudes outward along the insertion / extraction direction 50 from the front wall 40. An ink supply port 71 is formed at the protruding end of the ink supply unit 37. An ink flow path 38 extending from the ink supply port 71 through the internal space of the ink supply unit 37 in the insertion / removal direction 50 to the ink chamber 36 is formed. The ink supply port 71 is configured to be opened and closed by an ink supply valve 70. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink needle 122 (see FIG. 6) provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 and the ink supply valve 70 is opened. As a result, the ink flows out from the ink chamber 36 through the ink flow path 38 to the ink needle 122 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  The ink supply port 71 is not necessarily limited to a configuration that can be opened and closed by the ink supply valve 70. For example, the ink supply port 71 is closed with a film or the like, and the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. The ink supply port 71 may be opened by the ink needle 122 breaking through the film.

  An engaged portion 43 is formed near the center of the upper wall 39 of the main body 31 in the depth direction 53. The engaged portion 43 is a protrusion having a flat surface extending in the width direction 51 and the height direction 52 of the ink cartridge 30. A lock lever 145 described later is engaged with the engaged portion 43 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. The engaged portion 43 receives a biasing force that pushes the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 55.

  The main body 31 is provided with a first protrusion 45 and a second protrusion 46. The first protrusion 45 is provided on the upper end of the front wall 40 of the main body 31 so as to extend in a direction away from the ink chamber 36 along a direction away from the front wall 40 from the rear wall 42 (mounting direction 56). The width of the first protrusion 45 is the same as the width of the front wall 40. The first protrusion 45 protrudes from the front wall 40 in a direction away from the rear wall 42 (mounting direction 56). The front end of the first protrusion 45 protrudes from the ink supply port 71, which is the front end of the ink supply unit 37, to the front side in the direction away from the rear wall 42 (mounting direction 56). In the present embodiment, the first protrusion 45 has the same width as the width of the front wall 40, but may be a plate-like one having a width (vertical, horizontal) narrower than the width of the front wall 40. A groove 47 extending in the depth direction 53 is formed at the center of the first protrusion 45 in the width direction 51. The groove 47 opens upward in the height direction 52 at the first protrusion 45. The cross-sectional shape along the height direction 52 of the groove 47 is concave. Further, the tip of the groove 47 in the direction away from the ink chamber 36 is opened.

  In the inner space of the groove 47, a rib 48 extending in the height direction 52 and the depth direction 53 is provided in the center of the bottom surface of the groove 47 in the width direction 51. The rib 48 is erected upward from the bottom surface of the groove 47. Both side surfaces of the rib 48 in the width direction 51 are opposed to and parallel to the pair of side surfaces facing the width direction 51 in the groove 48. The rib 48 blocks or attenuates light traveling in the width direction 51 and can be detected by the optical sensor 116. The dimension in which the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45 protrudes in the direction away from the front wall 40 from the rear wall 42 (mounting direction 56) is changed according to the type of the ink cartridge 30. The type of the ink cartridge 30 includes a difference in ink color and components, a difference in the amount of ink initially stored in the ink chamber 36, and the like. The rib 48 corresponds to a first detected part and a first light blocking part. The first protrusion 45 corresponds to the first protrusion. Note that the first protrusion may be configured only by the rib 48.

  The second protrusion 46 is provided at the lower end of the front wall 40 of the main body 31. Therefore, the second protrusion 46 is disposed below the ink supply unit 37. The width of the second protrusion 46 is the same as the width of the front wall 40. The second protrusion 46 protrudes from the front wall 40 in a direction away from the rear wall 42 (mounting direction 56). The tip of the second protrusion 46 protrudes to the front side of the ink supply port 71, which is the tip of the ink supply unit 37, in a direction away from the rear wall 42 (mounting direction 56). The dimension in which the second protrusion 46 protrudes in the direction away from the front wall 40 from the rear wall 42 (mounting direction 56) is changed according to the type of the ink cartridge 30. The type of the ink cartridge 30 includes a difference in ink color and components, a difference in the amount of ink initially stored in the ink chamber 36, and the like. The second protrusion 46 corresponds to a second detected part, a second protrusion, and a second light blocking part. In the present embodiment, the second protrusion 46 is indirectly detected in the cartridge mounting portion 110, but a rib like the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45 described above is provided on the second protrusion 46. Thus, the rib of the second protrusion may be directly detected by the optical sensor 117.

  On the front wall 40 of the main body 31, between the first protrusion 45 and the second protrusion 46 in the height direction 52, on the front side in the direction away from the rear wall 42 of the remaining amount detection unit 33 (mounting direction 56), A detected element 49 for attenuating or blocking infrared light traveling in the width direction 51 is provided. The detected element 49 has substantially the same width as the remaining amount detection unit 33 in the width direction 51. This width is a dimension that can enter between the light emitting element 118 and the light receiving element 119 (see FIG. 4) of the optical sensor 114. The detected element 49 corresponds to a third detected part and a third light blocking part. In addition, the to-be-detected child 49 may be comprised with light transmissive resin as a part of residual amount detection part 33. FIG. In this case, the detected element 49 has a thickness in the width direction 51 enough to attenuate infrared light. The light-transmitting resin may have a thickness that attenuates or reflects infrared light, or may contain a colorant.

