JP2013049199A - Liquid container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid container which never causes false detection of a remaining liquid amount when being mounted again even after the liquid container in use is detached from a liquid consumption apparatus.SOLUTION: The liquid container includes a plurality of liquid chambers connected through a communication passage, wherein the liquid chamber on a downstream side is provided with a liquid sensor internally to serve as a sensor chamber. In the liquid container, an opening of the communication passage on the sensor chamber side, the communication passage connecting the sensor chamber with the liquid chamber on the upstream side of the sensor chamber, is provided in a position where a volume of the sensor chamber lower than the opening becomes a given amount or more even when the liquid container is put with any inner wall surface in the sensor chamber vertically downward. This causes a liquid of the given amount or more to remain in the sensor chamber even if the liquid container is put with any inner wall surface in the sensor chamber downward. Therefore, the false detection to detect no liquid even if the liquid remains in the liquid chamber is avoided when the liquid container is mounted on the liquid consumption apparatus again.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container that is mounted on a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid and contains the liquid therein.

  There is known a liquid container that supplies liquid stored in a liquid storage unit to a liquid consuming device. The liquid container is provided with a supply port for supplying a liquid to the liquid consuming device and an atmosphere opening port, and when the liquid is supplied from the supply port, that much air is taken in from the atmosphere opening port. Further, in order to prevent the liquid from flowing back or being pushed out due to the expansion of the taken-in air, a liquid container in which the inside of the liquid storage portion is divided into a plurality of liquid chambers and each liquid chamber is connected in series through a communication passage has been proposed ( Patent Document 1). In this liquid container, the supply port is provided in the most downstream liquid chamber, and the atmosphere opening port is provided in the most upstream liquid chamber. For this reason, as the liquid is supplied to the liquid consuming apparatus, the liquid chamber is emptied in order from the upstream (close to the atmosphere opening port) liquid chamber.

  In addition, a liquid sensor (for example, Patent Document 2) is provided in a liquid chamber on the downstream side of a liquid container having a plurality of liquid chambers (usually, a liquid chamber provided with a supply port or a liquid chamber upstream of the liquid chamber). If it is provided, it is possible to detect that the liquid in the liquid container has run out or that the liquid has run out.

JP 2007-253328 A JP 2009-132157 A

  However, in a liquid container provided with a liquid sensor in the downstream liquid chamber, the remaining liquid amount in the liquid container may be erroneously detected when the liquid container in use is temporarily detached from the liquid consuming apparatus and then remounted. There was a problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-described problems in the prior art, and erroneously detects the remaining amount of liquid when the used liquid container is removed from the liquid consuming device and is remounted. An object is to provide a liquid container that does not.

In order to solve at least a part of the problems described above, the liquid container of the present invention employs the following configuration. That is,
A liquid storage unit capable of storing liquid, a liquid outlet through which the liquid flows out, and an air intake port for taking air into the liquid storage unit from the outside as the liquid flows out are detachable from the liquid consuming device. A liquid container that is mounted on the liquid and supplies liquid from the liquid outlet,
The liquid storage unit includes a plurality of liquid chambers, and a plurality of liquid chambers from a liquid chamber communicating with the air intake port to a liquid chamber communicating with the liquid outlet port are connected in series by a communication passage. Connected to
In the second liquid chamber communicating with the air intake port through the first liquid chamber communicating with the air intake port among the plurality of liquid chambers, the liquid container is provided with the liquid consuming device. A detecting unit used to detect whether or not a predetermined amount of liquid remains in the second liquid chamber based on the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber in a state of being mounted on And
The opening on the second liquid chamber side of the communication passage connecting the second liquid chamber and the liquid chamber on the upstream side of the second liquid chamber has the liquid container, the second liquid, Even when any inner wall surface in the room is oriented vertically downward, the volume below the opening in the second liquid chamber is provided at a position where the volume is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount. It is characterized by.

  In such a liquid container of the present invention, a plurality of liquid chambers are connected in series through a communication passage, and when liquid is supplied from the liquid outlet, the corresponding amount of air is taken in from the air intake. As the internal liquid is consumed in this order from the first liquid chamber, the amount of liquid in the second liquid chamber eventually becomes smaller than a predetermined amount, which is detected by the detection unit in the second liquid chamber. Is done. Further, in the liquid container of the present invention, even when the liquid container is placed so that any inner wall surface in the second liquid chamber faces vertically downward, the opening on the second liquid chamber side of the communication passage is In the two liquid chambers, the volume below the opening is located at a position where the volume is a predetermined amount or more.

