JP2018171909A - Liquid discharge device and system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide means which can start image recording immediately after a cartridge is replaced.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device calculates an outflow amount Qc of outflowing ink from a cartridge 200 to a tank 160 in a period Δt based on an ink amount Vc read from an IC chip 247 after the cartridge 200 is replaced, updates an ink amount Vs based on the calculated outflow amount Qc, determines whether a time, which is measured based on that a count value N reaches a threshold Nand an ink amount Vc is a threshold Vor more after image recording for one sheet is carried out based on a received image recording instruction, reaches a standby time T1, and carries out image recording for a next page based on that the measured time reaches the standby time T1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid discharging apparatus that discharges a liquid.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an ink jet printer including a detachable main tank, a sub tank that stores ink supplied from the attached main tank, and an image recording unit that records an image by discharging ink stored in the sub tank. (For example, Patent Document 1). Further, in the ink jet printer having the above configuration, since the internal space of the main tank and the sub tank is open to the atmosphere, the ink moves by the water head pressure so that the liquid levels of the main tank and the sub tank are aligned at the same height. Then, the ink jet printer displays the replacement of the main tank on the display based on the fact that the remaining amount of ink detected by the remaining amount detection sensor is less than the threshold value.

JP 2008-213162 A

  When the main tank is replaced, ink flows from the main tank to the sub tank, and the signal output from the remaining amount detection sensor changes. If ink that can be used for image recording is stored in the sub tank, image recording is possible even immediately after the main tank is replaced. However, depending on the remaining amount of the sub tank, the image recording causes so-called air-in in which air enters the ink flow path from the sub tank to the image recording unit.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide means capable of starting image recording immediately after a cartridge is replaced.

  (1) The liquid discharge apparatus according to the present invention includes a first liquid chamber in which liquid is stored, a first flow path having one end communicating with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicating with the outside, and one end of the first liquid chamber. A mounting case in which a cartridge having a second flow path that communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside, and a tank having the second liquid chamber, with one end communicating with the outside and the other A third flow path whose end is in communication with the second liquid chamber, a fourth flow path in which one end located below the third flow path is in communication with the second liquid chamber, and one end in the second flow path A tank having a fifth flow path that communicates with the liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside; a head that communicates with the other end of the fourth flow path; an alarm; an interface; a controller; . At least one of the first flow path and the third flow path communicates the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case. The controller determines whether the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is less than a reference position, and based on determining that the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is less than the reference position. The first notification is notified to the notification device, it is determined whether the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, and the determination is made after the first notification is made to the notification device when the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case. Based on the above, the liquid amount Vc stored in the first liquid chamber is read from the cartridge memory provided in the cartridge through the interface, and an image recording instruction for discharging the liquid from the head and recording an image is received. An outflow amount Qc of the liquid flowing out from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber, the outflow amount Qc determined based on the read out liquid amount Vc; In the image recording for the unit recording area based on the attached image recording instruction, the liquid amount Vs of the second liquid chamber is determined based on the liquid amount from the head instructed to be discharged, and the liquid amount Based on determining whether Vs has reached the first threshold and determining whether the liquid amount Vs has reached the first threshold, the liquid amount Vs has reached the first threshold. It is determined whether or not the elapsed time since it has been determined has reached the standby time T1, and based on the determination that the elapsed time has reached the standby time T1, image recording for the next unit recording area I do.

  According to the above configuration, image recording can be performed immediately after the cartridge is replaced in a state where the notification device notifies the first notification. In the image recording, if the liquid amount Vs has reached the first threshold value, it is possible to perform image recording for the next unit recording area by waiting for the waiting time T1.

  (2) Preferably, the waiting time T1 is a time required for the liquid amount Vs to reach the first threshold value.

  According to the above configuration, image recording for the next unit recording area is not performed while the liquid amount Vs is lower than the first threshold value.

  (3) Preferably, the controller determines the waiting time T1 based on the liquid amount Vs, the outflow amount Qc, and the first threshold value.

  According to the above configuration, the standby time T1 required for the liquid amount Vs after image recording to exceed the first threshold value can be determined.

  (4) Preferably, the controller is configured to read the liquid amount Vc, the flow path resistance Rc of the second flow path, the flow path resistance Rs of the fifth flow path, and the first flow path and the above The outflow amount Qc is determined on the basis of both the resistances of the third flow path or the flow path resistance Rn which is one resistance.

  (5) Preferably, the controller determines whether the read liquid amount Vc is equal to or greater than a second threshold, the liquid amount Vc is equal to or greater than the second threshold, and the elapsed time is a waiting time. Based on reaching T1, image recording for the next unit recording area is performed.

  According to the above configuration, when the liquid amount Vc is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, sufficient liquid moves for image recording from the cartridge to the tank, so that the image recording is performed based on the elapsed time reaching the waiting time T1. It can be performed.

  (6) Preferably, based on the fact that the liquid amount Vs has reached the first threshold and the read liquid amount Vc is less than the second threshold, the controller To notify the second notification.

  According to the above configuration, even when the cartridge is replaced, when a sufficient amount of liquid is not stored in the first liquid chamber, the user can be notified by the second notification.

  (7) Preferably, the first notification indicates a remaining amount or replacement of the cartridge, and the second notification indicates replacement of the cartridge.

  (8) Preferably, the controller records the image based on the fact that the liquid amount Vs has reached the first threshold value and the read liquid amount Vc is less than the second threshold value. Is prohibited.

  (9) Preferably, the controller estimates an amount of liquid instructed to be discharged from the head in image recording for a next unit recording area, and sets the first threshold based on the estimated amount of liquid. Update.

  For example, when a plurality of the same image recordings are performed, the amount of liquid discharged from the head in the image recording for the unit recording area that has been completed immediately before, and the head is discharged in the image recording for the next unit recording area. The amount of liquid is the same. Therefore, the waiting time T1 can be set to the time during which the liquid flows from the first liquid chamber into the second liquid chamber by the amount of liquid discharged from the head in image recording for the next unit recording area. Thereby, it can suppress that waiting time T1 becomes unnecessarily long.

  (10) Preferably, the first threshold value is such that, even when a maximum liquid amount that can be discharged from the head in image recording for a unit recording area is discharged, air is supplied from the second liquid chamber to the fourth flow path. It is a value that does not enter.

  According to the above configuration, air can be prevented from entering the fourth flow path from the second liquid chamber, no matter what image recording is performed in the image recording for the next unit recording area.

  (11) Preferably, in the received image recording, the controller performs the image recording for the unit recording area, and then determines that there is an image recording for the next unit recording area, and then the liquid amount It is determined whether Vs has reached the first threshold value.

  (12) Preferably, the image recording for the unit recording area is image recording for one sheet.

  (13) Preferably, the liquid discharge device further includes a liquid level sensor, and the controller outputs the liquid level sensor when the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is less than the reference position. The position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is determined to be less than the reference position based on the reception of the signal.

  According to the above configuration, it can be accurately determined whether or not the liquid level of the liquid in the second liquid chamber is less than the reference position.

  (14) Preferably, the controller determines that the cartridge is attached to the attachment case based on the fact that the cartridge memory is accessible through the interface.

  (15) The system according to the present invention includes a first liquid chamber in which liquid is stored, a first flow path having one end communicating with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicating with the outside, and one end of the first liquid chamber. A cartridge having a second flow path that communicates with the liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside, a mounting case in which the cartridge is mounted, and a tank that has the second liquid chamber, with one end communicating with the outside. And the other end communicates with the second liquid chamber, the third flow path, one end positioned below the third flow path, the fourth flow path communicated with the second liquid chamber, and one end with the above-mentioned A tank having a fifth flow path communicated with the second liquid chamber and having the other end communicated with the outside; a head communicated with the other end of the fourth flow path; an alarm; an interface; A controller. At least one of the first flow path and the third flow path communicates the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case. The controller determines whether the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is less than a reference position, and based on determining that the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is less than the reference position. The first notification is notified to the notification device, it is determined whether the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, and the determination is made after the first notification is made to the notification device when the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case. Based on the above, the liquid amount Vc stored in the first liquid chamber is read from a cartridge memory provided in the cartridge, an image recording instruction for discharging the liquid from the head and recording an image is received, and the first The outflow amount Qc of the liquid flowing out from the liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber, which is determined based on the read out liquid amount Vc, and the received image recording instruction. In the image recording for the unit recording area, the liquid amount Vs of the second liquid chamber is determined based on the liquid amount from the head instructed to be discharged, and the liquid amount Vs reaches the first threshold value. Since it is determined whether or not the liquid amount Vs has reached the first threshold value, it has been determined that the liquid amount Vs has reached the first threshold value. It is determined whether the time has reached the standby time T1, and based on the determination that the elapsed time has reached the standby time T1, image recording for the next unit recording area is performed.

  According to the liquid discharge device of the present invention, image recording can be started immediately after the cartridge is replaced.

1A and 1B are external perspective views of the printer 10, in which FIG. 1A shows a state where the cover 87 is in the covering position, and FIG. 1B shows a state where the cover 87 is in the exposed position. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer 10. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the mounting case 150. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing the structure of the cartridge 200, where FIG. 4A is a front perspective view and FIG. 4B is a longitudinal sectional view. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the mounting case 150 with the cartridge 200 mounted. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the printer 10. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the image recording process. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the remaining amount update process. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the count process. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the empty release process. 11A and 11B are schematic views of a state in which the tank 160 and the cartridge 200 are in communication with each other. FIG. 11A shows a state in which a new cartridge 200 is in communication with the tank 160 in which ink is not stored, and FIG. A part of the ink stored in 200 shows a state where the ink has moved to the tank 160. 12A and 12B are schematic views of a state in which the tank 160 and the cartridge 200 are communicated with each other. FIG. 12A shows a state in which the liquid levels of the tank 160 and the cartridge 200 are aligned, and FIG. 12B shows a cartridge empty state. 13A and 13B are schematic views of the state in which the tank 160 and the cartridge 200 are communicated with each other. FIG. 13A shows a state in which both the tank 160 and the cartridge 200 are empty, and FIG. This shows a state in which ink has flowed from the replaced cartridge 200 to the tank 160 until it reaches the reference position P. FIG. 14 is a graph showing the temporal variation of the ink amount Vs when ink flows in the tank 160 at the outflow amount Qc and image recording of one sheet is performed while the standby time T1 is on standby. . FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an empty release process according to the modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. Further, the vertical direction 7 is defined with reference to a usage posture installed on a horizontal plane so that the printer 10 can be used, and the front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface on which the opening 13 of the printer 10 is formed as the front surface. A left-right direction 9 is defined. In the present embodiment, in the use posture, the up-down direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction. The front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal to each other.

[Overview of Printer 10]
The printer 10 according to the present embodiment is an example of a liquid discharge apparatus that records an image on a sheet by an inkjet recording method. The printer 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 14. The printer 10 may be a so-called “multifunction machine” having functions such as a facsimile function, a scan function, and a copy function.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 14 has a feeding tray 15, a feeding roller 23, a conveying roller 25, a head 21 having a plurality of nozzles 29, and a head 21. The platen 26, the discharge roller 27, the discharge tray 16, the mounting case 150 to which the cartridge 200 is attached and detached, and the tube 32 that communicates the head 21 and the cartridge 200 attached to the mounting case 150 are positioned.

