JP2016112695A - Liquid injection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid injection device allowing occurrence of liquid leakage in a liquid supply path from liquid storage bodies to a liquid injection head to be accurately determined.SOLUTION: A liquid injection device comprises: a liquid injection head 24 capable of injecting ink; a liquid supply path EKR supplying the ink from ink cartridges 15 storing the ink to the liquid injection head; a sub-tank 50 being provided in the liquid supply path and accumulating the ink; an accumulation amount detection section 71 detecting an accumulation amount of the ink in the sub-tank by a detection sensor; a liquid residual amount specification section 72 specifying a residual amount of the ink remaining in the ink cartridges at the time of detection of the accumulation amount of the ink by the accumulation amount detection section; and a determination section 73 determining ink leakage occurrence in the liquid supply path when the detected accumulation amount of the ink in the sub-tank is less than a predetermined accumulation amount set according to the specified residual amount of the ink in the ink cartridges.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid supply path that supplies liquid from a liquid container that contains liquid to a liquid ejecting unit.

Conventionally, as an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, liquid is ejected (discharged) from a liquid ejecting unit (liquid ejecting head) capable of ejecting liquid (ink) onto a sheet that is an example of a medium, and an image or the like is applied to the sheet. Inkjet printers that perform printing are known.

In such a printer, the liquid is supplied from the liquid container in which the liquid is stored to the liquid ejecting unit through the liquid supply path capable of flowing the liquid. Therefore, when a liquid leak (hereinafter referred to as “liquid leak”) occurs in the liquid supply path from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting unit, there is a risk that the liquid cannot be stably supplied from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting unit. There is.

Therefore, an apparatus for discriminating (confirming) liquid leakage in the liquid supply path has been proposed. For example, in the device, a sub tank (ink tank) provided with a liquid level detector is provided in the middle of the liquid supply path (ink path), and the liquid amount (ink amount) in the sub tank is in a predetermined state at the end of the printing (recording) process. It is adjusted to. Then, at the start of the next recording process, the liquid level in the sub tank is maintained in a predetermined state, and it is confirmed by the liquid level detector whether the liquid is leaking (see Patent Document 1).
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Japanese Patent No. 5548408

However, in the conventional apparatus, it is possible to discriminate liquid leakage occurring on the downstream side of the liquid supply path in the liquid flow direction with respect to the sub tank and the liquid in the liquid flow direction than the sub tank. It is difficult to determine liquid leakage that occurs on the upstream side of the supply path. This is because the liquid level of the liquid in the sub tank does not change even if liquid leakage occurs on the upstream side of the liquid supply path in the liquid flow direction from the sub tank.

In addition, when the amount of liquid that can be supplied from the liquid container (ink cartridge) connected to the upstream side of the liquid supply path into the sub tank is small, the liquid level is raised at the end of the printing (recording) process so that the liquid in the sub tank It becomes difficult to adjust the amount to a predetermined state. For this reason, it is not easy to determine the occurrence of liquid leakage in the liquid supply path. In such a case, it may be possible to newly set the state in which the liquid level is lowered in the sub-tank. However, since the number of liquid level detectors is increased, the structure of the sub-tank becomes larger, and as a result It will also lead to an increase in size.

Such a situation is generally common in a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting head capable of ejecting a liquid and a liquid supply path that supplies the liquid from the liquid container that contains the liquid to the liquid ejecting head. It has become.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to accurately determine the occurrence of liquid leakage in the liquid supply path from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting head. The object is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
A liquid ejecting apparatus that solves the above problems includes a liquid ejecting unit capable of ejecting a liquid, a liquid supply path that supplies the liquid from a liquid container that contains the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit, and the liquid supply path. A sub-tank that stores the liquid, a storage amount detection unit that detects a storage amount of the liquid in the sub-tank by a detection sensor, and the liquid storage when the storage amount of the liquid is detected by the storage amount detection unit A residual liquid amount specifying unit that specifies the remaining amount of the liquid remaining in the body, and the detected storage amount of the liquid in the sub tank according to the specified remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid container A discriminating unit that discriminates that liquid leakage has occurred in the liquid supply path when the amount is smaller than a predetermined predetermined storage amount;

According to this configuration, when the detected storage amount of the liquid in the sub-tank is smaller than the predetermined storage amount determined according to the remaining amount of liquid in the specified liquid container, liquid leakage occurs in the liquid supply path. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine the occurrence of liquid leakage between the liquid container and the liquid ejecting unit.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the sub tank includes at least a flexible portion that is displaced in accordance with a change in the storage amount of the liquid, and the storage amount detection unit is a displacement of the flexible portion of the sub tank. It is preferable to detect the storage amount of the liquid by detecting the amount by the detection sensor.

According to this configuration, since the liquid leakage is determined based on the change in the amount of liquid stored in the sub tank provided in the liquid supply path, the occurrence of the liquid leakage between the liquid container and the liquid ejecting unit is accurately determined. can do.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the detection sensor includes a contact portion that contacts the flexible portion of the sub tank with pressure.
According to this configuration, since the contact portion can follow the displacement of the flexible portion that is displaced according to the change in the amount of liquid stored in the sub tank, the detection sensor can detect the liquid in the sub tank due to liquid leakage, for example. It is possible to accurately detect a change in the amount of storage.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid container is provided so as to be replaceable, and the residual liquid amount specifying unit includes information on a discharge amount of the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting unit after the liquid container is replaced, and The remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid container using at least one of the information on whether or not the liquid container is replaced immediately before the stored amount detection unit detects the amount of liquid stored in the sub tank. Is preferably specified.

According to this configuration, since the remaining amount of the liquid stored in the liquid container is specified with high accuracy, the predetermined storage amount of the liquid in the sub tank corresponding to the specified remaining amount of liquid is also determined with high accuracy. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately determine the occurrence of liquid leakage between the liquid container and the liquid ejecting unit.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the storage amount detection unit does not supply the liquid from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting unit so that the liquid storage amount in the sub tank is smaller than the predetermined storage amount. It is preferable that the amount of storage indicating the supply end state is detected by the detection sensor.

According to this configuration, the detection sensor that detects the amount of liquid stored in the sub tank includes a sensor that detects a supply end state in which liquid is not supplied from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting unit, and the liquid container. It also serves as a sensor for determining the occurrence of liquid leakage up to the liquid ejecting unit. Therefore, since it is not necessary to provide a plurality of sensors in the apparatus, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the apparatus.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the storage amount detection unit periodically detects the storage amount of the liquid in the sub tank by the detection sensor during an ejection standby period in which the liquid is not ejected from the liquid ejecting unit.

