JP2016083912A - Liquid consuming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid consuming device which can estimate viscosity of a liquid in a storage chamber at a time point when a liquid container is attached to an attachment part.SOLUTION: A liquid consuming device includes: measuring means (S2-S5) which measure a physical quantity based on a detection signal output from a detection part, wherein a speed of a liquid moving in a capillary when a first end is communicated with a storage chamber and a second end is released to the atmosphere can be specified by the physical quantity; and determination means (S8) which determines whether the physical quantity measured by the measuring means is included in a threshold range or not.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid consuming apparatus that consumes a liquid whose viscosity can change over time.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium by discharging ink stored in an ink container from a nozzle is known. In the ink jet recording apparatus having the above configuration, when the viscosity of the ink in the ink container changes, the nozzle may be clogged or the image recording quality may be affected.

  Thus, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ink jet recording apparatus that calculates the ink viscosity in an ink container and performs an optimal preliminary ejection operation according to the calculation result. Specifically, the ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1 calculates the viscosity of ink based on the elapsed time after the ink container is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus and the remaining amount of ink in the ink container. doing.

JP 09-277560 A

  However, the change in the viscosity of the ink in the ink container may vary greatly depending on the type of ink in the ink container, the temperature of the environment in which the ink container is placed, and the like. Further, with the configuration of Patent Document 1, it is impossible to calculate the viscosity of the ink in the ink container that has been left without being mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a liquid consuming apparatus capable of estimating the viscosity of the liquid in the storage chamber at the time when the liquid container is mounted on the mounting portion. .

  The liquid consuming apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage chamber in which liquid is stored, a liquid supply unit that allows liquid to flow out of the storage chamber, an air communication unit that allows the storage chamber to communicate with the atmosphere, and a first end in the storage chamber. A liquid container having a capillary capable of communicating and having a second end capable of communicating with the atmosphere and capable of moving liquid from the first end side to the second end side by capillary action, and the liquid container being detachably mounted A mounting part, a liquid consuming part for consuming liquid that has flowed out from the liquid container attached to the mounting part through the liquid supply part, and the storage chamber of the liquid container attached to the mounting part. A communication mechanism that communicates with the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication unit, a detection unit that is provided facing the detection position in the capillary, and that outputs a detection signal according to the presence or absence of liquid at the detection position, and a control unit Prepare. The controller is configured to determine a physical quantity capable of specifying the speed of the liquid moving in the capillary tube when the first end communicates with the storage chamber and the second end is opened to the atmosphere. Measurement means for measuring based on the detection signal output from the signal, and determination means for determining whether or not the physical quantity measured by the measurement means is included in a threshold range.

The speed of the liquid moving through the capillary varies greatly depending on the viscosity of the liquid. Therefore, as in the above configuration, the viscosity of the liquid in the storage chamber at the time when the liquid container is mounted on the mounting portion is estimated by measuring a physical quantity that can specify the speed of the liquid that has actually moved in the capillary. Can do. Thus, for example, the degree of deterioration of the liquid in the liquid container that has been left for a long time without being attached to the attachment part is estimated, or a plurality of types of liquid containers in which liquids of different viscosities are stored are attached to the attachment part. In the case where it can be attached, the type of the attached liquid container can be specified. The “threshold range” in the present specification does not necessarily require that both the upper limit value and the lower limit value are specified, and it is sufficient that at least one of the upper limit value and the lower limit value is specified. For example, the threshold range in which only the upper limit value is specified includes all values less than or equal to the upper limit value. Similarly, the threshold range in which only the lower limit value is specified includes all values below the lower limit value.

  According to the present invention, the viscosity of the liquid in the storage chamber at the time when the liquid container is mounted on the mounting portion can be estimated by measuring the physical quantity that can specify the speed of the liquid that has actually moved in the capillary. A liquid consuming device can be obtained.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an internal structure of a printer 10 including a cartridge mounting unit 110 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view showing the structure of the inner surface of the case 101 of the cartridge mounting unit 110. 3A and 3B are perspective views showing an external configuration of the ink cartridge 30, where FIG. 3A shows a state where the film 44 is welded to the frame 31, and FIG. 3B shows an exploded perspective view of the frame 31 and the film 44. (C) is a cross-sectional view of the capillary tube 80 in a plane including the width direction 51 and the depth direction 53. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the printer 10. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting unit 110 before the ink cartridge 30 inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 110 reaches the rod 114. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the state of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 before the rod 114 passes through the closing member 74 and reaches the closing member 75. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting unit 110 immediately after the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting unit 110 is completed. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the state of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting unit 110 in which the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting unit 110 has been completed and the liquid level in the capillary tube 80 has reached the detection position. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processing executed by the control unit 130 on condition that the cover of the cartridge mounting unit 110 is opened and a low level signal is output from the mounting sensor 107. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of processing executed by the control unit 130 on the condition that the processing shown in FIG. 9 is completed and the cover of the cartridge mounting unit 110 is closed. 11A and 11B show another example of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 11A shows a state before the ink cartridge 30 is completely installed in the cartridge mounting unit 110, and FIG. A state in which the swelling member 93 that has been attached and has absorbed ink has expanded is shown. FIG. 12 is a modified example of the cartridge mounting unit 110, and is a diagram illustrating a state of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting unit 110 before the ink cartridge 30 inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 110 reaches the rod 114.

  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 (an example of a liquid consuming device) includes a recording head 21 (an example of a liquid consuming unit), an ink supply device 100, and an ink tube 20 that connects the recording head 21 and the ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 is provided with a cartridge mounting part 110 (an example of a mounting part). An ink cartridge 30 (an example of a liquid container) can be mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. An opening 112 is provided on one surface of the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110 in the insertion direction 56 through the opening 112 or is extracted from the cartridge mounting part 110 in the removal direction 55.

  The ink cartridge 30 stores ink (an example of a liquid) that can be used by the printer 10. In a state where the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting unit 110 is completed, the ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are connected by the ink tube 20. 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. Specifically, a drive voltage is selectively applied from a head control board 21A provided on the recording head 21 to a piezo element 29A (an example of an actuator) provided corresponding to each nozzle 29. Thereby, ink is selectively ejected from the nozzles 29.

  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 paper that has passed through the platen 26 is discharged to a paper discharge tray 16 provided on the most downstream side of the transport path 24 by a discharge roller pair 27.

[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. The cartridge mounting unit 110 includes a case 101, an ink needle 102 (an example of a liquid extraction tube), a sensor 103 (an example of a detection unit), a mounting sensor 107 (an example of a mounting detection unit), and a rod 114 (a communication mechanism). Example).

  FIG. 1 shows a state where the ink cartridge 30 has been completely installed in the cartridge mounting unit 110. As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge mounting unit 110 can accommodate four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In addition, four ink needles 102, sensors 103, mounting sensors 107, and rods 114 are provided corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30.