  The printer 10 drives the feeding roller 23 and the conveying roller 25 to convey the sheet supported on the feeding tray 15 to the position of the platen 26. Next, the printer 10 causes the head 21 to eject the ink supplied through the tube 32 from the cartridge 200 mounted in the mounting case 150 through the nozzle 29. As a result, ink is landed on the sheet supported by the platen 26, and an image is recorded on the sheet. Then, the printer 10 drives the discharge roller 27 to discharge the sheet on which the image is recorded to the discharge tray 16.

  More specifically, the head 21 may be mounted on a carriage that reciprocates in the main scanning direction that intersects the sheet conveyance direction by the conveyance roller 25. The printer 10 may cause the head 21 to eject ink through the nozzles 29 in the process of moving the carriage from one to the other in the main scanning direction. As a result, an image is recorded in a partial area of the sheet facing the head 21 (hereinafter referred to as “one pass”). Next, the printer 10 may cause the conveyance roller 25 to convey the sheet so that the area where the image is to be recorded next faces the head 21. Then, by repeating these processes alternately, an image is recorded on a sheet of one page.

[Cover 87]
As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 85 is formed on the front surface 14 </ b> A of the housing 14 and on the right end in the left-right direction 9. The housing 14 further includes a cover 87. The cover 87 can be rotated between a covering position that closes the opening 85 (position shown in FIG. 1A) and an exposed position that opens the opening 85 (position shown in FIG. 1B). is there. The cover 87 is supported by the casing 14 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction 9 in the vicinity of the lower end of the casing 14 in the vertical direction 7, for example. A mounting case 150 is located in the accommodation space 86 inside the housing 14 that extends to the back of the opening 85.

[Cover sensor 88]
The printer 10 has a cover sensor 88 (see FIG. 6). The cover sensor 88 may be, for example, a mechanical sensor such as a switch that contacts and separates the cover 87, or may be an optical sensor that blocks or transmits light depending on the position of the cover 87. The cover sensor 88 outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the cover 87 to the controller 130. More specifically, the cover sensor 88 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 based on the fact that the cover 87 is located at the covering position. On the other hand, the cover sensor 88 outputs a high level signal having a signal intensity higher than that of the low level signal to the controller 130 based on the fact that the cover 87 is located at a position different from the covering position. In other words, the cover sensor 88 outputs a high level signal to the controller 130 based on the fact that the cover 87 is located at the exposure position. The high level signal is an example of a third signal, and the low level signal is an example of a fourth signal.

[Mounting case 150]
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the mounting case 150 includes a contact 152, a rod 153, a mounting sensor 154, a liquid level sensor 155, and a lock pin 156. The mounting case 150 can accommodate four cartridges 200 corresponding to each color of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. That is, the mounting case 150 includes four contacts 152, rods 153, mounting sensors 154, and liquid level sensors 155 corresponding to the four cartridges 200. The number of cartridges 200 that can be accommodated in the mounting case 150 is not limited to four, and may be one or five or more. The contact 152 is an example of an interface.

  The mounting case 150 has a box shape having an internal space for accommodating the mounted cartridge 200. The inner space of the mounting case 150 includes a top wall that defines an upper end, a bottom wall that defines a lower end, a rear wall that defines a rear end of the front-rear direction 8, and a pair of side walls that define both ends of the left-right direction 9. Defined. On the other hand, the position facing the inner wall of the mounting case 150 is an opening 85. That is, the opening 85 exposes the internal space of the mounting case 150 to the outside of the printer 10 when the cover 87 is disposed at the exposed position.

  Then, the cartridge 200 is inserted into the mounting case 150 through the opening 85 of the housing 14 and removed from the mounting case 150. More specifically, the cartridge 200 passes through the opening 85 backward in the front-rear direction 8 and is mounted on the mounting case 150. The cartridge 200 withdrawn from the mounting case 150 passes through the opening 85 forward in the front-rear direction 8.

[Contact 152]
The contact 152 is located on the top wall of the mounting case 150. The contact 152 protrudes downward from the top wall toward the internal space of the mounting case 150. The contact 152 is located at a position in contact with an electrode 248 (described later) of the cartridge 200 when the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. The contact 152 has conductivity, and can be elastically deformed along the vertical direction 7. The contact 152 is electrically connected to the controller 130.

[Rod 153]
The rod 153 protrudes forward from the back wall of the mounting case 150. The rod 153 is located above the joint 180 described later on the back wall of the mounting case 150. The rod 153 enters the atmospheric valve chamber 214 through an atmospheric communication port 221 (to be described later) of the cartridge 200 in the process of mounting the cartridge 200 to the mounting case 150. When the rod 153 enters the atmospheric valve chamber 214, the atmospheric valve chamber 214 described later is communicated with the atmosphere.

[Mounting sensor 154]
The mounting sensor 154 is located on the top wall of the mounting case 150. The mounting sensor 154 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. The mounting sensor 154 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that are spaced apart in the left-right direction 9. In a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150, a light shielding rib 245 described later of the cartridge 200 is positioned between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the mounting sensor 154. In other words, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the mounting sensor 154 are positioned facing each other across the light shielding rib 245 of the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150.

  The mounting sensor 154 outputs a different signal (denoted as “mounting signal” in the drawing) based on whether or not the light emitted from the light emitting unit along the left-right direction 9 is received by the light receiving unit. . For example, the wearing sensor 154 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 based on the fact that the received light intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit is less than the threshold intensity. On the other hand, the wearing sensor 154 outputs a high level signal having a signal intensity higher than the low level signal to the controller 130 based on the fact that the received light intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit is equal to or higher than the threshold intensity. The high level signal is an example of a first signal, and the low level signal is an example of a second signal.

[Mounting sensor 154]
The mounting sensor 154 is located on the top wall of the mounting case 150. The mounting sensor 154 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. The mounting sensor 154 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that are spaced apart in the left-right direction 9. In a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150, a light shielding rib 245 described later of the cartridge 200 is positioned between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the mounting sensor 154. In other words, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the mounting sensor 154 are positioned facing each other across the light shielding rib 245 of the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150.

  The mounting sensor 154 outputs a different signal (denoted as “mounting signal” in the drawing) based on whether or not the light emitted from the light emitting unit along the left-right direction 9 is received by the light receiving unit. . For example, the wearing sensor 154 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 based on the fact that the received light intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit is less than the threshold intensity. On the other hand, the wearing sensor 154 outputs a high level signal having a signal intensity higher than the low level signal to the controller 130 based on the fact that the received light intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit is equal to or higher than the threshold intensity. The high level signal is an example of a first signal, and the low level signal is an example of a second signal.

[Tank 160]
The printer 10 includes four tanks 160 corresponding to the four cartridges 200, respectively. The tank 160 is located further rearward than the back wall of the mounting case 150. As shown in FIG. 3, the tank 160 includes an upper wall 161, a front wall 162, a lower wall 163, a rear wall 164, and a pair of side walls (not shown). The front wall 162 is composed of a plurality of walls each shifted in the front-rear direction 8. A liquid chamber 171 is formed inside the tank 160. The liquid chamber 171 is an example of a second liquid chamber.

  Of the walls constituting the tank 160, at least the wall facing the liquid level sensor 155 has translucency. As a result, the light output from the liquid level sensor 155 can pass through the wall facing the liquid level sensor 155. At least a part of the rear wall 164 may be a film welded to the upper wall 161, the lower wall 163, and the end surfaces of the side walls. Further, the side wall of the tank 160 may be common to the mounting case 150 or may be independent of the mounting case 150. Further, the tanks 160 adjacent in the left-right direction 9 are partitioned by a partition wall (not shown). The configuration of the four tanks 160 is generally the same.

  The liquid chamber 171 communicates with an ink channel (not shown) through the outflow port 174. The lower end of the outlet 174 is defined by a lower wall 163 that defines the lower end of the liquid chamber 171. The outlet 174 is located below the joint 180 (more specifically, the lower end of the through hole 184) in the vertical direction 7. An ink flow path (not shown) connected to the outlet 174 is connected to the tube 32. As a result, the liquid chamber 171 communicates with the head 21 from the outlet 174 through the ink flow path and the tube 32. That is, the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is supplied to the head 21 from the outlet 174 through the ink flow path and the tube 32. The ink flow path and tube 32 communicated with the outflow port 174 have a fourth flow path with one end (outflow port 174) communicated with the liquid chamber 171 and the other end 33 (see FIG. 2) communicated with the head 21. It is an example.

  The liquid chamber 171 communicates with the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication chamber 175. More specifically, the atmosphere communication chamber 175 communicates with the liquid chamber 171 through a through hole 176 that penetrates the front wall 162. The atmosphere communication chamber 175 communicates with the outside of the printer 10 through an atmosphere communication port 177 and a tube (not shown) connected to the atmosphere communication port 177. That is, the atmosphere communication chamber 175 is an example of a fifth flow path in which one end (through hole 176) communicates with the liquid chamber 171 and the other end (atmosphere communication port 177) communicates with the outside of the printer 10. The atmosphere communication chamber 175 communicates with the atmosphere through an atmosphere communication port 177 and a tube (not shown).

[Joint 180]
As shown in FIG. 3, the joint 180 includes a needle 181 and a guide 182. The needle 181 is a tube having a flow path formed therein. The needle 181 protrudes forward from the front wall 162 that defines the liquid chamber 171. An opening 183 is formed at the protruding tip of the needle 181. The internal space of the needle 181 is communicated with the liquid chamber 171 through a through hole 184 that penetrates the front wall 162. The needle 181 is an example of a third flow path having one end (opening 183) communicating with the outside of the tank 160 and the other end (through hole 184) communicating with the liquid chamber 171. The guide 182 is a cylindrical member disposed around the needle 181. The guide 182 protrudes forward from the front wall 162, and the protruding end is open.

  A valve 185 and a coil spring 186 are located in the internal space of the needle 181. The valve 185 can move along the front-rear direction 8 between the closed position and the open position in the internal space of the needle 181. The valve 185 closes the opening 183 when positioned at the closed position. Further, the valve 185 opens the opening 183 when positioned at the open position. The coil spring 186 biases the valve 185 in the direction of moving the valve 185 from the open position to the closed position, that is, forward in the front-rear direction 8.

[Actuator 190]
An actuator 190 is located in the liquid chamber 171. The actuator 190 is supported by a support member (not shown) disposed in the liquid chamber 171 so as to be rotatable in the directions of arrows 198 and 199. The actuator 190 can rotate between a position indicated by a solid line and a position indicated by a broken line in FIG. Further, the actuator 190 is restricted from rotating in the direction of the arrow 198 from the position of the solid line by a stopper (not shown) (for example, the inner wall of the liquid chamber 171). The actuator 190 includes a float 191, a shaft 192, an arm 193, and a detected part 194.

  The float 191 is formed of a material having a specific gravity smaller than that of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171. The shaft 192 protrudes in the left-right direction 9 from the right and left surfaces of the float 191. The shaft 192 is inserted into a hole (not shown) formed in the support member. Accordingly, the actuator 190 is supported by the support member so as to be rotatable about the shaft 192. The arm 193 extends substantially upward from the float 191. The detected part 194 is located at the projecting tip of the arm 193. The detected part 194 is a plate-like member extending in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. The detected portion 194 is formed of a material or color that blocks light output from the light emitting portion of the liquid level sensor 155.