According to this configuration, the amount of liquid stored in the sub-tank is periodically detected in a state where the remaining amount of liquid in the specified liquid container does not change, so the liquid between the liquid container and the liquid ejecting unit The occurrence of leakage can be easily determined.

The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid detection unit that detects the liquid leaking from the liquid supply path, and the determination unit detects liquid leakage in the liquid supply path when the liquid detection unit detects the liquid. It is preferable to determine that occurrence has occurred.

According to this configuration, even when the occurrence of liquid leakage cannot be determined due to, for example, a failure of the detection sensor, the occurrence of liquid leakage can be determined by the liquid detection unit that detects the liquid.
In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid detection unit, when the determination unit determines that liquid leakage has occurred in the liquid supply path based on the storage amount of the liquid detected by the storage amount detection unit, It is preferable to detect the liquid.

According to this configuration, when it is determined that a liquid leak has occurred in the liquid supply path from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting unit, the location of occurrence of the liquid leak is specified by the liquid detecting unit that has detected the liquid. Can do.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the liquid detection unit detects the liquid simultaneously with the storage amount detection unit detecting the storage amount of the liquid in the sub tank.
According to this configuration, occurrence of liquid leakage between the liquid container and the liquid ejecting unit can be determined with high accuracy.

FIG. 3 is a structural diagram schematically illustrating a printer as an example of an embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a detection structure for detecting a liquid leak in a liquid supply path provided in the printer. The structure sectional view of the receiving part which receives the liquid which leaks from the liquid supply path. (A) is a circuit block diagram containing the detection circuit with which the liquid detection part provided in the receiving part is provided, (b) is a graph which shows the output voltage output in a detection circuit. The flowchart which shows the discrimination process of the liquid leakage of the liquid supply path using a detection sensor. The flowchart which shows the discrimination process of the liquid leakage of the liquid supply path using a liquid detection part. The flowchart which shows the discrimination process of another liquid leak of the liquid supply path using a liquid detection part.

Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus, a liquid ejecting unit that ejects (discharges) ink, which is an example of liquid, is provided, and includes characters, graphics, and the like by ejecting (discharging) ink onto a sheet, which is an example of a medium. An ink jet printer for printing an image will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, in a printer 11 as an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, a sheet P, which is an example of a medium, is supported along a longitudinal direction X in a frame 12 having a substantially rectangular box shape during printing. The support member 13 is extended. The sheet P is supported on the upper surface of the support member 13 opposite to the gravity direction Z side by a paper feed mechanism (not shown) that operates based on driving of a drive source such as a motor provided on the frame 12. One direction in the short direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction X is set as the transport direction Y and transported.

The cartridge holder 14 disposed on one end side in the longitudinal direction X of the frame 12 has an ink cartridge 1 as an example of a liquid container that stores ink as an example of liquid.
A plurality (5 in this case) 5 are detachably mounted. A pressurizing pump 1 that pressurizes and supplies air to each mounted ink cartridge 15 through an air supply tube 16.
7 is provided. In the present embodiment, each of the four ink cartridges 15 contains an ink pack 15a (see FIG. 2) containing different colors of ink and is attached to the cartridge holder 14, and each ink cartridge 15 is The cartridge holder 14 is provided so as to be exchangeable by attaching and detaching.

A guide shaft 19 extending along the longitudinal direction X is installed in the frame 12, and a carriage 20 is slidably supported on the guide shaft 19. The carriage 20 is connected via a timing belt 21 to a carriage motor 22 provided on the upstream side in the transport direction Y of the frame 12. The carriage 20 can be reciprocated along the guide shaft 19 by driving a carriage motor 22 serving as a drive source.

The carriage 20 includes a liquid ejecting head 24 as a liquid ejecting section provided with a plurality of nozzles (not shown) for ejecting ink on the lower surface side which is the gravity direction Z side, and each ink cartridge 1.
5 and a plurality of corresponding valve units 25 are mounted. The ink contained in the ink pack 15a in the ink cartridge 15 is pushed out by the air pressurized and supplied by the pressurizing pump 17, flows in the liquid supply path EKR provided in the printer 11, and the ink cartridge. 15 is supplied to the valve unit 25. Further, the ink supplied to the valve unit 25 flows through a flow path (not shown) provided in the carriage 20 and is supplied to the liquid ejecting head 24.

The liquid supply path EKR includes a first supply tube 26, a check valve 18, a second supply tube 27, a sub tank 50, and a third supply tube 28 in this order from the ink cartridge 15 side. These flow path members are connected to each other so that ink can flow, and the first supply tube 26 includes the ink cartridge 15 and the third supply tube 2.
8 is connected to the valve unit 25 so that ink can flow.

The check valve 18 prevents the ink supplied from the ink cartridge 15 via the first supply tube 26 from flowing back to the ink cartridge 15 side. The sub tank 50 is provided in the liquid supply path EKR and functions as a storage unit that stores ink. Further, at least the third supply tube 28 has flexibility and a curved portion 2 in which a part thereof is curved in a substantially semicircular shape.
By being formed as 8a, the liquid supply path EKR is substantially reversed. The curved portion 28a moves in the longitudinal direction X as the carriage 20 moves. The valve unit 25 is a self-sealing device that supplies ink from the third supply tube 28 side toward the liquid ejecting head 24 side when the pressure in the liquid ejecting head 24 decreases due to ink ejection from the liquid ejecting head 24 or the like. It has a valve. That is, the valve unit 25 is
A uniform meniscus is formed in a plurality of nozzles by having a pressure adjusting function for maintaining the pressure in the liquid ejecting head 24 as a back pressure in a negative pressure state that is weak against the atmospheric pressure outside the liquid ejecting head 24. This stabilizes the ink ejection operation.

In the present embodiment, the liquid supply path E from the ink cartridge 15 to the valve unit 25.
KR is provided for each ink cartridge 15, and each of the provided liquid supply paths EKR (here, four liquid supply paths EKR) has the same configuration. In FIG. 1, one liquid supply path EKR is illustrated, and the other liquid supply path EKR is the first.
The space between the supply tube 26 and the third supply tube 28 is omitted.

The ink cartridge 15 on the upstream side flows in the liquid supply path EKR configured as described above.
From the liquid ejecting head 24 to the paper P
The printing process is performed on the paper P. This printing process is performed by a control unit provided in the printer 11 operating according to a predetermined program.

