JP2016041478A - Liquid storage container and liquid injection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that it is difficult to improve the accuracy of detection of a liquid amount with conventional liquid storage containers.SOLUTION: A liquid storage container is capable of storing an ink 75 supplied to a liquid injection device and includes: a first electrode 61A extending in a direction intersecting with a liquid surface 75A of the ink 75 at the inner side of the liquid storage container; and a second electrode 61B disposed at the inner side of the liquid storage container. In the liquid storage container, a first wall part 64 facing the first electrode 61A in the direction intersecting with the liquid surface 75A and a second wall part 65 intersecting with the first wall part 64 are formed. When the liquid surface 75A is viewed in a plan view, the second wall part 65 is positioned between the first electrode 61A and the second electrode 61B. At least a part of the second electrode 61B is positioned below an intersection part 92 between the first wall part 64 and the second wall part 65 in a direction that the liquid surface 75A is lowered by the ink 75 being supplied to the liquid injection device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container, a liquid ejecting apparatus, and the like.

  In an inkjet printer that is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, printing on a print medium can be performed by ejecting ink that is an example of a liquid from a print head onto a print medium such as a print sheet. Some ink jet printers include a liquid container that can contain ink. In such a liquid storage container, conventionally, in order to detect the amount of ink in the liquid storage container, a configuration is known in which two electrodes extending in the vertical direction are inserted into the ink from vertically above ( For example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-6-218944

  In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, since two electrodes extending in the vertical direction are inserted into the ink from vertically above, the length of the portion of the electrode inserted into the ink varies. The detection results are likely to vary. That is, the conventional liquid container has a problem that it is difficult to improve the detection accuracy of the amount of liquid.

  The present invention can solve at least the above-described problems and can be realized as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 A liquid storage container capable of storing the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the first electrode extending in a direction intersecting the liquid level of the liquid inside the liquid storage container, A second electrode disposed on the inside of the liquid storage container, wherein the liquid storage container includes a first wall portion facing the first electrode in a direction intersecting the liquid surface, and the first wall portion. And a second wall portion extending to the side opposite to the first electrode side from the first wall portion, and the second wall portion when the liquid level is viewed in plan view Is located between the first electrode and the second electrode, and at least a part of the second electrode in a direction in which the liquid level is lowered when the liquid is supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus. Is located below the intersection of the first wall and the second wall, Liquid container that.

  In the liquid container of this application example, when the liquid level of the liquid is lower than the intersection in the liquid container, the contact between the first electrode and the liquid is between the first electrode and the second electrode. Disconnected by. For this reason, even if the positions of the first electrode and the second electrode vary in the direction in which the liquid level decreases, the first electrode and the second electrode can be located between the first electrode and the second electrode when the liquid level is lower than the intersection. Since the contact with the liquid is cut, the conduction between the first electrode and the second electrode is cut. For this reason, even if the positions of the first electrode and the second electrode vary in the direction in which the liquid level decreases, it is easy to detect the lower limit amount of the liquid when the liquid level decreases below the intersection. As a result, even if the positions of the first electrode and the second electrode vary in the direction in which the liquid level decreases, the detection accuracy of the amount of liquid can be easily improved.

  Application Example 2 In the above-described liquid container, a concave portion that is concave in the direction in which the liquid level decreases is formed in the first wall portion, and the first electrode is inserted into the concave portion. A liquid container characterized by that.

  In this application example, the first electrode can be lowered in a direction in which the liquid level is lower than that of the first wall portion. Thereby, even if the position of the first electrode varies in the direction in which the liquid level decreases, the position of the end portion on the first wall side of the first electrode is kept lower in the direction in which the liquid level decreases than the intersection. Can do. For this reason, it is easy to detect the lower limit amount of the liquid by using the position of the intersection as a reference. As a result, even if the positions of the first electrode and the second electrode vary in the direction in which the liquid level decreases, the detection accuracy of the amount of liquid can be further enhanced.

  Application Example 3 In the above-described liquid container, the second electrode extends in a direction intersecting the liquid surface of the liquid.

  In this application example, the amount of liquid is determined by the electrical characteristics between the first electrode extending in the direction intersecting the liquid level of the liquid and the second electrode extending in the direction intersecting the liquid level of the liquid. Can be detected.

  Application Example 4 In the above-described liquid container, the second electrode extends in a direction intersecting with a direction in which the first electrode extends.

  In this application example, electrical characteristics between the first electrode extending in the direction intersecting the liquid level of the liquid and the second electrode extending in the direction intersecting with the direction in which the first electrode extends. Can detect the amount of liquid.

