JP2018171922A - Liquid discharge device, cartridge and system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid discharge device that is able to appropriately grasp a quantity of liquid stored in a first liquid chamber.SOLUTION: The device has: a second liquid chamber made to communicate with a first liquid chamber when a cartridge having the first liquid storage, storing liquid, is attached; and a controller. The controller calculates a quantity Vc of liquid stored in the first liquid chamber of the cartridge attached to an attachment case (S42). The device stores the calculated quantity Vc of liquid and error information into a cartridge memory through a contact (S48), the error information indicating a degree of an error.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

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). The internal space of the main tank and sub tank is open to the atmosphere. Therefore, when the main tank is attached to the ink jet printer, the liquid level of the main tank and the sub tank is the same due to the difference between the water head in the internal space of the main tank and the water head in the internal space of the sub tank (hereinafter referred to as “water head difference”). The ink moves so as to align with the height.

  Conventionally, there has been known a recording apparatus that calculates the amount of ink consumed by a recording head and writes the calculated amount of ink consumption into a memory of an ink tank (for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2008-213162 A Japanese Patent No. 5164570

  In the ink jet printer having the above configuration, when a difference occurs in the liquid level between the main tank and the sub tank, a certain amount of time is required until the liquid level becomes uniform due to the water head difference. Also, the main tank may be removed from the ink jet printer before the liquid level is aligned. Then, for example, in order to specify the liquid level of the main tank in the memory mounted on the main tank at any time when the liquid level is changing, such as the recording apparatus having the above configuration. Even if the information is written, the height of the liquid level further changes by the time the main tank is removed. That is, there is a possibility that the information written in the memory of the main tank does not accurately reflect the actual liquid level.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a liquid discharge device capable of appropriately grasping the amount of liquid stored in a first liquid chamber.

  (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 cartridge having a second flow path that communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside is a mounting case to which the cartridge is attached, and a tank having the second liquid chamber, with one end communicating with the outside and A third flow path with the other end communicating with the second liquid chamber, a fourth flow path with one end positioned below the third flow path communicating with the second liquid chamber, and one end with the first flow path A tank having a fifth flow path that communicates with the two liquid chambers and the other end communicates with the outside; a head that communicates with the other end of the fourth flow path; an interface; and 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 a liquid amount Vc stored in the first liquid chamber of the cartridge mounted on the mounting case, and indicates that the determined liquid amount Vc and the liquid amount Vc are in error. Error information is stored in the cartridge memory of the cartridge through the interface.

  According to the above configuration, for example, when a cartridge pulled out from the liquid discharge device is mounted on another liquid discharge device, the error included in the liquid amount Vc stored in the cartridge memory by the other liquid discharge device is I can grasp it.

  (2) The present invention provides a first liquid chamber in which a liquid is stored, a first flow path having one end connected to the first liquid chamber and the other end connected to the outside, and one end connected to the first liquid chamber. A cartridge having a second flow path that is communicated and the other end communicates with the outside is a mounting case to which the cartridge is attached and a tank having a second liquid chamber, one end communicating with the outside and the other end being the first A third flow path communicating with the two liquid chambers, a fourth flow path with one end located below the third flow path communicating with the second liquid chamber, and one end communicating with the second liquid chamber. A tank having a fifth flow path whose other end communicates with the outside, a head communicated with the other end of the fourth flow path, an interface, and a controller. At least one of the path and the third flow path when the cartridge is mounted on the mounting case. The controller communicates the liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber, and the controller determines a liquid amount Vc stored in the first liquid chamber of the cartridge mounted in the mounting case, and determines the determined liquid amount Vc and Error information indicating the magnitude of the error included in the liquid amount Vc may be regarded as a liquid discharge device that stores the information in the cartridge memory of the cartridge through the interface.

  (3) Preferably, the controller determines a liquid amount Vs stored in the second liquid chamber, and the liquid level of the first liquid chamber from a reference position based on the determined liquid amounts Vc and Vs. And the height Hs from the reference position to the liquid level of the second liquid chamber is determined, the error is determined based on the determined difference between the heights Hc and Hs, and the determined above The error information indicating an error is stored in the cartridge memory through the interface.

  The greater the water head difference between the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber, the greater the amount of liquid that moves from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber. Therefore, the determined liquid amount Vc and the first liquid chamber are actually The difference from the amount of liquid stored in the liquid tends to increase. Therefore, it is desirable to determine the error based on the difference between the determined heights Hc and Hc as in the above configuration.

  (4) Preferably, the controller calculates the amount Qc of the liquid flowing out from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber during the period Δt by using the heights Hc and Hs and the flow rate of the second flow path. Determined based on the channel resistance Rc, the channel resistance Rs of the fifth channel, and the channel resistance Rn which is the resistance of both the first channel and the third channel or one of the resistances, and is determined immediately before The outflow amount Qc is subtracted from the liquid amount Vc, the liquid amount Vc after the period Δt has elapsed is determined, the outflow amount Qc is added to the liquid amount Vs determined immediately before, and the period Δt The liquid amount Vs after the elapse of time is determined, and the determined liquid amount Vc and the error information are stored in the cartridge memory through the interface.

  (5) Preferably, the controller determines the outflow amount Qc and the liquid amounts Vc and Vs, and stores the determined liquid amount Vc and the error information in the cartridge memory, so that the liquid amount Vc and the error are stored. After the information is stored in the cartridge memory, it waits until the period Δt elapses. Based on the elapse of the period Δt, the outflow amount Qc and the liquid amounts Vc, Vs are determined and determined again. The liquid amount Vc and the error information are stored in the cartridge memory.

  (6) Preferably, the controller determines the outflow amount Qc and the liquid amounts Vc and Vs, and stores the determined liquid amount Vc and the error information in the cartridge memory. It is determined whether or not the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is less than the threshold height, and waits until the period Δt elapses based on the determination that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is greater than or equal to the threshold height. .

  (7) Preferably, the controller determines and determines the outflow amount Qc and the liquid amounts Vc, Vs based on determining that the difference between the heights Hc, Hs is less than the threshold height. The process of storing the liquid amount Vc and the error information in the cartridge memory is stopped.

  According to the above configuration, the liquid amount Vc and error information stored immediately before the cartridge is removed from the liquid discharge device can be used by another liquid discharge device to which the cartridge is attached. As a result, the error included in the liquid amount Vc stored in the cartridge memory can be grasped more appropriately.