  The liquid container may be replaced with another liquid container before the liquid in the inside is exhausted, and the liquid container detached from the liquid consuming apparatus is stored in another place until it is mounted again. At this time, if the liquid container is placed in a posture different from the posture when the liquid consuming device is mounted, or if the environmental change occurs due to a temperature change or impact in a different posture, The ink above the opening on the second liquid chamber side of the communication passage flows back to the upstream liquid chamber. However, in the liquid container of the present invention, even if the liquid container is placed so that any inner wall surface in the second liquid chamber faces vertically downward, an amount of liquid corresponding to the volume below the opening ( A predetermined amount or more of liquid) remains in the second liquid chamber. Accordingly, since the liquid in the second liquid chamber does not become smaller than the predetermined amount due to the back flow, there is no liquid even though the liquid remains in the liquid chamber when the liquid container is remounted on the liquid consuming device. Can be avoided. The liquid that has flowed back from the second liquid chamber returns to the second liquid chamber when the liquid container is reattached to the liquid consuming device and gradually, or when a certain amount of liquid is consumed after remounting. Therefore, if the erroneous detection can be avoided only for a while after remounting, it will not be erroneously detected that there is no liquid thereafter.

It is explanatory drawing which showed the rough structure of the liquid-jet apparatus of a present Example. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the ink cartridge of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the ink cartridge of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the remaining amount of ink in an ink cartridge is detected using a prism. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the distribution of ink in the ink cartridge changes when the ink cartridge removed from the ink jet printer is mounted at a later date. It is explanatory drawing which showed a mode that the ink which flowed backward returns to a sensor chamber after mounting an ink cartridge in an inkjet printer.

Hereinafter, in order to clarify the contents of the present invention described above, examples will be described in the following order.
A. Inkjet printer configuration:
B. Structure of ink cartridge C. How to detect remaining ink:

A. Inkjet printer configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a rough configuration of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment, using a so-called ink jet printer as an example. As illustrated, the ink jet printer 10 includes a carriage 20 that forms ink dots on the print medium 2 while reciprocating in the main scanning direction, a drive mechanism 30 that reciprocates the carriage 20, and the like. The carriage 20 is provided with an ink cartridge 100 (liquid container) containing ink, a carriage case 22 in which the ink cartridge 100 is mounted, an ejection head 24 that ejects ink, and the like. A plurality of ejection nozzles are provided on the bottom surface side (side facing the print medium 2) of the ejection head 24. The ink in the ink cartridge 100 is guided to the ejection head 24, and the ink is ejected from the ejection nozzles to the print medium 2. It is possible to inject.

  In the illustrated inkjet printer 10, it is possible to print a color image using four types of inks of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. An injection nozzle is provided for each type. Each ejection nozzle is supplied with ink from the corresponding ink cartridge 100 via a supply passage (not shown).

  The drive mechanism 30 for reciprocating the carriage 20 includes a timing belt 32 having a plurality of tooth shapes formed therein, a drive motor 34 for driving the timing belt 32, and the like. A part of the timing belt 32 is fixed to the carriage case 22. When the timing belt 32 is driven, the carriage 20 can be reciprocated in the main scanning direction while being guided by a guide rail extending in the main scanning direction. It becomes possible.

  A detection unit 200 for optically detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 100 is provided at a position outside the printing area of the inkjet printer 10. As will be described in detail later, a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit are provided inside the detection unit 200, and light is emitted from the light emission unit when the ink cartridge 100 passes above the detection unit 200 as the carriage 20 moves. And the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 100 is detected based on whether the light receiving unit receives the light. Although the detection unit 200 of this embodiment is provided at a position outside the print area, the detection unit 200 may be provided within the print area. In this way, it is possible to detect the remaining amount of ink even if the carriage 20 does not move a long distance during printing.

  Furthermore, a control unit 60 that controls the overall operation of the inkjet printer 10 is mounted on the back surface of the inkjet printer 10. The operation of reciprocating the ejection head 24, the operation of ejecting ink from the ejection nozzle, the operation of detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 100, and the like are all controlled by the control unit 60.