In the frame 12, the home position HP of the carriage 20 is provided in an area other than the area in which the carriage 20 moves and the area where the ink is ejected onto the paper P. A maintenance device 30 for performing various maintenance processes on the liquid ejecting head 24 is disposed at the home position HP.

The maintenance device 30 includes a bottomed box-shaped cap 31 formed in a size corresponding to the liquid ejecting head 24 and an elevating mechanism 32 for moving the cap 31 up and down.
Then, the cap 31 is raised from below and brought into contact with the liquid jet head 24 moved to the home position HP, and the closed space formed by the contact is brought into a negative pressure state by a suction pump (not shown). For example, maintenance is performed to suck the ink having increased viscosity from the nozzle and stabilize the operation of ejecting the ink from the nozzle.

In the present embodiment, the liquid supply path EKR is provided with a detection structure for detecting, for example, liquid leakage that occurs at a connecting portion between members, that is, ink leakage. This detection structure will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, as a detection structure for detecting ink leakage, a detection sensor 60 for detecting the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50 is provided in the liquid supply path EKR.
That is, the sub tank 50 for storing ink provided in the liquid supply path EKR is a flexible portion 51 formed of a single layer or multiple layers of flexible resin film that is displaced in accordance with a change in the amount of ink stored. At least in part of the casing forming the tank.

The detection sensor 60 is moved (displaced) together with the contact portion 61 by being connected to the contact portion 61 and the urging member 64 formed of a coil spring, the contact portion 61 contacting the flexible portion 51, and the contact portion 61. It has the connection part 62 and the photo interrupter 63 provided on both sides of the movement path | route of this connection part 62. FIG. The biasing member 64 is inserted in a compressed state between the part 12 a of the frame 12 and the contact portion 61, and has a pressure by biasing the contact portion 61 against the flexible portion 51. The flexible part 51 is brought into contact. Therefore, the detection sensor 60 includes the contact portion 61.
Is displaced following the displacement of the flexible portion 51, and the moving state of the connecting portion 62 that moves together with the displacing contact portion 61 is changed according to the photointerrupter 63 provided with the light emitting portion 63A and the light receiving portion 63B of the light beam LT. By detecting this, the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50 is detected.

In the present embodiment, the occurrence of ink leakage in the liquid supply path EKR is determined based on the ink storage amount thus detected. The determination process for determining the occurrence of ink leakage will be described later with reference to FIG.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer 11 has a detection structure for detecting ink leakage, and ink leaked when ink leaks from the liquid supply path EKR on the gravity direction Z side of the liquid supply path EKR. The receiving part 40 which can receive is arrange | positioned. That is, the receiving unit 40
In the liquid supply path EKR, a plurality (three in this embodiment) are provided so as to correspond to a plurality of places where different members are connected to each other and ink may leak. Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the receiving portion 40 includes the cartridge holder 14 and the first supply tube 26.
And the third supply tube 2 in the gravitational direction Z side of the connecting portion, the subtank 50 in the gravitational direction Z side,
8 and the valve unit 25 are respectively arranged on the gravity direction Z side of the connecting portion. Note that the receiving portion 40 disposed on the gravity direction Z side of the connection portion between the cartridge holder 14 and the first supply tube 26 may also be disposed on the maintenance device 30 on the gravity direction Z side.

Next, the configuration of the receiving unit 40 will be described. In the present embodiment, all the receiving portions 40 have the same configuration. Therefore, the configuration of one receiving portion 40 will be described below as a representative.

As shown in FIG. 3, the receiving unit 40 includes a receiving tray 41 that can receive leaked ink, and a liquid detection unit 46 that detects the ink received in the receiving tray 41. The receiving tray 41 includes a plate-like bottom portion 42 and a wall portion 43 formed so as to stand from the periphery of the bottom portion 42. In addition, the receiving tray 41 has a receiving surface 44 provided with a receiving area A for receiving ink and a detection surface 45 provided with a detecting area B as a surface on the side where the wall portion 43 is erected on the bottom 42. The detection area B is located at the end of the receiving tray 41, and the liquid detection unit 46 is located in the detection area B.
Is provided. Further, the area of the detection region B is formed smaller than the area of the receiving region A.

In the printer 11, the receiving unit 40 is provided so that the receiving region A is located at a position where the leaked ink can be received when the ink leaks from the liquid supply path EKR. That is, the receiving portion 40 is provided such that the receiving area A is positioned at a position where the ink that has leaked and dropped can be received or a position where the ink that leaks can be received.

The receiving unit 40 is arranged such that the detection area B is located on the side of the gravity direction Z with respect to the receiving area A. The receiving surface 44 is a slope with a downward slope toward the detection region B, and the receiving region A includes the slope. In the receiving area A, at least one groove (not shown) extending along the guiding direction C for guiding ink from the receiving area A to the detection area B is formed.

The liquid detection unit 46 includes a circuit board 47 that detects ink received in the receiving tray 41, an absorber 48 that can absorb ink, and a holding unit 49 that holds the circuit board 47. That is, the circuit board 47 is disposed in the detection region B so as to be in contact with ink while being inclined with respect to the detection surface 45 by being held by the holding portion 49.

Further, the absorber 48 is disposed in a compressed state by being partially sandwiched between the circuit board 47 and the holding portion 49. In other words, the absorber 48 has a compressed area 48a adjacent to the circuit board 47 and a non-compressed non-compressed part 48b in contact with the receiving area A so that the compressed area 48a is in contact with the receiving area A. It is arranged on the A side. In other words, the absorber 48 is disposed between the receiving region A and the circuit board 47.

As shown in FIG. 4A, on the circuit board 47, two wiring patterns having a predetermined gap are formed on the board surface on the absorber 48 (compression section 48a) side. The liquid detection unit 46 detects that the ink absorbed by the absorber 48 exists between the wiring patterns.
Ink leakage is detected using the fact that the wiring patterns of the books are connected with resistance. That is, the two wiring patterns are connected to the connector 4 attached to the circuit board 47.
As an example, it is connected to a detection circuit KC shown on the right side of FIG. The detection circuit KC is an electric circuit including a transistor having a power supply voltage Vcc and a collector of a pull-up resistor RL. When the detection circuit KC is operated by energization (for example, application of the base voltage Vb) (transistor is turned on), the liquid detection unit 46 is in a state where the two wiring patterns are connected with resistance. The presence / absence of ink is detected using the value of the output voltage Vt of the detection circuit KC that changes according to the above.