  When the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the reference position P, the actuator 190 rotated in the direction of the arrow 198 by buoyancy is held at the detection position indicated by the solid line in FIG. On the other hand, when the ink level is less than the reference position P, the actuator 190 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 199 following the lowering of the level. Thereby, the detected part 194 moves to a position deviating from the detection position. That is, the detected portion 194 moves to a position corresponding to the amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171.

  The reference position P is the same height as the axis center of the needle 181 in the vertical direction 7 and the same height as the center of the ink supply port 234 described later. However, the reference position P is not limited to the above position as long as it is a position above the outlet 174 in the vertical direction 7. As another example, the reference position P may be the height of the upper end or the lower end of the internal space of the needle 181, or the height of the upper end or the lower end of the ink supply port 234.

  When the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the reference position P, the light output from the light emitting part of the liquid level sensor 155 is blocked by the detected part 194. Accordingly, the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 because the light from the light emitting unit does not reach the light receiving unit. On the other hand, when the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is less than the reference position P, the liquid level sensor 155 outputs the high level signal to the controller 130 because the light output from the light emitting unit reaches the light receiving unit. To do. That is, the controller 130 can detect whether or not the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the reference position P based on a signal output from the liquid level sensor 155.

[Cartridge 200]
The cartridge 200 is a container having a liquid chamber 210 (see FIG. 2) in which ink, which is an example of a liquid, can be stored. The liquid chamber 210 is defined by, for example, a resin wall. As shown in FIG. 4A, the cartridge 200 has a flat shape in which the dimensions along the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 are larger than the dimensions along the left-right direction 9. Note that the outer shapes of the cartridges 200 in which different color inks are stored may be the same or different. At least a part of the walls constituting the cartridge 200 has translucency. Accordingly, the user can visually recognize the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 from the outside of the cartridge 200.

  The cartridge 200 includes a housing 201 and a supply pipe 230. The housing 201 includes a rear wall 202, a front wall 203, an upper wall 204, a lower wall 205, and a pair of side walls 206 and 207. The rear wall 202 is composed of a plurality of walls each shifted in the front-rear direction 8. Further, the upper wall 204 is constituted by a plurality of walls each shifted in the vertical direction 7. Further, the lower wall 205 is constituted by a plurality of walls each shifted in the vertical direction 7.

  In the internal space of the cartridge 200, as shown in FIG. 4B, a liquid chamber 210, an ink valve chamber 213, and an atmospheric valve chamber 214 are formed. The liquid chamber 210 has an upper liquid chamber 211 and a lower liquid chamber 212. The upper liquid chamber 211, the lower liquid chamber 212, and the atmospheric valve chamber 214 are internal spaces of the housing 201. On the other hand, the ink valve chamber 213 is an internal space of the supply pipe 230. The liquid chamber 210 stores ink. The atmospheric valve chamber 214 makes the liquid chamber 210 communicate with the outside of the cartridge 200. The liquid chamber 210 is an example of a first liquid chamber.

  The upper liquid chamber 211 and the lower liquid chamber 212 of the liquid chamber 210 are separated in the vertical direction 7 by a partition wall 215 that partitions the internal space of the housing 201. The upper liquid chamber 211 and the lower liquid chamber 212 are communicated with each other through a through hole 216 formed in the partition wall 215. The upper liquid chamber 211 and the atmospheric valve chamber 214 are separated in the vertical direction 7 by a partition wall 217 that partitions the internal space of the housing 201. The upper liquid chamber 211 and the atmospheric valve chamber 214 are communicated with each other through a through hole 218 formed in the partition wall 217. Further, the ink valve chamber 213 communicates with the lower end of the lower liquid chamber 212 through the through hole 219.

  The atmospheric valve chamber 214 communicates with the outside of the cartridge 200 through the atmospheric communication port 221 formed in the rear wall 202 at the upper part of the cartridge 200. That is, the atmospheric valve chamber 214 has one end (through hole 218) communicated with the liquid chamber 210 (more specifically, the upper liquid chamber 211), and the other end (atmospheric communication port 221) communicated with the outside of the cartridge 200. It is an example of the 2nd channel. The atmosphere valve chamber 214 communicates with the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication port 221. A valve 222 and a coil spring 223 are located in the atmospheric valve chamber 214. The valve 222 is movable along the front-rear direction 8 between a closed position and an open position. When the valve 222 is located at the closed position, the atmospheric communication port 221 is closed. Further, when the valve 222 is located at the open position, the air communication port 221 is opened. The coil spring 223 biases the valve 222 in a direction to move the valve 222 from the open position to the closed position, that is, in the rearward direction 8.

  In the process of mounting the cartridge 200 on the mounting case 150, the rod 153 enters the atmospheric valve chamber 214 through the atmospheric communication port 221. The rod 153 that has entered the atmospheric valve chamber 214 moves the valve 222 in the closed position forward against the biasing force of the coil spring 223. Then, when the valve 222 is moved to the open position, the upper liquid chamber 211 is communicated with the atmosphere. Note that the configuration for opening the atmosphere communication port 221 is not limited to the above example. As another example, the rod 153 may break through a film that seals the air communication port 221.

  The supply pipe 230 protrudes rearward from the rear wall 202 at the lower part of the housing 201. The supply pipe 230 has an open projecting end (that is, a rear end). That is, the ink valve chamber 213 communicates the liquid chamber 210 communicated through the through hole 219 and the outside of the cartridge 200. The ink valve chamber 213 has one end (through hole 219) communicated with the liquid chamber 210 (more specifically, the lower liquid chamber 212) and the other end (ink supply port 234 described later) communicated with the outside of the cartridge 200. It is an example of the 1st channel. Further, a packing 231, a valve 232, and a coil spring 233 are located in the ink valve chamber 213.

  In the center of the packing 231, an ink supply port 234 that penetrates in the front-rear direction 8 is formed. The inner diameter of the ink supply port 234 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the needle 181. The valve 232 is movable along the front-rear direction 8 between a closed position and an open position. When the valve 232 is located at the closing position, the ink supply port 234 is closed by contacting the packing 231. Further, when the valve 232 is located at the open position, it is separated from the packing 231 and opens the ink supply port 234. The coil spring 233 biases the valve 232 in a direction to move the valve 232 from the open position to the closed position, that is, in the backward direction in the front-rear direction 8. Further, the biasing force of the coil spring 233 is larger than the coil spring 186.

  In the process of mounting the cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150, the supply pipe 230 enters the guide 182, and the needle 181 enters the ink valve chamber 213 through the ink supply port 234 before long. At this time, the needle 181 is in fluid-tight contact with the inner peripheral surface defining the ink supply port 234 while elastically deforming the packing 231. When the cartridge 200 is further inserted into the mounting case 150, the needle 181 moves the valve 232 forward against the biasing force of the coil spring 233. Further, the valve 232 moves the valve 185 protruding from the opening 183 of the needle 181 backwards against the urging force of the coil spring 186.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the ink supply port 234 and the opening 183 are opened, and the ink valve chamber 213 of the supply pipe 230 communicates with the internal space of the needle 181. That is, in a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, the ink valve chamber 213 and the internal space of the needle 181 constitute a flow path that connects the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160.

  Further, in a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, a part of the liquid chamber 210 and a part of the liquid chamber 171 overlap each other when viewed in the horizontal direction. As a result, the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 moves to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 due to a water head difference through the connected supply pipe 230 and the joint 180.

  A protrusion 241 is formed on the upper wall 204. The protrusion 241 protrudes upward from the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and extends along the front-rear direction 8. The protrusion 241 has a lock surface 242 and an inclined surface 243. The lock surface 242 and the inclined surface 243 are located above the upper wall 204. The lock surface 242 faces the front in the front-rear direction 8 and extends in the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9 (that is, substantially orthogonal to the upper wall 204). The inclined surface 243 is inclined with respect to the upper wall 204 so as to face upward in the vertical direction 7 and backward in the front-rear direction 8.

  The lock surface 242 is a surface that comes into contact with the lock pin 156 when the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. The inclined surface 243 is a surface that guides the lock pin 156 to a position in contact with the lock surface 242 in the process of mounting the cartridge 200 on the mounting case 150. When the lock surface 242 and the lock pin 156 are in contact with each other, the cartridge 200 is held at the mounting position shown in FIG. 5 against the urging force of the coil springs 186, 223, and 233.

  A flat plate-like member is formed in front of the lock surface 242 so as to extend upward from the upper wall 204. The upper surface of the flat plate member is an operation unit 244 that is operated by the user when the cartridge 200 is removed from the mounting case 150. When the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150 and the cover 87 is located at the exposure position, the operation unit 244 can be operated by the user. When the operation unit 244 is pressed downward, the cartridge 200 rotates to move the lock surface 242 downward from the lock pin 156. As a result, the cartridge 200 can be removed from the mounting case 150.

  A light shielding rib 245 is formed on the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and behind the protrusion 241. The light shielding rib 245 protrudes upward from the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and extends along the front-rear direction 8. The light shielding rib 245 is formed of a material or color that shields light output from the light emitting portion of the mounting sensor 154. The light shielding rib 245 is located on the optical path from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit of the mounting sensor 154 when the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. That is, the mounting sensor 154 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 based on the fact that the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. On the other hand, the mounting sensor 154 outputs a high level signal to the controller 130 based on the fact that the cartridge 200 is not mounted in the mounting case 150. That is, the controller 130 can detect whether or not the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150 by a signal output from the mounting sensor 154.

  An IC chip 247 is located on the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and between the light shielding rib 245 and the protrusion 241 in the front-rear direction 8. An electrode 248 is formed on the IC chip 247. The IC chip 247 includes a memory (not shown). The electrode 248 is electrically connected to the memory of the IC chip 247. The electrode 248 is exposed on the upper surface of the IC chip 247 so as to be conductive with the contact 152. That is, the electrode 248 is electrically connected to the contact 152 in a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. The controller 130 can read information from the memory of the IC chip 247 through the contact 152 and the electrode 248, and can write information into the memory of the IC chip 247 through the contact 152 and the electrode 248.

  The memory of the IC chip 247 stores a maximum ink amount Vc0, a viscosity ρ, an ink amount Vc, a height Hc, a flow path resistance Rc, and a function Fc described later. The memory of the IC chip 247 is an example of a cartridge memory. The maximum ink amount Vc0 is an example of the maximum liquid amount indicating the maximum amount of ink that can be stored in the cartridge 200. In other words, the ink amount Vc0 indicates the amount of ink stored in the new cartridge 200. The viscosity ρ indicates the viscosity of the ink stored in the cartridge 200. Hereinafter, the information stored in the memory of the IC chip 247 may be collectively referred to as “CTG information”. “New” indicates a state in which the ink in the cartridge 200 has never flowed out of the cartridge 200.

  The storage area of the memory of the IC chip 247 includes, for example, a first area, a second area, and a third area. The first area, the second area, and the third area are different memory areas. The first area and the third area are areas in which information is not overwritten by the controller 130. On the other hand, the second area is an area where information can be overwritten by the controller 130. The flow path resistance Rc and the function Fc are stored in the first region, the ink amount Vc and the height Hc are stored in the second region, and the maximum liquid amount Vc0 is stored in the third region.

[Controller 130]
The controller 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, an EEPROM 134, and an ASIC 135, as shown in FIG. 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 setting information to be retained even after the power is turned off. The ROM 132, RAM 133, and EEPROM 134 are examples of device memory.