  (8) Preferably, the controller erases the error information from the cartridge memory based on determining that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is less than the threshold height.

  (9) Preferably, as the difference between the heights Hc and Hs approaches the threshold height, the controller determines the time Δt until the liquid amounts Vc and Vs and the heights Hc and Hs are determined next. Lengthen.

  The error included in the liquid amount Vc tends to increase 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 configuration, by changing the update frequency of the error information based on the difference between the heights Hc and Hs, it is possible to achieve both real-time grasp of the error information and reduction of the processing load on the controller.

  (10) Preferably, the liquid discharge device includes a notification device, and the controller determines that the cartridge is attached to the attachment case, and confirms that the cartridge is attached to the attachment case. Based on the determination, the error information stored in the cartridge memory is read out, and the alarm is operated based on the error information being read out.

  (11) Preferably, the liquid discharge device includes a device memory, and the controller determines a liquid amount Vs stored in the second liquid chamber and stores it in the device memory, and the mounting case On the basis of the fact that the cartridge is attached to the tank, tank error information indicating that there is an error in the liquid amount Vs is stored in the apparatus memory.

  The state in which there is an error in the liquid amount Vc is also a state in which there is an error in the liquid amount Vs. That is, when a cartridge is replaced in a state where there is an error due to error information, even if the liquid amount Vc stored in the cartridge memory of the new cartridge does not include an error, the liquid amount Vs stored in the apparatus memory is an error. Will be included. Therefore, as described above, when the error information is read from the cartridge memory or the device memory, it is desirable to notify through an alarm device that the liquid amounts Vc and Vs include an error.

  (12) Preferably, the controller determines the height Hc from the reference position to the liquid level of the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber from the reference position based on the determined liquid amounts Vc and Vs. The height Hs to the liquid level is determined, and the tank error information is erased from the device memory based on determining that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is less than the threshold height.

  (13) Preferably, the controller stores the error information in the cartridge memory based on the determination that the error indicated by the error information is equal to or greater than a first threshold error, and indicates the error by the tank error information. The tank error information is stored in the device memory based on the determination that the error to be generated is equal to or greater than the second threshold error.

  According to the above configuration, the controller can independently determine whether there is an error in the liquid amount Vc in the first liquid chamber of the cartridge or in the liquid amount Vs in the second liquid chamber of the tank.

  (14) Preferably, the controller determines the height Hc from the reference position to the liquid level of the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber from the reference position based on the determined liquid amounts Vc and Vs. The height Hs to the liquid surface is determined, and the first error in the first liquid chamber and the above are determined from the difference between the heights Hc and Hs and the difference between the heights Hc and Hs and the Hc and Hs. The second error in the second liquid chamber is determined, and the error information indicating the first error is stored in the cartridge memory based on determining that the determined first error is greater than or equal to the first threshold error. Based on the determination that the error indicated by the tank error information is greater than or equal to a second threshold error, the tank error information indicating the second error is stored in the device memory.

  According to the above configuration, the controller can independently determine whether there is an error in the liquid amount Vc in the first liquid chamber of the cartridge or in the liquid amount Vs in the second liquid chamber of the tank.

  (15) In the liquid discharge device according to the present invention, the first liquid chamber in which the liquid is stored, the 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 first liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside is a mounting case to which the cartridge is attached, and a tank having the second liquid chamber, with one end communicating with the outside and A third flow path with the other end communicating with the second liquid chamber, a fourth flow path with one end positioned below the third flow path communicating with the second liquid chamber, and one end with the first flow path A tank having a fifth flow path that communicates with the two liquid chambers and the other end communicates with the outside; a head that communicates with the other end of the fourth flow path; a device memory; and a controller. Prepare. 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 the liquid amount Vs stored in the second liquid chamber and stores it in the device memory, and the liquid amount Vs has an error based on the mounting of the cartridge in the mounting case. Tank error information indicating the presence is stored in the device memory.

  According to the above configuration, for example, an error included in the liquid amount Vs stored in the device memory of the liquid discharge device can be grasped even after the cartridge is replaced in the liquid discharge device.

  (16) Preferably, the controller determines a liquid amount Vs stored in the second liquid chamber, and based on the determined liquid amounts Vc and Vs, the liquid level of the first liquid chamber from a reference position. And the height Hs from the reference position to the liquid level of the second liquid chamber is determined, and the presence or absence of the error is determined based on the determined difference between the heights Hc and Hs. The tank error information is stored in the device memory based on the determination that there is.

  The larger the water head difference between the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber, the greater the amount of liquid that moves from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber. Therefore, the determined liquid amount Vs and the second liquid chamber are actually The difference from the amount of liquid stored in the liquid tends to increase. Therefore, it is desirable to determine the error based on the difference between the determined heights Hc and Hc as in the above configuration.

  (17) Preferably, the controller calculates the amount Qc of the liquid flowing out from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber during the period Δt by using the heights Hc and Hs and the flow rate of the second flow path. Determined based on the channel resistance Rc, the channel resistance Rs of the fifth channel, and the channel resistance Rn which is the resistance of both the first channel and the third channel or one of the resistances, and is determined immediately before The outflow amount Qc is subtracted from the liquid amount Vc, the liquid amount Vc after the period Δt has elapsed is determined, the outflow amount Qc is added to the liquid amount Vs determined immediately before, and the period Δt Is determined, and the determined liquid amount Vs and the tank error information are stored in the device memory.

  (18) Preferably, the controller determines the outflow amount Qc and the liquid amounts Vc, Vs, and stores the determined liquid amount Vs and the tank error information in the device memory, and stores the liquid amount Vs and the liquid amount. After the tank error information is stored in the apparatus memory, the apparatus waits until the period Δt elapses. Based on the elapse of the period Δt, the outflow amount Qc and the liquid amounts Vc and Vs are determined again. The determined liquid amount Vs and the tank error information are stored in the device memory.

  (19) Preferably, the controller determines the outflow amount Qc and the liquid amounts Vc, Vs and stores the determined liquid amount Vs and the tank error information in the device memory. It is determined whether or not the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is less than the threshold height, and waits until the period Δt has elapsed based on determining that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is greater than or equal to the threshold height. To do.