As shown in FIG. 4B, in this embodiment, the output voltage Vt is a voltage value according to the presence or absence of ink. That is, the power supply voltage Vcc is 3.3V and the pull-up resistor RL is 500K.
When Ω is used, if there is no ink, when the transistor is ON (as shown by the thick solid line in the figure)
The output voltage Vt increases from time T = 0), and about 3 V after about 0.03 sec (30 msec).
It stabilizes at. When there is no ink, for example, when condensation occurs on the circuit board 47, for example, noise caused by the commercial power supply affects the detection circuit KC through the condensation portion, so that a thin solid line in the figure. As shown, the output voltage Vt changes with periodic fluctuations in which the voltage value increases or decreases periodically. Incidentally, in FIG. 4A, the output voltage Vt is about 0.017 s.
It has a period fluctuation of ec (equivalent to 60 Hz).

On the other hand, when ink is present, as indicated by a thick broken line in the figure, the output voltage Vt gradually rises from the time when the transistor is ON (time T = 0), and gradually increases to a value not exceeding 2V. Therefore, in this embodiment, the threshold voltage is set to 2 V, and the occurrence of ink leakage is determined based on whether or not the output voltage Vt exceeds the threshold voltage.

Next, the operation in the present embodiment, that is, the first determination process for determining the occurrence of ink leakage based on the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50, and the occurrence of ink leakage by the liquid detection unit 46 provided in the receiving unit 40. The second discrimination process for discriminating between will be described. The first determination process and the second determination process are performed by a control unit that controls the printing process of the printer 11 operating according to a predetermined program recorded in a recording unit such as a recording memory (not shown) provided in the printer 11. Done. In these determination processes, the control unit detects a storage amount of the ink stored in the sub tank 50, a storage amount detection unit 71, a residual liquid amount specification unit 72 that specifies the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 15, and an ink leak. It also functions as a determination unit 73 that determines the occurrence of (see FIG. 1).

First, the first determination process will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the first determination process is started, first, in step S1, a process of detecting the amount of ink stored in the sub tank is performed. This process is performed by the control unit functioning as the storage amount detection unit 71, and whether or not the storage amount of the ink in the sub tank is equal to or greater than the predetermined storage amount according to the light receiving state of the light beam LT in the photo interrupter 63 of the detection sensor 60. Is detected.

In the present embodiment, as indicated by a solid line in FIG. 2, the ink storage amount in the sub tank 50 when the flexible portion 51 of the sub tank 50 protrudes in a convex shape is set as the predetermined storage amount. The photo interrupter 63 is in a light shielding state in which the light beam LT from the light emitting unit 63A is blocked by the connecting unit 62 if the ink storage amount in the sub tank 50 is a predetermined storage amount.
If the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50 is less than the predetermined amount, the light receiving portion 63B receives the light beam LT from the light emitting portion 63A. Accordingly, the storage amount detection unit 71 detects whether or not the ink storage amount in the sub tank 50 is equal to or greater than the predetermined storage amount depending on whether the photo interrupter 63 is in the light blocking state or the light receiving state of the light beam LT.

Returning to FIG. 5, in the next step S <b> 2, a determination process is performed to determine whether or not the detected ink storage amount is an amount indicating a supply end state. In the present embodiment, the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50 that is smaller than the predetermined storage amount is a storage amount that indicates a supply end state in which ink is not supplied from the ink cartridge 15 to the liquid ejecting head 24. That is, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the state in which the flexible portion 51 is recessed and recessed is a state in which the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50 is smaller than the predetermined amount of storage, and the photo interrupter 63 Is ray L
The light receiving state is T. The state in which the flexible portion 51 is concave indicates a supply end state in which ink supply from the ink cartridge 15 to the liquid ejecting head 24 is not performed.

In this step S2, if the detected ink storage amount is the predetermined storage amount, it is determined that the photo interrupter 63 is in the light-shielding state of the light beam LT and is not an amount indicating the supply end state (step S2: NO). Then, the process returns to the next first determination process (return). If the detected ink storage amount is smaller than the predetermined storage amount, it is determined that the photo interrupter 63 is in the light receiving state of the light beam LT and indicates the supply end state (step S2: YES). Proceed to step S3.

Next, in step S3, processing for specifying the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is performed. This process is performed by the control unit functioning as the remaining liquid amount specifying unit 72. That is, the remaining liquid amount specifying unit 72 includes information on the amount of ink discharged from the liquid ejecting head 24,
The storage amount detection unit 71 uses at least one piece of information on whether or not to replace the ink cartridge 15 immediately before the detection of the storage amount of the ink in the sub-tank 50 (the process of step S1). Identify the remaining ink level. The ink discharge amount information is information indicating the amount of ink ejected from the liquid ejecting head 24 after the ink cartridge 15 is replaced, for example, the size (liquid amount) of ink dots and the number of ejections, The amount of discharge and the number of discharges are discharged from the nozzles by suction or the like due to maintenance performed to stabilize the ink ejection operation.

For example, when ink is ejected from the liquid ejecting head 24 after the ink cartridge 15 has been replaced, the ink supply amount is calculated using the ink ejection amount information ejected from the liquid ejecting head 24, and the first The remaining amount of ink is specified by subtracting the supply amount calculated from the storage amount (that is, the full tank amount).

Next, in step S4, a determination process is performed as to whether or not the specified remaining ink amount is an amount indicating a supply end state. This process is performed by the control unit functioning as the determination unit 73. In the present embodiment, an end liquid amount indicating a supply end state in which ink is not supplied to the liquid ejecting head 24 is recorded in the recording unit, and the specified remaining ink amount is equal to or less than the recorded end liquid amount. When it is determined that the amount is liquid (step S4: YES), the process proceeds to steps S9 and S10.

In the present embodiment, the predetermined storage amount of ink in the sub tank 50 is determined according to the specified remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 15. That is, when the remaining amount of the specified ink is equal to or less than the recorded end liquid amount, the ink storage amount in the sub tank 50 is set to be less than the predetermined storage amount, and the recorded end liquid is stored. When the amount of liquid is larger than the amount, the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50 is set to a predetermined amount.

In step S9, processing for notifying the ink supply end state is performed. For example, when the printer 11 is provided with a display unit such as a display panel, the control unit displays on the display unit that the ink cartridge 15 is in an “ink end” state in which no ink remains, so that the user of the printer 11 can use the ink. The replacement of the cartridge 15 is notified. That is, both the detected ink storage amount in the sub tank 50 and the ink storage amount in the sub tank 50 corresponding to the identified ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge 15 are both smaller than the predetermined storage amount. Because of the amount, the ink cartridge 15 is in a state where no ink remains.