  The to-be-detected child 49 and the remaining amount detection unit 33 are arranged at a predetermined interval in the depth direction 53. This interval allows infrared light traveling in the width direction 51 to pass through without being attenuated below a predetermined amount. The dimension of the detection object 49 along the depth direction 53 is changed according to the type of the ink cartridge 30. The type of the ink cartridge 30 includes a difference in ink color, a component such as a pigment or a dye, a difference in the amount of ink initially stored in the ink chamber 36, and the like.

  The first protrusion 45, the second protrusion 46, and the detected element 49 are all protruded in a direction away from the rear wall 42 (mounting direction 56) than the remaining amount detection unit 33. In other words, in the ink cartridge 30, the first protrusion 45, the second protrusion 46, and the detected element 49 are arranged on the front side in the mounting direction 56 with respect to the remaining amount detection unit 33. The projection 45, the second projection 46, and the detected element 49 are disposed in a direction closer to the rear wall 42 (behind the mounting direction 56). The remaining amount detection unit 33 and the ink supply port 71 are both disposed between the first protrusion 45 and the second protrusion 46 in the height direction 52.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a guide portion 35 extending in the depth direction 53 is provided on the upper wall 39 of the main body 31. The guide part 35 is configured by a rib or a protruding piece protruding upward from the upper wall 39. The distance between the pair of side walls facing the width direction 51 in the guide portion 35 is shorter than the distance between the pair of side walls facing the width direction 51 in the main body 31. That is, the dimension of the guide part 35 in the width direction 51 is smaller than the dimension of the main body 31 in the width direction 51.

  A guide portion 44 extending in the depth direction 53 is provided on the lower wall 41 of the main body 31. The guide part 44 is configured by a rib or a protruding piece protruding downward from the lower wall 41. The distance between the pair of side walls facing the width direction 51 in the guide portion 44 is shorter than the distance between the pair of side walls facing the width direction 51 in the main body 31. That is, the dimension of the guide portion 44 in the width direction 51 is smaller than the dimension of the main body 31 in the width direction 51. The guide portions 35 and 44 are inserted into a guide groove 109 described later and moved when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110.

[Ink supply apparatus 100]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink supply device 100 is provided in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 supplies ink to the recording head 21 provided in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge mounting unit 110 in which the ink cartridge 30 can be mounted. FIG. 1 shows a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110.

[Cartridge mounting part 110]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the case 101 forming the housing of the cartridge mounting unit 110 has an opening 112 on the front side of the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the case 101 through the opening 112. The ink cartridge 30 is provided on the bottom surface defining the bottom portion of the internal space of the case 101 by inserting the guide portion 35 into the guide groove 109 provided on the top surface defining the top portion of the internal space of the case 101. The guide portion 44 is inserted into the guide groove 109 thus guided to be guided in the insertion / removal direction 50. The case 101 can accommodate four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors.

  The case 101 is provided with three plates 102 that partition the internal space into four spaces that are long in the vertical direction. The ink cartridge 30 is accommodated in each space partitioned by the plate 102. The plate 102 is provided on the end surface side opposite to the opening 112 in the case 101.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a connection portion 103 is provided at the lower portion of the end surface of the case 101. The connection portion 103 is disposed at a position corresponding to the ink supply portion 37 of each ink cartridge 30 attached to the case 101 on the final surface. In the present embodiment, four connection portions 103 are provided corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 that can be accommodated in the case 101.

  The connection unit 103 includes an ink needle 122 and a holding unit 121. The ink needle 122 is made of a tubular resin needle. The ink needle 122 is connected to the ink tube 20 on the outer surface side that forms the front and back surfaces of the case 101. Each ink tube 20 drawn out from each ink needle 122 to the outer surface side that is the front and back of the case 101 is pulled upward along the outer surface of the case 101, and then ink is supplied to the recording head 21 of the printer 10. It is extended so that it can be distributed.

  The holding part 121 is formed in a cylindrical shape. An ink needle 122 is disposed at the center of the holding part 121. As shown in FIG. 6, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110, the ink supply unit 37 is inserted inside the cylinder of the holding unit 121. At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the ink supply unit 37 is in close contact with the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the holding unit 121. As a result, the ink supply unit 37 is inserted into the holding unit 121 at a predetermined interval. When the ink supply unit 37 is inserted into the holding unit 121, the ink needle 122 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply unit 37. As a result, the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 can flow out. The ink that has flowed out of the ink chamber 36 flows into the ink needle 122. The ink needle 122 corresponds to an ink introduction tube.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the sensor unit 104 is provided on the end surface of the case 101 above the connection portion 103 in the gravity direction. The sensor unit 104 includes a substrate 113 and an optical sensor 114. The sensor unit 104 is configured by mounting the optical sensor 114 on the substrate 113. The sensor unit 104 is provided with four optical sensors 114. These four optical sensors 114 correspond to the four ink cartridges 30 that can be accommodated in the case 101. The four optical sensors 114 are arranged in a row in the width direction of the case 101 (matching the width direction 51) between the plates 102.