  (20) Preferably, the controller determines and determines the outflow amount Qc and the liquid amounts Vc and Vs based on determining that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is less than the threshold height. The process of storing the liquid amount Vs and the tank error information in the device memory is stopped.

  (21) Preferably, as the difference between the heights Hc and Hs approaches the threshold height, the controller determines the time Δt until the liquid amounts Vc and Vs and the heights Hc and Hs are determined next. Lengthen.

  The error included in the liquid amount Vs tends to increase as the difference between the heights Hc and Hs increases, and decreases as the difference between the heights Hc and Hs decreases. Therefore, as described above, by changing the update frequency of the tank error information based on the difference between the heights Hc and Hs, it is possible to achieve both real-time understanding of the tank error information and reduction of the processing load of the controller. it can.

  (22) Preferably, the liquid discharge device includes a notification device, and the controller determines that the cartridge is attached to the attachment case, and confirms that the cartridge is attached to the attachment case. Based on the determination, the tank error information stored in the device memory is read out, and the alarm is operated based on the tank error information being read out.

  (23) Preferably, the liquid discharge device includes an interface, and the controller reads the tank error information into the cartridge memory of the cartridge through the interface based on the reading of the tank error information. Error information indicating that there is an error in the liquid amount Vc stored in one liquid chamber is stored.

  The state where there is an error in the liquid amount Vs is also a state where there is an error in the liquid amount Vc. That is, when a cartridge is exchanged in a state where there is an error due to tank error information, the liquid amount Vs stored in the device memory is not included even if the liquid amount Vc stored in the cartridge memory of the new cartridge does not include an error. It will contain errors. Then, when a new cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, the liquid amount Vs of the new cartridge also includes an error. Therefore, when the tank error information is read from the apparatus memory, the error information is stored in the cartridge memory of the cartridge mounted thereafter.

  (24) The present invention provides 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 tank having a mounting case and a second liquid chamber, one end of which communicates with the outside and the other end of which communicates with the outside. A third flow path communicating with the second liquid chamber, a fourth flow path with one end positioned below the third flow path communicating with the second liquid chamber, and one end with the second liquid chamber A liquid discharge apparatus comprising: a tank having a fifth flow path that is communicated with the other end and communicated with the outside; a head that is communicated with the other end of the fourth flow path; an interface; and a controller. The cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, and at least one of the first channel and the third channel is When the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber communicate with each other, and the controller is stored in the first liquid chamber of the cartridge mounted in the mounting case. And the cartridge memory is writable by the controller through the interface when the cartridge memory is mounted on the mounting case, and the liquid volume Vc determined by the controller The cartridge may be regarded as a cartridge that stores error information indicating that there is an error in the liquid amount Vc.

  (25) The present invention provides a first liquid chamber in which a liquid is stored, a first flow path with one end communicating with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicating with the outside, and one end with the first liquid chamber. A cartridge having a second flow path that communicates and the other end communicates with the outside, a mounting case to which the cartridge is mounted, and a tank having a second liquid chamber, one end communicating with the outside and the other end Is connected to the second liquid chamber, the fourth flow path is connected to the second liquid chamber at one end located below the third flow path, and the second liquid is connected to the second liquid chamber. A tank having a fifth flow path that communicates with the chamber and communicates with the outside at the other end, a head that communicates with the other end of the fourth flow path, an interface, and a controller. At least one of the first flow path and the third flow path has the cartridge mounted in the mounting case. The first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber communicate with each other, and the controller determines a liquid amount Vc stored in the first liquid chamber of the cartridge mounted in the mounting case, The determined liquid amount Vc and error information indicating that there is an error in the liquid amount Vc may be regarded as a system for storing in the cartridge memory of the cartridge through the interface.

  (26) The present invention provides 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. A cartridge having a second flow path that communicates and the other end communicates with the outside, a mounting case to which the cartridge is mounted, and a tank having a second liquid chamber, one end communicating with the outside and the other end Is connected to the second liquid chamber, the fourth flow path is connected to the second liquid chamber at one end located below the third flow path, and the second liquid is connected to the second liquid chamber. A tank having a fifth flow path that communicates with the chamber and the other end communicates with the outside; a head that communicates with the other end of the fourth flow path; an interface; an apparatus memory; a controller; And at least one of the first flow path and the third flow path is mounted by the cartridge. When the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber are connected, the controller determines the liquid amount Vs stored in the second liquid chamber and stores it in the device memory. And determining whether or not the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, and based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, error information indicating that there is an error in the liquid amount Vs is stored in the device memory. It may be understood as a system that stores the information in the memory.

  (27) In the liquid discharge device according to the present invention, the first liquid chamber in which the liquid is stored, the 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 first liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside is a mounting case to which the cartridge is attached, and a tank having the second liquid chamber, with one end communicating with the outside and A third flow path with the other end communicating with the second liquid chamber, a fourth flow path with one end positioned below the third flow path communicating with the second liquid chamber, and one end with the first flow path A tank having a fifth flow path that communicates with the two liquid chambers and the other end communicates with the outside; a head that communicates with the other end of the fourth flow path; an interface; and 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 or not the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, and based on determining that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, an error occurs in the liquid amount Vc stored in the first liquid chamber. Error information is stored in the cartridge memory of the cartridge through the interface.

  According to the above configuration, for example, when a cartridge pulled out from the liquid discharge device is mounted on another liquid discharge device, the error included in the liquid amount Vc stored in the cartridge memory by the other liquid discharge device is I can grasp it.

  (28) Preferably, the controller stores the cartridge stored in the cartridge memory through the interface based on the fact that an elapsed time after determining that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case has reached a predetermined time. Erase error information.

  (29) Preferably, the liquid discharge device includes a device memory, and the controller stores the cartridge in the second liquid chamber based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case. Tank error information indicating that there is an error in the liquid amount Vs is stored in the device memory.

  According to the above configuration, for example, an error included in the liquid amount Vs stored in the device memory of the liquid discharge device can be grasped even after the cartridge is replaced in the liquid discharge device.

  (30) Preferably, the controller obtains the tank error information stored in the device memory based on an elapsed time after determining that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case reaching a predetermined time. to erase.