  The ASIC 135 is for operating the feed roller 23, the transport roller 25, the discharge roller 27, and the head 21. The controller 130 rotates the feed roller 23, the transport roller 25, and the discharge roller 27 by driving a motor (not shown) through the ASIC 135. Further, the controller 130 outputs a drive signal to the drive element of the head 21 through the ASIC 135, thereby causing the head 21 to eject ink through the nozzle 29. The ASIC 135 can output a plurality of types of drive signals based on the amount of ink to be ejected through the nozzles 29.

  Further, the display 17 and the operation panel 22 are connected to the ASIC 135. The display 17 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, and includes a display surface that displays various types of information. The display 17 is an example of a notification device. However, a specific example of the alarm is not limited to the display 17 and may be a speaker, an LED lamp, or a combination thereof. The operation panel 22 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation by the user to the controller 130. The operation panel 22 may have, for example, a push button or a touch sensor superimposed on a display.

  Further, the contact point 152, the cover sensor 88, the mounting sensor 154, and the liquid level sensor 155 are electrically connected to the ASIC 135. The controller 130 accesses the memory of the IC chip 247 of the cartridge 200 attached to the attachment case 150 through the contact 152. The controller 130 detects the position of the cover 87 through the cover sensor 88. Further, the controller 130 detects the insertion / extraction of the cartridge 200 through the mounting sensor 154. Further, the controller 130 detects through the liquid level sensor 155 whether or not the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the reference position P.

  The EEPROM 134 stores various information in association with each of the four cartridges 200 mounted on the mounting case 150, in other words, in association with each of the tanks 160 communicated with the cartridge 200. The various types of information include, for example, ink amounts Vc and Vs, which are examples of liquid amounts, maximum ink amount Vc0, heights Hc and Hs, flow path resistances Rc, Rs and Rn, functions Fc and Fs, and C_Empty. A flag, an S_Empty flag, and a count value N are included.

  The maximum ink amount Vc0, the ink amount Vc, the height Hc, the flow path resistance Rc, and the function Fc are obtained from the memory of the IC chip 247 through the contact 152 by the controller 130 in a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. Information to be read. Further, the channel resistances Rc and Rn and the function Fs may be stored in the ROM 132 instead of the EEPROM 134.

  The ink amount Vc indicates the amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200. The ink amount Vs indicates the amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160. The ink amounts Vc and Vs are calculated by, for example, equations 3 and 4 described later.

  The height Hc indicates the height in the vertical direction between the liquid level of the ink stored in the cartridge 200 and the reference position. The height Hs indicates the height in the vertical direction between the liquid level of the ink stored in the tank 160 and the reference position. As an example, the reference position may be a position of an imaginary line that extends along the horizontal direction (more specifically, the front-rear direction 8) through the center of the internal space of the needle 181. As another example, the reference position may be the same position as the reference position P. The heights Hc and Hs are calculated by equations 5 and 6, for example.

  The flow path resistance Rc indicates the magnitude of resistance received by the air passing through the atmospheric valve chamber 214. More specifically, the flow path resistance Rc indicates the resistance when air passes through the semipermeable membrane located in the flow path from the atmosphere communication port 221 to the through hole 218. The flow path resistance Rs indicates the magnitude of resistance received by the air passing through the atmosphere communication chamber 175. More specifically, the flow path resistance Rs indicates the resistance when air passes through the semipermeable membrane located in the flow path from the atmosphere communication port 177 to the through hole 176. The flow path resistance Ra indicates the magnitude of the resistance received by the ink passing through the internal space of the ink valve chamber 213 and the needle 181 communicated with each other. More specifically, the flow path resistance Ra indicates one or both of the magnitude of the resistance received by the ink passing through the ink valve chamber 213 and the magnitude of the resistance received by the ink passing through the internal space of the needle 181.

  The function Fc is information indicating the correspondence between the ink amount Vc and the height Hc. When the horizontal sectional area Dc of the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 changes in the vertical direction 7, the function Fc is determined in advance when the cartridge 200 is designed with the ink amount Vc and the height Hc as variables. On the other hand, when the horizontal sectional area Dc in the vertical direction 7 is constant, the function Fc = Vc / Dc. The first correspondence information is not limited to a function format, and may be a table format including a plurality of sets of corresponding ink amounts Vc and heights Hc.

  The function Fs is information indicating the correspondence between the ink amount Vs and the height Hs. When the horizontal sectional area Ds of the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 changes in the vertical direction 7, the function Fs is determined in advance when the tank 160 is designed with the ink amount Vs and the height Hs as variables. On the other hand, when the horizontal sectional area Ds in the vertical direction 7 is constant, the function Fs = Vs / Ds. The second correspondence information is not limited to the function format, and may be a table format including a plurality of sets of corresponding ink amounts Vc and heights Hc.

The count value N is equal to the ink discharge amount Dh (that is, the ink amount indicated by the drive signal) that instructs the head 21 to discharge after the signal output from the liquid level sensor 155 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal. in the corresponding value is a value which is updated in a direction approaching the threshold N _th. The count value N is a value counted up with an initial value of “0”. The threshold value N _th corresponds to the volume V _th of the liquid chamber 171 between the upper end of the outlet 174 and the reference position P. However, the count value N may be a value counted down using a value corresponding to the volume _Vth as an initial value. In this case, the threshold value N _th is 0. Further, the threshold value N _th is set such that the height Hs that is the liquid level of the tank 160 is higher than the upper end of the outlet 174 when the count value N reaches the threshold value N _th . Accordingly, the count value N even reaches the threshold value N _th, the tank 160, one assumes that the liquid level does not reach the outlet 174, the maximum amount of ink discharged for example from the head 21 is discharged The amount of ink Vs that can perform image recording for a minute (unit recording area) remains.

  The C_Empty flag is information indicating whether or not the cartridge 200 is in a cartridge empty state. In the C_Empty flag, a value “ON” corresponding to the cartridge empty state or a value “OFF” corresponding to the cartridge empty state is set. The cartridge empty state is a state in which ink is not substantially stored in the cartridge 200 (more specifically, the liquid chamber 210). In other words, the cartridge empty state is a state in which the ink does not move from the liquid chamber 210 communicated to the liquid chamber 171. In other words, the cartridge empty state is a state in which the liquid level of the tank 160 communicated with the cartridge 200 is less than the reference position P.

The S_Empty flag is information indicating whether or not the tank 160 is in an ink empty state. In the S_Empty flag, a value “ON” corresponding to the ink empty state or a value “OFF” corresponding to not being in the ink empty state is set. The in-empty state is a state in which, for example, the liquid level of the ink stored in the tank 160 (more specifically, the liquid chamber 171) has reached the upper end position of the outlet 174. In other words, the ink empty state, the count value N is at or above the threshold value N _th. If the ejection of ink by the head 21 is continued after entering the inempty state, the inside of the nozzle 29 may not be filled with ink, and air may be mixed (so-called air-in). That is, the ink empty state is a state in which the discharge of ink through the head 21 must be prohibited.

[Operation of Printer 10]
The operation of the printer 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Each process shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 is executed by the CPU 131 of the controller 130. Note that the following processes may be executed by the CPU 131 reading out and executing a program stored in the ROM 132, or may be realized by a hardware circuit mounted on the controller 130. In addition, the execution order of the following processes can be changed as appropriate without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[Image recording processing]
The controller 130 executes the image recording process shown in FIG. 7 based on the input of the recording instruction to the printer 10. The recording instruction is an example of a discharge instruction for causing the printer 10 to execute a recording process for recording an image indicated by image data on a sheet. The acquisition destination of the recording instruction is not particularly limited. For example, a user operation corresponding to the recording instruction may be received through the operation panel 22 or may be received from an external device through a communication interface (not shown).

  First, the controller 130 determines the set values of the four S_Empty flags (S11). Then, based on the determination that “ON” is set in at least one of the four S_Empty flags (S11: ON), the controller 130 displays the S_Empty notification screen on the display 17 (S12). The S_Empty notification screen is a screen for notifying the user that the corresponding tank 160 is in an ink empty state. The S_Empty notification screen may include, for example, information indicating the color of the ink stored in the tank 160 in the ink empty state and the ink amounts Vc and Vs. In step S12, the controller 130 displays the C_Empty notification screen on the display 17 together with the S_Empty notification screen based on the determination that “ON” is set in at least one of the four C_Empty flags. You may let them.

  In addition, the controller 130 executes the processes of S13 to S17 for each of the cartridges 200 corresponding to the S_Empty flag for which “ON” is set. That is, the processes of S13 to S17 are executed for each of the four cartridges 200 in which the corresponding S_Empty flag is set to “ON”. Since the processes of S13 to S17 for each cartridge 200 are common, only the processes of S13 to S17 corresponding to one cartridge 200 will be described.

  First, the controller 130 acquires a signal output from the mounting sensor 154 (S13). Next, the controller 130 determines whether the signal acquired from the mounting sensor 154 is a high level signal or a low level signal (S14). The controller 130 then repeats S13 at a predetermined time interval until the signal output from the mounting sensor 154 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal and then changes again from the high level signal to the low level signal (S14: No). , S14 is repeatedly executed. In other words, the controller 130 repeatedly executes the processes of S13 and S14 until the cartridge 200 is removed from the mounting case 150 and a new cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150.

  Then, the controller 130 acquires a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154, then acquires a high level signal from the mounting sensor 154, and then acquires a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154 (S14: Yes), the measurement of time is started and the processing of S15 to S17 is executed. First, the controller 130 reads CTG information from the memory of the IC chip 247 through the contact 152, and stores the read CTG information in the EEPROM 134 (S15).

  In addition, the controller 130 executes an Empty notification canceling process (S16). The Empty notification canceling process is a process for deleting the C_Empty notification screen and the S_Empty notification screen displayed on the display 17. Details of the Empty notification cancellation processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In addition, the controller 130 executes a remaining amount update process in parallel with the Empty notification cancellation process (S17). The remaining amount update process is a process for updating the ink amounts Vc and Vs and the heights Hc and Hs stored in the EEPROM 134. Details of the remaining amount update processing will be described later with reference to FIG. Although details will be described later, the controller 130 executes the processes subsequent to S11 again in parallel with the Empty notification canceling process and the remaining amount update process or based on the completion of the Empty notification canceling process and the remaining amount update process. To do. Then, based on the fact that all the four S_Empty flags are set to “OFF” (S11: OFF), the controller 130 acquires signals output from the four liquid level sensors 155 at the present time ( S18). Further, in S18, the controller 130 causes the RAM 133 to store information indicating whether the signal acquired from the liquid level sensor 155 is a high level signal or a low level signal (S18).

  Then, the controller 130 records the image indicated by the image data included in the recording instruction on the sheet (S19). More specifically, the controller 130 causes the sheet on the feeding tray 15 to be conveyed to the feeding roller 23 and the conveying roller 25, causes the ink to be ejected by the head 21, and causes the sheet on which the image is recorded to be ejected to the ejection roller 27. 16 to discharge. In other words, the controller 130 permits ink discharge through the head 21 when all four S_Empty flags are set to “OFF”. On the other hand, the controller 130 prohibits ink discharge through the head 21 when at least one of the four S_Empty flags is set to “ON”.