[Ink needle 102]
An opening 112 is formed in the case 101. The case 101 includes a back surface located on the opposite side to the opening 112. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink needle 102 protrudes from the back surface of the case 101 in the removal direction 55. The ink needle 102 is disposed on the back surface of the case 101 at a position where it can face the ink supply unit 60 (an example of a liquid supply unit) of the ink cartridge 30. The ink needle 102 is a tubular resin needle in which a liquid flow path is formed. An opening is provided on the protruding end side of the ink needle 102, and the ink tube 20 is connected to the proximal end side. The ink in the ink chamber 36 flows out to the ink tube 20 through the ink needle 102 that has entered the ink supply unit 60.

  The printer 10 includes a cover (not shown) that covers or exposes the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting unit 110. The cover is supported by the case 101 so as to be opened and closed, or is supported by the casing (not shown) of the printer 10 so as to be opened and closed. The opening 112 when the cover is open is exposed to the outside of the printer 10. In this state, the user can insert the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the opening 112, or can pull out the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110. On the other hand, the opening 112 when the cover is closed covers the outside of the printer 10. In this state, the ink cartridge 30 cannot be inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  In the present specification, “the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110” means at least a part of the ink positioned in the cartridge mounting unit 110 (more specifically, in the case 101). The cartridge 30 is meant. Accordingly, the ink cartridge 30 in the process of being inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 110 is also the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110.

  On the other hand, in the present specification, the state where “mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed” is a state in which ink can be supplied from at least the ink cartridge 30 to the recording head 21. The ink cartridge 30 is positioned in the cartridge mounting part 110 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is locked so as not to move with respect to the mounting part 110 or in a state where the cover that opens and closes the opening 112 is closed. It means the state of the ink cartridge 30 that enables image recording by the printer 10 such as the state.

[Sensor 103]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sensor 103 protrudes in the removal direction 55 from the back surface of the case 101 above the ink needle 102 in the vertical direction. The sensor 103 includes a light emitting unit 104 and a light receiving unit 105 disposed to face the width direction 51. The ink cartridge 30 that has been mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 is disposed between the light emitting unit 104 and the light receiving unit 105. In other words, the light emitting unit 104 and the light receiving unit 105 are disposed to face each other with the ink cartridge 30 that has been mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 being interposed therebetween.

  A position in the internal space of the ink cartridge 30 that overlaps with an imaginary line connecting the light emitting unit 104 and the light receiving unit 105 when the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting unit 110 is completed is defined as a detection position. That is, the detection position is a position that overlaps the optical path from the light emitting unit 104 to the light receiving unit 105. In other words, the sensor 103 is provided facing the detection position. In the present embodiment, the optical path of the light output from the light emitting unit 104 matches the width direction 51.

Note that the sensor 103 in this embodiment is disposed at a position facing the ink cartridge 30 that has been mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110. However, the position of the sensor 103 is not limited to this. For example, the sensor 103 may be disposed at a position facing the ink cartridge 30 in the process of being mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. That is, the sensor 103 may be disposed at a position facing the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110.

  The sensor 103 outputs a different detection signal depending on whether or not the light output from the light emitting unit 104 is received by the light receiving unit 105. For example, the sensor 103 has a low-level signal (“signal level is less than the threshold level” on condition that the light output from the light emitting unit 104 cannot be received by the light receiving unit 105 (that is, the received light intensity is less than a predetermined intensity). ")" Is output. On the other hand, the sensor 103 receives a high-level signal (“signal level is a threshold level” on condition that the light output from the light emitting unit 104 can be received by the light receiving unit 105 (that is, the light receiving intensity is equal to or higher than a predetermined intensity). The above signal "is output. Note that the light emitting unit 104 in the present embodiment transmits, for example, light (for example, visible light) that passes through the wall of the ink cartridge 30 (that is, a frame 31 described later) and does not pass through the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30. Output.

[Mounting sensor 107]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mounting sensor 107 is provided on the back surface of the case 101 above the ink needle 102 in the vertical direction. The mounting sensor 107 is disposed at a mounting detection position on the insertion path of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting unit 110. The mounting sensor 107 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the presence or absence of the ink cartridge 30 at the mounting detection position to the control unit 130 (see FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, the mounting sensor 107 is disposed so that the ink cartridge 30 is positioned at the mounting detection position when the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting unit 110 is completed.

  Specifically, the mounting sensor 107 outputs a low level signal on the condition that the ink sensor 30 is not pressed against the front wall 40 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. On the other hand, the mounting sensor 107 outputs a high level signal on condition that the mounting sensor 107 is pressed against the front wall 40. Note that the mounting sensor 107 in the present embodiment is a mechanical sensor that outputs a different detection signal depending on whether or not the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 is pressed, but a specific example of the mounting sensor 107 is limited to this. Alternatively, an optical sensor or the like may be used.

[Rod 114]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rod 114 protrudes in the removal direction 55 from the back surface of the case 101 above the ink needle 102 in the vertical direction. The rod 114 is disposed at a position where the rod 114 can face the atmosphere communication portion 70 of the ink cartridge 30 on the back surface of the case 101. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting section 110, the rod 114 that has entered the atmosphere communication section 70 causes the atmosphere communication chamber 71, the capillary tube 80, the ink supply chamber 61, and the ink chamber 36 to communicate with the atmosphere. .

[Ink cartridge 30]
As shown in FIG. 3, the ink cartridge 30 includes a frame 31 that defines an ink chamber 36, an ink supply unit 60, and an air communication unit 70. The ink cartridge 30 supplies ink stored in the ink chamber 36 to the outside through the ink supply unit 60. The ink cartridge 30 is in the standing state shown in FIG. 3, that is, the bottom surface is the bottom surface and the top surface is the top surface. It is inserted / removed along an example of the attaching / detaching direction. In the present embodiment, the insertion and removal direction 50 is a horizontal direction. Further, the width direction 51 and the depth direction 53 of the ink cartridge 30 in the standing state are also horizontal directions. Further, the height direction 52 of the ink cartridge 30 in the standing state is the gravity direction (vertical direction). The removal direction 55 and the insertion direction 56 are directions along the insertion and extraction directions 50, and are opposite to each other. Also, the insertion and removal direction 50 coincides with the depth direction 53.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the frame 31 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, is thin in the width direction (left-right direction) 51, and has dimensions of a height direction (up-down direction) 52 and a depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. Is a flat shape larger than the dimension in the width direction 51. As shown in FIG. 3B, the frame 31 has at least a portion when viewed in plan from the height direction 52 and a front wall 40 and a rear wall 41 that overlap at least partially when viewed from the depth direction 53. The upper wall 39 and the lower wall 42 that overlap each other, and the right wall 38 arranged on one side in the width direction 51 (in the example of FIG. 3B, the right side when the frame 31 is viewed from the front wall 40 side). It consists of and. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the front wall 40 is on the front side (in other words, facing the insertion direction 56), and is on the rear side (in other words, the removal direction 55). The rear wall 41 is directed to the rear wall 41.