  (31) Preferably, the controller uses the heights Hc, Hs, and the flow rate of the second flow path to calculate the amount Qc of the liquid flowing out from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber during the period Δt. Determined based on the channel resistance Rc, the channel resistance Rs of the fifth channel, and the channel resistance Rn which is the resistance of both the first channel and the third channel or one of the resistances, and is determined immediately before The outflow amount Qc is subtracted from the liquid amount Vc, the liquid amount Vc after the period Δt has elapsed is determined, the outflow amount Qc is added to the liquid amount Vs determined immediately before, and the period Δt The liquid amount Vs after the elapse of time is determined, and the determined liquid amount Vc and the error information are stored in the cartridge memory through the interface.

  (32) Preferably, the liquid discharge device includes a notification device, and the controller determines that the cartridge is attached to the attachment case, and confirms that the cartridge is attached to the attachment case. Based on the determination, the error information stored in the cartridge memory is read out, and the alarm is operated based on the error information being read out.

  According to the present invention, when the cartridge pulled out from the liquid discharge device is mounted on another liquid discharge device, the size of the error included in the liquid amount Vc stored in the cartridge memory by the other liquid discharge device is reduced. I can grasp it.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are external perspective views of the printer 10. FIG. 1A shows a state where the cover 87 is in the covering position, and FIG. 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. 8A is a flowchart of the CTG exchange process, and FIG. 8B is a flowchart of the remaining amount calculation process. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the remaining amount update process. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the count 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. FIG. 13A is a flowchart of the CTG exchange process according to the modification, and FIG. 13B is a flowchart of the remaining amount calculation process according to the modification. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of remaining amount calculation processing according to another modification. FIG. 15 is a flowchart of remaining amount calculation processing according to another 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. The cartridge 200 and the printer 10 are examples of the system.

  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 one sheet.

[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 is rotatable between a covering position that covers the opening 85 (position shown in FIG. 1A) and an exposed position that exposes the opening 85 (position shown in FIG. 1B). . The cover 87 is supported by the casing 14 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis along 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 housing space 86 inside the housing 14 that extends rearward from 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 shown in FIG. 3, the mounting case 150 includes a contact 152 (an example of an interface), 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 attached to the attachment case 150 is not limited to four, and may be one or five or more.

  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, an 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.

[Liquid level sensor 155]
The liquid level sensor 155 is a sensor for detecting whether or not a detected portion 194 of an actuator 190 described later is positioned at a detection position. The liquid level sensor 155 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that are separated in the left-right direction 9. In other words, the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the liquid level sensor 155 are located facing each other with the detected part 194 located at the detection position interposed therebetween. The liquid level sensor 155 outputs a different signal (denoted as “liquid level signal” in the drawing) based on whether or not the light output from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit.

[Lock pin 156]
The lock pin 156 is a bar-like member extending along the left-right direction 9 at the upper end of the internal space of the mounting case 150 and in the vicinity of the opening 85. Both ends of the lock pin 156 in the left-right direction 9 are fixed to a pair of side walls of the mounting case 150. The lock pin 156 extends in the left-right direction 9 over four spaces in which the four cartridges 200 can be stored. The lock pin 156 is for holding the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150 in the mounting position shown in FIG. The cartridge 200 is engaged with the lock pin 156 while being attached to the attachment case 150.

[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. Thereby, 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. 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 boundary 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 boundary position P, the actuator 190 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 199 following the drop 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 boundary 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 an ink supply port 234 described later. However, the boundary position P is not limited to the above-described position as long as the boundary position P is a position above the outlet 174 in the vertical direction 7. As another example, the boundary 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 boundary 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 boundary 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 liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the boundary position P by the 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. 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. As a result, 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. Note that the atmospheric valve chamber 214 communicates with the atmosphere through the atmospheric 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 a 1st flow path. 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 so as to extend upward from the upper wall 204 in front of the lock surface 242. 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, error information C, 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 maximum 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 area, the ink amount Vc, the height Hc, and the error information C are stored in the second area, and the maximum ink amount Vc0 is stored in the third area.

[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 whether or not the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the boundary position P through the liquid level sensor 155.

  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 the liquid amount, maximum ink amount Vc0, heights Hc and Hs, error information C and S, error flags, and channel resistances Rc and Rs. , Rn, functions Fc, Fs, C_Empty flag, S_Empty flag, and count value N.

  The maximum ink amount Vc0, the ink amount Vc, the height Hc, the error information C, the flow path resistance Rc, and the function Fc are stored in the memory of the IC chip 247 through the contact 152 in a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. Information read out by the controller 130. 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 boundary position P. The heights Hc and Hs are calculated by equations 5 and 6, for example.

  The error information C is information indicating the magnitude of the error between the amount of ink actually stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC chip 247. The error information S (an example of tank error information) is information indicating the magnitude of the error between the amount of ink actually stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 and the ink amount Vs stored in the EEPROM 134. It is. In the error information C and S, “small” corresponding to the error being smaller than the threshold error or “large” corresponding to the error being equal to or larger than the threshold error is set.

  The error flag is information indicating whether or not “large” is set in at least one of the error information C and S when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. Corresponding to “ON” corresponding to the fact that “large” is set in at least one of the error information C and S, or “small” being set in both of the error information C and S in the error flag. “OFF” is set.

  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 an example of first correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship 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 an example of second correspondence information indicating a correspondence relationship 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. This is a corresponding value that is updated in a direction approaching the thresholds N _th1 and N _th2 . The count value N is a value counted up with an initial value of “0”. The threshold value N _th1 corresponds to the volume V _th of the liquid chamber 171 between the upper end of the outlet 174 and the boundary position P. The threshold value N _th2 is a value closer to the initial value of the count value N than the threshold value N _th1 (that is, N _th1 > N _th2 ). The count value N is an example of the discharge amount, and the volume _Vth is an example of the threshold amount. 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 _th1 is 0, and the threshold value N _th2 is 0 <N _th2 <V _th1 .

  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 where ink does not move from the connected cartridge 200 to the tank 160. In other words, the cartridge empty state is a state where the liquid level of the tank 160 communicated with the cartridge 200 is less than the boundary 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, the ink amounts Vc and Vs, and the error information C and S.

  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). Then, the controller 130 repeatedly executes the processes of S13 and S14 at predetermined time intervals until the signal output from the mounting sensor 154 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal (S14: No). 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.