  Application Example 5 In the above-described liquid storage container, a liquid storage container characterized in that an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to the liquid surface is formed on the first wall portion.

  In this application example, since the inclined portion is formed on the first wall portion, it is difficult for the liquid to remain on the first wall portion when the liquid level decreases in the liquid container.

  Application Example 6 In the above-described liquid container, the intersecting portion between the first wall portion and the second wall portion is formed on the first electrode side and the first electrode side on the second electrode side of the first electrode. A liquid container, which protrudes toward the second electrode from a meniscus formed in the liquid between one wall portion.

  In this application example, the intersecting portion protrudes closer to the second electrode than the meniscus formed in the liquid between the first electrode and the first wall portion on the second electrode side of the first electrode. Thereby, the connection of the liquid between a 1st electrode and a 2nd electrode tends to be cut | disconnected by the cross | intersection part between a 1st electrode and a 2nd wall part. For this reason, when the liquid level becomes lower than the first wall portion, the conduction between the first electrode and the second electrode is easily cut off. As a result, it is easy to improve the detection accuracy of the remaining amount of liquid.

  Application Example 7 A liquid ejecting apparatus including the liquid container described above.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus according to this application example, in the liquid storage container, even if the positions of the first electrode and the second electrode vary in the direction in which the liquid level decreases in the liquid storage container, the detection accuracy of the amount of liquid is easily increased. be able to. Therefore, in this liquid ejecting apparatus, it is possible to easily increase the detection accuracy of the amount of liquid in the liquid storage container.

1 is a perspective view showing a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. 1 is a perspective view showing a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a mechanical body of the printer according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a schematic configuration of a tank according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the flow of ink from a tank to a print head in the first embodiment. Sectional drawing in the AA in FIG. The figure explaining a comparative example. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating ink injection into a tank according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a tank in Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an inclined portion in the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an inclined portion in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a recess in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating grooves in Example 6.

  Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a multifunction machine having a printer, which is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a printer 3 and a scanner 5. In the multi function device 1, the printer 3 and the scanner 5 are overlapped with each other. In a state where the printer 3 is used, the scanner 5 overlaps vertically above the printer 3. In FIG. 1, XYZ axes, which are coordinate axes orthogonal to each other, are attached. The XYZ axes are also attached to the drawings shown thereafter as necessary. In FIG. 1, the printer 3 is disposed on a horizontal plane (XY plane) defined by the X axis and the Y axis. In the usage state of the printer 3, the Z-axis direction is a direction orthogonal to the XY plane, and the −Z-axis direction is a vertically downward direction.

  The scanner 5 has an image sensor (not shown) such as an image sensor. The scanner 5 can read an image or the like recorded on a medium such as paper as image data via an image sensor. For this reason, the scanner 5 functions as an image reading device. As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner 5 is configured to be rotatable with respect to the printer 3. The scanner 5 also has a function as a lid of the printer 3.

  The printer 3 can perform printing on a printing medium P such as printing paper with ink which is an example of a liquid. As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 3 includes a case 7 and a plurality of tanks 9. The case 7 constitutes the outer shell of the printer 3 and houses the mechanism unit 11 of the printer 3. The plurality of tanks 9 are accommodated in the case 7 and each accommodates ink to be used for printing. In the present embodiment, four tanks 9 are provided. The four tanks 9 have different ink types. In the present embodiment, four types of ink, black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, are employed. Four tanks 9 having different ink types are provided one by one.

  The printer 3 has an operation panel 12. The operation panel 12 is provided with a power button 13A and other operation buttons 13B. An operator who operates the printer 3 can operate the power button 13 </ b> A and the operation button 13 </ b> B while facing the operation panel 12. In the printer 3, the surface on which the operation panel 12 is provided is the front. A window 14 is provided in the case 7 on the front surface of the printer 3. The window part 14 has light transmittance. And the four tanks 9 mentioned above are provided in the position which overlaps with the window part 14. As shown in FIG. For this reason, the operator can visually recognize the four tanks 9 through the window portion 14.

  In this embodiment, the part which faces the window part 14 of each tank 9 has light transmittance. The ink in the tank 9 can be visually recognized from the portion of each tank 9 having light transmittance. Therefore, the operator can visually recognize the amount of ink in each tank 9 by visually recognizing the four tanks 9 through the window portion 14. In the present embodiment, since the window portion 14 is provided in front of the printer 3, the operator can visually recognize each tank 9 from the window portion 14 in a state of facing the operation panel 12. Therefore, the operator can grasp the remaining amount of ink in each tank 9 while operating the printer 3.