B. Ink cartridge structure:
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the ink cartridge 100. As shown in the drawing, the ink cartridge 100 includes a main body case 102 roughly formed of a hard resin material, a first film 103 covering one side of the main body case 102, and the other side of the main body case 102. And a second film 104 covering the surface. In addition, an ink supply port 105 (liquid outlet) that supplies ink toward the ejection head 24 of the carriage 20 is provided on the bottom surface of the main body case 102. Furthermore, an air release port 106 (air intake port) for introducing air into the ink cartridge 100 as the ink in the ink cartridge 100 is consumed is provided on the upper surface of the main body case 102.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the internal structure of the ink cartridge 100 of the present embodiment. 3A shows the internal structure of the ink cartridge 100 when the ink cartridge 100 is viewed from one side, and a position on the right side of the drawing in FIG. A cross-sectional view as seen from the direction of the arrow is shown. FIG. 3B shows the internal structure when the ink cartridge 100 is viewed from the other side. In the following description, the side shown in FIG. 3A is called “front side”, and the side shown in FIG. 3B is called “back side”.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the front side of the ink cartridge 100 is roughly divided into four rooms by a plurality of partition walls provided vertically and horizontally. First, in the drawing, an ink chamber 120 (first liquid chamber) is provided in the upper right half region, and a sensor chamber 130 (second liquid chamber) is provided in the lower right half region. . The ink chamber 120 and the sensor chamber 130 are connected by a communication passage 134. The communication passage 134 is provided from the bottom of the ink chamber 120 to the substantially central position of the sensor chamber 130 in the drawing, and an opening 134a is provided at the tip. The opening 134a is provided at an intermediate position between the inner wall surface of the sensor chamber 130 at the back of the drawing and the inner wall surface (that is, the first film 103) in front of the drawing (see the cross-sectional view on the right side of FIG. 3 (a)). . The reason for providing the opening 134a of the communication passage 134 at such a position will be described later.

  In addition, a buffer chamber 140 is provided between the ink chamber 120 and the sensor chamber 130 in the approximate center of the drawing. The sensor chamber 130 and the buffer chamber 140 are connected by a passage on the back side of the ink cartridge 100, and the buffer chamber 140 communicates with a pressure adjustment chamber 150 provided on the back side of the ink cartridge 100. The pressure adjustment chamber 150 incorporates a membrane valve, a spring, and the like, and has a function of adjusting the pressure of the ink supplied to the ejection head 24.

  In the ink cartridge 100 having such a structure, when ink is ejected from the ejection head 24, the ink flows from the ink chamber 120 into the pressure adjustment chamber 150 via the sensor chamber 130 and the buffer chamber 140, and then the ink. Ink is supplied from the supply port 105 to the ejection head 24.

  The sensor chamber 130 of the ink cartridge 100 according to the present embodiment is provided with a prism 132 (detection unit) made of a light transmissive plastic material. The prism 132 is a so-called right angle prism, and one surface of the prism 132 forms a part of the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 100. An opening (not shown) is provided at a position corresponding to the prism 132 on the bottom surface of the carriage case 22 to which the ink cartridge 100 is mounted, and the ink cartridge 100 passes above the detection unit 200 as the carriage 20 moves. In some cases (see FIG. 1), light from the light emitting unit of the detection unit 200 passes through the opening of the carriage case 22 and enters the prism 132.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, an air chamber 110 is provided in the left region in the ink cartridge 100. The air chamber 110 is connected to the ink chamber 120 by a passage on the back side of the ink cartridge 100. The air chamber 110 is connected to the atmosphere opening port 106 via a communication port 112 in the upper right corner of the air chamber 110 and an air passage 160 (see FIG. 3B) on the back side of the ink cartridge 100. In this air chamber 110, the air in the ink cartridge 100 expands due to a change in ambient temperature, or the posture of the ink cartridge 100 changes, so that the ink flows backward from the ink chamber 120 toward the atmosphere opening port 106. In this case, the ink is trapped inside to prevent the ink from leaking.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, a small chamber (film chamber 162) is provided in the air passage 160 connecting the air chamber 110 and the atmosphere opening 106, and the film chamber The interior of 162 is separated from the upstream side and the downstream side by a breathable film. Furthermore, a portion where the air passage 160 meanders is provided at a position upstream of the film chamber 162 for the purpose of suppressing water evaporation of ink in the ink cartridge 100.

  In the ink cartridge 100 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the remaining amount of ink is detected as follows using the prism 132 provided inside.