  The upper wall 39 connects the upper ends of the right wall 38, the front wall 40, and the rear wall 41. The lower wall 42 connects lower ends of the right wall 38, the front wall 40, and the rear wall 41. The right wall 38 connects the right ends of the upper wall 39, the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, and the lower wall 42. On the other hand, the other side of the frame 31 in the width direction 51 (in the example of FIG. 3B, the left side when the frame 31 is viewed in plan from the front wall 40 side) is open. Each of the walls transmits light output from the light emitting unit 104 of the sensor 103.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the frame 31 has an open left side surface in the width direction 51. The opened surface of the frame 31 is sealed with the film 44. The outer shape of the film 44 substantially coincides with the outer shape of the frame 31 when viewed in plan from the width direction 51. The film 44 is disposed on the other side (left side) in the width direction 51 of the frame 31 and constitutes the left wall 37 of the ink chamber 36 in the width direction 51. The film 44 is thermally welded to the left end surfaces of the upper wall 39, the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, and the lower wall 42. As a result, ink can be stored in the ink chamber 36 defined by the right wall 38, the upper wall 39, the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the lower wall 42, and the film 44. The film 44 transmits light output from the light emitting unit 104 of the sensor 103. Moreover, the film 44 may be covered with a cover (not shown) from the outside. The cover transmits light output from the light emitting unit 104 of the sensor 103.

[Ink chamber 36]
Ink is stored in the ink chamber 36. The ink chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 before being mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 is maintained at a negative pressure. The ink chamber 36 is communicated with the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication unit 70 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. Ink in the ink chamber 36 flows out of the ink cartridge 30 through the ink supply unit 60 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110.

[Ink supply unit 60]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the ink supply unit 60 is provided near the boundary between the inner surface of the front wall 40 and the inner surface of the lower wall 42. That is, the ink supply unit 60 is provided in the lower part of the standing ink cartridge 30. The ink supply unit 60 includes an ink supply chamber 61 (an example of a liquid supply chamber), an opening 62 that allows the ink supply chamber 61 to communicate with the outside of the ink cartridge 30, and an opening 63 that allows the ink supply chamber 61 to communicate with the ink chamber 36. Have The ink supply chamber 61 of the ink cartridge 30 before being mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110 is maintained at a negative pressure (for example, the same pressure as the ink chamber 36). The opening 62 penetrates the front wall 40 that defines the front end of the ink supply chamber 61 (an example of one end in the insertion and extraction direction 50) in the thickness direction. On the other hand, the opening 63 penetrates the wall that defines the rear end of the ink supply chamber 61 (an example of the other end in the insertion and extraction direction 50) in the thickness direction. Further, the wall surface defining the upper end of the opening 63 has a rear side (i.e.,
Inclined upward toward the ink chamber 36 side.

  The opening 62 is closed by a closing member 64 (see FIG. 5). For example, the closing member 64 is provided with a slit (not shown) through which the ink needle 102 can enter. This slit is closed before the ink needle 102 enters. Further, when the slit is expanded by the entry of the ink needle 102, the slit closely adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the ink needle 102. Further, the slit is closed again by its own elasticity when the ink needle 102 is pulled out.

[Atmospheric communication part 70]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the atmosphere communication portion 70 is provided near the boundary between the inner surface of the front wall 40 and the inner surface of the upper wall 39. In other words, the atmosphere communication unit 70 is provided on the upper part of the standing ink cartridge 30. The atmosphere communication unit 70 includes an atmosphere communication chamber 71, an opening 72 that allows the atmosphere communication chamber 71 to communicate with the outside of the ink cartridge 30, and an opening 73 that allows the atmosphere communication chamber 71 to communicate with the ink chamber 36. The atmosphere communication chamber 71 of the ink cartridge 30 before being mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110 is maintained at a negative pressure (for example, the same pressure as the ink chamber 36). The opening 72 penetrates the front wall 40 that defines the front end of the atmospheric communication chamber 71 (an example of one end in the insertion and extraction direction 50) in the thickness direction. On the other hand, the opening 73 penetrates the wall that defines the rear end (an example of the other end in the insertion and extraction direction 50) of the atmosphere communication chamber 71 in the thickness direction.

  The opening 72 is closed by a closing member 74 (see FIG. 5). The closing member 74 is provided with a slit (not shown) through which the rod 114 can enter, for example. This slit is closed before the rod 114 enters. In addition, when the slit is expanded by the entry of the rod 114, a gap is generated between the slit 114 and the outer peripheral surface of the rod 114. Further, the slit is closed again by its own elasticity when the rod 114 is pulled out. Further, the opening 73 is closed by a closing member 75 (see FIG. 5). The blocking member 75 is a thin film that is pierced by the tip of the rod 114 that has entered the atmosphere communication chamber 71.

[Capillary tube 80]
A capillary tube 80 is provided inside the ink cartridge 30. The capillary 80 has a lower end (an example of a first end) communicated with the ink supply chamber 61 between the openings 62 and 63, and an upper end (an example of the second end) communicated with the atmosphere communication chamber 71 between the openings 72 and 73. Has been. That is, the capillary 80 in the present embodiment extends in the vertical direction (that is, the height direction 52), and the second end is located above the first end. Before the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 110, the inside of the capillary tube 80 is maintained at a negative pressure (for example, the same pressure as the ink chamber 36), and the ink in the ink chamber 36 is passed through the ink supply chamber 61. It flows into the capillary tube 80. The lower end of the capillary tube 80 is flush with the wall surface (that is, the top wall surface) that defines the upper end of the ink supply chamber 61.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, the capillary 80 in the present embodiment is configured by bundling a plurality of capillaries 81 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 to 8). The cross-sectional area of the capillary tube 81 in a plane including the width direction 51 and the depth direction 53 is set small enough to allow the ink in the ink chamber 36 to move from the lower end side to the upper end side of the capillary tube 80 by capillary action. Moreover, the cross-sectional shape of the capillary tube 80 in a plane including the width direction 51 and the depth direction 53 is an ellipse shape by devising the arrangement of the capillaries 81. More specifically, the cross-sectional area of the capillary 80 perpendicular to the width direction 51 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the capillary 80 perpendicular to the depth direction 53.

In addition, a semipermeable membrane 82 that blocks the flow of ink and allows the flow of gas is provided at the upper end of the capillary tube 80. The semipermeable membrane 82 is a porous membrane having minute pores, and includes, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer. It consists of fluororesins, such as a polymer and a tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer.

[Control unit 130]
The printer 10 further includes a control unit 130. As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, an EEPROM 134, and an ASIC 135, which are connected by an internal bus 137. The ROM 132 stores a program for the CPU 131 to control various operations. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data and signals used when the CPU 131 executes the program, or as a work area for data processing. The EEPROM 134 stores settings, flags, and the like that should be retained even after the power is turned off. Note that the CPU 131, the ROM 132, the RAM 133, the EEPROM 134, and the ASIC 135 may be partially or entirely configured by one IC chip or may be configured by being divided into a plurality of IC chips.