  Each optical sensor 114 includes a light emitting element 118 such as an LED and a light receiving element 119 such as a phototransistor. Each of the light emitting element 118 and the light receiving element 119 is surrounded by a casing. The outer shape of the optical sensor 114 formed by this housing is a horseshoe shape. The light emitting element 118 can emit light in one direction from the housing. The light receiving element can receive light emitted from one direction to the housing. Such a light emitting element 118 and a light receiving element 119 are arranged to face each other at a predetermined interval in a horseshoe-shaped housing. In the space between the light emitting element 118 and the light receiving element 119, the remaining amount detection unit 33 and the detected element 49 of the ink cartridge 30 can enter. When the remaining amount detector 33 or the detected element 49 enters the optical path of the optical sensor 114, the optical sensor 114 can detect a change in the amount of transmitted light by the remaining amount detector 33 or the detected element 49. This optical sensor 114 corresponds to a third sensor. In the optical sensor 114, the optical path from the light emitting element 118 to the light receiving element 119 corresponds to the third detection position.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a sensor unit 105 is provided on the end surface side of the top surface of the case 101. The sensor unit 105 includes a substrate 115 and an optical sensor 116. The sensor unit 105 is configured by mounting the optical sensor 116 on the substrate 115. The sensor unit 105 is provided with four optical sensors 116. These four optical sensors 116 correspond to the four ink cartridges 30 that can be accommodated in the case 101. The four optical sensors 116 are arranged in a row in the width direction of the case 101 (matching the width direction 51) between the plates 102.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the case 101, the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45 enters the optical path of the optical sensor 116. By detecting a change in the signal of the optical sensor 116 at this time, the mounting state of the ink cartridge 30 can be determined. Since the optical sensor 116 has a light emitting element and a light receiving element like the optical sensor 114, the detailed description of the optical sensor 116 is omitted here. The optical sensor 116 corresponds to the first sensor. In the optical sensor 116, the optical path from the light emitting element to the light receiving element corresponds to the first detection position.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the slide member 135 is disposed in a space 130 formed on the lower end side of the end surface of the cartridge mounting portion 110. In the present embodiment, four slide members 135 are provided corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 that can be accommodated in the case 101. The space 130 is continuous with the internal space of the cartridge mounting unit 110. The slide member 135 is supported so as to be slidable along the insertion / removal direction 50 by a support rod 133 extending along the insertion / removal direction 50 in the space 130. The slide member 135 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. A rib 136 extending along the insertion / extraction direction 50 is provided at the upper end of the slide member 135. The slide member 135 is disposed in the insertion path of the second protrusion 46 of the ink cartridge 30 and can contact the second protrusion 46. The slide member 135 corresponds to a moving member and an urging member.

  A coil spring 139 is provided in the space 130. The coil spring 139 elastically biases the ink cartridge 30 toward the opening 112, that is, in a direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is extracted from the cartridge mounting portion 110, that is, toward the opening 112. The coil spring 139 is externally fitted to the support rod 133 extending in the insertion / extraction direction 50 in the space 130 and is interposed between the end wall 131 defining the end of the space 130 and the slide member 135. . When the coil spring 139 has a natural length, that is, when no external force is applied to the slide member 135, the slide member 135 is disposed at a predetermined position (first position, see FIG. 8) on the opening 112 side. In the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the second protrusion 46 of the ink cartridge 30 contacts the slide member 135, and the slide member 135 is pressed toward the end wall 131 of the space 130. Thereby, the coil spring 139 is contracted and the slide member 135 is slid to the position on the end wall 131 side (second position, see FIG. 6). The contracted coil spring 139 urges the ink cartridge 30 toward the removal direction 55 via the slide member 135.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor unit 107 is provided on the end surface of the case 101, below the connecting portion 103 in the gravity direction and above the slide member 135 in the gravity direction. The sensor unit 104 includes a substrate 111 and an optical sensor 117. The sensor unit 107 is configured by mounting the optical sensor 117 on the substrate 111. The sensor unit 107 is provided with four optical sensors 117. These four optical sensors 117 correspond to the four ink cartridges 30 that can be accommodated in the case 101. In other words, the four optical sensors 117 correspond to the four slide members 135. The four photosensors 117 are arranged in a line in the width direction of the case 101 (matching the width direction 51) above the space 130.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the case 101, the slide member 135 is slid toward the end wall 131 of the space 130, and the rib 136 enters the optical path (detection position) of the optical sensor 117 and is detected by the optical sensor 117. Can be done. Since the optical sensor 117 includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element as in the optical sensor 114, a detailed description of the optical sensor 117 is omitted here. The optical sensor 117 corresponds to the second sensor. In the optical sensor 117, the optical path from the light emitting element to the light receiving element corresponds to the second detection position.

  In the cartridge mounting unit 110, the detection position (third detected position) of the optical sensor 114 is behind the mounting direction 56 rather than any of the detection positions (first detection position and second detection position) of the optical sensors 116 and 117. Arranged on the side.

  The case 101 is provided with a lock lever 145. The lock lever 145 is for maintaining the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the mounted state against the urging force of the coil spring 139. The lock lever 145 is provided above the opening 112 of the case 101. In the present embodiment, four lock levers 145 are provided corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 that can be attached to the case 101.