In the subsequent step S10, the pressure release process of the ink cartridge is performed. That is, unnecessary pressure is released on the ink cartridge 15 (ink pack 15a) in which no ink remains, so that the replacement operation of the ink cartridge 15 is not hindered. Thereafter, the first determination process ends with an error (ink end).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the remaining amount of the specified ink is larger than the recorded end liquid amount (step S4: NO), it is specified in the subsequent step S5. A determination process is performed as to whether or not the remaining amount of ink is an amount indicating a state immediately before the end of supply. In the present embodiment, the liquid amount immediately before the end indicating the state immediately before the end of the supply in which the ink is not supplied to the liquid ejecting head 24 is recorded in the recording unit, and the remaining amount of the specified ink is recorded. If it is determined that the amount is equal to or less than the immediately preceding liquid amount (step S5: YES), the process proceeds to step S6.

In the present embodiment, when the specified ink remaining amount is equal to or less than the recorded end liquid amount, the ink storage amount in the sub tank 50 is set to a liquid amount smaller than the predetermined storage amount. In addition to this, when the liquid volume is larger than the recorded end liquid volume and equal to or less than the recorded liquid volume immediately before the end, the ink storage volume in the sub tank 50 is set to a predetermined storage volume.
Therefore, in step S6, a process for controlling the pressure of the ink cartridge is performed. Here, for example, since the amount of liquid stored in the ink pack 15a in the ink cartridge 15 is reduced and the ink pack 15a is in a deflated state, it is assumed that the supply of ink to the sub tank 50 is stagnant. The Therefore, the control unit operates the pressurizing pump 17 to supply pressurized air to the ink cartridge 15, appropriately pushes out ink remaining in the ink pack 15 a and supplies the ink to the sub tank 50.

Next, in step S7, processing for detecting the amount of ink stored in the sub tank is performed. This process is performed by the control unit functioning as the storage amount detection unit 71 as in the process of step S1, and the storage of the ink in the sub tank 50 is performed according to the detection state of the light beam LT in the photo interrupter 63 of the detection sensor 60. It is detected whether the amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined storage amount.

Subsequently, in step S8, a determination process is performed to determine whether or not the detected ink storage amount is an amount indicating a supply end state. If it is determined that the detected ink storage amount is smaller than the predetermined storage amount (step S8: YES), the ink supply end state is indicated, and the process proceeds to steps S9 and S10. . On the other hand, if it is determined that the detected ink storage amount is the predetermined storage amount (step S8: NO), it indicates that ink can be supplied from the ink cartridge 15, so the next first determination is made. Return to processing (return).

Returning to the process of step S5, the specified remaining ink amount is larger than the recorded liquid amount immediately before completion, and is an amount indicating a state in which ink can be supplied to the liquid ejecting head 24. (Step S5: NO), the process proceeds to Step S11. That is, when the detected ink storage amount indicates the supply end state, and the specified ink remaining amount indicates the supply enabled state, the processes in and after step S11 are performed.

In step S11, it is determined whether or not the ink cartridge has been replaced immediately before the amount of ink stored in the sub tank is detected. Here, the control unit, for example, the ink cartridge 1
The unique information is read from the recording chip on which the unique information 5 has been recorded to determine whether or not the ink cartridge 15 has been replaced.

If the result of determination in step S11 is that the ink cartridge 15 has not been replaced (step S11: NO), processing proceeds to step S15, and processing for notifying the ink leakage state is performed. That is, when the ink cartridge 15 is not exchanged, the specified remaining amount indicates that ink can be supplied from the ink cartridge 15, whereas the detected ink storage amount indicates the supply end state. Therefore, the determination unit 73 determines that ink leakage has occurred in the liquid supply path EKR. Thus, the determination unit determines the occurrence of ink leakage based on the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50.

Next, an ink leakage state is notified in step S15. For example, when the printer 11 includes a display unit such as a display panel, the control unit displays on the display unit that the ink is leaking. Alternatively, the user of the printer 11 is notified of the occurrence of ink leakage using sound or light.

In the subsequent step S16, the ink cartridge pressure release process is performed. That is, unnecessary pressurization that will promote ink leakage to the ink cartridge 15 is released.
Thereafter, the first determination process ends with an error (ink leakage).

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S11 is that the ink cartridge 15 has been replaced (step S11: YES), the process proceeds to step S12, where a process for pressurizing the ink cartridge is performed. Here, as in step S 6, the control unit operates the pressure pump 17 to supply pressurized air to the ink cartridge 15, and pushes out the ink in the replaced ink cartridge 15 to the liquid ejecting head 24. Supply.

Next, in step S13, processing for detecting the amount of ink stored in the sub tank is performed.
This process is performed by the control unit functioning as the storage amount detection unit 71 as in the process of step S7, and the ink in the sub-tank is detected according to the detection state of the connection unit 62 by the photo interrupter 63 of the detection sensor 60. It is detected whether or not the stored amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined stored amount.

Subsequently, in step S14, a determination process is performed to determine whether or not the detected ink storage amount is an amount indicating a supply end state. If it is determined that the detected ink storage amount is smaller than the predetermined storage amount (step S14: YES), ink is leaking in the liquid supply path EKR, and the process proceeds to steps S15 and S16. . On the other hand, when it is determined that the detected ink storage amount is equal to or greater than the predetermined storage amount (step S14: NO), the ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 15, indicating that the next first determination is made. Return to processing (return).

As described above, the detection sensor 60 that detects the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50.
Is used to determine the ink end in which the ink in the ink cartridge 15 has run out, and the occurrence of ink leakage.

Next, the second determination process will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, when the second determination process is started, first, the energization start process for the detection circuit is performed in step S21. This processing is performed by applying a predetermined power supply voltage Vcc and base voltage Vb to the detection circuit KC from a power supply circuit (not shown) provided in the printer 11 by the control unit.

Next, in step S25, a process of waiting until the detection circuit is stabilized is performed. Incidentally, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, a time of about 0.03 sec (= 30 msec) until the output voltage Vt of the detection circuit KC is stabilized is set as the standby time.

Next, in step S26, a process of “K = 1” is performed in which the value of “K” indicating the number of processes is “1”. This process is performed when the control unit records “1” indicating the initial process as the value of “K” in the recording unit.

In a succeeding step S27, a determination process of whether or not the value of “K” is larger than 3 is performed. Here, the control unit reads and determines the value of “K” recorded in the recording unit. As a result of the determination process in step S27, if the value of “K” is 3 or less (step S27: NO),
The process proceeds to step S28.