  The controller 130 rotates the paper feed roller 23, the transport roller pair 25, and the discharge roller pair 27 by driving a motor (not shown). Further, the control unit 130 controls the recording head 21 to cause the nozzles 29 to eject ink. Specifically, the control unit 130 outputs a control signal indicating the magnitude of the drive voltage applied to the piezo element 29A to the head control board 21A. The head control board 21A applies a drive voltage having a magnitude indicated by the control signal acquired from the control unit 130 to a piezo element 29A (an example of an actuator) provided in each nozzle 29, whereby ink is applied to the nozzle 29. To discharge. Further, the control unit 130 causes the display unit 109 to display information about the printer 10 and the ink cartridge 30 and various messages.

  Further, the control unit 130 outputs a detection signal output from the sensor 103, a detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107, a signal output from the temperature sensor 106 (an example of a temperature detection unit), and an output from the cover sensor 108. And get the signal. The temperature sensor 106 outputs a signal corresponding to the temperature. The temperature measurement position by the temperature sensor 106 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, the inside of the cartridge mounting unit 110 or the surface of the printer 10. The cover sensor 108 outputs different signals when the cover that opens and closes with respect to the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting unit 110 is open and when the cover is closed.

[Operation of Control Unit 130]
The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 110 after the cover that opens and closes the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting unit 110 is opened. First, as shown in FIG. 5, the openings 62, 72, and 73 of the ink cartridge 30 before being inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 110 and reaching the rod 114 are closed by the closing members 64, 74, and 75. On the other hand, since the opening 63 is not closed, the ink enters the capillary tube 80 through the ink supply chamber 61. Further, in this state, the sensor 103 outputs a high level signal to the control unit 130, and the mounting sensor 107 outputs a low level signal to the control unit 130.

Next, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, as shown in FIG. 6, the rod 114 enters the atmosphere communication chamber 71 through the slit of the closing member 74, and the atmosphere communication chamber 71. To communicate with the atmosphere. That is, the upper end of the capillary tube 80 communicates with the atmosphere prior to the ink chamber 36. As a result, the ink in the capillary tube 80 is returned to the ink chamber 36 through the ink supply chamber 61 due to the internal pressure difference between the ink chamber 36 and the atmosphere communication chamber 71. As a result, the liquid level of the ink in the capillary tube 80 is lowered below the detection position. On the other hand, at this time, the ink needle 102 and the closing member 64 are separated from each other.

  If the difference between the internal pressure of the ink chamber 36 and the atmospheric pressure is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the ink level drops to the lower end of the capillary 80. When the difference between the internal pressure of the ink chamber 36 and the atmospheric pressure is large, the air that has entered the inside of the cartridge 30 through the atmosphere communication unit 70 reaches the ink supply chamber 61 through the capillary 80. However, the air reaching the ink supply chamber 61 rises to the upper portion of the ink chamber 36 as a bubble through the top wall surface of the ink supply chamber 61 and the upper end of the inclined opening 63. Thereby, even if the amount of ink entering the capillary tube 80 varies by the cartridge 30, the internal pressure of the ink chamber 36 is set to a predetermined value or less with respect to the atmospheric pressure in the environment where the printer 10 can be used. Thus, when the atmosphere communication chamber 71 communicates with the atmosphere, the ink level can be lowered to the lower end of the capillary tube 80.

  Next, when the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed, the rod 114 breaks through the closing member 75 and connects the ink chamber 36 to the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication chamber 71 as shown in FIG. That is, the rod 114 communicates each chamber with the atmosphere in the order of the atmosphere communication chamber 71, the capillary tube 80, the ink supply chamber 61, and the ink chamber 36. Further, the ink needle 102 enters the ink supply chamber 61 through the slit of the closing member 64. As a result, the ink in the ink chamber 36 flows out of the ink cartridge 30 through the ink supply chamber 61 and the ink needle 102, and moves upward in the capillary 80 through the ink supply chamber 61. Further, the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 presses the mounting sensor 107. As a result, the mounting sensor 107 outputs a high level signal to the control unit 130.

  On the other hand, immediately after the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed, the liquid level of the ink that has flowed into the capillary tube 80 is still at the position facing the sensor 103 (that is, the detection position), as shown in FIG. ) Not reached. Therefore, the sensor 103 in the state of FIG. 7 outputs a high level signal to the control unit 130. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the sensor 103 outputs a low level signal to the control unit 130 on condition that the liquid level of the ink flowing into the capillary 80 has reached the detection position. That is, the sensor 103 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the presence or absence of liquid at the detection position.

  A user who determines that the ink cartridge 30 has been installed in the cartridge mounting unit 110 closes the cover that opens and closes the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting unit 110. Even if the ink cartridge 30 is not completely attached to the cartridge attachment unit 110, the closed cover comes into contact with the ink cartridge 30 and moves the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 56. Thereby, the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed.

  On the condition that the control unit 130 acquires a signal indicating that the cover that opens and closes with respect to the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting unit 110 is open from the cover sensor 108 and acquires a low level signal from the mounting sensor 107. The process shown in FIG. 9 is started. That is, the process shown in FIG. 9 is executed at the timing when the cover of the cartridge mounting unit 110 is opened and the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting unit 110. If the ink cartridge 30 is not attached to the cartridge attachment unit 110 before the cover of the cartridge attachment unit 110 is opened, the process shown in FIG. 9 is executed at the timing when the cover is opened.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 130 detects the detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107 from a low level signal (indicated as “Low” in the figure) to a high level signal (indicated as “High” in the figure). .)), The measurement of the passage time is started (S2). On the other hand, when the detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107 does not switch from the low level signal to the high level signal (S1: No), the control unit 130 executes a process of step S10 described later. The case where the detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107 does not switch from the low level signal to the high level signal (S1: No) is, for example, a case where the new ink cartridge 30 is not mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. .

  Next, the control unit 130 determines whether or not an elapsed time after starting the measurement of the passage time exceeds a predetermined maximum time (S3). When the maximum time has already passed (S3: Yes), the control unit 130 executes a process of step S5 described later. When the maximum time elapses before the detection signal output from the sensor 103 is switched from the high level signal to the low level signal (S3: Yes), the ink that moves from the ink chamber 36 to the capillary tube 80 through the ink supply chamber 61 is used. This is a case where the moving speed is extremely slow (or not moving). As a cause of slowing of the ink moving speed, for example, the case where the viscosity of the ink in the ink cartridge 30 is too high can be considered.

  On the other hand, when the maximum time has not yet elapsed (S3: No), the control unit 130 determines whether or not the detection signal output from the sensor 103 is switched from the high level signal to the low level signal (S4). When it is determined that the detection signal output from the sensor 103 has not been switched (S4: No), the control unit 130 executes the process of step S3 again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the detection signal output from the sensor 103 has been switched (S4: Yes), the control unit 130 determines the passage time (S5). On the other hand, when it is determined that the maximum time has elapsed (S3: Yes), the control unit 130 sets the maximum time as the passage time. The control unit 130 that performs the process of step S5 is an example of a measurement unit.