  Then, 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 (S14: Yes), and executes a CTG exchange process (S15). The CTG exchange process is a process for storing the CTG information of the cartridge 200 newly mounted in the mounting case 150 in the EEPROM 134. Details of the CTG exchange processing will be described later with reference to FIG. Further, the controller 130 sets the initial value “OFF” in the C_Empty flag, sets the initial value “OFF” in the S_Empty flag, and sets the initial value “0” in the count value N (S16). Furthermore, the controller 130 executes a remaining amount update 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 from S11 onward again in parallel with the remaining amount update process or based on the completion of the remaining amount update process. 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 S <b> 18, the controller 130 stores information indicating whether the signal acquired from the liquid level sensor 155 is either a high level signal or a low level signal in the RAM 133.

  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. That is, the controller 130 permits ink ejection when all four S_Empty flags are set to “OFF”. On the other hand, the controller 130 prohibits ink ejection when “ON” is set in at least one of the four S_Empty flags.

  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). In S20, as 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. 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 is displayed on the display 17 (S26).

  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 is in a 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, the ink amounts Vc and Vs, and the error information C and S. 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.

[CTG exchange process]
Next, the details of the CTG exchange process executed by the controller 130 in S15 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the controller 130 acquires a signal output from the mounting sensor 154 (S31). Next, the controller 130 determines whether the signal acquired from the mounting sensor 154 is a high level signal or a low level signal (S32). Then, the controller 130 repeatedly executes the processing of S31 and S32 at predetermined time intervals until the signal output from the mounting sensor 154 changes from the high level signal to the low level signal (S32: No). In other words, the controller 130 repeatedly executes the processes of S31 and S32 until a new cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150.

  Then, the controller 130 acquires the high level signal from the mounting sensor 154 and then acquires the low level signal from the mounting sensor 154 (S32: Yes), the CTG information from the memory of the IC chip 247 through the contact 152. Is read (S33). Further, in S <b> 33, the controller 130 stores the read CTG information in the EEPROM 134. Next, the controller 130 reads the error information C and S from the EEPROM 134, and determines the set values of the read error information C and S (S34 and S35).

  Next, the controller 130 sets “OFF” in the error flag based on the determination that “small” is set in both of the read error information C and S (S34: small & S35: small). (S36). On the other hand, the controller 130 sets “ON” in the error flag based on the determination that “large” is set in at least one of the read error information C and S (S34: large / S35: large). (S37).

[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 S32. That is, the period Δt = t _k −t _k−1 in this case.

  First, the controller 130 determines the setting value of the corresponding C_Empty flag (S51). At the start of the remaining amount update process executed in S17, “OFF” is set in the C_Empty flag in S16. Next, the controller 130 executes a remaining amount calculation process based on the determination that “OFF” is set in the C_Empty flag (S51: OFF) (S52). The remaining amount calculation process is a process for calculating the outflow amounts Qa and Qc, the ink amounts Vc and Vs, the heights Hc and Hs, and the error information C and S. Details of the remaining amount calculation processing will be described with reference to FIG.

[Remaining amount calculation processing]
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 (S41).

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 sets the information read from the EEPROM 134, the gravitational acceleration g, and the outflow amount Qa = 0 calculated immediately before in Expression 2, and calculates the outflow amount Qc (S41).

  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 is set to Equation 3 to calculate the ink amount Vc at time _{t k} (S42). 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> 42, 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 is set to 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> 42, the controller 130 reads the function Fc stored in the EEPROM 134. Then, the controller 130 sets the amount of ink Vc calculated immediately before as shown in equation 5 to the function Fc, to identify the height Hc at time t _k. Further, in S42, 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 surface of the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or less than the boundary 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 surface of the liquid chamber 171 is higher than the boundary 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 sets the ink amount Vs calculated immediately before as shown in equation 6 in function Fs, to identify the height Hs at time _{t k} (S42).

Next, the controller 130 reads the error flag from the EEPROM 134, and determines the set value of the read error flag (S43). Next, based on the determination that the error flag is set to “OFF” (S43: OFF), the controller 130 determines the difference between the heights Hc and Hs calculated in the immediately preceding S42 and the threshold height H _th. Are compared (S44). The threshold height H _th used in S44 may be the same as or different from the threshold height H _th used in S56 described later. More typically, the threshold height H _th used in S44 may be larger than the threshold height H _th used in S56.

Next, based on the determination that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is greater than or _equal to the threshold height Hth (S44: Yes), the controller 130 sets “large” in the error information C and S (S45). . Meanwhile, the controller 130, the height Hc, based on the difference in Hs is determined to less than a threshold height _{H th} (S44: No), error information C, and set to "small" in S (S46). Further, based on the determination that the error flag is set to “ON” (S43: ON), the controller 130 executes the process of S45 without executing the process of S44.

  Next, the controller 130 stores the ink amounts Vc and Vs, the heights Hc and Hs, and the error information C and S determined in S42 to S46 in the EEPROM 134 (S47). More specifically, the controller 130 sets the ink amounts Vc, Vs, heights Hc, Hs, and error information C, S stored in the EEPROM 134 to the ink amounts Vc, Vs, high determined in the previous S42 to S46. Overwrite with Hc, Hs, and error information C, S.

  In addition, the controller 130 stores the ink amount Vc, the height Hc, and the error information C calculated in S42 to S46 in the memory of the IC chip 247 through the contact 152 (S48). More specifically, the controller 130 uses the ink amount Vc, the height Hc, and the error information C stored in the second area of the memory of the IC chip 247 as the ink amount Vc, high determined in the last S42 to S46. Is overwritten with the error Hc and the error information C.

  Prior to the processing of S48, the controller 130 may acquire a 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 S48 based on having acquired the high level signal from the cover sensor 88. FIG. In other words, the controller 130 may execute the process of S48 based on the movement of the cover 87 from the covering position (in other words, the exposure position). On the other hand, the controller 130 may end the remaining amount calculation process without executing the process of S48 based on the acquisition of the low level signal from the cover sensor 88.

  Next, returning to FIG. 9, the controller 130 reads the error flag from the EEPROM 134, and determines the set value of the read error flag (S53). Then, based on the determination that the error flag is set to “OFF” (S53: OFF), the controller 130 displays the remaining amount notification information on the display 17 (S54). On the other hand, the controller 130 displays the error notification information on the display 17 based on the determination that “ON” is set in the error flag (S53: ON) (S55). That is, the controller 130 causes the display 17 to display the remaining amount notification information or the error notification information based on the set values of the error information C and S when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 (S34 to S37) ( S53-S55).