  As shown in FIG. 4, which is a perspective view showing the mechanism unit 11, the printer 3 includes a printing unit 15 and a supply tube 16. The printing unit 15 includes a carriage 17, a print head 19, and four relay units 21. The print head 19 and the four relay units 21 are mounted on the carriage 17. The supply tube 16 has flexibility and is provided between the tank 9 and the relay unit 21. The ink in the tank 9 is sent to the relay unit 21 through the supply tube 16. The relay unit 21 relays the ink supplied from the tank 9 via the supply tube 16 to the print head 19. The print head 19 ejects the supplied ink as ink droplets.

  The printer 3 has a medium transport mechanism (not shown) and a head transport mechanism (not shown). The medium transport mechanism transports the print medium P along the Y axis by driving the transport roller 22 with power from a motor (not shown). The head conveyance mechanism conveys the carriage 17 along the X axis by transmitting power from the motor 23 to the carriage 17 via the timing belt 25. As described above, the print head 19 is mounted on the carriage 17. Therefore, the print head 19 can be transported along the X axis via the carriage 17 by the head transport mechanism. Printing is performed on the print medium P by ejecting ink from the print head 19 while changing the relative position of the print head 19 with respect to the print medium P by the medium transport mechanism and the head transport mechanism.

  Various embodiments of the tank 9 will be described. In the following, in order to identify the tank 9 for each embodiment, a different alphabetic character is added to the reference numeral of the tank 9 for each embodiment.

[Example 1]
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the tank 9 </ b> A according to the first embodiment includes a case 31 and a sheet member 33. The case 31 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin such as nylon or polypropylene. The sheet member 33 is formed into a film shape with a synthetic resin (for example, nylon, polypropylene, etc.) and has flexibility. The case 31 has a housing part 35 and an air chamber 37.

  The accommodating portion 35 includes a first wall 41, a second wall 42, a third wall 43, a fourth wall 44, and a fifth wall 45. The second wall 42, the third wall 43, the fourth wall 44, and the fifth wall 45 intersect with the first wall 41, respectively. The second wall 42 and the third wall 43 are provided at positions facing each other across the first wall 41 in the Y-axis direction. The fourth wall 44 and the fifth wall 45 are provided at positions facing each other across the first wall 41 in the Z-axis direction. The second wall 42 intersects each of the fourth wall 44 and the fifth wall 45. The third wall 43 also intersects each of the fourth wall 44 and the fifth wall 45. In the use state of the printer 3, the fourth wall 44 corresponds to the bottom of the tank 9A.

  In the printer 3 shown in FIG. 3, the second wall 42 faces the window portion 14. The second wall 42 facing the window portion 14 has light transmittance. The light transmittance of the second wall 42 is sufficient as long as the liquid level of the ink in the storage portion 35 is visible through the second wall 42. Thereby, the operator can grasp the remaining amount of ink in the tank 9 through the window portion 14 and the second wall 42. In the present embodiment, the case 31 including the second wall 42 is made of a light transmissive material.

  The first wall 41 shown in FIG. 5 is surrounded by the second wall 42, the third wall 43, the fourth wall 44, and the fifth wall 45 in plan view. The second wall 42, the third wall 43, the fourth wall 44, and the fifth wall 45 protrude from the first wall 41 in the + X axis direction. For this reason, the accommodating part 35 is comprised by the concave shape with the 2nd wall 42, the 3rd wall 43, the 4th wall 44, and the 5th wall 45 by making the 1st wall 41 into a bottom part. The first wall 41, the second wall 42, the third wall 43, the fourth wall 44, and the fifth wall 45 constitute a recess 35A. The recess 35A is configured to be concave toward the -X axis direction. The recess 35A opens toward the + X axis direction, that is, toward the sheet member 33 side. Ink is stored in the recess 35A.

  The atmospheric chamber 37 is provided on the opposite side of the fifth wall 45 from the concave portion 35A side. The atmospheric chamber 37 protrudes from the fifth wall 45 toward the opposite side of the fifth wall 45 to the fourth wall 44 side, that is, toward the + Z-axis direction side of the fifth wall 45. The atmosphere chamber 37 includes a first wall 41, a fifth wall 45, a sixth wall 46, a seventh wall 47, and an eighth wall 48. Note that the first wall 41 of the accommodating portion 35 and the first wall 41 of the atmospheric chamber 37 are the same wall. That is, in the present embodiment, the accommodating portion 35 and the atmospheric chamber 37 share the first wall 41 with each other. The accommodating portion 35 and the atmospheric chamber 37 share a part of the fifth wall 45 with each other.