  The entire lock lever 145 is formed in an arm shape. A support shaft 147 is provided near the center of the lock lever 145. The support shaft 147 is supported by the case 101. Accordingly, the lock lever 145 is supported on the upper side of the opening 112 of the case 101 so as to be rotatable about the support shaft 147. The lock lever 145 is roughly divided into an operation unit 149 and an engagement unit 146. The operation unit 149 protrudes outward from the opening 112 of the case 101. The operation unit 149 is a part that receives an operation for rotating the lock lever 145. The engaging portion 146 enters the case 101. The engaging portion 146 can be engaged with the engaged portion 43 of the ink cartridge 30. When the engaging portion 146 is engaged with the engaged portion 43, the ink cartridge 30 biased by the coil spring 139 is maintained in the mounted state with respect to the case 101. The rotation position (see FIG. 6) of the lock lever 145 at which the engaging portion 146 can engage with the engaged portion 43 is referred to as a lock position (first posture), and the engaging portion 146 is engaged. The position that does not engage with the portion 43 (see FIG. 8) is referred to as the unlock position (second attitude). The lock lever 145 corresponds to a lock member.

  A coil spring 148 is attached to the lock lever 145. The lock lever 145 is biased toward the lock position by the coil spring 148. When the operation unit 149 is pushed downward with respect to the lock lever 145 in the lock position, the lock lever 145 is rotated from the lock position to the unlock position.

[Control unit 90]
Hereinafter, the schematic configuration of the control unit 90 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The control unit 90 controls the overall operation of the printer 10. The control unit 90 is configured as a microcomputer mainly including a CPU 91, a ROM 92, a RAM 93, an EEPROM 94, and an ASIC 95.

  The ROM 92 stores a program for the CPU 91 to control various operations of the printer 10, a program for executing determination processing described later, and the like. The RAM 93 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals, and the like used when the CPU 91 executes the program, or as a work area for data processing. The EEPROM 94 stores settings, flags, and the like that should be retained even after the power is turned off. For example, data (lookup data) indicating a correspondence relationship between the combination of the output signals of the detection object 49 and the rib 138 of the slide member 135 and the type of the ink cartridge 30 is stored.

  Optical sensors 114, 116, and 117 are connected to the ASIC 95. Although not shown in FIG. 7, a drive circuit that drives each roller such as the paper feed roller 23 and the conveyance roller pair 25, an input unit for inputting an image recording instruction to the printer 10, and the printer 10 A display unit for displaying information on the device is also connected.

  The optical sensors 114, 116, 117 output an analog electric signal (voltage signal or current signal) corresponding to the intensity of light received by the light receiving element. The control unit 90 monitors the electrical signals output from the respective optical sensors 114, 116, and 117 at a predetermined timing, and when the level (voltage value or current value) of the electrical signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value, the HI level. The signal is determined to be a LOW level signal when it is less than a predetermined threshold. In the present embodiment, the output signal when the light is blocked or attenuated at each detection position of each of the optical sensors 114, 116, and 117 is determined as the LOW level signal, and the output signal when the light sensor is not blocked or attenuated. However, since the determination of the HI level signal or the LOW level signal is relative, the type of the output signal corresponding to the level (threshold value) of the electrical signal may be reversed.

[Installation operation of ink cartridge 30]
The operation of mounting the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting unit 110 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  Although not shown in the drawing, the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting unit 110 is closed by an openable / closable cover provided on the housing of the printer 10. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted, this cover is opened. The opening / closing of the cover is detected by a sensor. Based on the detection signal of this sensor, the control unit 90 can detect that the cover has been opened. The control unit 90 performs control so that light is emitted from the optical sensors 114, 116, and 117 using the opening of the cover as a trigger.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the mounting direction 56 with respect to the cartridge mounting unit 110, first, the ink cartridge 30 is inclined toward the front of the mounting direction 56 formed at the tip of the mounting direction 56 of the guide unit 35. The guide surface comes into contact with the engaging portion 146 of the lock lever 145. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110, the engaging part 146 of the lock lever 145 rides on the guide part 35. As a result, the lock lever 145 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 8 and moves from the lock position to the unlock position.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the detected element 49 passes through the detection position (third detection position) of the optical sensor 114, as shown in FIG. At this time, the remaining amount detection unit 33 has not reached the detection position of the optical sensor 114. As shown in FIG. 13, the output signal of the optical sensor 114 is detected from the HI level signal after the optical sensor 114 detects the detected element 49 and before the remaining amount detection unit 33 reaches the detection position of the optical sensor 114. It becomes a LOW level signal and becomes a HI level signal again. The control unit 90 monitors the change in the output signal of the optical sensor 114, and detects that the detected element 49 has been detected on the condition that the output signal of the optical sensor 114 has changed from the LOW level signal to the HI level signal. Stores the indicated flag.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45 enters the detection position (first detection position) of the optical sensor 116, as shown in FIG. When the optical sensor 116 detects the rib 48, the output signal of the optical sensor 116 changes from the HI level signal to the LOW level signal (timing T1 in FIG. 13A). The control unit 90 monitors the change in the output signal of the optical sensor 116 and detects the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45 based on the output signal being a LOW signal.

  The control unit 90 generates a trigger signal on condition that the output signal of the optical sensor 116 changes from the HI level signal to the LOW level signal. Based on this trigger signal, the output signals of the optical sensors 114 and 117 are determined.

  In the process in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the second protrusion 46 contacts the slide member 135. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the slide member positioned at the first position (see FIG. 8) moves toward the second position against the biasing force of the coil spring 139, that is, The pressure is pushed toward the end wall 131 of the space 130. As a result, the rib 136 of the slide member 135 approaches the detection position (second detection position) of the optical sensor 117.