  The remaining amount notification information is information for notifying the remaining amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160. The remaining amount notification information may be, for example, the ink amounts Vc and Vs stored in the EEPROM 134, or may be an estimated value of the number of sheets on which an image can be recorded with ink corresponding to the ink amounts Vc and Vs. The error notification information is information for notifying that the ink amounts Vc and Vs stored in the EEPROM 134 include an error. The error notification information may be a message such as “The ink amount cannot be detected”, for example. The process of S55 is an example of operating the alarm. Further, in S55, the controller 130 may overlay characters such as “?”, “!” Or “with error” on the above-described remaining amount notification information and display them on the display 17. Such an aspect may also be an example of error notification information.

  Further, the remaining amount notification information or the error notification information may be displayed on a part of a screen being displayed on the display 17 (for example, an S_Empty notification screen, a C_Empty notification screen, a standby screen, etc.). In other words, four remaining amount notification information or error notification information associated with the four cartridges 200 and the tanks 160 may be displayed on a part of the display 17. On the other hand, the remaining amount notification information or the error notification information may be displayed on a remaining amount notification screen displayed in accordance with a user instruction through the operation panel 22.

Next, the controller 130, the height Hc, Hs read from the EEPROM 134, the read height Hc, and compares the difference with a threshold height _{H th} of Hs (S56). The threshold height H _th indicates a water head difference between which the ink does not substantially move between the liquid chambers 210 and 171. The threshold height H _th is 0, for example. A state in which the ink does not substantially move between the liquid chambers 210 and 171 is defined as an equilibrium state. That is, in this equilibrium state, the water head difference between the liquid chambers 210 and 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 (S56: No), the controller 130 acquires a signal output from the mounting sensor 154 (S57). Next, the controller 130 determines whether the signal acquired from the mounting sensor 154 is a high level signal or a low level signal (S58). Then, the controller 130 until the signal output from the mounting sensor 154 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal (S58: No) or until the period Δt elapses after the processing of S52 to S55 is executed immediately before. (S59: No), the processes of S57 and S58 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 wearing sensor 154 does not change (S58: No & S59: Yes), the controller 130 executes the processing subsequent to S51 again. In other words, the controller 130 waits for execution of the next processing of S52 to S55 until the period Δt elapses after the processing of S52 to S55 is executed immediately before. By repeatedly executing the processes of S51 to S59, as shown in FIGS. 11A to 12A, the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is gradually reduced. Then, the controller 130, the height Hc, based on the difference in Hs is determined to less than a threshold height _{H th} (S56: Yes), terminates the remaining amount updating processing. 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 S59. More specifically, the controller 130 shortens the period Δt in S59 as the difference between the heights Hc and Hs calculated in the immediately preceding S52 increases, and decreases the difference in the heights Hc and Hs calculated in the immediately preceding S52. It may be longer. That is, the controller 130 sets the processing intervals of S52 to S55 to be repeatedly executed (in other words, the ink amounts Vc, Vs, the heights Hc, Hs, and the update intervals of the error information C, S) and the heights Hc, Hs. The larger the difference, the shorter, and the smaller the height Hc, Hs, the longer.

  On the other hand, based on the determination 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 (S59: No & S58: Yes), the controller 130 performs the processing of S51 to S59. Instead, the processing of S60 to S61 is 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 controller 130 repeatedly executes the processes of S52 to S55 while the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. Further, the controller 130 does not execute the processes of S52 to S55 based on the removal of the cartridge 200 from the mounting case 150. In other words, the processing of S52 to S55 is stopped based on the removal of the cartridge 200 from the mounting case 150. The processes of S60 and S61 correspond to the processes of S15 and S16 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, the discharge of ink through the head 21 is started with the liquid surfaces of the liquid chambers 210 and 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 liquid chambers 210 and 171.

[Count processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the detail of the count process which the controller 130 performs by S21 is demonstrated. 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 (S71). 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 has not changed before and after the process of S19) (S71: L → L), the remaining amount update process is executed (S72). 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 S72 differs 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, the ink discharge amount Dh from the start time _{t k-1} S19: the end time _{t k} is set to Equation 1 to calculate the outflow Qa (S41). 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 process of S21 every time image recording on one sheet is completed. 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 process of S21 every time the image recording for one pass is completed. As yet another example, the controller 130 may execute the process of S21 at an arbitrary timing unrelated to the image recording break.

  Further, the controller 130 sets the heights Hc ′, Hs ′, the viscosity ρ, the flow path resistances Rc, Rs, Rn stored in the EEPROM 134, and the outflow amount Qa calculated immediately before to the outflow. The amount Qc is calculated (S41).

  The liquid chambers 210 and 171 in the equilibrium state are both 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. When the outflow amount Qa increases, the water head difference between the liquid chambers 210 and 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 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 inside of 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. 10, 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) (S71: L → H), the C_Empty flag is set to “ON” (S73). 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 in the liquid chamber 171 has reached the boundary position P during the process of S19, as shown in FIG. Corresponding to Thereafter, the ink does not move between the cartridge 200 and the tank 160. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the controller 130 ends the remaining amount update process based on the fact that “ON” is set in the C_Empty flag (S51: ON).

Further, the controller 130 overwrites the ink amount Vc stored in the EEPROM 134 with a predetermined value (= 0) determined in advance (S74). 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) (S74). Since the ink amounts Vc and Vs calculated in the remaining amount update process include an error, the error accumulated in the ink amounts Vc and Vs increases as the number of repetitions of the process of S52 increases. Therefore, the controller 130 sets 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. That is, the ink amount Vs overwritten in S74 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 S74 is treated as the ink amount Vs when the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes.

  Further, the controller 130 sets the ink discharge amount Dh to the count value N stored in the EEPROM 134 (S75). 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 reads the error flag from the EEPROM 134, and determines the set value of the read error flag (S76). Next, based on the determination that the error flag is set to “OFF” (S76: OFF), the controller 130 compares the count value N updated in S75 with the threshold value _Nth1 (S77). . Then, based on the determination that the count value N updated in S75 is less than the threshold value _Nth1 (S77: No), the controller 130 ends the count process without executing the process of S79. Meanwhile, the controller 130, based on the count value N updated in S75 is determined that it threshold _{N th1} or more (S77: Yes), then set the "ON" to S_Empty flag (S79), terminates the counting process To do.