  The sixth wall 46 protrudes from the fifth wall 45 toward the opposite side of the fifth wall 45 to the fourth wall 44 side, that is, toward the + Z-axis direction side of the fifth wall 45. The seventh wall 47 protrudes from the fifth wall 45 toward the side opposite to the fourth wall 44 side of the fifth wall 45, that is, toward the + Z-axis direction side of the fifth wall 45. The sixth wall 46 and the seventh wall 47 are provided at positions facing each other across the first wall 41 of the atmospheric chamber 37 in the Y-axis direction. The eighth wall 48 is provided at a position facing the fifth wall 45 with the first wall 41 of the atmospheric chamber 37 sandwiched in the Z-axis direction. The sixth wall 46 intersects each of the fifth wall 45 and the eighth wall 48. The seventh wall 47 also intersects each of the fifth wall 45 and the eighth wall 48.

  The first wall 41 of the atmospheric chamber 37 is surrounded by the fifth wall 45, the sixth wall 46, the seventh wall 47, and the eighth wall 48 in plan view. The fifth wall 45, the sixth wall 46, the seventh wall 47, and the eighth wall 48 protrude from the first wall 41 in the + X axis direction. For this reason, the atmosphere chamber 37 is configured in a concave shape by the fifth wall 45, the sixth wall 46, the seventh wall 47, and the eighth wall 48 with the first wall 41 as the bottom. The first wall 41, the fifth wall 45, the sixth wall 46, the seventh wall 47, and the eighth wall 48 constitute a concave portion 37 </ b> A of the atmospheric chamber 37. The concave portion 37A is configured to be concave toward the -X axis direction. The concave portion 37A opens in the + X-axis direction, that is, toward the sheet member 33 side. The recess 35A and the recess 37A are separated from each other by the fifth wall 45. In addition, the protrusion amount from the 1st wall 41 of the 2nd wall 42-the 8th wall 48 is set to the mutually same protrusion amount except for the notch part 45A of the 5th wall 45. The notch 45A of the fifth wall 45 is located closer to the first wall 41 than the end of the fifth wall 45 on the sheet member 33 side.

  The second wall 42 and the sixth wall 46 have a step in the Y-axis direction. The sixth wall 46 is located on the third wall 43 side relative to the second wall 42, that is, on the −Y axis direction side relative to the second wall 42. Further, the third wall 43 and the seventh wall 47 have a step in the Y-axis direction. The seventh wall 47 is located on the second wall 42 side relative to the third wall 43, that is, on the + Y axis direction side relative to the third wall 43. An inlet 51 is provided in the fifth wall 45 between the second wall 42 and the sixth wall 46 in a state where the first wall 41 is viewed in plan. The third wall 43 is provided with a supply port 53. An air communication port 55 is provided in the seventh wall 47. The injection port 51 and the supply port 53 communicate the outside of the case 31 and the inside of the recess 35A, respectively. The air communication port 55 communicates the outside of the case 31 and the inside of the recess 37A.

  Two electrodes 61 are provided in the tank 9A. Hereinafter, when identifying each of the two electrodes 61, the two electrodes 61 are referred to as a first electrode 61A and a second electrode 61B, respectively. Of the two electrodes 61, the first electrode 61A penetrates the fifth wall 45 from the outside of the case 31 and protrudes into the recess 35A. Of the two electrodes 61, the second electrode 61B penetrates the third wall 43 from the outside of the case 31 and protrudes into the recess 35A. Each of the two electrodes 61 has a rod-like appearance. The first electrode 61A extends along the Z axis. The second electrode 61B extends along the Y axis. For this reason, the second electrode 61B extends in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the first electrode 61A extends.

  There is a gap between the two electrodes 61 when the two electrodes 61 are viewed in plan in the −Z-axis direction. The first electrode 61 </ b> A is located between the third wall 43 and the seventh wall 47. The first electrode 61 </ b> A is located closer to the fifth wall 45 than the supply port 53. The first electrode 61 </ b> A is separated from each of the third wall 43 and the seventh wall 47. The second electrode 61 </ b> B is located between the fourth wall 44 and the fifth wall 45. The second electrode 61B is located closer to the fifth wall 45 than the supply port 53. The second electrode 61B is separated from each of the fourth wall 44 and the fifth wall 45. For this reason, a gap is provided between the second electrode 61 </ b> B and the fourth wall 44. Similarly, a gap is also provided between the second electrode 61 </ b> B and the fifth wall 45.