In step S28, the output voltage is repeatedly measured and recorded. Here, the control unit continuously measures the output voltage Vt in the detection circuit KC n times at predetermined time intervals after the standby time has elapsed, and records the measured value in the recording unit. In the present embodiment, the predetermined time interval is a short time interval on the order of μsec of msec or less. By measuring at such a short time interval, the influence of high frequency noise on the output voltage Vt is suppressed. Further, the value “n” of the number of times of continuous measurement is recorded in the recording unit, and the control unit reads out and continuously measures the number of times.

Next, in step S29, a determination process is performed to determine whether or not the output voltage is equal to or greater than a threshold value n times continuously. The control unit compares the value of the output voltage Vt measured continuously n times with a threshold voltage (here, 2V), and determines whether or not all the output voltages Vt are equal to or higher than the threshold voltage (threshold).

As a result of the determination, when the output voltage Vt is not less than the threshold voltage continuously n times (step S29: Y
ES), in the subsequent step S32, energization stop processing for the detection circuit is performed. If the output voltage Vt is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage n times continuously, the control unit stops the voltage supply to the detection circuit KC and terminates the circuit operation because no ink is present in the receiving unit 40. Then, the process returns to the next second determination process (return).

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S29 is that the output voltage Vt is not more than the threshold voltage for n consecutive times (step S29: NO), in the subsequent step S30, “1” is set to the value of “K” indicating the number of processes. A process of adding, that is, a process of “K = K + 1” is performed, and in a subsequent step S31, a process of shifting the measurement cycle of the output voltage is performed. In the present embodiment, the output voltage Vt is shifted by approximately 0.005 sec (5 msec) in step S31.
Measure. That is, in a fluctuation voltage having a period of 0.017 sec generated due to dew condensation or the like, in order to avoid the output voltage Vt at the time of measurement from overlapping with the low voltage portion of the fluctuation voltage, approximately three cycles of the fluctuation voltage period. Try to shift by a fraction.

Thereafter, the process after the determination process in step S27 is performed again, and if the output voltage Vt is not more than the threshold value n times continuously, steps S28, S29, S30 until the value of “K” becomes 3.
, S31 is repeated. At this time, the repeated measurement process of the output voltage Vt in step S28 is performed up to three times with the measurement period shifted.

If the value of “K” is larger than “3” (here, “4”) as a result of the determination process in step S27 (step S27: YES), the process proceeds to step S37 and ink leakage occurs. Processing to notify the status is performed. That is, when the output voltage Vt continues n times and does not exceed the threshold voltage three times, the determination unit 73 determines that there is ink received in the receiving unit 40, and ink leaks in the liquid supply path EKR. It is determined that Then, as in step S15, for example, the display unit displays that ink is leaking.

Subsequently, in step S38, energization stop processing for the detection circuit is performed, and further step S3.
In step 9, the pressure release process of the ink cartridge is performed. After the ink leakage is detected, the control unit stops the voltage supply to the detection circuit KC that is not used to end the circuit operation, and further promotes the ink leakage to the ink cartridge 15 as in step S16. Release unnecessary pressure. Thereafter, the second determination process ends with an error (ink leakage).

As a case where an error (ink leakage) occurs and the second determination process ends after the process of step S39, a case where a strong radio noise affects the detection circuit KC is assumed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, since strong radio noise is assumed to be temporary, a fatal error is once set after the process of step S39, and the second determination process is performed again when the printer 11 is turned on next time. Is to be done.

As described above, the occurrence of ink leakage from the liquid supply path EKR from the ink cartridge 15 to the liquid ejecting head 24 is caused by the second determination process performed using the liquid detection unit 46 that detects the presence or absence of ink in the receiving unit 40. Is determined.

In the present embodiment, the liquid detection unit 46 determines that the ink leakage has occurred in the liquid supply path EKR based on the ink storage amount in the sub tank 50 detected by the storage amount detection unit 71. If it is determined, it operates to detect ink. That is, in the printer 11, the liquid supply path EKR is obtained by the first determination process using the detection sensor 60.
When it is determined that ink leakage has occurred, whether or not ink leakage has occurred is determined by the second determination process using the liquid detection unit 46.

In the present embodiment, the storage amount detection unit 71 is periodically in the sub-tank 50 during an ejection standby period in which the ink is not ejected from the liquid ejecting head 24, such as a print waiting state after power is turned on. The amount of ink stored inside is detected by the detection sensor 60.
Incidentally, in the present embodiment, the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50 is detected by the detection sensor 60 at a constant time interval between 30 minutes and 1 hour.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) When the detected amount of ink stored in the sub-tank 50 is smaller than a predetermined amount determined according to the remaining amount of ink in the specified ink cartridge 15, the liquid supply path EK
Since it is determined that ink leakage has occurred in R, it is possible to accurately determine the occurrence of ink leakage between the ink cartridge 15 and the liquid ejecting head 24.

(2) In order to determine ink leakage based on a change in the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50 provided in the liquid supply path EKR, the occurrence of ink leakage between the ink cartridge 15 and the liquid ejecting head 24 is accurately determined. can do.

(3) Since the contact portion 61 can follow the displacement of the flexible portion 51 that is displaced according to the change in the amount of ink stored in the subtank 50, the detection sensor 60 is provided in the subtank 50 due to ink leakage, for example. It is possible to accurately detect a change in the amount of ink stored.

(4) Since the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge 15 is accurately identified,
The predetermined storage amount of ink in the sub tank 50 based on the specified remaining ink amount is also accurately determined. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately determine the occurrence of ink leakage between the ink cartridge 15 and the liquid ejecting head 24.

(5) The detection sensor 60 that detects the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50 includes a sensor that detects a supply end state in which ink is not supplied from the ink cartridge 15 to the liquid ejecting head 24, and the ink cartridge 15. It also serves as a sensor for determining the occurrence of ink leakage up to the liquid ejecting head 24. Therefore, the printer 11 (device)
Since it is not necessary to provide a plurality of sensors inside, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the printer 11.

(6) Since the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50 is periodically detected in the ejection standby period in which ink is not ejected from the liquid ejecting head 24, that is, in the state where the remaining amount of ink in the specified ink cartridge 15 does not change, From the ink cartridge 15 body to the liquid jet head 24
The occurrence of ink leakage can be easily determined.

(7) Even when the occurrence of ink leakage in the liquid supply path EKR cannot be determined due to, for example, a failure of the detection sensor 60, the occurrence of ink leakage can be determined by the liquid detection unit 46 that detects ink.