C. How to detect remaining ink:
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing how the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 100 is detected using the prism 132. First, as described above, the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the carriage case 22 that reciprocates in the main scanning direction. In the mounted state, the prism 132 in the ink cartridge 100 has two surfaces (reflecting surface 132a and reflecting surface 132b) perpendicular to each other arranged in the main scanning direction, as shown in FIG. A detection unit 200 is provided at a lower position in the middle of the path along which the carriage 20 moves in the main scanning direction. Inside the detection unit 200, there is a light emission unit 202 formed of an infrared light emitting diode. , And a light receiving portion 204 formed of a phototransistor are provided side by side in the main scanning direction. When the ink cartridge 100 passes above the detection unit 200 as the carriage 20 moves, the light from the light emitting unit 202 enters the bottom surface 132c of the prism 132 perpendicularly.

  FIG. 4 shows a state in which the prism 132 in the ink cartridge 100 is positioned directly above the detection unit 200 as the carriage 20 moves. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4A, if the ink liquid level (ink surface) in the sensor chamber 130 provided with the prism 132 is above the apex of the prism 132, the reflecting surface 132a and the reflecting surface are provided. 132b is in contact with ink. In this state, the light (incident light) incident on the prism 132 from the light emitting unit 202 does not reflect even when it hits the reflecting surface 132a, and as shown by the thick dashed arrow in FIG. It penetrates through the ink. Therefore, the light from the light emitting unit 202 is not detected by the light receiving unit 204. In such a case, the control unit 60 determines that at least ink remains in the sensor chamber 130.

  On the other hand, when the ink in the sensor chamber 130 is consumed and the ink surface falls below the apex of the prism 132 as shown in FIG. 4B, the reflective surface 132a and the reflective surface are exposed in the portion of the prism 132 exposed from the ink. Air contacts 132b. When the ink in the sensor chamber 130 is less than a predetermined amount (reference amount) and the ink surface is lower than a predetermined height (reference position), incident light is incident on a portion of the reflective surface 132a that is in contact with air. Will be reflected and reflected as shown by the thick dashed arrow in FIG. 4 (b). The light reflected by the reflecting surface 132a hits the portion of the other reflecting surface 132b that is in contact with the air, is reflected downward, and is detected by the light receiving unit 204. In such a case, the control unit 60 determines that the ink in the sensor chamber 130 is low and therefore the ink in the ink cartridge 100 will soon be exhausted.

  Here, the ink cartridge 100 that is mounted on the ink jet printer 10 and is in use may be replaced with another ink cartridge 100 before the ink inside the ink cartridge 100 runs out. In this case, the ink cartridge 100 removed from the ink jet printer 10 is temporarily stored in another place, and is attached to the ink jet printer 10 again at a later date.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing how the ink distribution in the ink cartridge 100 changes when the ink cartridge 100 removed from the ink jet printer 10 is mounted at a later date. Now, in a state before the ink cartridge 100 is removed from the ink jet printer 10, as shown in FIG. 5A, the ink in the ink chamber 120 is empty, and the sensor chamber 130 includes the sensor chamber 130. Suppose that more than half of the ink volume remains. When the ink cartridge 100 is removed and stored upside down in this state, the ink in the sensor chamber 130 flows back to the ink chamber 120 through the communication passage 134 due to gravity, as shown in FIG. 5B. The reverse flow of ink to the ink chamber 120 stops when the ink surface of the sensor chamber 130 is lowered to the position of the opening 134a of the communication passage 134. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5C, in the sensor chamber 130, an amount corresponding to the volume of the sensor chamber 130 below the opening 134a (in this embodiment, about half the volume of the sensor chamber 130). Ink) remains.

  The ink cartridge 100 stored in this state is attached to the inkjet printer 10 at a later date. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5D, since about half of the volume of the sensor chamber 130 (ink larger than the reference amount) remains in the sensor chamber 130, the ink is contained in the ink cartridge 100. Is determined to remain.

  If most of the ink in the sensor chamber flows back into the ink chamber during storage after being removed from the ink jet printer, when the ink cartridge is reinstalled in the ink jet printer, less ink than the reference amount remains in the sensor chamber. Therefore, it is erroneously detected that there is no ink although ink remains in the ink chamber. On the other hand, in the ink cartridge 100 of this embodiment, as described above, a larger amount of ink than the reference amount can be left in the sensor chamber 130 at the time of remounting the ink jet printer 10, so that there is no ink. Can be avoided.

  As described above, the ink cartridge 100 is not limited to be placed upside down (that is, stored with the upper surface of the ink cartridge 100 down). It is possible that the ink above the opening 134 a flows back into the ink chamber 120. However, in the ink cartridge 100 of this embodiment, the opening 134a of the communication passage 134 is provided at a substantially central position of the sensor chamber 130 (see FIG. 3). For this reason, when the ink cartridge 100 is stored with its surface facing down, even if the ink flows backward due to gravity, approximately half of the volume of ink remains in the sensor chamber 130. When the ink is re-installed, it is not erroneously detected that there is no ink.