  The two electrodes 61 are used to detect the remaining amount of ink stored in the recess 35A. Based on the change in electrical resistance between the two electrodes 61, it can be detected that the remaining amount of ink has fallen below a predetermined amount. The first electrode 61A is located closer to the first wall 41 than the second electrode 61B. The second electrode 61B is located closer to the fourth wall 44 than the first electrode 61A.

  Thus, in Example 1, one of the two electrodes 61 is provided at a position higher than the other in the Z-axis direction. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the first electrode 61A of the two electrodes 61 is provided at a higher position in the Z-axis direction than the second electrode 61B. A protrusion 63 is provided between the first electrode 61 </ b> A and the fourth wall 44. The protrusion 63 is provided in the recess 35 </ b> A of the case 31.

  The protrusion 63 protrudes from the fourth wall 44 toward the fifth wall 45 side. The protruding portion 63 includes a first wall portion 64 that faces the fifth wall 45 and a second wall portion 65 that intersects both the first wall portion 64 and the fourth wall 44. The first electrode 61 </ b> A is located on the fifth wall 45 side of the first wall portion 64. The first electrode 61 </ b> A faces the first wall portion 64. The first electrode 61A is abutted against (abuts against) the first wall portion 64. However, there may be a gap between the first electrode 61A and the first wall 64 due to the dimensional tolerance (error) of the component parts. In this case, the gap generated between the first electrode 61 </ b> A and the first wall portion 64 is an amount such that a meniscus is formed between the first electrode 61 </ b> A and the first wall portion 64. The first wall portion 64 is not limited to a flat surface, and may include irregularities.

  In the present embodiment, the protrusion 63 is formed on the case 31 by integral molding. However, the configuration of the case 31 and the protruding portion 63 is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the case 31 and the protruding portion 63 are separated from each other may be employed. In this configuration, for example, the case 31 and the protrusion 63 can be integrated with each other by bonding the protrusion 63 to the case 31 by bonding or the like.

  In the recess 35 </ b> A, the first electrode 61 </ b> A is located closer to the first wall 41 of the case 31 than the second wall 65 of the protrusion 63. The second electrode 61B is located on the side opposite to the first wall 41 side relative to the protruding portion 63, that is, on the sheet member 33 side relative to the protruding portion 63. For this reason, the second wall portion 65 of the protruding portion 63 is located between the first electrode 61A and the second electrode 61B in the X-axis direction. The second electrode 61 </ b> B is provided closer to the sheet member 33 than the protrusion 63 and is separated from the protrusion 63. That is, a gap is provided between the second electrode 61 </ b> B and the second wall portion 65 of the protruding portion 63.

  In the first embodiment, an example in which the first electrode 61A of the two electrodes 61 is disposed closer to the first wall 41 of the case 31 than the second electrode 61B is employed. However, the arrangement of the two electrodes 61 is not limited to this. As the arrangement of the two electrodes 61, an example in which the second electrode 61B is arranged closer to the first wall 41 than the first electrode 61A may be employed. Also in this case, the protrusion 63 is provided between the first electrode 61 </ b> A and the fourth wall 44.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the sheet member 33 faces the first wall 41 with the second wall 42 to the eighth wall 48 sandwiched in the X-axis direction. The sheet member 33 has a size that covers the recess 35A and the recess 37A in plan view. The sheet member 33 is joined to each end portion of the second wall 42 to the eighth wall 48 with a gap between the sheet member 33 and the first wall 41. Thereby, the recess 35 </ b> A and the recess 37 </ b> A are sealed by the sheet member 33. For this reason, the sheet member 33 can also be regarded as a lid for the case 31. In the state where the sheet member 33 is joined to the case 31, a gap is formed between the sheet member 33 and the notch 45A. The recess 37A and the recess 35A communicate with each other through a gap between the sheet member 33 and the notch 45A.

  In the tank 9A, as shown in FIG. 6, the ink 75 is accommodated in the recess 35A. FIG. 6 shows a cross section when the inlet 51, the supply port 53, and the atmosphere communication port 55 of the tank 9A are cut along the YZ plane. In the present embodiment, in a state where the printer 3 is used for printing, the supply tube 16 is connected to the supply port 53, and the plug 77 is plugged into the injection port 51. The ink 75 in the recess 35 </ b> A is supplied from the supply port 53 to the print head 19 through the supply tube 16. Accompanying printing by the print head 19, the ink 75 in the recess 35A is sent to the print head 19 side. For this reason, the pressure in the recess 35 </ b> A becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure as the printing head 19 prints. When the pressure in the recess 35A becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure, the air in the recess 37A is sent into the recess 35A through the notch 45A. Thereby, the pressure in the recess 35A is easily maintained at atmospheric pressure.