  Next, the controller 130 acquires signals currently output from each of the four liquid level sensors 155 based on recording an image on the sheet according to the recording instruction (S20). Further, similarly to S18, the controller 130 causes the RAM 133 to store information indicating whether the signal acquired from the liquid level sensor 155 is a high level signal or a low level signal (S20). And the controller 130 performs a count process (S21). The count process is a process of updating the count value N, the C_Empty flag, and the S_Empty flag based on the signals acquired from the liquid level sensor 155 in S18 and S20. Details of the counting process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the controller 130 repeatedly executes the processes of S11 to S21 until all the images indicated by the recording instruction are recorded on the sheet (S22: Yes). Then, the controller 130 determines the setting values of the four S_Empty flags and the setting values of the four C_Empty flags based on the fact that all the images indicated by the recording instructions are recorded on the sheet (S22: No). S23, S24).

  Based on the fact that “ON” is set in at least one of the four S_Empty flags (S23: ON), the controller 130 displays the S_Empty notification screen on the display 17 (S25). Further, the controller 130 is based on the fact that all four S_Empty flags are set to “OFF” and at least one of the four C_Empty flags is set to “ON” (S23: OFF & S24: ON). ), A C_Empty notification screen (an example of the first notification) is displayed on the display 17 (S26). The process of S25 and S26 is an example of operating the alarm.

  The S_Empty notification screen displayed in S25 may be the same as S12. The C_Empty notification screen is a screen for notifying the user that the cartridge 200 corresponding to the C_Empty flag for which “ON” is set has entered the cartridge empty state. The C_Empty notification screen may include, for example, information indicating the color of the ink stored in the cartridge 200 in the cartridge empty state and the ink amounts Vc and Vs. On the other hand, based on the fact that all four S_Empty flags and four C_Empty flags are set to “OFF” (S24: OFF), the controller 130 performs the image recording process without executing the processes of S25 and S26. Exit.

  A specific example of the discharge instruction is not limited to the recording instruction, and may be a maintenance instruction for instructing the maintenance of the nozzles 29. For example, the controller 130 executes the same processing as in FIG. 7 based on the acquisition of the maintenance instruction. Differences from the above-described processing when a maintenance instruction is acquired are as follows. First, in step S <b> 19, the controller 130 drives a maintenance mechanism (not shown) to discharge ink through the nozzles 29. Further, the controller 130 executes the processing after S23 without executing the processing of S22 after executing the counting processing.

[Remaining amount update processing]
Next, the details of the remaining amount update process executed by the controller 130 in S17 will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 11A, a new product (that is, ink having the maximum ink amount Vc0 is stored) in the mounting case 150 in a state where ink is not stored in the tank 160. It is assumed that the cartridge 200 is mounted. Further, the remaining amount updating processing is to be executed at time t _k newly time t _k-1 from a period Δt of detecting the mounting of the cartridge 200 has elapsed S14. That is, the period Δt = t _k −t _k−1 in this case.

  The controller 130 calculates the outflow amounts Qa and Qc, the ink amounts Vc and Vs, and the heights Hc and Hs using the following formulas 1 to 6 (S31, S32).

First, the outflow amount Qa indicates the amount of ink that flows out from the liquid chamber 171 through the outflow port 174 during the period Δt. Since ink is not discharged through the head 21 at the time of execution of S12 to S17, the ink discharge amounts Dh (t _k-1 ) and Dh (t _k ) are both zero. That is, the controller 130 calculates the outflow amount Qa = 0 using Equation 1 (S31).

Next, the outflow amount Qc indicates the amount of ink that flows out from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 during the period Δt through the internal space of the needle 181 and the ink valve chamber 213 communicated with each other. The controller 130 reads the heights Hc and Hs stored in the EEPROM 134 as the heights Hc ′ and Hs ′ at the time tk ₋₁ . Further, the controller 130 reads the viscosity ρ and the channel resistances Rc, Rs, and Rn from the EEPROM 134. Then, the controller 130 calculates the outflow amount Qc by substituting the information read from the EEPROM 134, the gravitational acceleration g, and the outflow amount Qa = 0 calculated immediately before into the expression 2 (S31).

  As shown in Expression 2, the outflow amount Qc increases as the difference between the heights Hc ′ and Hs ′ (that is, the water head difference) increases, and decreases as the water head difference decreases. Further, the outflow amount Qc decreases as the flow path resistance Rn in the ink valve chamber 213 and the internal space of the needle 181 through which ink actually passes increases, and increases as the flow path resistance Rn decreases.

  When ink moves from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171, the liquid chamber 210 is temporarily depressurized from the atmospheric pressure, and the liquid chamber 171 is temporarily pressurized from the atmospheric pressure. The pressure difference between the pressure in the liquid chamber 210 and the atmospheric pressure is eliminated by air flowing into the liquid chamber 210 through the atmospheric valve chamber 214. Further, when the outflow amount Qa = 0, the pressure difference between the pressure in the liquid chamber 171 and the atmospheric pressure is eliminated by the air flowing out from the liquid chamber 171 through the atmosphere communication chamber 175.

  These pressure differences impede the movement of ink from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171. That is, the outflow amount Qc decreases as the flow path resistance Rc increases, and increases as the flow path resistance Rc decreases. Further, the outflow amount Qc when the outflow amount Qa = 0 is decreased as the flow path resistance Rs is increased, and is increased as the flow path resistance Rs is decreased.

Next, the controller 130 reads the ink amount Vc stored in the EEPROM 134 as the ink amount Vc ′ at the time tk ₋₁ . Then, the controller 130 includes an ink amount Vc 'read from the EEPROM 134, and outflow Qc calculated immediately before are substituted into Equation 3 to calculate the ink amount Vc at time _{t k} (S32). That is, the controller 130, the ink amount Vc 'at time _{t k-1,} by subtracting the outflow Qc of the ink flowing from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 during the period Delta] t, the ink amount Vc at time _{t k} calculate.

In S _< b> 32, the controller 130 reads the ink amount Vs stored in the EEPROM 134 as the ink amount Vs ′ at the time tk ₋₁ . Then, the controller 130 includes an ink amount Vs' read from the EEPROM 134, the outflow amount Qa calculated immediately before, and Qc are substituted into Equation 4 to calculate the ink amount Vs at time _{t k.} That is, the controller 130 subtracts the outflow amount Qa of the ink that has flowed out of the tank 160 during the period Δt to the ink amount Vs ′ at the time tk ₋₁ , and changes from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 during the period Δt. in addition the outflow amount Qc of spilled ink, and calculates the ink amount Vs at time t _k.

In S <b> 32, the controller 130 reads the function Fc stored in the EEPROM 134. Then, the controller 130 substitutes the ink amount Vc calculated immediately before as shown in equation 5 to the function Fc, to identify the height Hc at time t _k. Further, in S32, the controller 130 compares the ink amount Vs calculated immediately before with the volume _Vth . Then, the controller 130 determines that the ink amount Vs is equal to or less than the volume _Vth (that is, as shown in FIG. 11A, the liquid level of the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or less than the reference position P). specifying the height Hs = 0 at time _{t k} as shown by 6. On the other hand, the controller 130 determines that the ink amount Vs is larger than the volume _Vth (that is, the liquid level in the liquid chamber 171 is higher than the reference position P as shown in FIGS. 11B and 12A). Based on this, the function Fs is read from the EEPROM 134. Then, the controller 130 substitutes the ink amount Vs calculated immediately before as shown in equation 6 in function Fs, to identify the height Hs at time _{t k} (S32).

  Next, the controller 130 stores the ink amounts Vc and Vs and the heights Hc and Hs (remaining amount information) calculated in S32 in the EEPROM 134 (S33). More specifically, the controller 130 overwrites the ink amounts Vc and Vs and the heights Hc and Hs stored in the EEPROM 134 with the ink amounts Vc and Vs and the heights Hc and Hs calculated in S32 immediately before. Further, the controller 130 stores the ink amount Vc and the height Hc (remaining amount information) calculated in S33 in the memory of the IC chip 247 through the contact 152 (S34). More specifically, the controller 130 overwrites the ink amount Vc and the height Hc stored in the second area of the memory of the IC chip 247 with the ink amount Vc and the height Hc calculated in the immediately preceding S33.

  Prior to the process of S34, the controller 130 may acquire the signal output from the cover sensor 88 and determine whether the acquired signal is a high level signal or a low level signal. And the controller 130 may perform the process of S35 based on having acquired the high level signal from the cover sensor 88. FIG. On the other hand, the controller 130 may execute the processes after S35 without executing the process of S34 based on the acquisition of the low level signal from the cover sensor 88.

Next, the controller 130 compares the difference between the heights Hc and Hs calculated in the immediately preceding S33 with the threshold height _Hth (S35). The threshold height H _th indicates a water head difference between which the ink does not substantially move between the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171. The threshold height H _th is 0, for example. A state where ink does not substantially move between the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 is defined as an equilibrium state. That is, in this equilibrium state, the water head difference between the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 is substantially zero.

Next, based on the determination that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is greater than or _equal to the threshold height _Hth (S35: No), the controller 130 acquires a signal output from the mounting sensor 154 (S36). Next, the controller 130 determines whether the signal acquired from the mounting sensor 154 is a high level signal or a low level signal (S37). Then, until the signal output from the mounting sensor 154 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal (S37: Yes), or until the period Δt elapses after the processing of S31 to S34 is executed immediately before. (S38: Yes), the processes of S36 and S37 are repeatedly executed at a predetermined time interval shorter than the period Δt.

Next, based on the fact that the period Δt has passed before the output of the mounting sensor 154 does not change (S37: No & S38: Yes), the controller 130 executes the processes after S31 again. In other words, the controller 130 waits for execution of the next processing of S31 to S34 until the period Δt elapses after the processing of S31 to S34 is executed immediately before. By repeatedly executing the processes of S31 to S38, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 12A, the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is gradually reduced. Then, the controller 130 ends the remaining amount update process based on the determination that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is less than the threshold height _Hth (S35: Yes). That is, the remaining amount update process corresponding to each of the four cartridges 200 may end at different timings.

  Here, the controller 130 may change the period Δt in S38. More specifically, the controller 130 shortens the period Δt in S38 as the difference between the heights Hc and Hs calculated in the immediately preceding S32 increases, and decreases the difference in the heights Hc and Hs calculated in the immediately preceding S32. It may be longer. That is, the controller 130 shortens the interval between the processes of S31 to S34 to be repeatedly executed (in other words, the update interval of the ink amounts Vc and Vs and the heights Hc and Hs) as the difference between the heights Hc and Hs increases. Further, the smaller the difference between the heights Hc and Hs, the longer it may be.

  On the other hand, the controller 130 determines that the output of the mounting sensor 154 has changed from the low level signal to the high level signal before the period Δt has elapsed (S38: No & S37: Yes). Instead, the processes of S39 to S41 are executed. The change of the output of the mounting sensor 154 from the low level signal to the high level signal corresponds to the removal of the cartridge 200 from the mounting case 150. That is, the processes of S31 to S34 are repeatedly executed while the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, and are stopped based on the removal of the cartridge 200 from the mounting case 150.

  Then, the controller 130 repeatedly acquires a signal output from the mounting sensor 154 at a predetermined time interval until the output of the mounting sensor 154 changes from the high level signal to the low level signal again (S40: No) (S39). Then, the controller 130 executes the processes of S41 to S41 based on the change in the output of the mounting sensor 154 from the high level signal to the low level signal (S40: Yes), and again executes the processes after S31. . The processes of S36, S37, S39, S40, and S41 correspond to the processes of S13, S14, and S15 in FIG.