On the other hand, based on the determination that the error flag is set to “ON” (S76: ON), the controller 130 compares the count value N updated in S75 with the threshold value _Nth2 (S78). Then, based on the determination that the count value N updated in S75 is less than the threshold value _Nth2 (S78: No), the controller 130 ends the count process without executing the process of S79. Meanwhile, the controller 130, based on the count value N updated in S75 is determined that it threshold _{N th2} or more (S78: Yes), then set the "ON" to S_Empty flag (S79), terminates the counting process To do.

  Further, the controller 130 reads the ink amount Vs stored in the EEPROM 134 based on the fact that the information stored in the RAM 133 in both S18 and S20 indicates a high level signal (S71: H → H). Then, the controller 130 subtracts the ink discharge amount Dh from the read ink amount Vs and stores it again in the EEPROM 134 (S80). In addition, the controller 130 reads the count value N stored in the EEPROM 134. Then, the controller 130 adds the ink discharge amount Dh to the read count value N, and stores it again in the EEPROM 134 (S81). That is, the controller 130 updates the ink amount Vs and the count value N stored in the EEPROM 134 with the ink discharge amount Dh instructed to be discharged in the immediately preceding S19. Next, the controller 130 uses the count value N updated in S81 to execute the processes after S76 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 (S71: L → L), and the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes. The processes of S73 to S79 are executed only once (S71: L → H), and thereafter, the processes of S80 to S81 and S76 to S79 are executed until the ink in the tank 160 runs out (S71: H → H).

Then, the controller 130 selects one of the threshold values N _th1 and N _th2 based on the set values of the error information C and S when the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150 (S34 to S37) (S76). Then, based on the fact that the count value N has reached the selected threshold value (S77: Yes / S78: Yes), the controller 130 prohibits ink discharge through the head 21 (S79). The count value N reaching the threshold value N _th1 is an example of the counted discharge amount reaching the first liquid amount. That the count value N has reached the threshold value _Nth2 is an example that the counted discharge amount has reached the second liquid amount. The first liquid amount is smaller than the sum of the ink amounts Vc and Vs at the time when the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150 and larger than the second liquid amount.

[Function and effect]
According to the above description, for example, when the cartridge 200 removed from the printer 10 is mounted on another printer 10, the other printer 10 is included in the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC chip 247. The magnitude of the error can be grasped from the error information C. Note that the greater the water head difference between the liquid chambers 210 and 171, the greater the amount of ink that moves from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171. Therefore, the calculated ink amount Vc and the liquid chamber 210 are actually stored. The difference from the ink amount tends to increase. Therefore, as in the above embodiment, it is desirable to determine the magnitude of the error based on the difference between the calculated heights Hc and Hs.

Further, according to the above description, the printer 10 has a height Hc, the difference Hs until below a threshold less than the height _{H th} (S56: No), repeatedly executes the processing of S52 to S55. Accordingly, the ink amount Vc and the error information C stored immediately before the cartridge 200 is removed from the printer 10 can be used by another printer 10 to which the cartridge 200 is attached. As a result, when the ink is removed from the printer 10 in which the ink amount Vc and the error information C are written and is attached to another printer 10, the other printer 10 appropriately grasps the magnitude of the error included in the ink amount Vc. be able to.

  The error included in the ink amount Vc tends to increase 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-described embodiment, by changing the execution frequency of the process of S52 based on the difference between the heights Hc and Hs, it is possible to simultaneously grasp the real-time error information C and reduce the processing load of the controller 130. Can be made.

  Note that specific examples of the error information C and S are not limited to the above-described examples. As another example, the error information C and S may be a set of ink amounts Vc and Vs calculated in the immediately preceding S42. The error information C and S in this case indicates that the larger the difference between the ink amounts Vc and Vs, the larger the error, and the smaller the difference between the ink amounts Vc and Vs, the smaller the error. As yet another example, the error information C and S may be a set of heights Hc and Hs calculated in the immediately preceding S42. The error information C and S in this case indicates that the larger the difference between the heights Hc and Hs, the larger the error, and the smaller the difference between the heights Hc and Hs, the smaller the error.

  Further, the state where the error included in the ink amount Vc is large is synonymous with the state where the error included in the ink amount Vs is large. That is, when the cartridge 200 is replaced in a state where the error indicated by the error information S is large, the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC chip 247 of the new cartridge 200 is stored in the EEPROM 134 even if it does not include an error. The ink amount Vs thus obtained includes an error.

  Therefore, according to the above description, the printer 10 displays the error notification information on the display 17 when “large” is set in at least one of the error information C and S. Accordingly, the user can appropriately grasp that there is a difference between the ink amount actually stored in the cartridge 200 and the tank 160 and the ink amounts Vc and Vs. However, the relationship between the error information C and S and the error notification information is not limited to the above example.

  As another example of S44 to S46, the controller 130 may set “small” in the error information C and S based on the difference between the heights Hc and Hs being less than the first threshold height. Further, the controller 130 may set “medium” in the error information C and S based on the difference between the heights Hc and Hs being not less than the first threshold height and less than the second threshold height. . Further, the controller 130 may set “large” in the error information C and S based on the difference between the heights Hc and Hs being equal to or higher than the second threshold height. Note that the second threshold height is larger than the first threshold height. The first threshold height is an example of a first error, and the second threshold height is an example of a second error.

  As another example of S53 to S55, the controller 130 may cause the display 17 to display the following information based on the set values of the error information C and S when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. . That is, the controller 130 may cause the display 17 to display remaining amount notification information indicating the ink amounts Vc and Vs based on the fact that “small” is set for all of the error information C and S. Further, the controller 130 corrects the remaining amount notification information indicating the corrected ink amounts Vc and Vs and the remaining amount notification information based on the fact that “medium” is set in at least one of the error information C and S. The error notification information indicating that the error has been made may be displayed on the display 17. Further, the controller 130 notifies that the amount of ink stored in the liquid chambers 210 and 171 is unknown based on the fact that “large” is set in at least one of the error information C and S. Information may be displayed on the display 17.