  The passage time is from when the detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107 is switched from the low level signal to the high level (S1: Yes) until the detection signal output from the sensor 103 is switched from the high level signal to the low level signal. It took time. In other words, the passage time is the time required for the liquid level of the ink flowing into the capillary 80 through the ink supply chamber 61 after reaching the detection position after the ink chamber 36 is communicated with the atmosphere.

  Strictly speaking, the timing at which the detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107 switches from the low level signal to the high level may not be the same as the timing at which the ink chamber 36 communicates with the atmosphere. However, since the former timing and the latter timing are close in time, the latter timing can be simulated by the former timing. Therefore, the control unit 130 obtains the time from acquiring the high level signal (an example of the first detection signal) from the mounting sensor 107 until acquiring the low level signal (an example of the second detection signal) from the sensor 103. Measured as transit time. The passage time is an example of a physical quantity that can specify the speed of the ink moving in the capillary tube 80.

  Next, the control unit 130 resets the abnormality flag (that is, sets “OFF”) (S6). The abnormality flag is set to “ON” when the passage time is not within the threshold range (S8: No) as a result of the passage time determination (S8) described later. That is, the abnormality flag is a value set for each ink cartridge 30. The control unit 130 stores the abnormality flag in the EEPROM 134.

Next, the control unit 130 determines a threshold range based on the signal output from the temperature sensor 106 (S7). The threshold range is compared with the passage time measured in step S5 in order to estimate the viscosity of the ink stored in the ink chamber 36. Then, the control unit 130 decreases at least one of the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the threshold range as the temperature specified by the signal output from the temperature sensor 106 is higher. In other words, the control unit 130 increases at least one of the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the threshold range as the temperature specified by the signal output from the temperature sensor 106 is lower. The control unit 130 that executes the process of step S7 is an example of a determination unit.

  Next, the control unit 130 determines whether or not the passing time measured in step S5 is included in the threshold range determined in step S7 (S8). If the passage time falls below the lower limit of the threshold range, it is estimated that the viscosity of the ink is too low. On the other hand, when the passage time exceeds the upper limit value of the threshold range, it is estimated that the viscosity of the ink is too high. Then, the control unit 130 sets “ON” in the abnormality flag (S9) on condition that the passing time is out of the threshold range (S8: No). On the other hand, the control unit 130 skips the process of step S9 on condition that the passage time is included in the threshold range (S8: Yes). The control unit 130 that performs the process of step S8 is an example of a determination unit.

  Next, the control unit 130 determines whether a signal indicating that the cover that opens and closes the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting unit 110 is closed is output from the cover sensor 108 (S10). When it is determined that the cover is open (S10: No), the control unit 130 executes the processes after step S1 again. On the other hand, if it is determined that the cover is closed (S10: Yes), the control unit 130 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since it was determined in step S10 that the cover was closed (S11). .

  When it is determined that the predetermined time has already passed (S11: Yes), the control unit 130 ends the process of FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not yet elapsed (S11: No), the control unit 130 executes the processes after step S1 again. In addition, when it is determined that the cover is open in the process of repeating the processes after step S1 (S10: No), the control unit 130 determines the time started when it is determined that the cover is closed (S10: Yes). End measurement.

  After the process shown in FIG. 9 is completed, the control unit 130 is provided on the condition that a signal indicating that the cover that opens and closes the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting unit 110 is closed is output from the cover sensor 108. The processing shown in FIG. 10 is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals.

  First, the control unit 130 determines whether or not the detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107 is a high level signal (S21). When the detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107 is a low level signal (S21: No), the control unit 130 notifies that the ink cartridge 30 is not mounted (S25), and ends the process of FIG. . Although the specific method of alerting | reporting is not specifically limited, For example, a message may be displayed on the display part 109 mounted in the printer 10, and a guide audio | voice may be output from a speaker (not shown).

  On the other hand, when the detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107 is a high level signal (S21: Yes), the control unit 130 determines whether “ON” is set in the abnormality flag (S22). When “ON” is set in the abnormality flag (S22: Yes), the control unit 130 notifies information about the ink cartridge 30 (S26), and ends the process of FIG. Although the specific content of the notification is not particularly limited, for example, it may be notified that the ink in the ink chamber 36 has deteriorated or the replacement of the ink cartridge 30 is recommended. A specific method of notification may be the same as the method of step S25. The control unit 130 that executes the process of step S26 is an example of a notification unit.

  On the other hand, when “OFF” is set in the abnormality flag (S22: No), the control unit 130 determines whether an image recording instruction has been acquired (S23). When the image recording instruction has not been acquired (S23: No), the control unit 130 ends the process of FIG. On the other hand, when an image recording instruction is acquired (S23: Yes), the control unit 130 directly and indirectly controls the recording head 21, paper feed roller 23, transport roller pair 25, discharge roller pair 27, and the like. An image is recorded on the recording paper (S24), and the processing of FIG. Note that the process of step S24 may end as one process until the time when the image recording process for one recording sheet ends, or until the time when the image recording process corresponding to all the acquired image data ends. May be terminated as one process.

  As described above, the control unit 130 does not perform the image recording process of step S24 when “ON” is set in the abnormality flag (S22: Yes). That is, the control unit 130 skips step S24. That is, the control unit 130 does not cause the recording head 21 to eject ink. The control unit 130 that skips the process of step S24 is an example of a restricting unit.

  According to the process shown in FIG. 9, the ink cartridge 30 in which a sufficient amount of ink still remains in the ink chamber 36 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 for some reason, and is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 again. Even so, “ON” is set in the abnormality flag. If the process of FIG. 10 is executed in this state, step S24 is skipped and the image recording process is not performed. This is because even if the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 again, the ink no longer moves from the ink chamber 36 to the capillary tube 80.

  Therefore, the control unit 130 may perform a process of notifying a message for confirming whether or not the user has replaced the ink cartridge 30 in the process shown in FIG. A specific method of notification may be the same as the method of step S25. In addition, the control unit 130 waits for an input indicating that the ink cartridge 30 has been replaced or not replaced from an input unit (not shown) of the printer 10 by the user. Then, the control unit 130 may perform the process of step S24 without performing the process of step S26 on condition that an input indicating that the ink cartridge 30 has not been replaced has been made. The control flow of the control unit 130 at that time is different from that shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, but the detailed description thereof is omitted.

[Effects of Embodiment]
The speed of the ink moving in the capillary tube 80 greatly varies depending on the viscosity of the ink. Therefore, as in the above-described embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 by measuring the physical quantity (that is, the passage time) that can specify the speed of the ink that has actually moved in the capillary 80. The viscosity of the ink in the ink chamber 36 at the time can be estimated. Thereby, for example, the degree of deterioration of the ink in the ink cartridge 30 that has been left unattended for a long time without being attached to the cartridge attachment unit 110 is estimated, or a plurality of types of ink cartridges 30 in which inks of different viscosities are stored are stored. Can be mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110, the type of the mounted ink cartridge 30 can be specified.