  As an example, the controller 130 may execute the processes after S11 based on the completion of the remaining amount update process started in S17. In this case, as shown in FIG. 12A, ink discharge through the head 21 is started with the liquid surfaces of the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 aligned. As another example, the controller 130 may execute the processes after S11 in parallel with the remaining amount update process started in S17. In this case, as shown in FIG. 11B, ink discharge through the head 21 is started in a state where a water head difference is generated between the cartridge 200 and the tank 160.

[Count processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the detail of the count process which the controller 130 performs by S21 is demonstrated. Note that the controller 130 performs count processing independently for each of the four cartridges 200. Since the counting process for each cartridge 200 is common, only the counting process corresponding to one cartridge 200 will be described.

  First, the controller 130 compares information indicating the signal of the liquid level sensor 155 stored in the RAM 133 in S18 and S20 (S51). That is, the controller 130 determines whether or not the signals of the four liquid level sensors 155 have changed before and after the process of S19 immediately before the count process (S21) is executed.

  The controller 130 is based on the fact that both the information stored in the RAM 133 in S18 and S20 indicate a low level signal (that is, the output of the liquid level sensor 155 does not change before and after the process of S19) (S51: L → L), the remaining amount update process is executed (S52). On the other hand, if the remaining amount update process is started in S17 and the process in S19 is executed before the equilibrium state is reached, the remaining amount update process started in S17 is continuously executed. There is no need to start the remaining amount update process. The remaining amount update process in S52 is different from the above description in that the outflow amount Qa ≠ 0. In the following, detailed description of points in common with the above description will be omitted, and differences will be mainly described.

First, the controller 130 substitutes the ink discharge amount Dh of the end time _{t k} in Equation 1 from the starting time _{t k-1} of S19, to calculate the outflow Qa (S32). The period Δt in this case corresponds to a period required for recording an image on one sheet. In addition, the ink discharge amount Dh in this case corresponds to the total discharge amount of ink to be discharged onto one sheet. That is, the controller 130 only needs to execute the processes of S32 to S35 each time image recording of one sheet is executed. However, specific examples of the period Δt and the ink discharge amount Dh are not limited to these.

As another example, the period Δt corresponds to a period required to execute image recording for one pass. In this case, the time t _k−1 is a time at which image recording for one pass is started. In addition, time t _k is the time at which the first pass content of the image recording has been completed. Further, the ink discharge amount Dh (tk _-1 ) corresponds to the ink amount instructed to be discharged from the start of S19 to the time tk _-1 . Furthermore, the ink discharge amount Dh (t _k ) corresponds to the amount of ink instructed to be discharged from the start of S19 to time t _k . That is, the controller 130 may execute the processes of S32 to S35 every time the image of one pass is recorded. As yet another example, the controller 130 may execute the processes of S32 to S35 at an arbitrary timing unrelated to the image recording break.

  Further, the controller 130 substitutes the height Hc ′, Hs ′, viscosity ρ, flow path resistance Rc, Rs, Rn stored in the EEPROM 134 and the outflow amount Qa calculated immediately before into the expression 2, The amount Qc is calculated (S32).

  Both the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 in an equilibrium state are maintained at atmospheric pressure. When ink is discharged through the head 21 from this state, the ink flows out from the liquid chamber 171 through the outflow port 174. Further, the ink moves from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 through the inner space of the needle 181 and the ink valve chamber 213. As the outflow amount Qa increases, the water head difference between the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 increases, so the outflow amount Qc increases as the outflow amount Qa increases.

  The liquid chamber 171 is temporarily depressurized from atmospheric pressure by discharging ink through the head 21. The pressure difference between the pressure in the liquid chamber 171 and the atmospheric pressure is eliminated by the ink moving from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 and air flowing into the liquid chamber 171 through the atmosphere communication chamber 175. The amount of air flowing into the liquid chamber 171 through the atmosphere communication chamber 175 decreases as the flow path resistance Rs increases, and increases as the flow path resistance Rs decreases. Then, in order to return the liquid chamber 171 to atmospheric pressure, the outflow amount Qc when the outflow amount Qa> 0 increases as the flow path resistance Rs increases, and decreases as the flow path resistance Rs decreases.

  Returning to FIG. 9, the controller 130 indicates that the information stored in the RAM 133 in S18 indicates a low level signal, and the information stored in the RAM 133 in S20 indicates a high level signal (that is, before and after the processing of S19. Based on the fact that the output of the surface sensor 155 has changed (S51: L → H), “ON” is substituted into the C_Empty flag (S53). The reason why the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal is that the liquid level of the tank 160 has reached the reference position P during the process of S19 as shown in FIG. Correspond. Thereafter, the ink does not move between the cartridge 200 and the tank 160.

Further, the controller 130 overwrites the ink amount Vc stored in the EEPROM 134 with a predetermined value (= 0) determined in advance (S54). Similarly, the controller 130 overwrites the ink amount Vs stored in the EEPROM 134 with a predetermined value (= volume V _th −ink discharge amount Dh) (S54). Since the ink amounts Vc and Vs calculated in the remaining amount update process include errors, the errors accumulated in the ink amounts Vc and Vs increase as the number of repetitions of the processes of S32 to S35 increases. Therefore, the controller 130 substitutes predetermined values for the ink amounts Vc and Vs at the timing when the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal, and resets the accumulated error.

  As described above, the ink discharge amount Dh corresponds to the amount of ink ejected on one sheet in the immediately preceding S19. On the other hand, the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes during the process of S19. In other words, the ink amount Vs overwritten in S54 slightly deviates from the amount of ink stored in the tank 160 at the moment when the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes. However, since this deviation is slight, the ink amount Vs overwritten in S54 is treated as the ink amount Vs when the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes.

  Further, the controller 130 substitutes the ink discharge amount Dh into the count value N stored in the EEPROM 134 (S55). That is, the controller 130 counts up the count value N by a value corresponding to the amount of ink instructed to be discharged in the immediately preceding S19. In other words, the controller 130 starts updating the count value N based on the change in the output of the liquid level sensor 155 from the low level signal to the high level signal.

Next, the controller 130 compares the count value N updated in S55, the threshold _{N th} (S56). Then, the controller 130, based on the count value N updated in S55 is determined as less than the threshold _{N th} (S56: No), without executing the processing in S57, and ends the counting process. Meanwhile, the controller 130, based on the count value N updated in S55 is judged that it more threshold _{N th} (S56: Yes), substitutes "ON" to S_Empty flag (S57). Then, the controller 130 prohibits ink discharge through the head 21 based on the fact that “ON” is set in the S_Empty flag, and ends the counting process.

  Further, the controller 130 reads the count value N stored in the EEPROM 134 based on the fact that both the information stored in the RAM 133 in S18 and S20 indicate a high level signal (S51: H → H). Then, the controller 130 adds the ink discharge amount Dh to the read count value N, and stores it again in the EEPROM 134 (S58). Next, the controller 130 uses the count value N updated in S58 to execute the processing from S56 described above.

  That is, the controller 130 performs a count process for each cartridge 200 every time ink is discharged through the head 21. For example, when viewing one cartridge 200 as a target, the remaining amount update process is executed for a while after being attached to the attachment case 150 (S51: L → L), and the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes. The processes of S53 to S57 are executed only once (S51: L → H), and thereafter, the processes of S58 and S56 to S57 are executed until the ink in the tank 160 runs out (S51: H → H). .

[Empty cancellation processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 10, the details of the Empty cancellation process executed by the controller 130 in S16 will be described. The controller 130 independently executes the processes of S13 to S17 for each of the four cartridges 200. Since the Empty release processing for each cartridge 200 is common, only the Empty release processing corresponding to one cartridge 200 will be described.

In the counting process, the controller 130, based on the count value N updated in S55 is judged that it more threshold _{N th} (S56: Yes), by substituting "ON" to S_Empty flag (S57), through the head 21 The discharge of ink is prohibited. In the image recording process, the controller 130 causes the display 17 to display the S_Empty notification screen based on the determination that “ON” is set in the S_Empty flag (S11: ON) (S12).

  In the state described above (that is, the state where the controller 130 prohibits the ink discharge through the head 21 and the S_Empty notification screen is displayed on the display 17), as shown in FIG. The state where ink does not flow out to the tank 160, that is, Vc = 0. In addition, the ink level of the tank 160 is below the reference position P and reaches a position near the upper end of the outlet 174. Therefore, the user replaces the empty cartridge 200 with a new one or a cartridge 200 in which ink is sufficiently stored, and performs image recording unless the prohibition of ink discharge through the head 21 is released. I can't.

  In the process in which the user replaces the cartridge 200, the controller 130 acquires a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154, thereafter acquires a high level signal from the mounting sensor 154, and then acquires a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154. Is acquired (S14: Yes). Specifically, in the process of removing the cartridge 200 from the mounting case 150, the controller 130 acquires a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154 and then acquires a high level signal from the mounting sensor 154. Next, in the process of inserting the cartridge 200 into the mounting case 150, a high level signal is acquired from the mounting sensor 154 and then a low level signal is acquired from the mounting sensor 154. Then, the controller 130 reads the CTG information from the memory of the IC chip 247 through the contact 152, and stores the read CTG information in the EEPROM 134 (S15).

In the Empty release process, first, the controller 130 calculates the outflow amount Qc based on the CTG information read from the memory of the IC chip 247 through the contact 152 and stored in the EEPROM 134 in S15. The calculation of the outflow amount Qc is the same as the calculation in S31. Immediately after the cartridge 200 is replaced, the prohibition of ink discharge through the head 21 has not been lifted, and the outflow amount Qa = 0. Further, since the ink amount Vs is equal to or less than the volume _Vth , the height Hs = 0. Therefore, the controller 130 substitutes the height Hc, the viscosity ρ, the channel resistances Rc, Rs, Rn, and the gravitational acceleration g, the outflow amount Qa = 0, and the height Hs = 0 stored in the EEPROM 134 into the formula 2. Then, the outflow amount Qc is calculated (S61).

  Next, the controller 130 substitutes “OFF” for each of the S_Empty flag and the C_Empty flag (S62). Then, the controller 130 permits ink discharge through the head 21 based on the fact that all four S_Empty flags are set to “OFF”. Then, the controller 130 deletes the S_Empty notification screen and the C_Empty notification screen from the display 17 (S63).

Subsequently, the controller 130 determines whether or not a recording instruction is input to the printer 10 (S64). Based on the determination that the recording instruction is not input to the printer 10 (S64: No), the controller 130 acquires a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154, and then acquires a high level signal from the mounting sensor 154. Further, the time elapsed after acquiring the low level signal from the mounting sensor 154 (S14) is compared with the time T2 (S65). During time T2, as shown in FIG. 13A, the liquid chamber 210 of the replaced cartridge 200 is changed from the state in which the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is near the upper end of the outlet 174. This is the time required to reach the reference position P when ink flows out from the liquid chamber 171. For example, the time T2 may be variably calculated as the time required for the ink amount corresponding to the volume _Vth to flow into the tank 160 based on the calculated outflow amount Qc.

  If the elapsed time does not exceed the time T2 (S65: No), the controller 130 acquires the signal of the liquid level sensor 155 (S66). As shown in FIG. 13B, when ink flows from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 into the liquid chamber 171 and the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 reaches the reference position P, the output of the liquid level sensor 155 is output. Changes from a high level signal to a low level signal. Based on the acquisition of the low level signal from the liquid level sensor 155 (S66: Yes), the controller 130 resets the count value N stored in the EEPROM 134 to “0” (S70), and performs the Empty release process. finish.