(8) Liquid supply path EKR between the ink cartridge 15 and the liquid ejecting head 24
When it is determined that an ink leak has occurred, the location where the ink leak has occurred can be specified by the liquid detection unit 46 that has detected the ink. In addition, whether or not ink leakage is determined using the detection sensor 60 can be confirmed by the liquid detection unit 46.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment into another embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, the liquid detection unit 46 provided in the receiving unit 40 is the storage amount detection unit 7.
Ink may be detected at the same time as 1 detects the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50. That is, the first determination process using the detection sensor 60 and the second determination process using the liquid detection unit 46 are performed simultaneously to determine the occurrence of ink leakage in the liquid supply path EKR.

According to this modification, in addition to the effects (1) to (8) of the above embodiment, the following effects are obtained.
(9) The occurrence of ink leakage between the ink cartridge 15 and the liquid ejecting head 24 can be determined with high accuracy.

In the above embodiment, the value of the number of repetitions “n” of the output voltage measurement in the process of step S28 in the second determination process shown in FIG. 6 may be changed. This modification will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 7, in this modification, the number of repetitions of the output voltage measurement in the process of step S28 according to the number of times of the output determination process of step S29 performed in the second determination process shown in FIG. Change the value of “n”. That is, the second determination process of the present modification is different from the second determination process of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 as shown in FIG.
, S23, S24 and steps S33, S34, S35 are added.

The second determination process of this modification will be described focusing on the added process.
Following the energization start processing for the detection circuit in step S21, in this modification, step S2
At 2, the determination process is performed to determine whether the value of the abnormality detection flag is “0” or “1”. Here, the control unit reads and determines the value recorded as the abnormality detection flag in the recording unit provided in the printer 11. Here, at the start of the first second determination process, the value of the abnormality detection flag is set to “0” as a default.

If the result of determination in step S22 is that the value of the abnormality detection flag is “0”, step S23
When “5” is set as the value of the output voltage measurement repetition number “n” and the value of the abnormality detection flag is “1”, the process proceeds to step S24 and the output voltage measurement repetition number “n”. "
“10” is set as the value of. These setting processes are performed by the control unit, and the value of the number of repetitions “n” is recorded in the recording unit.

In addition, following the energization stop process for the detection circuit in step S32, in this modification, a determination process is performed in step S33 to determine whether the value of “K” indicating the number of processes is greater than “1”. . Here, the control unit reads and determines the value of “K” recorded in the recording unit.

As a result of the determination in step S33, if the value of “K” is not larger than “1” (step S33: NO), the process proceeds to step S34, where “0” is set as the value of the abnormality detection flag, and the next time Return to the second determination process (return). That is, the number of processing times of step S29 is 1.
When the second determination process is completed, the value of the abnormality detection flag is set to “0”, and the value of the output voltage measurement repetition number “n” is set by the process in step S22 in the next second determination process. Is set to “5”.

On the other hand, if the result of determination in step S33 is that the value of “K” is greater than “1” (step S33: YES), the process proceeds to step S35, where “1” is set as the value of the abnormality detection flag, and the next time The process returns to the second determination process (return). That is, when the number of processes in step S29 is two or three and the second determination process is completed, the value of the abnormality detection flag is set to “1”, and the next second determination process is performed by the process in step S22. “10” is set as the value of the number of repetitions “n” of the output voltage measurement.

According to this modification, when the output voltage repeated measurement and the recording process are performed a plurality of times in step S29 until it is determined that no ink leakage has occurred, the number of output voltage repeated measurements is increased. . By doing so, the measurement period of the output voltage Vt in the detection circuit KC is lengthened, so that the ink cartridge 15 is used in the liquid detection unit 46 provided in the receiving unit 40.
To the liquid ejecting head 24 can improve the accuracy of detection of ink leakage.

Further, in the present modification, the time interval for detecting the amount of ink stored in the sub-tank 50 periodically in the above-described embodiment that is performed in the energization state and in the ejection standby period in which ink is not ejected from the liquid ejecting head 24, When the value of the abnormality detection flag is “1”, the value may be shorter than when the value is “0”.

Alternatively, in this modification, a method other than the method of changing the value of the output voltage measurement repetition number “n” in the process of step S28 according to the number of times of the output determination process of step S29 may be used. For example, in the process of step S33 shown in FIG.
It is determined whether or not the value of the output voltage Vt recorded by the process at 28 is smaller than the value of the output voltage Vt recorded by the process at the previous step S28. The value of may be set to “1”. That is, if the value of the output voltage Vt tends to decrease, the accuracy of ink leakage detection can be increased by increasing the value of “n” and extending the repeated measurement period of the output voltage Vt.

-In the said embodiment, of course, the value of "n" which shows the frequency | count of a continuous measurement is not restricted to "5" and "10". In short, even if various noises affect the output voltage Vt with respect to the detection circuit KC, the number of times the presence or absence of ink can be determined with a certain probability by the measured output voltage Vt, and the certain probability. It is preferable that a value indicating the number of times of determination with a high probability is set as a value of “n”.

In the above embodiment, the liquid detection unit 46 performs the ink detection regardless of the ink leakage occurrence determination process in the liquid supply path EKR performed based on the ink storage amount in the sub tank 50 detected by the storage amount detection unit 71. The presence / absence of detection may be detected. For example,
Prior to the ink leakage determination process (first determination process) based on the amount of ink stored in the sub-tank 50, the ink detection is performed by the liquid detection unit 46, and the ink leakage determination process (second determination process) is performed. May be.

In the above embodiment, the liquid detection unit 46 that detects ink leaking from the liquid supply path EKR is not necessarily provided. That is, the liquid detection unit 46 may not be provided in the receiving unit 40. Alternatively, in the printer 11, the receiving portion 40 itself may not be disposed. For example, when the ink leaking from the liquid supply path EKR can be detected with high accuracy by the detection sensor 60, the liquid detection unit 46 is not necessarily required.

In the above embodiment, the storage amount detection unit 71 does not necessarily need to periodically detect the storage amount of the ink in the sub tank 50 by the detection sensor 60 in the ejection standby period in which the ink is not ejected from the liquid ejection head 24. . The amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50 may be detected by the detection sensor 60 during the ejection period in which ink is ejected from the liquid ejecting head 24. In this case, the remaining amount of ink in the specified ink cartridge 15 is a value obtained by subtracting the amount of liquid that decreases in accordance with the amount of ink ejected from the liquid ejecting head 24.

In the above embodiment, the storage amount detection unit 71 has a sub tank 5 that is smaller than the predetermined storage amount.
The amount of ink stored in 0 may not be detected by the detection sensor 60 as a storage amount indicating a supply end state in which ink is not supplied from the ink cartridge 15 to the liquid ejecting head 24. For example, a sensor that detects a state in which the supply of ink to the liquid ejecting head 24 is completed is provided separately, and the detection sensor 60 simply determines the sub tank 50 according to whether ink can be supplied from the ink cartridge 15 to the liquid supply path EKR. It is good also as a sensor which detects the storage amount of the inside ink.