In addition, when the ink movement from the ink chamber 36 to the capillary tube 80 is caused only by the water head difference between the ink in the ink chamber 36 and the ink in the capillary tube 80, the ink movement is performed in the ink chamber 36. When the liquid level of the ink and the liquid level of the ink in the capillary 80 become the same height, the process is terminated. However, in the above embodiment, ink moves in the capillary tube 80 by capillary action in addition to the water head difference. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the ink in the capillary tube 80 can reach a position higher than the liquid level of the ink in the ink chamber 36. That is, the sensor 103 can be provided at a position higher than the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink chamber 36. As a result, even if ink leaks out of the ink cartridge 30, it is possible to prevent the sensor 103 from being contaminated by the ink.

  The direction in which the capillary tube 80 extends may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and the second end may be located below the first end. In this case, the liquid moves in the capillary tube due to capillary action and gravity. As a result, the arrangement position of the sensor 103 is not limited to a predetermined position, and the degree of freedom in designing the cartridge mounting unit 110 is improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the inside of the ink cartridge 30 before being mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 is set to a negative pressure, and the atmosphere communication chamber 71 is communicated with the atmosphere prior to the ink chamber 36. As a result, the ink in the capillary tube 80 is drawn into the ink chamber 36 at the timing when the atmosphere communication chamber 71 is communicated with the atmosphere, the ink level in the capillary tube 80 is lowered below the detection position, and reaches the lower end of the capillary tube 80. . Then, the ink in the ink chamber 36 flows into the capillary tube 80 again at the timing when the ink chamber 36 is communicated with the atmosphere, and reaches the detection position. Since the ink chamber 36 and the capillary tube 80 are always communicated with each other through the ink supply chamber 61, there is a possibility that the ink has already entered the capillary tube 80 before the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. However, since the ink level can be lowered to the lower end of the capillary tube 80 before the ink chamber 36 communicates with the atmosphere, the position of the ink level at the start of the passage time measurement is constant regardless of the ink cartridge 30. And can.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the measurement of the passage time is started at the timing when the ink cartridge 30 is completely mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 (in other words, the high level signal is output from the mounting sensor 107). explained. As described above, by using the existing mounting sensor 107, it is possible to realize the process for estimating the viscosity of the ink without greatly changing the configuration of the ink supply apparatus 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be any timing that can be recognized by the control unit 130.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the cartridge mounting unit 110 includes a first sensor 121 and a second sensor 122 at positions facing the capillaries 80 of the mounted ink cartridge 30 and spaced apart in the height direction 52. You may have. Note that the configuration of the first sensor 121 and the second sensor 122 may be the same as that of the sensor 103. Then, the control unit 130 may measure the time from when the ink in the capillary 80 reaches the detection position of the first sensor 121 until it reaches the detection position of the second sensor 122 as the passage time. That is, according to this example, the measurement of the passing time is started after the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting unit 110 is completed. Alternatively, the measurement of the passage time may be started immediately before the ink cartridge 30 is completely attached to the cartridge attachment unit 110.

  In the capillary 80 in the above embodiment, the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the width direction 51 is larger than the cross-sectional area perpendicular to the depth direction 53. In other words, the capillary 80 has a wide shape in a direction orthogonal to the optical path between the light emitting unit 104 and the light receiving unit 105. As a result, the light output from the light emitting unit 104 can be more reliably shielded by the capillary tube 80 where the ink has reached the detection position. However, the specific configuration of the capillary 80 is not limited to this. Another example of the ink cartridge 30 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that a detailed description of the points in common with the above embodiment will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

The opening 63 of the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 11 is closed by a closing member 65. The closing member 65 is a thin film that is pierced by the tip of the ink needle 102 that has entered the ink supply chamber 61. Further, the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 11 is replaced with a capillary tube 80, a storage tube 92 provided in the middle of the capillary tube 91 in the height direction 52, and a swelling member 93 stored in the storage chamber 92. A capillary tube 90 is provided.

  The narrow tube 91 has a lower end communicating with the ink supply chamber 61 between the openings 62 and 63, and an upper end communicating with the atmosphere communication chamber 71 between the openings 72 and 73. The cross-sectional area of the capillary tube 91 in a plane including the width direction 51 and the depth direction 53 is set to be small enough to allow the ink in the ink chamber 36 to move from the lower end side to the upper end side of the capillary tube 91 by capillary action. A semipermeable membrane 94 is provided on the upper end of the thin tube 91. The cross-sectional area of the storage chamber 92 in a plane including the width direction 51 and the depth direction 53 is larger than the narrow tube 91. In other words, the cross-sectional area of the storage chamber 92 orthogonal to the width direction 51 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the narrow tube 91 orthogonal to the width direction 51. The swelling member 93 is a member that absorbs ink and expands, and is, for example, a nonwoven fabric.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, in the ink cartridge 30 before the completion of the mounting in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the communication between the ink chamber 36 and the ink supply chamber 61 is blocked by the closing member 65. There is no ink in the capillary tube 90. That is, the swelling member 93 in this state is contracted. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11B, in the ink cartridge 30 that has been installed in the cartridge mounting unit 110, the ink in the ink chamber 36 passes outside the ink cartridge 30 through the ink needle 102 that has broken through the blocking member 65. And flows upward in the capillary tube 90 through the ink supply chamber 61. The swelling member 93 absorbs the ink flowing into the storage chamber 92 through the narrow tube 91 and expands.

  Also, the sensor 103 shown in FIG. 11 is provided at a position facing the storage chamber 92 of the ink cartridge 30 that has been mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110. More specifically, the sensor 103 is disposed at a position that does not face the contracted swelling member 93 and faces the expanded swelling member 93. Therefore, the control unit 130 acquires the high level signal from the mounting sensor 107 and then acquires the low level signal from the sensor 103 (that is, until the swelling member 93 that has expanded by absorbing ink reaches the detection position). ) May be measured as the transit time. In the example of FIG. 11, the ink chamber 36 and the capillary tube 80 of the ink cartridge 30 before being mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 do not necessarily have to be in a negative pressure state.

  In addition, the lower ends of the capillaries 80 and 90 in the above embodiment communicate with the ink supply chamber 61. That is, the flow path for allowing the ink in the ink chamber 36 to flow out of the ink cartridge 30 and the flow path for flowing into the capillaries 80 and 90 are made common. Similarly, the upper ends of the capillaries 80 and 90 in the above embodiment communicate with the atmosphere communication chamber 71. In other words, the flow path that communicates the ink chamber 36 with the atmosphere and the flow path that communicates the capillaries 80 and 90 with the atmosphere are shared. By adopting such a configuration, the structure of the ink cartridge 30 can be simplified, and the size of the ink cartridge 30 can be reduced. However, the capillaries 80 and 90 may communicate with the ink chamber 36 through a path different from the ink supply chamber 61 and may communicate with the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through a path different from the atmosphere communication chamber 71.