  As described above, the ink 75 in the tank 9 </ b> A is supplied to the print head 19. When the ink 75 in the recess 35A in the tank 9A is consumed, the liquid level 75A of the ink 75 is lowered vertically downward. At this time, when the liquid surface 75A of the ink 75 is lowered vertically below the first electrode 61A as shown in FIG. 7 which is a sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 6, the first electrode 61A and the second electrode The electrical resistance value between the electrode 61B increases. In the printer 3, it is determined that the remaining amount of the ink 75 has reached the lower limit based on the change in electrical resistance between the first electrode 61A and the second electrode 61B. In the present embodiment, the Z axis intersects the liquid level 75A. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the first electrode 61A extends in a direction intersecting the liquid level 75A.

  Here, it is preferable that the distance L1 from the center position of the first electrode 61A to the second wall portion 65 is set longer than the distance L2 from the center position of the first electrode 61A to the end of the meniscus 91. In the present embodiment, the intersecting portion protrudes from the meniscus 91 toward the second electrode 61B. The meniscus 91 is formed on the ink 75 held between the first electrode 61A and the first wall portion 64 on the second electrode 61B side of the first electrode 61A. The distance L2 is a distance between the end of the meniscus 91 on the first wall 64 side and the center position of the first electrode 61A. If the relationship of distance L1> distance L2 is set, the ink 75 can be divided at the intersection 92 between the first wall portion 64 and the second wall portion 65. For this reason, the electrical resistance between the first electrode 61A and the second electrode 61B is likely to change reliably when the liquid level 75A is lowered vertically below the first electrode 61A. Thereby, it is easy to improve the detection accuracy of the remaining amount of the ink 75.

  On the other hand, if the relationship of distance L1 <distance L2 is satisfied, even if the liquid level 75A is positioned vertically below the first electrode 61A, as shown in FIG. And the ink 75 may be connected via the meniscus 91. For this reason, even if the liquid level 75A is positioned vertically lower than the first electrode 61A, the ink 75 may connect the first electrode 61A and the second electrode 61B. In such a case, the change in the electrical resistance between the first electrode 61A and the second electrode 61B becomes dull even though the liquid level 75A has fallen vertically below the first electrode 61A. For this reason, it is difficult to determine that the remaining amount of the ink 75 has reached the lower limit. As a result, it becomes difficult to increase the detection accuracy of the remaining amount of ink 75. For the above reason, it is preferable to set the relationship of distance L1> distance L2. In the first embodiment, the distance L1 and the distance L2 are set such that the distance L1> the distance L2.

  When it is determined in the printer 3 that the remaining amount of the ink 75 has reached the lower limit, the operator is urged to replenish new ink. In response to this, the operator can refill the tank 9 with new ink from the inlet 51. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the operator injects new ink 75 into the tank 9 through the injection port 51 from a bottle 79 filled with new ink 75 or the like. It should be noted that a process for detecting a change in electrical resistance between the first electrode 61A and the second electrode 61B, a process for determining that the remaining amount of ink 75 has reached the lower limit, and a process for prompting replenishment of new ink are as follows: Implemented by a control circuit (not shown).

  In the first embodiment, the protrusion 63 is provided between the first electrode 61 </ b> A and the fourth wall 44, and the first electrode 61 </ b> A is opposed to the first wall 64 of the protrusion 63. In this configuration, if the first electrode 61A is brought into contact with the protrusion 63, the first electrode 61A extending to the recess 35A can be supported by the protrusion 63. For this reason, it is easy to improve the deflection accuracy of the first electrode 61A, that is, the positional accuracy of the end portion of the first electrode 61A in the recess 35A. As a result, it is easy to improve the detection accuracy of the remaining amount of the ink 75.

  In the first embodiment, the first electrode 61A facing the protruding portion 63 is positioned vertically above the second electrode 61B. With this configuration, when the liquid level 75A falls vertically below the first electrode 61A, a change in electrical resistance between the first electrode 61A and the second electrode 61B is detected. If the first electrode 61A is in contact with the protrusion 63, the positional accuracy of the first electrode 61A is higher than the positional accuracy of the second electrode 61B. For this reason, in Example 1, it is easy to improve the detection accuracy of the remaining amount of the ink 75 as compared with the configuration in which the second electrode 61B is positioned vertically above the first electrode 61A.