  As shown in FIG. 9, in the ink cartridge 30, when the output signal of the optical sensor 116 changes from the HI level signal to the LOW level signal (timing T1), that is, when the trigger signal is generated, The rib 136 of the slide member 135 does not reach the detection position of the optical sensor 117. Therefore, the output signal of the optical sensor 117 is an HI level signal (timing T1 in FIG. 13A).

  The control unit 90 stores the output signals of the optical sensors 114 and 117 when the output signal of the optical sensor 116 changes from the HI level signal to the LOW level signal (timing T1).

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the rib 136 of the slide member 135 reaches the detection position (second detection position) of the optical sensor 117. As a result, the output signal of the optical sensor 117 changes from the HI level signal to the LOW level signal. The control unit 90 detects the rib 136 of the slide member 135 based on the output signal of the optical sensor 117 being a LOW level signal.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 110 and the ink cartridge 30 reaches the mounting position of the cartridge mounting unit 110, the remaining amount detection unit 33 detects the detection position ( The third detection position is reached. Further, the ink needle 122 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply unit 37 and the ink supply port 71 is opened. In this mounted state, the ink stored in the ink chamber 33 can be supplied to the ink tube 20 through the ink needle 122.

  When the ink cartridge 30 reaches the mounting position, the engaged portion 43 passes the engaging portion 146 of the lock lever 145 in the mounting direction 56. As a result, the engaging portion 146 of the lock lever 145 is not supported by the guide portion 35, so that the lock lever 145 rotates clockwise in FIG. 10 and the engaging portion 146 engages with the engaged portion 43. Due to the engagement between the engaging portion 146 and the engaged portion 43, the ink cartridge 30 is held at the mounting position against the urging force received from the slide member 135 in the removal direction 55. Thereby, the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed.

  When the ink cartridge 30 reaches the mounting position, the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45 of the ink cartridge 30, the remaining amount detection unit 33, and the rib 138 of the slide member 135 are all of the optical sensors 114, 116, 117. The vehicle enters the detection position (timing T2 in FIGS. 13 and 14). Therefore, if the sensor arm 60 is in the lower position, the output signals of the optical sensors 114, 116, and 117 are all LOW level signals.

  On the condition that the control unit 90 has detected the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45 and the rib 139 of the slide member 135, that is, on the condition that the output signals of the optical sensors 116 and 117 are both LOW signals. The type of the ink cartridge 30 is determined. This type of determination is made based on the presence or absence of a flag and the output signal of the optical sensor 117 when the output signal of the optical sensor 116 changes from the HI level signal to the LOW level signal (timing T1).

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the output signal of the optical sensor 116 changes when the ink cartridge 30 has a short dimension along the insertion / extraction direction 50 of the detected element 49 (timing). Before T1, the signal changes from the LOW level signal to the HI level signal (see FIGS. 13A and 13B). Based on this, the controller 90 stores a flag. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, if the ink cartridge 30 has a long dimension along the insertion / extraction direction 50 of the detected element 49, the output signal of the optical sensor 116 changes (timing T <b> 1), and then the LOW level signal Changes to the HI level signal. At this time, no flag is stored in the control unit 90 (see FIGS. 14A and 14B).

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, if the ink cartridge 30 has a short dimension in which the second protrusion 46 protrudes in the mounting direction 56, the output of the optical sensor 117 when the output signal of the optical sensor 116 changes (timing T1). The output signal is an HI level signal (see FIGS. 13A and 14B). On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, if the ink cartridge 30 has a short dimension in which the second protrusion 46 protrudes in the mounting direction 56, the output of the optical sensor 117 when the output signal of the optical sensor 116 changes (timing T1). The output signal is a LOW level signal (see FIGS. 13B and 14A).

  The type of the ink cartridge 30 corresponds to the presence / absence of the flag and the output signal of the optical sensor 117, and is stored in the control unit 90 as lookup data. In the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 9, the output signals of the optical sensors 114, 116, and 117 are as shown in FIG. 13A, and the flag is stored at the timing T1, so the control unit 90 It is determined that the ink cartridge 30 stores the color ink. Further, since the output signal of the optical sensor 117 is the HI level signal, the control unit 90 determines that the initial ink amount stored in the ink chamber 36 is the normal amount of the ink cartridge 30.

  In the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 11, the output signals of the optical sensors 114, 116, and 117 are as shown in FIG. 13B, and the flag is stored at the timing T <b> 1. It is determined that the ink cartridge 30 stores the color ink. Further, since the output signal of the optical sensor 117 is the HI level signal, the control unit 90 determines that the initial ink amount stored in the ink chamber 36 is the large-capacity ink cartridge 30.

  Note that whether the ink cartridge 30 has a normal capacity or a large capacity is a relative concept. Further, the amount of ink that can be stored in the ink chamber 36 may be different by changing the size in the width direction 51 of the ink cartridge 30, or the same size and the same capacity in the width direction 51. A normal capacity and a large capacity may be set by changing the amount of ink initially filled in the ink cartridge 30 having the ink chamber 36. Further, in the ink cartridge 30 packed together with the printer 10, the amount of ink initially filled is larger than the initial ink amount in the replacement ink cartridge 30. This is due to the following reason. In the printer 10 immediately after purchase, the tube 20 and the ink flow path from the tube 20 to the recording head 21 are not filled with ink. In order to eliminate such a region where no ink is present in the ink flow path, the program of the control unit 90 is set to perform a suction (purge) operation when the printer 10 is first turned on after purchase. Yes. The ink cartridge 30 packed together with the printer 10 is filled with as much ink as is consumed by the initial suction operation.