  Further, the specific configuration of the closing members 64, 65, 74, 75 is not limited to the above example. The closing members 64, 65, 74, and 75 may be valve mechanisms that move inside the ink supply chamber 61 or the atmosphere communication chamber 71 by being pressed by the ink needle 102 or the rod 114, for example. Further, the closing of the openings 62 and 72 by the closing members 64 and 74 is not limited to being released by the ink needle 102 or the rod 114. For example, the closing members 64 and 74 are seals attached to the outer surface of the front wall 40 and may be peeled off by the user before the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  In the above embodiment, the operation of the recording head 21 is restricted on the condition that the passing time is out of the threshold range (S8: No), that is, step S24 is skipped. Thereby, troubles of the recording head 21 due to ejection of ink whose viscosity has greatly changed can be prevented. However, the process of skipping step S24 is not essential. That is, the control unit 130 may execute only the process of notifying the abnormality of the ink viscosity (S26), and it may be left to the user to determine whether or not to operate the recording head 21. The control flow of the control unit 130 at that time is different from that shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, but the detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Alternatively, when the control unit 130 determines that “ON” is set in the abnormality flag (S22: Yes), in the image recording process in step S24, the process in steps S23 and S24 is not skipped. The head control board 21A may be controlled so that the magnitude of the drive voltage applied to the piezoelectric element of the nozzle 29 is adjusted. The control unit 130 that performs this processing is an example of a drive control unit.

  Specifically, the control unit 130 causes the piezo so that the amount of ink ejected from the nozzles 29 is substantially the same when the passage time is included in the threshold range and when the passage time is out of the threshold range. The control signal output to the head control board 21A may be changed so as to adjust the magnitude of the drive voltage to be applied to the element 29A. That is, when the passage time is lower than the lower limit value of the threshold range (that is, the viscosity of the ink is too low), the control unit 130 decreases the drive voltage applied to the piezo element 29A as compared with the case where the passage time is within the threshold range. That's fine. On the other hand, when the passage time exceeds the upper limit value of the threshold range (that is, the ink viscosity is too high), the control unit 130 increases the drive voltage applied to the piezo element 29A as compared with the case where the passage time is within the threshold range. That's fine.

  According to the above configuration, when a plurality of types of ink cartridges 30 storing different viscosity inks can be mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110, the piezo element 29A is driven with an appropriate driving voltage according to the type of ink. be able to. In the above-described embodiment, the piezo element 29A is used as an example of the actuator. However, a specific example of the actuator is not limited to this, and for example, bubbles are generated in the ink by heat to generate ink from the nozzles 29. It may be a thermal actuator that discharges water.

  In addition, in the image recording process (S24), in addition to controlling the head control board 21A so that the magnitude of the drive voltage applied to the piezo element 29A of each nozzle 29 is adjusted, the control unit 130 includes a recording head. The purge process for forcibly discharging the ink from 21 may be controlled. For example, when the control unit 130 determines that “ON” is set in the abnormality flag (S22: Yes), the control unit 130 determines that “OFF” is set in the abnormality flag (S22: Yes). The ink may be allowed to flow out at a pressure stronger than No). For example, when the ink is forced to flow out of the recording head 21 with the suction pump, the control unit 130 may control the pump so that the ink is sucked with a stronger suction pressure. Thereby, even when the viscosity of the ink is high, bubbles inside the recording head 21 and solidified ink can be more reliably discharged by the purge process, and ink can be reliably introduced from the ink tube 20 to the recording head 21.

Further, the viscosity of the ink changes under the influence of the ambient temperature. Specifically, the higher the temperature, the lower the viscosity, and the lower the temperature, the higher the viscosity. Therefore, in the above embodiment, the viscosity of the ink can be estimated more accurately by using an appropriate threshold range according to the temperature. The method for determining the threshold range is not particularly limited, but a threshold range corresponding to the temperature may be selected from a plurality of threshold ranges stored in advance in the ROM 132 or the like, and the threshold value may be determined using a function using the temperature as an input parameter. An upper limit value or a lower limit value of the range may be calculated. A fixed threshold range may be used.

  Further, although the control unit 130 in the above embodiment stores the abnormality flag in the EEPROM 134, it may be stored in a memory in an IC chip mounted on the ink cartridge 30. Moreover, although the control part 130 in said embodiment was provided with CPU131 and ASIC135, the structure of the control part 130 is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 130 does not include the ASIC 135, and all of the processes illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 may be executed by the CPU 131 reading a program from the ROM 132. Conversely, the control unit 130 may not include the CPU 131 and may be configured only by hardware such as the ASIC 135 or the FPGA. The control unit 130 may include a plurality of CPUs 131, a plurality of ASICs 135, and the like.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the ink is described as an example of the liquid, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, instead of ink, a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto a recording sheet prior to ink during printing may be liquid.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the ink cartridge 30 is manually inserted and mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110 by the user has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printer 10 may include an automatic mounting mechanism that completes mounting of the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting unit 110. This automatic mounting mechanism completes mounting of the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting unit 110 when the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 to a predetermined position of the cartridge mounting unit 110. Thereby, for example, due to insufficient insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting unit 110, that is, due to the completion of mounting of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting unit 110, etc. Thus, it is possible to suppress a situation in which the movement of the ink liquid level cannot be detected by the sensor 103 even though the ink flows into the capillary tube 80.

  The passage time is an example of a physical quantity that can specify the moving speed of the ink, and is not limited to this. For example, the movement distance by which the ink moves within the capillary tube 80 within a certain time may be measured as the physical quantity.

The present invention can also be defined as follows.
A storage chamber in which liquid is stored;
A liquid supply section for allowing liquid to flow out of the storage chamber;
An air communication part for communicating the storage chamber with the atmosphere;
A liquid container comprising: a capillary tube having a first end communicating with the storage chamber and a second end communicating with the atmosphere, and capable of moving liquid from the first end side to the second end side by capillary action. .
The present invention can be further defined as follows.
A liquid container as described above,
The air communication part is
An atmospheric communication chamber having one end opened to the outside of the liquid container and the other end communicated with the storage chamber;
A first closing member that closes the atmosphere communication chamber;
A second closing member that closes the atmosphere communication chamber on the storage chamber side from the first closing member,
The liquid container in which the second end of the capillary is communicated with the atmosphere communication chamber between the first closing member and the second closing member.
The present invention can be further defined as follows.
A liquid container as described above,
The liquid supply unit is
A liquid supply chamber having one end opened to the outside of the liquid container and the other end communicated with the storage chamber;
A first closing member for closing the liquid supply chamber;
A second closing member that closes the liquid supply chamber on the storage chamber side from the first closing member,
The liquid container in which the first end of the capillary is communicated with the liquid supply chamber between the first closing member and the second closing member.
The present invention can be further defined as follows.
A liquid container as described above,
A liquid container in which a cross-sectional shape of the capillary tube in a horizontal plane has a first dimension along a first direction and a second dimension along a second direction, and the first dimension is larger than the second dimension.
The present invention can be further defined as follows.
It is said liquid container, Comprising: The liquid container whose cross-sectional shape in the horizontal surface of the said capillary is elliptical shape.
The present invention can be further defined as follows.
A liquid container as described above,
A liquid container in which the capillary is provided with a swelling member that absorbs and expands the liquid passing through the capillary.
The present invention can be further defined as follows.
A liquid container as described above,
The second end is a liquid container positioned above the first end.
The present invention can be further defined as follows.
A liquid container as described above,
A liquid container in which a semipermeable membrane that blocks the flow of liquid and allows the flow of gas is disposed on the second end side from the detection position of the capillary.
According to the above configuration, the liquid in the storage chamber can move from the first end side to the second end side of the capillary tube by capillary action. The moving speed of the liquid greatly varies depending on the viscosity of the liquid. Therefore, by measuring a physical quantity that can specify the moving speed of the liquid, the viscosity of the liquid in the storage chamber can be estimated more directly.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer 21 ... Recording head 29A ... Piezo element 30 ... Ink cartridge 36 ... Ink chamber 60 ... Ink supply part 61 ... Ink supply chamber 62, 63, 72, 73 ... Opening 64, 65, 74, 75 ... Blocking member 70 ... Atmospheric communication portion 71 ... Atmospheric communication chamber 80, 90 ... Capillary tubes 82, 94 ... Semipermeable membrane 93 ... Swelling member 102 ... ink needle 103, 121, 122 ... sensor 104 ... light emitting unit 105 ... light receiving unit 106 ... temperature sensor 107 ... mounting sensor 110 ... cartridge mounting unit 114 ..Rod 130 ... Control unit