[Example 2]
The tank 9B of the second embodiment is different from the tank 9A of the first embodiment in that the second electrode 61B extends along the Z axis as shown in FIG. Except for this point, the tank 9B of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the tank 9A of the first embodiment. For this reason, below, about the structure similar to Example 1, the same code | symbol as Example 1 is attached | subjected and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the second embodiment, the two electrodes 61 penetrate the fifth wall 45 from the outside of the case 31 and protrude into the recess 35A. The two electrodes 61 each extend along the Z axis. For this reason, the two electrodes 61 each extend in a direction intersecting with the liquid level 75A (FIG. 7). The two electrodes 61 are arranged in a state where a gap is left between them in the X-axis direction. The two electrodes 61 are located between the third wall 43 and the seventh wall 47. The second electrode 61B extends from the fifth wall 45 to the fourth wall 44 side rather than the first wall portion 64 of the protruding portion 63. That is, the second electrode 61B extends from the fifth wall 45 below the first wall portion 64 in the Z-axis direction.

  Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the first electrode 61A is located closer to the first wall 41 than the second electrode 61B. The second electrode 61B is located on the side opposite to the first wall 41 side relative to the protruding portion 63, that is, on the sheet member 33 side relative to the protruding portion 63. For this reason, the second wall portion 65 of the protruding portion 63 is located between the first electrode 61A and the second electrode 61B in the X-axis direction. The second electrode 61B is separated from the protrusion 63. That is, a gap is provided between the second electrode 61 </ b> B and the second wall portion 65 of the protruding portion 63. In the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[Example 3]
In case 31 of Example 1 or Example 2, the structure which formed the inclination part 101 in the 1st wall part 64 of the protrusion part 63 as shown in FIG. A configuration in which the inclined portion 101 is formed on the first wall portion 64 of the protruding portion 63 is referred to as a third embodiment. In the case 31 of the third embodiment, the inclined portion 101 is formed on a part of the first wall portion 64. The inclined portion 101 is inclined with respect to the liquid level 75A (FIG. 7). As shown in FIG. 11, the inclined portion 101 is formed between the first wall 41 of the case 31 and the first wall portion 64 of the protruding portion 63.

  The inclined portion 101 is located between the first electrode 61 </ b> A and the first wall 41. That is, the first wall portion 64 is interposed between the inclined portion 101 and the second wall portion 65. For this reason, it is easy to avoid the angle between the first wall portion 64 and the second wall portion 65 being an obtuse angle. Thereby, the ink 75 is easily divided at the intersection 92 (FIG. 7). Thereby, it is easy to maintain the detection accuracy of the remaining amount of the ink 75. The first wall portion 64 is connected to the first wall 41 of the case 31 via the inclined portion 101. The inclined portion 101 is inclined so as to approach the fourth wall 44 from the first wall 41 side toward the second wall portion 65 side of the protruding portion 63. In the third embodiment, the inclined portion 101 easily causes ink to flow down from the first wall portion 64 of the protruding portion 63. For this reason, when the liquid level 75 </ b> A decreases in the recess 35 </ b> A, the ink hardly remains on the first wall portion 64 of the protrusion 63. As a result, it is difficult for ink to remain in the recess 35A when the ink in the recess 35A is consumed. For this reason, the amount of ink remaining in the recess 35A without being used for printing can be reduced.

[Example 4]
In the case 31 of the first embodiment or the second embodiment, a configuration in which the inclined portion 103 is formed on the first wall portion 64 of the protruding portion 63 as shown in FIG. A configuration in which the inclined portion 103 is formed on the first wall portion 64 of the protruding portion 63 is referred to as Example 4. In the case 31 of the fourth embodiment, the first wall portion 64 is inclined. The first wall portion 64 is configured as the inclined portion 103. The inclined portion 103 is inclined with respect to the liquid level 75A (FIG. 7).

  The inclined portion 103 is inclined so as to approach the fourth wall 44 from the third wall 43 side toward the second wall 42 side. In the fourth embodiment, the ink easily flows down from the first wall portion 64 of the protruding portion 63 by the inclined portion 103. For this reason, when the liquid level 75 </ b> A decreases in the recess 35 </ b> A, the ink hardly remains on the first wall portion 64 of the protrusion 63. As a result, it is difficult for ink to remain in the recess 35A when the ink in the recess 35A is consumed. For this reason, the amount of ink remaining in the recess 35A without being used for printing can be reduced.

[Example 5]
In each case 31 of the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, a configuration in which the concave portion 105 is formed in the first wall portion 64 of the protruding portion 63 may be employed. A configuration in which the concave portion 105 is formed in the first wall portion 64 of the protruding portion 63 is referred to as Example 5. The recess 105 is formed in a portion facing the first electrode 61A. The concave portion 105 is formed in a direction that becomes concave from the first wall portion 64 of the protruding portion 63 toward the fourth wall 44 side of the case 31. That is, the concave portion 105 is formed in a direction that becomes concave in the direction in which the liquid level 75A is lowered from the first wall portion 64 of the protruding portion 63. The end of the first electrode 61 </ b> A on the side facing the first wall 64 is inserted into the recess 105.