In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge 15 does not necessarily have to be replaceable. For example, the ink cartridge 15 may be configured to be replenished with ink without being replaced. In this case, the storage amount detection unit 71 uses the ink replenishment amount information replenished to the ink cartridge 15 immediately before the detection of the ink storage amount in the sub-tank 50 to check the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 15. It is preferred to specify the amount.

In the above embodiment, the detection sensor 60 does not necessarily have the contact portion 61 having the sub tank 5.
It is not necessary to contact the zero flexible portion 51 with pressure. For example, the detection sensor 60
The urging member 64 may not be provided, and at least a part of the contact portion 61 may be bonded to the flexible portion 51.

In the above embodiment, the sub tank 50 does not necessarily have to have the flexible portion 51 that is displaced in accordance with the change in the ink storage amount. For example, although description by illustration is abbreviate | omitted here, the outer peripheral end of the contact part 61 may contact the sub tank 50 in a sealed state, and may function as a piston that moves up and down according to the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50. Good. With such a configuration, the storage amount detection unit 71 can detect the storage amount of the ink by detecting the presence or absence of the connecting portion 62 that is displaced as the contact portion 61 moves up and down by the photo interrupter 63.

In the above embodiment, when the predetermined amount of ink stored in the sub tank 50 is determined in accordance with the remaining amount of ink in the specified ink cartridge 15, the remaining amount of ink is larger than the end liquid amount and immediately before the end. When the amount is less than the liquid amount, the ink in the sub tank 50 does not necessarily have to be the predetermined storage amount. For example, although illustration is omitted here, when the remaining amount of ink is larger than the liquid amount at the end and equal to or less than the liquid amount just before the end, the flexible portion 51 is in a substantially flat state rather than any uneven state. Alternatively, the amount of liquid to be determined may be determined as a predetermined storage amount of ink in the sub tank 50. In this case, in the determination process in step S8 of FIG. 5, the liquid amount at which the flexible portion 51 is in a substantially flat state is set as the predetermined storage amount of the ink in the sub tank 50. In this case, it may be notified that the ink supply is in a state immediately before the end in the process of step S9.

In the above embodiment, the liquid ejecting head 24 as the liquid ejecting unit is not limited to the so-called serial head configuration provided in the carriage 20 that reciprocates in the direction intersecting the transport direction Y of the paper P. For example, the liquid ejecting head 24 has a width direction that intersects the transport direction Y of the paper P (
Here, a configuration of a so-called line head capable of ejecting (discharging) ink over substantially the entire region in the longitudinal direction X) may be used.

In the above-described embodiment, the printer 11 as the liquid ejecting apparatus uses a fluid other than ink (liquid, a liquid material in which particles of functional material are dispersed or mixed in the liquid, a fluid such as a gel). It may be a fluid ejection device that performs recording by ejecting or ejecting. For example, printing is performed by discharging a liquid material containing materials such as electrode materials and color materials (pixel materials) used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface-emitting displays. A liquid discharge device may be used. Moreover, the fluid discharge apparatus which discharges fluids, such as a gel (for example, physical gel), may be sufficient. The present invention can be applied to any one of these fluid ejection devices. In the present specification, the term “fluid” is a concept that does not include a fluid consisting only of gas. Examples of the fluid include liquid (inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, liquid resin, liquid metal (metal melt), etc. ), Liquids, fluids, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printer (an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus), 12 ... Frame, 12a ... A part of a frame, 15 ... Ink cartridge (an example of a liquid container), 24 ... Liquid ejecting head (an example of a liquid ejecting part), 40 ... Receiving 46, liquid detection unit, 50 ... sub tank, 51 ... flexible part, 6
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 0 ... Detection sensor, 61 ... Contact part, 71 ... Reservation amount detection part, 72 ... Residual liquid quantity specific | specification part, 73 ... Discrimination part, EKR ... Liquid supply path, KC ... Detection circuit.

Claims (9)

A liquid ejecting section capable of ejecting liquid;
A liquid supply path for supplying the liquid from the liquid container in which the liquid is stored to the liquid ejecting unit;
A sub tank provided in the liquid supply path and storing the liquid;
A storage amount detection unit for detecting a storage amount of the liquid in the sub tank by a detection sensor;
A residual liquid amount specifying unit that specifies the remaining amount of the liquid remaining in the liquid container when the storage amount of the liquid is detected by the storage amount detection unit;
When the detected storage amount of the liquid in the sub-tank is smaller than a predetermined storage amount determined according to the remaining amount of the liquid in the specified liquid container, a liquid leak occurs in the liquid supply path. A discriminating unit for discriminating that
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: The sub-tank has at least a flexible part that is displaced in accordance with a change in the liquid storage amount,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage amount detection unit detects the storage amount of the liquid by detecting a displacement of the flexible portion of the sub-tank by the detection sensor. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the detection sensor includes a contact portion that contacts the flexible portion of the sub tank with pressure. The liquid container is provided to be replaceable,
The residual liquid amount specifying unit detects discharge information of the liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting unit after the liquid container is replaced, and the storage amount detection unit detects the amount of liquid stored in the sub tank. The remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid container is specified using at least one piece of information on whether or not the liquid container is replaced immediately before performing the operation. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to one item. The storage amount detection unit stores a storage amount of the liquid in the sub-tank that is smaller than the predetermined storage amount in a supply end state in which the liquid is not supplied from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting unit. The quantity is detected by the detection sensor as a quantity.
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of the above. The said storage amount detection part detects regularly the storage amount of the said liquid in the said subtank by the said detection sensor in the injection waiting period when the said liquid is not ejected from the said liquid injection part, The said detection sensor is characterized by the above-mentioned. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of the above. A liquid detection unit for detecting the liquid leaking from the liquid supply path;
The said discrimination | determination part discriminate | determines that the liquid leak has generate | occur | produced in the said liquid supply path, when the said liquid detection part detects the said liquid, The any one of Claim 1 to 6 characterized by the above-mentioned. Liquid ejector. The liquid detection unit detects the liquid when the determination unit determines that liquid leakage has occurred in the liquid supply path based on the liquid storage amount detected by the storage amount detection unit. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 7. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the liquid detection unit detects the liquid simultaneously with the storage amount detection unit detecting the storage amount of the liquid in the sub tank.