Claims (15)

A storage chamber in which liquid is stored, a liquid supply unit that allows liquid to flow out of the storage chamber, an atmosphere communication unit that allows the storage chamber to communicate with the atmosphere, and a first end that can communicate with the storage chamber and a second end that is the atmosphere A liquid container having a capillary that can communicate with the liquid and that can move liquid from the first end side to the second end side by capillary action;
A mounting portion on which the liquid container is detachably mounted;
A liquid consuming unit for consuming liquid that has flowed out from the liquid container mounted on the mounting unit through the liquid supply unit;
A communication mechanism for communicating the storage chamber of the liquid container mounted on the mounting unit with the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication unit;
A detection unit that is provided facing the detection position in the capillary and outputs a detection signal according to the presence or absence of liquid at the detection position;
A control unit, and
The control unit
The detection signal output from the detection unit is a physical quantity that can identify the speed of the liquid moving in the capillary tube by the first end communicating with the storage chamber and the second end being opened to the atmosphere. A measuring means for measuring based on,
A liquid consuming apparatus comprising: a determination unit that determines whether the physical quantity measured by the measurement unit is included in a threshold range. The liquid consuming device is provided facing the mounting detection position on the insertion path of the liquid container in the mounting portion, and outputs a first detection signal corresponding to the presence or absence of the liquid container at the mounting detection position. Equipped with a mounting detector,
The detection unit outputs a second detection signal on condition that the liquid level of the liquid in the capillary has reached the detection position,
2. The measurement unit according to claim 1, wherein the measurement unit measures, as the physical quantity, a time from when the first detection signal is output by the mounting detection unit to when the second detection signal is output by the detection unit. Liquid consuming device. The detection unit is
A first detector provided facing the first detection position in the capillary;
A second detection unit provided facing the second detection position on the second end side from the first detection unit in the capillary tube,
The liquid consumption apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the measurement unit measures, as the physical quantity, a time from when the detection signal is output by the first detection unit to when the detection signal is output by the second detection unit. . The inside of the storage chamber of the liquid container before being attached to the attachment part is a negative pressure,
4. The liquid consuming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication mechanism further communicates the capillary tube of the liquid container attached to the attachment portion to the atmosphere prior to the storage chamber. The air communication part is
An atmosphere communication chamber in which one end of the mounting direction of the liquid container with respect to the mounting portion is opened to the outside and the other end communicated with the storage chamber;
A first closing member that closes the atmosphere communication chamber;
A second closing member that closes the atmosphere communication chamber on the storage chamber side from the first closing member,
The second end of the capillary is communicated with the atmosphere communication chamber between the first closing member and the second closing member,
The communication mechanism enters the atmosphere communication chamber through the opening in a process until the mounting of the liquid container to the mounting portion is completed, and releases the blockage by the first blocking member and the second blocking member. The liquid consuming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a rod that communicates each chamber with the atmosphere in the order of the capillary and the storage chamber. The liquid supply unit is
A liquid supply chamber in which one end in the attaching / detaching direction of the liquid container with respect to the mounting portion is open to the outside and the other end communicates with the storage chamber;
A first closing member for closing the liquid supply chamber;
A second closing member that closes the liquid supply chamber on the storage chamber side from the first closing member,
The first end of the capillary is communicated with the liquid supply chamber between the first closing member and the second closing member,
The liquid consuming device enters the liquid supply chamber through the opening in a process until the mounting of the liquid container to the mounting portion is completed, and releases the blockage by the first closing member and the second closing member. The liquid consuming device according to claim 1, further comprising a liquid extraction tube that communicates the capillary tube and the storage chamber with the outside of the liquid container. The detection unit is
A light emitting unit that outputs light that is transmitted through the partition wall of the capillary tube and is blocked by the liquid;
A light receiving portion facing the light emitting portion across the detection position in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction in which the capillary extends,
The detection signal is output on condition that the light output from the light emitting unit is not received by the light receiving unit,
The liquid consuming device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a cross-sectional area of the capillary perpendicular to the second direction is larger than a cross-sectional area of the capillary parallel to the first direction and the second direction. The detection unit is
A light emitting unit that outputs light that is transmitted through the partition wall of the capillary tube and is blocked by the liquid;
A light receiving portion facing the light emitting portion across the detection position in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction in which the capillary extends,
The detection signal is output on condition that the light output from the light emitting unit is not received by the light receiving unit,
The liquid consuming device according to claim 1, wherein the capillary is provided with a swelling member that reaches the detection position by absorbing and expanding the liquid passing through the capillary.   The liquid consuming device according to claim 1, wherein the second end is located above the first end.   The liquid consumption apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection position is provided at a position higher than a liquid level of the liquid stored in the storage chamber.   The liquid consuming device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a semipermeable membrane that blocks the flow of liquid and allows the flow of gas is disposed on the second end side from the detection position of the capillary tube. . The liquid consuming apparatus includes a temperature detection unit that outputs a signal corresponding to the temperature,
The liquid consumption apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a determination unit that determines the threshold range based on a signal output from the temperature detection unit.   The liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the control unit includes notifying means for notifying information on the liquid container on the condition that the determining means determines that the physical quantity is out of the threshold range. Consuming device.   14. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit includes a regulation unit that regulates liquid consumption by the liquid consumption unit on a condition that the determination unit determines that the physical quantity is out of the threshold range. The liquid consumption apparatus as described. The liquid container is an ink cartridge storing liquid ink.
The liquid consumption part is
A nozzle from which ink is ejected;
An actuator that causes the nozzles to eject ink when driven,
The control unit applies the ink to the actuator so that the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle is substantially the same when the physical quantity is included in the threshold range and when the physical quantity is out of the threshold range. The liquid consumption apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drive control unit that adjusts a drive voltage to be applied.

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