  Further, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vs and the ink amount Vc in the same manner as S32 based on the fact that the low level signal is not acquired from the liquid level sensor 155 (S66: No). Further, the controller 130 subtracts the increment of the ink amount Vs from the count value N, and updates the ink amount Vs, the ink amount Vc, and the count value N in the EEPROM 134 and the IC chip 247 (S67).

As shown in FIG. 14, when the cartridge 200 is replaced, ink flows from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 with the outflow amount Qc. As a result, the ink amount Vs in the liquid chamber 171 increases. Further, the ink amount Vc in the liquid chamber 210 decreases. The controller 130 updates the count value N based on the increase in the ink amount Vs. The ink amount Vs, the ink amount Vc, and the count value N are updated every period Δt. The controller 130 updates the ink amount Vs, the ink amount Vc, and the count value N (S67), waits for a period Δt (S68), and returns to the process of S64. The position of the threshold value N _th shown in FIG. 14 shows the position of the ink amount Vs remaining in the tank 160 when the count value N reaches the threshold N _th. In the present embodiment, since the count value N is counted up from zero, the count value N increases as the ink amount Vs approaches zero.

  On the other hand, if the elapsed time exceeds the time T2 (S65: Yes), the controller 130 acquires the signal of the liquid level sensor 155 (S69). Based on the acquisition of the low level signal from the liquid level sensor 155 (S69: Yes), the controller 130 resets the count value N stored in the EEPROM 134 to “0” (S70), and performs the Empty release process. finish.

  Further, based on the fact that the low level signal has not been acquired from the liquid level sensor 155 (S69: No), the controller 130 substitutes “ON” for each of the S_Empty flag and the C_Empty flag (S71). For example, it is assumed that the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC chip 247 of the cartridge 200 does not match the ink amount actually stored in the liquid chamber 210. For example, when almost no ink is stored in the liquid chamber 210, the output of the liquid level sensor 155 remains a low level signal even if the elapsed time exceeds the time T2. In such a case, the S_Empty flag and the C_Empty flag are turned “ON” again. Then, the controller 130 displays the S_Empty notification screen and the C_Empty notification screen on the display 17 (S72). Further, the controller 130 displays on the display 17 "Replace cartridge" prompting replacement of the cartridge 200 (S73), and ends the Empty canceling process.

Meanwhile, the controller 130, based on the recording instruction is determined to have been input (S64: Yes), compares the count value N read from the EEPROM 134, and a threshold value _{N th} (S74). As described above, when the cartridge 200 is replaced, ink flows from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 with the outflow amount Qc, and the controller 130 updates the ink amount Vs and the count value N. count value N is separated from the threshold _{N th} over. Then, the controller 130, based on the count value N is determined to less than the threshold _{N th} (S74: Yes), performs image recording for one sheet sheets (S78). More specifically, the controller 130 causes the sheet supported on the feeding tray 15 to be conveyed to the feeding roller 23 and the conveying roller 25, causes the ink to be ejected by the head 21, and causes the sheet on which the image is recorded to be discharged to the discharge roller 27. It is discharged to the discharge tray 16. By the count value N is smaller than the threshold N _th, if the controller 130, even ejected the maximum ink discharge amount from the head 21 to one sheet of the sheet, in the liquid chamber 171, the flow is the liquid surface of the ink The outlet 174 is never reached.

  After the image recording of one sheet is completed, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs in the same manner as in S32, and the calculated ink amount Vc and ink amount Vs are stored in the EEPROM 134 and the IC chip. Update in the memory of 247 (S79). Similarly to S58, the ink discharge amount Dh discharged from the head 21 by image recording of one sheet is added to update the count value N stored in the EEPROM 134 (S79). Then, the controller 130 returns to the processing of S74 based on the determination that there is a next page in the recording data according to the recording instruction (S80: Yes). In addition, the controller 130 returns to the process of S64 based on determining that there is no next page in the recording data according to the recording instruction (S80: No).

On the other hand, the controller 130 determines that the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC chip 247 is the threshold value V _th (an example of the second threshold value) based on the determination that the count value N is not less than the threshold value N _th (S74: No). (S75). The threshold value _Vth may be, for example, the volume _Vth of the liquid chamber 171 between the upper end of the outlet 174 in the liquid chamber 171 and the reference position P, or the maximum ink of one sheet from the volume _Vth. It may be a value obtained by subtracting the discharge amount.

Then, based on the determination that the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC chip 247 is equal to or greater than the threshold value _Vth (S75: Yes), the controller 130 waits for the standby time T1 (S76). Waiting time T1 is the outflow Qc, a time required for the count value N is less than the threshold value _{N th.} Accordingly, the controller 130, outflow Qc, and based on the difference between the current count value N and threshold value _{N th,} calculates the waiting time T1.

  Then, after waiting for the standby time T1 (S76), the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vs and the ink amount Vc in the same manner as S32. Further, the controller 130 subtracts the increment of the ink amount Vs based on the outflow amount Qc from the count value N, and updates the ink amount Vs, the ink amount Vc, and the count value N in the memory of the EEPROM 134 and the IC chip 247 ( S77).

As shown in FIG. 14, when the cartridge 200 is replaced, ink flows from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 into the liquid chamber 171 with the outflow amount Qc, while image recording of one sheet is performed. As a result, the ink amount Vs in the tank 160 decreases with the outflow amount Qa. When the outflow amount Qa is larger than the outflow amount Qc (outflow amount Qa> outflow amount Qc), the ink decreases in the tank 160. On the other hand, for example, after the image recording of one sheet is completed, the image recording of the second sheet is not started, and the waiting time T1 is waited. The ink amount Vs in the chamber 171 increases. Based on the increase of ink amount Vs, the count value N is less than the threshold value _{N th.} Controller 130, after the count value N is below the threshold value _{N th,} performs image recording of the next sheet (S78). And the controller 130 performs the process of S79, S80 similarly to the above-mentioned.

  In addition, although the above-mentioned Empty cancellation | release process is demonstrated as a process which the controller 130 performs by S16, it is not this limitation. For example, in a state where the image recording process is completed and the C_Empty notification screen is displayed on the display 17, the controller 130 executes the above-described Empty release process based on the cartridge 200 being mounted. May be.

[Function and effect]
According to the above description, the printer 10 can perform image recording immediately after the cartridge 200 is replaced while the C_Empty notification screen is notified on the display 17. The printer 10 is an image recording, and the count value N corresponding to the ink amount Vs of the tank 160 reaches the threshold _{N th,} and, the ink amount Vc read out from the memory of the IC chip 247 of the cartridge 200 Is _{equal to} or greater than the threshold value _Vth, it is possible to perform image recording of the next page by waiting for the waiting time T1.

Further, the waiting time T1, since the count value N corresponding to the ink amount Vs of the tank 160 by the outflow Qc is the time required for below the threshold N _th, while the count value N is equal to or more than the state threshold N _th, the following No image recording is performed for the next page.

Further, the controller 130, the ink amount Vs, outflow Qc, since calculating the waiting time T1 based on the count value N and threshold value N _th, the count value corresponding to the ink amount Vs after image recording for one sheet Sheet N can be calculated waiting time T1 required to be below the threshold N _th.

Further, the threshold value N _th is a value at which air does not enter the outlet 174 in the tank 160 even if the maximum ink amount that can be discharged from the head 21 is discharged in the image recording of one sheet. The so-called air-in is suppressed no matter what image recording is performed in the image recording of the minute sheet.

Further, the controller 130, the count value N corresponding to the ink amount Vs has reached a threshold _{N th,} and that the ink amount Vc read out from the memory of the IC chip 247 of the cartridge 200 is less than the threshold value _{V th} Based on the above, a screen for prompting replacement of the cartridge is displayed on the display 17. Accordingly, when a sufficient amount of ink is not stored in the cartridge 200 even after the cartridge 200 is replaced, the user can be notified that the cartridge needs to be replaced again.

  In addition, according to the above description, even if the printer 10 causes the head 21 to discharge ink, even if there is a difference in the liquid level between the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171, 4, the ink amounts Vc and Vs can be calculated individually. In addition, since the printer 10 calculates the outflow amount Qc in consideration of the heights Hc and Hs in Expression 2, even when the liquid levels of the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 are not already aligned when the discharge instruction is acquired. The outflow amount Qc can be calculated appropriately. As a result, the ink amounts Vc and Vs can be calculated appropriately.

Further, according to the above description, even when the liquid levels of the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 are different when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 During the period until the liquid levels are aligned, the printer 10 can individually calculate the ink amounts Vc and Vs according to Equations 1 to 4. However, since the ink is not moved when the cartridge 200 is removed from the mounting case 150, the printer 10 determines that the heights Hc and Hs are the threshold heights H _th based on the output of the high level signal from the mounting sensor 154. It is desirable to stop the processing of S32 to S35 regardless of whether it is less.

  Further, according to the above description, the printer 10 repeatedly executes the processes of S32 to S35 every time the period Δt elapses. As a result, during the period until the liquid levels in the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 are aligned, the printer 10 can grasp the ink amounts Vc and Vs in real time. The outflow amount Qc increases as the difference between the heights Hc and Hs increases, and decreases as the difference between the heights Hc and Hs decreases. Therefore, as in the above embodiment, by changing the execution frequency of S32 to S35 based on the difference between the heights Hc and Hs, it is possible to grasp the real-time ink amounts Vc and Vs and reduce the processing load on the controller 130. Can be made compatible.

  Further, according to the above description, the printer 10 reads the maximum ink amount Vc0, the viscosity ρ, the flow path resistance Rc, and the function Fc from the memory of the IC chip 247 at the timing when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. Then, the printer 10 calculates the outflow amounts Qa and Qc, the ink amounts Vc and Vs, and the heights Hc and Hs using the read maximum ink amount Vc0, viscosity ρ, flow path resistance Rc, and function Fc. Thereby, even if the CTG information is different for each cartridge 200, the printer 10 can calculate an appropriate value in S32 and S33.

  Further, according to the above description, the printer 10 writes the ink amount Vc and the height Hc calculated in S32 in the memory of the IC chip 247. Thus, when the cartridge 200 removed from the mounting case 150 is mounted on another printer 10, the other printer 10 can appropriately grasp the amount of ink stored in the cartridge 200. However, the cartridge 200 is removed from the mounting case 150 only when the cover 87 is disposed at the exposed position. Therefore, as described above, the printer 10 updates the ink amount Vc and the height Hc of the memory of the IC chip 247 only when the high level signal is output from the cover sensor 88. As a result, the number of accesses to the memory of the IC chip 247 can be reduced.

[Modification]
In the above description, the controller 130, the ink amount Vs, outflow Qc, but calculates the waiting time T1 based on the count value N and threshold value _{N th,} the waiting time T1 is not limited to this. For example, it may be a preset standby time T1. Further, for example, when the image recording is a so-called copy in which a plurality of the same images are printed, the controller 130 sets the amount of ink discharged from the head 21 in the image recording of the first sheet to 2 estimated as the amount of ink discharged from the head 21 in the subsequent sheets of the sheet, based on the amount of the estimated ink body, the threshold value may be changed N _th.