  In the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 12, the output signals of the optical sensors 114, 116, and 117 are as shown in FIG. 14A, and no flag is stored at the timing T1, so the control unit 90 It is determined that the ink cartridge 30 stores black ink. Further, since the output signal of the optical sensor 117 is the LOW level signal, the control unit 90 determines that the initial ink amount stored in the ink chamber 36 is the ink cartridge 30 having a normal capacity.

  Further, if the output signal of each of the optical sensors 114, 116, 117 is the ink cartridge 30 as shown in FIG. 14B, no flag is stored at the timing T1, so the control unit 90 performs black ink. Is determined as the stored ink cartridge 30. Further, since the output signal of the optical sensor 117 is the HI level signal, the control unit 90 determines that the initial ink amount stored in the ink chamber 36 is the large-capacity ink cartridge 30.

  As described above, if the determination of the type of the ink cartridge 30 is the color of the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30, the position of the cartridge mounting portion 110 where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted is the position of the color ink. It is determined whether or not there is. For example, when the control unit 90 determines that the ink cartridge 30 mounted at the position of the cartridge mounting unit 110 in which the ink cartridge 30 that stores the color ink is to be mounted stores the black ink, No. 90 immediately notifies the error that the ink cartridge 30 is not mounted at an appropriate position. When the control unit 90 determines that the type of the ink cartridge 30 to be mounted is determined in advance, the control unit 90 permits the image recording operation of the printer 10.

  As described above, if the determination of the type of the ink cartridge 30 is the capacity of the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30, the initial capacity of the ink cartridge 30 installed in the cartridge mounting unit 110 is the normal capacity. The control unit 90 selectively sets the amount (count number) of ink droplets that can be ejected from the recording head 21 by the ink cartridge 30 depending on whether the ink cartridge 30 is used or when the power is first turned on. Sets the amount of ink consumed in the suction operation.

  As described above, the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting unit 110 is completed. In the mounting process, the control unit 90 uses the optical sensors 114, 116, and 117 to detect the detection target 49 and the remaining parts. The remaining amount detection unit 33 is not detected based on an output signal obtained when any of the amount detection unit 33, the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45, and the rib 136 of the slide member 135 is detected. That is, the control unit 90 does not detect the remaining amount detection unit 33 immediately after the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. Note that “the remaining amount detection unit 33 is not detected” means that the remaining amount detection unit 33 does not determine the amount of light received from the remaining amount detection unit 33 based on the output signal of the optical sensor 114. Even if light is emitted to the detection unit 33 and the optical sensor 114 outputs a signal, it is interpreted that a state in which the control unit 90 does not make any determination based on the output signal is included.

[Determination of remaining amount of ink cartridge 30]
Hereinafter, the remaining amount determination of the ink cartridge 30 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when light is emitted from the light emitting element 118 of the optical sensor 114 with the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110, the light is irradiated to the remaining amount detection unit 33. . In a state where the ink chamber 36 is filled with a predetermined amount or more of ink, the light irradiated to the remaining amount detection unit 33 is blocked by the indicator unit 62 of the sensor arm 60. When the ink in the ink chamber 36 becomes less than a predetermined amount, the sensor arm 60 rotates and the light irradiated to the remaining amount detection unit 33 is not blocked by the indicator unit 62 of the sensor arm 60. That is, the posture of the sensor arm 60 changes depending on the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36, and the light transmission state of the remaining amount detection unit 33 changes due to the change in posture of the sensor arm 60. The amount of light received by the light receiving element 119 differs depending on whether or not the light emitted from the light emitting element 118 is blocked by the indicator unit 62. Due to this difference, the light receiving element 119 outputs different electrical signals. That is, when the light applied to the remaining amount detection unit 33 is blocked by the indicator unit 62 of the sensor arm 60, the optical sensor 114 outputs a LOW level signal (the light indicated by the solid line in FIGS. 13 and 14). When the light irradiated to the remaining amount detection unit 33 is not blocked by the indicator unit 62 of the sensor arm 60, the optical sensor 114 outputs an HI level signal (dotted line in FIGS. 13 and 14). The output of the optical sensor 114 indicated by The controller 90 determines whether or not the amount of ink in the ink chamber 102 is less than a predetermined amount based on the difference in electrical signals output from the optical sensor 114.

  The control unit 90 determines the remaining amount of the ink cartridge 30 using a signal other than the output signals of the optical sensors 114, 116, and 117 generated during the mounting process of the ink cartridge 30 described above as a trigger (timing T2). Further, the control unit 90 determines the remaining amount on the condition that the optical sensors 116 and 117 detect the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45 and the rib 138 of the slide member 135. Whether or not the optical sensors 116 and 117 detect the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45 and the rib 138 of the slide member 135 may be determined when the trigger is generated.

  As a trigger for determining the remaining amount of the ink cartridge 30, for example, a cover for accessing the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting unit 110 is provided in the printer 10, and a sensor for detecting opening and closing of the cover is provided. If there is, the control unit 90 determines the remaining amount of the ink cartridge 30 when the cover is closed based on the output signal of the sensor.