  In addition, when the ink cartridge 100 is placed so that the communication passage 134 rises toward the ink chamber 120 (for example, when the left side of the drawing in FIG. Although the ink does not flow backward, the air in the sensor chamber 130 expands, and the ink above the opening 134a may flow backward. Even in such a case, since the opening 134 a of the communication passage 134 is provided at a substantially central position of the sensor chamber 130, approximately half of the volume of ink remains in the sensor chamber 130. If there is no ink at the time of installation, it will not be erroneously detected.

  Of course, even if the ink cartridge 100 was re-installed in the ink jet printer 10 and it was avoided that it was erroneously detected that there was no ink, the amount of ink in the sensor chamber 130 decreased due to the backflow, so a little ink was consumed. There is a concern that it may be erroneously detected that there is no ink at that time. However, the ink that has flowed back into the ink chamber 120 returns to the sensor chamber 130 when the ink cartridge 100 is remounted and gradually, so there is no such concern. This point will be described below.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing how ink that has flowed back into the ink chamber 120 returns to the sensor chamber 130 after the ink cartridge 100 is remounted in the inkjet printer 10. At the stage where the ink cartridge 100 is reattached to the ink jet printer 10, the ink exists separately in the ink chamber 120 and the sensor chamber 130 as shown in FIG. If left in this state, the ink in the ink chamber 120 flows into the sensor chamber 130 due to gravity, as shown in FIG. 6B.

  In the ink cartridge 100 of the present embodiment, the communication passage 134 is provided so as to be lowered toward the inside of the sensor chamber 130 in a state where the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the ink jet printer 10. Depending on the installation mode, a part of the communication passage 134 may be provided in a direction against gravity in the mounted state. In such a case, it becomes difficult for the ink in the ink chamber 120 to flow into the sensor chamber 130 due to gravity, but when printing starts, the ink is consumed and the sensor chamber 130 has a negative pressure. The ink is drawn by the pressure and flows into the sensor chamber 130.

  As a result of the ink flowing into the sensor chamber 130 as described above, as shown in FIG. 6C, all the ink that has flowed back into the ink chamber 120 returns to the sensor chamber 130. For this reason, it is not erroneously detected that there is no ink when a little ink is consumed after printing is started, and it is possible to use the ink flowing back to the ink chamber 120 without leaving it.

  Although various embodiments have been described above, the present invention is not limited to all the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in the ink cartridge of this embodiment, it has been described that the position of the ink liquid level in the sensor chamber is detected by a prism. However, the position of the ink liquid level is detected using a detection member (such as an electrode) other than the prism. It may be detected.

  In addition, the present invention is not limited to an on-carriage type ink jet printer in which an ink cartridge is mounted on a carriage case that is configured integrally with the ejection head, and a holder for accommodating the ink cartridge and an ejection head are provided separately. It can also be applied to an off-carriage type ink jet printer.

10 ... Inkjet printer, 100 ... Ink cartridge,
105 ... Ink supply port, 106 ... Air release port, 120 ... Ink chamber,
130 ... Sensor room, 132 ... Prism, 134 ... Communication passage,
134a ... Opening, 200 ... Detection unit

Claims (1)

A liquid storage unit capable of storing liquid, a liquid outlet through which the liquid flows out, and an air intake port for taking air into the liquid storage unit from the outside as the liquid flows out are detachable from the liquid consuming device. A liquid container that is mounted on the liquid and supplies liquid from the liquid outlet,
The liquid storage unit includes a plurality of liquid chambers, and a plurality of liquid chambers from a liquid chamber communicating with the air intake port to a liquid chamber communicating with the liquid outlet port are connected in series by a communication passage. Connected to
In the second liquid chamber communicating with the air intake port through the first liquid chamber communicating with the air intake port among the plurality of liquid chambers, the liquid container is provided with the liquid consuming device. A detecting unit used to detect whether or not a predetermined amount of liquid remains in the second liquid chamber based on the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber in a state of being mounted on And
The opening on the second liquid chamber side of the communication passage connecting the second liquid chamber and the liquid chamber on the upstream side of the second liquid chamber has the liquid container, the second liquid, Even when any inner wall surface in the room is oriented vertically downward, the volume below the opening in the second liquid chamber is provided at a position where the volume is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount. A liquid container characterized by having

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