  For example, in the case of an image machine such as a so-called copy that performs multiple copies of the same image, the amount of ink discharged from the head 21 and the image recording of the next and subsequent pages in the image recording of one sheet that has been completed immediately before. The amount of ink discharged from the head 21 is the same. Therefore, the standby time T1 is unnecessarily long by setting the time for the ink to flow from the cartridge 200 into the tank 160 by the amount of ink discharged from the head 21 in the image recording on and after the next page. Can be suppressed. That is, for example, the waiting time T1 as a fixed value is set as the time for the maximum amount of ink that can be discharged from the head 21 to flow into the tank 160 from the cartridge 200 in the image recording of one sheet. Then, as described above, the standby time T1 is shortened in the image recording from the second sheet by updating the standby time T1. Further, in the image recording of one sheet, if the amount of ink necessary for the recording is known before recording, the ink flows from the liquid chamber 210 into the liquid chamber 171 by the amount of the ink. The waiting time may be set as the waiting time T1.

Further, in the above embodiments, each image recording for one sheet sheet, ink amount Vs, the ink amount Vc, and the count value N is updated, but the count value N with the threshold N _th are compared, The image recording for the unit recording area is not limited to one sheet. For example, while the sheet is conveyed by the conveying roller 25 by the unit conveying amount and stopped, the ink is ejected from the head 21 to the sheet. The image recording for the pass may be a unit recording area.

In the above embodiment, the controller 130 adds the ink discharge amount Dh discharged from the head 21 by image recording of one sheet, and updates the count value N stored in the EEPROM 134. That is, the count value N is a value counted up with zero as an initial value. Thus, the count value N is incremented until the threshold value N _th, the count value N reaches the threshold N _th. However, the count value N may be counted down. For example, the count value N may be counted down by subtracting the ink discharge amount Dh discharged from the head 21 by image recording of one sheet from a preset initial value. In this case, the threshold value is zero, and when the count value N reaches zero, the controller 130 determines that the count value N has reached the threshold value.

In the above embodiment, when the cartridge 200 is replaced, ink flows from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 with the outflow amount Qc, and the controller 130 updates the ink amount Vs and the count value N ( S67). Then, the controller 130 compares the count value N read from the EEPROM 134, and a threshold value _{N th} (S74). Further, the controller 130 adds the ink discharge amount Dh discharged from the head 21 by image recording of one sheet, and updates the count value N stored in the EEPROM 134 (S79). That is, after the cartridge 200 is replaced, until the low level signal is received from the liquid level sensor 155, the controller 130 updates the count value N to determine the ink amount Vs of the liquid chamber 171. It is also, it is to determine whether the ink amount Vs reaches the first threshold the count value N to determine whether reaches the threshold N _th.

  However, instead of the count value N, the controller may determine the ink amount Vs of the liquid chamber 171 based on the ink amount Vs. In this case, as shown in FIG. 15, in S81, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vs updated based on the outflow amount Qc and the predetermined threshold (first threshold) after the cartridge 200 is replaced. You may compare (Vs> = threshold?). Here, the ink amount Vs is a value obtained by adding the outflow amount Qc to the current ink amount Vs and further subtracting the ink discharge amount Dh discharged from the head 21 by image recording of one sheet. The threshold value is, for example, the ink amount when the liquid level in the liquid chamber 171 is the upper end of the outflow port 174. Here, even if the ink amount Vs reaches the threshold value, it is assumed that the liquid level does not reach the outflow port 174 in the tank 160, and for example, the maximum discharge amount of ink is discharged from the head 21. The ink amount Vs that can perform image recording (for the unit recording area) remains. In each of S82, S83, and S84, the ink amounts Vs and Vc are updated, and the count value N is not updated.

Further, in the above embodiment, the C_Empty flag is updated based on the output of the liquid level sensor 155, but the liquid level sensor 155 may not be provided in the liquid chamber 171. For example, the ink amount Vs that first flows into the liquid chamber 171 can be calculated based on the maximum amount Vc0 stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200. From this ink amount Vs, the ink discharge amount Dh discharged by the head 21 is counted down to update the ink amount Vs. Based on the fact that the ink amount Vs becomes less than the threshold value _Vth , the C_Empty flag is updated to “ON”. May be.

In the above description, the printer 10, based on the count value N reaches the threshold N _th, an example was described to prohibit the discharge of ink through the head 21. However, the trigger for prohibiting ink discharge is not limited to this, and may be that the calculated ink amount Vs reaches a threshold value (for example, 0).

  In the above-described embodiment, the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 are connected through the ink valve chamber 213 and the internal space of the needle 181 so that ink can be circulated. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the cartridge 200 does not have the ink valve chamber 213 and the needle 181 is inserted up to the liquid chamber 210, that is, only the internal space of the needle 181 connects the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171. Also good. In addition, the needle 160 is not provided in the tank 160, the tip of the ink valve chamber 213 has a tapered cylindrical shape, and the tip of the ink valve chamber 213 is inserted into the liquid chamber 171. The liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 may be connected only through the chamber 213.

  In the above embodiment, the controller 130 determines whether the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 based on a signal output from the mounting sensor 154, but is not limited thereto. For example, the controller 130 may determine whether the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150 based on whether the IC chip 247 can be conducted through the contact 152. Whether the IC chip 247 can be conducted through the contact 152 is an example of whether the IC chip 247 can be accessed.

  In the above description, ink has been described as an example of a liquid. However, the liquid may be, for example, a pretreatment liquid ejected onto paper or the like prior to ink during image recording, or water for cleaning the head 21.

10 ... Printer 17 ... Display 21 ... Head 130 ... Controller 134 ... EEPROM
150 ... Mounting case 152 ... Contact (interface)
154: Mounting sensor 155 ... Liquid level sensor 160 ... Tank 171 ... Liquid chamber 175 ... Atmospheric communication chamber 176 ... Through hole 177 ... Atmospheric communication port 181 ... Needle 183 ... openings 184,216,219 ... through hole 200 ... cartridge 210 ... liquid chamber 211 ... upper liquid chamber 212 ... lower liquid chamber 213 ... ink valve chamber 214 ... Atmospheric valve chamber 221 ... atmosphere communication port 230 ... supply pipe 234 ... ink supply port

Claims (15)

A first liquid chamber in which liquid is stored, a first flow path having one end communicating with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicating with the outside, and one end communicating with the first liquid chamber and the other end external A mounting case to which a cartridge having a second flow path communicated with is mounted;
A tank having a second liquid chamber,
A third flow path having one end communicating with the outside and the other end communicating with the second liquid chamber;
A fourth channel whose one end positioned below the third channel communicates with the second liquid chamber;
A fifth flow path having one end communicating with the second liquid chamber and the other end communicating with the outside;
The tank with
A head communicated with the other end of the fourth flow path;
An alarm,
Interface,
A controller, and
At least one of the first flow path and the third flow path communicates the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted on the mounting case,
The controller
Determining whether the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is less than a reference position;
Based on the determination that the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is less than the reference position, the notification device notifies the first notification,
Determine whether the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case,
A cartridge memory in which the cartridge includes the liquid amount Vc stored in the first liquid chamber based on the determination after the first notification is given to the notification device when the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case. From the above interface,
Accept an image recording instruction to discharge liquid from the head and record an image,
A unit based on the outflow amount Qc of the liquid flowing out from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber, which is determined based on the read out liquid amount Vc, and the received image recording instruction In the image recording for the recording area, the liquid amount Vs of the second liquid chamber is determined based on the liquid amount from the head instructed to be discharged,
It is determined whether the liquid amount Vs has reached the first threshold value,
Based on determining whether or not the liquid amount Vs has reached the first threshold value, an elapsed time after determining that the liquid amount Vs has reached the first threshold value is a waiting time T1. Determine if it has reached,
A liquid discharging apparatus that performs image recording for the next unit recording area based on the determination that the elapsed time has reached the waiting time T1.   The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waiting time T1 is a time required for the liquid amount Vs to reach the first threshold value.   The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the controller determines the waiting time T1 based on the liquid amount Vs, the outflow amount Qc, and the first threshold value.   The controller reads the read liquid amount Vc, the flow path resistance Rc of the second flow path, the flow path resistance Rs of the fifth flow path, and both the first flow path and the third flow path. The liquid discharge apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the outflow amount Qc is determined based on a flow path resistance Rn that is one of the resistances or one resistance. The controller determines whether the read liquid amount Vc is equal to or greater than a second threshold value,
5. The image recording for the next unit recording area is performed based on the fact that the liquid amount Vc is equal to or greater than the second threshold and the elapsed time has reached the waiting time T <b> 1. Liquid discharger.   The controller notifies the notification device of a second notification based on the fact that the liquid amount Vs has reached the first threshold value and the read liquid amount Vc is less than the second threshold value. The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 5. The first notification indicates the remaining amount or replacement of the cartridge,
The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second notification indicates replacement of the cartridge.   The controller prohibits the image recording based on the fact that the liquid amount Vs has reached the first threshold value and the read liquid amount Vc is less than the second threshold value. To 7. The liquid discharging apparatus according to any one of 7 to 7. The controller
Estimating the amount of liquid instructed to be discharged from the head in image recording for the next unit recording area,
The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first threshold value is updated based on the estimated amount of liquid.   The first threshold value is a value at which air does not enter the fourth flow path from the second liquid chamber even when the maximum liquid amount that can be discharged from the head in image recording for a unit recording area is discharged. Item 9. The liquid discharging apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 8.   In the received image recording, the controller determines that there is image recording for the next unit recording area after executing image recording for the unit recording area, and the liquid amount Vs is set to the first threshold value. The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not   12. The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording for the unit recording area is image recording for one sheet. A liquid level sensor,
The controller
Based on the reception of a signal output from the liquid level sensor when the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is less than the reference position, the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is less than the reference position. The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that   14. The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines that the cartridge is attached to the attachment case based on the fact that the cartridge memory is accessible through the interface. A first liquid chamber in which liquid is stored, a first flow path having one end communicating with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicating with the outside, and one end communicating with the first liquid chamber and the other end external A cartridge having a second flow path in communication with the cartridge;
A mounting case in which the cartridge is mounted;
A tank having a second liquid chamber,
A third flow path having one end communicating with the outside and the other end communicating with the second liquid chamber;
A fourth channel whose one end positioned below the third channel communicates with the second liquid chamber;
A fifth flow path having one end communicating with the second liquid chamber and the other end communicating with the outside;
The tank with
A head communicated with the other end of the fourth flow path;
An alarm,
Interface,
A controller, and
At least one of the first flow path and the third flow path communicates the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted on the mounting case,
The controller
Determining whether the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is less than a reference position;
Based on the determination that the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is less than the reference position, the notification device notifies the first notification,
Determine whether the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case,
A cartridge memory in which the cartridge includes the liquid amount Vc stored in the first liquid chamber based on the determination after the first notification is given to the notification device when the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case. Read from
Accept an image recording instruction to discharge liquid from the head and record an image,
A unit based on the outflow amount Qc of the liquid flowing out from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber, which is determined based on the read out liquid amount Vc, and the received image recording instruction In the image recording for the recording area, the liquid amount Vs of the second liquid chamber is determined based on the liquid amount from the head instructed to be discharged,
It is determined whether the liquid amount Vs has reached the first threshold value,
Based on determining whether or not the liquid amount Vs has reached the first threshold value, an elapsed time after determining that the liquid amount Vs has reached the first threshold value is a waiting time T1. Determine if it has reached,
A system that performs image recording for the next unit recording area based on the determination that the elapsed time has reached the waiting time T1.

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