  Further, the electrical signal as a trigger for the control unit 90 to determine the remaining amount of the ink cartridge 30 may be generated at the timing when the printer 10 finishes image recording for one page of recording paper. Further, when the cleaning operation of the recording head 21 is completed, when the outlet of the printer 10 is connected, when the power switch of the printer 10 is turned on, when the printer 10 in the sleep state returns to the operating state, etc. In addition, an electrical signal serving as a trigger may be generated.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, the detection position of the optical sensor 114 (the third detection position) and the detection position of the optical sensor 114 (the third detection position) that is behind the mounting direction 56 from the detection position of the optical sensor 117 (second detection position). At the detection position), after detecting the rib 48 of the slide member 135 moved by the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45 and the second protrusion 46, respectively, the amount of light received by the remaining amount detection unit 33 is detected by the optical sensor 114. Therefore, the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45, the rib 136 of the slide member 135 moved by the second protrusion 46, and the remaining amount detection unit 33 can be detected efficiently and accurately. In addition, since the detection position of the remaining amount detection unit 33 is behind the mounting direction 56 from the detection positions of the optical sensors 116 and 117, ink scattered or leaked from the ink supply port 71 enters the first protrusion 45 and the second protrusion 46. Even if the ink adheres, the ink hardly adheres to the remaining amount detection unit 33 in the operation of inserting and removing the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting unit 110. On the condition that the rib 136 of the slide member 135 moved by the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45 and the second protrusion 46 is detected and it is confirmed that the mounting state of the ink cartridge 30 is detected, the remaining amount detection unit 33 is detected, it is possible to secure a time for the ink attached to the remaining amount detection unit 33 to move downward due to gravity or the like. Further, when a film is used for the remaining amount detection unit 33, it is possible to secure a time until the film swells after the ink chamber 36 is released to the atmosphere. Therefore, the detection of the remaining amount detection unit 33 is performed asynchronously with the timing at which the rib 136 of the slide member 135 moved by the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45 and the second protrusion 46 is detected.

  Further, since the optical sensor 114 detects the detected element 49 in the mounting process, the rib 48 of the first protrusion 45, the rib 136 of the slide member 135 moved by the second protrusion 46, the detected element 49, and the remaining amount. The detection unit 33 can be detected efficiently and accurately.

  Further, since the first protrusion 45 and the second protrusion 46 protrude from the ink supply port 71 in the mounting direction 56, when the ink cartridge 30 falls on the floor or collides with another member, the ink supply port Another member is inserted into 71 and the ink supply port 71 is opened to prevent ink leakage. Similarly, the ink supply port 71 is prevented from being damaged.

  Further, since the detected element 49 is arranged with a space in the mounting direction 56 with respect to the remaining amount detecting unit 33, the detected element 49 and the remaining amount detecting unit 33 are detected by one optical sensor 114. Is realized.

  Further, since the remaining amount detection unit 33, the ink supply port 71, the first projection 45, the second projection 46, and the detection target 49 are arranged on the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30, the cartridge mounting unit 110 and the ink are detected. Each member required for cooperation with the cartridge 30 is collected on the front side of the mounting direction 56.

[Modification]
In this embodiment, the movement of the slide member 135 provided on the case 101 is detected by the optical sensor 117. However, the second protrusion 46 of the ink cartridge 30 is directly provided without the slide member 135 being provided. Alternatively, the light sensor 117 may detect the light.

  In the present embodiment, the detected element 49 is arranged in front of the mounting direction 56 from the remaining amount detecting unit 33. However, the remaining amount detecting unit 33 and the detected element 49 are detected by separate optical sensors. If performed, the detected element 49 may be arranged on the upper side or the lower side in the height direction 52 with respect to the remaining amount detection unit 33.

30 ... Ink cartridge 31 ... Main body 33 ... Remaining amount detection unit 36 ... Ink chamber 37 ... Ink supply unit 39 ... Upper wall (upper surface)
40 ... Front wall (front)
41 ... Lower wall (bottom)
42 ... rear wall (rear surface)
43 ... engaged portion 45 ... first protrusion (first detected portion, first protruding portion)
46 ... 2nd protrusion (2nd to-be-detected part, 2nd protrusion part, 2nd light shielding part)
48... Rib (first detected part, first light blocking part)
49... Detected child (third detected portion, third light blocking portion)
71 ... Ink supply port 100 ... Ink supply device 110 ... Cartridge mounting part 114 ... Optical sensor (third sensor)
116... Optical sensor (first sensor)
117... Optical sensor (second sensor)
122 ... Ink needle (ink introduction tube)
135 ... Slide member (moving member, biasing member)
136... Rib (second detected portion)
145 ... Lock lever (lock member)

Claims (15)