  According to the fifth embodiment, the first electrode 61A can be lowered in the direction in which the liquid level 75A is lower than the first wall portion 64. Thereby, even if the position of the first electrode 61A varies in the direction in which the liquid level 75A decreases, the liquid level 75A is lower than the intersection 92 in the position of the end of the first electrode 61A on the first wall 64 side. Can be kept low in the direction to do. For this reason, it is easy to detect the lower limit amount of the ink 75 by using the position of the intersection 92 as a reference. As a result, even if the positions of the first electrode 61A and the second electrode 61B vary in the direction in which the liquid level 75A decreases, the detection accuracy of the amount of ink 75 can be further enhanced.

[Example 6]
In the case 31 of the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the recess 105 can be configured as a groove 107 reaching the second wall portion 65. The groove 107 is formed in the first wall portion 64. The groove 107 is formed in a direction that becomes concave from the first wall portion 64 of the protruding portion 63 toward the fourth wall 44 side of the case 31. The groove 107 has a depth equivalent to the depth of the recess 105. The groove 107 is formed from the second wall portion 65 to a portion facing the first electrode 61A. The end of the first electrode 61 </ b> A on the side facing the first wall 64 is inserted into the recess 105. In the fifth embodiment, the same effect as in the fourth embodiment can be obtained. Further, in the fifth embodiment, for example, when the case 31 is formed by injection molding, the case 31 can be easily molded by matching the extending direction of the groove 107 with the molding direction.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Multifunction machine, 3 ... Printer, 5 ... Scanner, 7 ... Case, 9, 9A, 9B ... Tank, 11 ... Mechanism unit, 12 ... Operation panel, 13A ... Power button, 13B ... Operation button, 14 ... Window part, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Printing part, 16 ... Supply tube, 17 ... Carriage, 19 ... Print head, 21 ... Relay unit, 22 ... Conveyance roller, 23 ... Motor, 25 ... Timing belt, 31 ... Case, 35A ... Recessed part, 33 ... Sheet member 35 ... accommodating part, 37 ... atmosphere chamber, 37A ... recess, 41 ... first wall, 42 ... second wall, 43 ... third wall, 44 ... fourth wall, 45 ... fifth wall, 45A ... notch 46 ... 6th wall, 47 ... 7th wall, 48 ... 8th wall, 51 ... inlet, 53 ... supply port, 55 ... atmospheric communication port, 61 ... electrode, 61A ... first electrode, 61B ... second electrode 63 ... Projection part, 64 ... First wall part, 65 Second wall portion, 67 ... groove, 75 ... ink, 75A ... liquid level, 77 ... stopper, 79 ... bottle, 91 ... meniscus, 92 ... crossing portion, 101 ... inclined portion, 103 ... inclined portion, 105 ... concave portion, 107 ... groove, L1, L2 ... distance, P ... print medium.

Claims (7)

A liquid storage container capable of storing the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus,
A first electrode extending in a direction intersecting the liquid surface of the liquid inside the liquid container;
A second electrode disposed inside the liquid container,
The liquid container includes a first wall portion facing the first electrode in a direction intersecting the liquid surface, intersecting the first wall portion, and on the first electrode side with respect to the first wall portion. Is formed with a second wall extending to the opposite side,
When the liquid surface is viewed in plan, the second wall portion is located between the first electrode and the second electrode,
In the direction in which the liquid level is lowered by supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus, at least a part of the second electrode is lower than the intersection of the first wall portion and the second wall portion. Located in the
A liquid container characterized by that. The liquid container according to claim 1,
A concave portion that is concave in the direction in which the liquid level decreases is formed in the first wall portion,
The first electrode is inserted into the recess;
A liquid container characterized by that. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2,
The second electrode extends in a direction intersecting the liquid surface of the liquid;
A liquid container characterized by that. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2,
The second electrode extends in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the first electrode extends.
A liquid container characterized by that. The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
An inclined portion inclined with respect to the liquid surface is formed on the first wall portion.
A liquid container characterized by that. The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A meniscus formed in the liquid between the first electrode and the first wall portion at the intersection of the first wall portion and the second wall portion on the second electrode side of the first electrode. Projecting toward the second electrode than
A liquid container characterized by that. Comprising the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A liquid ejecting apparatus.

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