An ink chamber (36) in which ink is stored; a first detected portion (45) provided on the front side in the mounting orientation (56) in the mounting orientation to the cartridge mounting portion (110) and on the upper end side; From the second detected portion (46) provided on the front side and the lower end side of the mounting orientation (56) in the mounting posture, the first detected portion (45), and the second detected portion (46). Provided on the rear side of the mounting direction (56), the ink stored in the ink chamber (36) can flow in, and the translucent light is transmitted based on the change in the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber (36). The ink supply device (100) includes a cartridge mounting unit (110) that can mount the ink cartridge (30) including the remaining amount detection unit (33) whose state changes to the mounting direction (56). And
The cartridge mounting part (110) is
A first sensor (116) for detecting the first detected portion (45) at a first detection position in a mounting process in which the ink cartridge (30) is mounted;
A second sensor (117) for detecting the second detected portion (46) at a second detection position in the mounting process;
The first detected portion (45) and the second detected portion (46) are detected at a third detection position that is behind the mounting direction (56) from the first detection position and the second detection position. An ink supply device (100) comprising: a third sensor (114) that detects light passing through the remaining amount detection unit (33) when a predetermined time has elapsed. The ink cartridge (30) is behind the mounting direction (56) from the first detected part (45) and the second detected part (46) and from the remaining amount detecting part (33). A third detected portion (49) provided on the front side of the mounting direction (56);
The ink supply device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the third sensor (114) detects the third detected portion (49) at the third detection position in the mounting process. The ink cartridge (30) further includes an ink supply port (71) that is disposed in front of the mounting orientation (56) in the mounting posture and supplies the ink stored in the ink chamber (36) to the outside. And
The first detected portion (45) is a first protruding portion that protrudes from the ink supply port (71) in the mounting direction (56),
The ink supply device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second detected portion (46) is a second protruding portion protruding from the ink supply port (71) in the mounting direction (56).   3. The ink supply device according to claim 2, wherein the third detected portion (49) is arranged at a predetermined distance from the remaining amount detecting portion (33) in the mounting direction (56). 100). The ink cartridge (30) is behind the mounting direction (56) with respect to the first detected part (45) and the second detected part (46), and the third detected part (49). An ink supply port (71) having an ink supply port (71) on the front side of the mounting direction (56), and supplying the ink stored in the ink chamber (36) to the outside;
The ink supply device (100) according to claim 4, wherein the cartridge mounting portion (110) has an ink introduction tube (122) inserted into the ink supply port (71).   The second sensor (117) contacts the second detected part (46) in the process in which the ink cartridge (30) is attached to the cartridge attaching part (110), and thereby the first sensor from the first position. The ink according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which detects a movable member (135) movable to a second position separated from the position toward the mounting direction (56) of the ink cartridge (30). Supply device (100). The cartridge mounting part (110) is
A biasing member (135) for biasing the ink cartridge (30) in a direction (55) opposite to the mounting direction (56);
A first posture in which the ink cartridge (30) in a mounted state is prevented from moving in the opposite direction (55) against the urging of the urging member (135), and the ink cartridge (30) is opposed to the opposite direction. The ink supply device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: a lock member (145) whose posture is changed to a second posture that is movable in a direction (55).   The lock member (145) is engaged with an engaged portion (43) provided on an upper surface (39) in a gravitational direction (52) of the ink cartridge (30) in a mounted state. The ink supply device (100) according to claim 7. It has a front surface (40) where an ink supply part (37) capable of supplying ink to the outside from an ink chamber (36) for storing ink is located, and a rear surface (42) arranged to face the front surface (40). A body (31);
A first light blocking portion (45) provided on one end side of the front surface (40) and detectable in the mounting process to the cartridge mounting portion (110);
A second light blocking portion (46) provided on the other end side of the front surface (40) and detectable in the mounting process to the cartridge mounting portion (110);
An ink chamber (36) and ink are provided on the rear surface (42) side from the first light blocking portion (45) and the second light blocking portion (46) so as to be able to flow into the cartridge mounting portion (110). An ink cartridge (30) comprising a remaining amount detection unit (33) that can be detected in a state where   The ink chamber (40) from the front surface (40) to the rear surface (42) side of the first light blocking portion (45) and the second light blocking portion (46) and from the remaining amount detecting portion (33). The ink cartridge (30) according to claim 9, further comprising a third light blocking part (49) provided on the side (56) away from 36) and capable of being detected in the mounting process to the cartridge mounting part (110). ). The ink cartridge (30) further includes an ink supply port (71) that is disposed on the front surface (40) and supplies the ink stored in the ink chamber (36) to the outside.
The first light blocking part (45) is a first protruding part protruding in a direction (56) away from the ink chamber (36) from the ink supply port (71),
The ink according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the second light blocking portion (46) is a second protruding portion protruding in a direction (56) away from the ink chamber (36) from the ink supply port (71). Cartridge (30).   The third light blocking unit (49) is separated from the remaining amount detecting unit (33) by a predetermined distance in a direction (56) away from the ink chamber (36) from the remaining amount detecting unit (33). The ink cartridge (30) according to claim 10, wherein the ink cartridge (30) is arranged.   The ink cartridge (30) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the second light blocking part (46) moves a moving member (135) provided movably on the cartridge mounting part (110). ).   The main body (31) has an upper surface (39) extending from the front surface (40) toward the rear surface (42), and a bottom surface (41) opposite to the upper surface (39). 110) to restrain the movement of the main body (31) against the biasing force that biases the main body (30) from the front surface (40) toward the rear surface (42). The ink cartridge (30) according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein an engaged portion (43) that engages with the lock member (145) is provided on the upper surface (39).   The remaining amount detection unit (33) is configured to allow light to pass based on the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber (36), and the first light blocking unit (45) and the second light blocking unit (46). The ink cartridge (30) according to claim 9, wherein the light passing through the remaining amount detection part (33) is detected when the ink is detected in the mounting process.

Images