  According to the above description, the printer 10 notifies the ink amounts Vc and Vs through the display 17 when the error indicated by the error information C and S is small, and the ink when the error indicated by the error information C and S is large. It is notified through the display 17 that the quantities Vc and Vs are unreliable values. That is, the user can appropriately grasp the state of the mounted cartridge 200 and the tank 160 based on the information displayed on the display 17.

  The specific method for correcting the ink amounts Vc and Vs is not particularly limited, but for example, the following method can be considered. The controller 130 may subtract a predetermined correction value from the ink amount Vc and add the correction value from the ink amount Vs. The controller 130 increases the correction value when “large” is set in at least one of the error information C and S, compared to when “large” is not set in both the error information C and S. That's fine. The controller 130 increases the correction value when “medium” is set in at least one of the error information C and S, compared to when “medium” is set in both the error information C and S. That's fine. That is, the controller 130 may correct the ink amounts Vc and Vs with the correction values corresponding to the error magnitudes indicated by the error information C and S in the direction of the errors indicated by the error information C and S.

Further, according to the above description, the printer 10 selects the threshold value N _th1 when “small” is set in both the error information C and S, and “large” in at least one of the error information C and S. Is set, the threshold value N _th2 is selected. As a result, the amount of ink that can be discharged through the head 21 after the mounting case 150 is mounted on the cartridge 200 is the error information C, S when “large” is set in at least one of the error information C, S. Less than when “Small” is set for both. As a result, the liquid level of the tank 160 reaches the outlet 174 before the discharge of ink through the head 21 is prohibited, and the supply of air to the head 21 (so-called air-in) is suppressed.

However, the specific method of suppressing air-in is not limited to the above example. As another example, the controller 130 may set a first initial value (for example, 0) as the count value N based on the fact that “OFF” is set in the error flag in S74. On the other hand, the controller 130 may set a second initial value (for example, Dh) as the count value N based on the fact that the error flag is set to “ON” in S74. Then, the controller 130, in S76～S78, may be compared with the count value N and threshold value _{N th.} Note that the second initial value, a value close to the threshold N _th than the first initial value. Thus, by adjusting one or both of the count value N and threshold value N _th, it may be adjusted the amount of liquid that can be discharged from the head 21.

  Further, specific examples of the error information C and S are not limited to the above-described “large” and “small”. For example, the error information C and S may be written into the memory of the IC chip 247 or the EEPROM 134 only when there is an error. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13A, the controller 130 may execute steps S101 and S102 instead of the steps S34 and S35 described above. Further, as shown in FIG. 13B, the controller 130 may execute steps S103 and S104 instead of the steps S45 and S46 described above.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, the controller 130 determines whether the error information C is included in the CTG information read from the memory of the IC chip 247 through the contact 152 (S101). Based on the determination that the error information C is not included in the CTG information (S101: No), the controller 130 determines whether the error information S is stored in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 134 ( S102).

  Based on the determination that the error information S is not stored in the predetermined area of the EEPROM 134 (S102: No), the controller 130 sets “OFF” in the error flag (S36). That is, the controller 130 determines that the error information C is not included in the CTG information (S101: No), and based on the determination that the error information S is not stored in the predetermined area of the EEPROM 134 ( S102: No), “OFF” is set in the error flag (S36).

  Based on the determination that the error information C is included in the CTG information (S101: Yes), the controller 130 sets “ON” in the error flag (S37). Further, the controller 130 sets the error flag to “ON” based on the determination that the error information S is stored in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 134 (S120: Yes) (S37). That is, the controller 130 determines that the error information C is included in the CTG information (S101: Yes), or based on determining that the error information S is stored in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 134 ( S120: Yes), “ON” is set in the error flag (S37).

Further, as shown in FIG. 13 (B), the controller 130, the height Hc calculated in S42, is compared with the difference between Hs and the threshold height _{H th} (S44). The controller 130 writes the error information C in the memory of the IC chip 247 based on the determination that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is greater than or _equal to the threshold height Hth (S44: Yes). Further, based on the determination that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is greater than or _equal to the threshold height Hth (S44: Yes), the controller 130 writes the error information S in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 134 (S103). Meanwhile, the controller 130, the height Hc, based on the difference in Hs is determined to less than a threshold height _{H th} (S44: No), it erases the error information C from the memory of the IC chip 247. Further, the controller 130, the height Hc, based on the difference in Hs is determined to less than a threshold height _{H th} (S44: No), the error information S erase the predetermined area of the EEPROM 134 (S104). If the error information C and S is not written in the memory of the IC chip 247 or the EEPROM 134, the controller 130 does not execute the erase operation because there is no error information C and S to be erased.

The controller 130 determines whether or not to write the error information C and S, and the controller 130 determines whether to set “large” or “small” in the error information C for the cartridge 200. And the determination in the error information S for the tank 160 may be performed separately. That is, for the error information C, it is determined whether the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is greater than or _equal to the threshold height _Hth1 , and for the error information S, the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is the threshold height. It may be determined whether H _th2 or more. The threshold height H _th1 is an example of a first threshold error. The threshold height H _th2 is an example of a second threshold error.

For example, the threshold height H _th1 is larger than the threshold height H _th2 . The maximum ink amount that can be stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 is larger than the maximum ink amount that can be stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160. It is also assumed that the ratio of the error to the ink amounts Vc and Vs caused by the difference between the heights Hc and Hs with respect to the maximum ink amount that can be stored in the liquid chambers 210 and 171 is important. Considering these, the threshold height H _th1 and the threshold height H _th2 may be different values.

As shown in FIG. 14, the controller 130 compares the difference between the heights Hc and Hs calculated in S42 and the threshold height H _th1 (S105). Based on the determination that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is _{equal to} or greater than the threshold height _Hth1 (S105: Yes), the controller 130 writes the error information C into the memory of the IC chip 247 (S106). On the other hand, the controller 130 erases the error information C from the memory of the IC chip 247 based on the determination that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is less than the threshold height _Hth1 (S105: No) (S107).

Further, the controller 130 compares the difference between the heights Hc and Hs calculated in S42 and the threshold height _Hth2 (S108). Based on the determination that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is _{equal to} or greater than the threshold height _Hth2 (S108: Yes), the controller 130 writes the error information S in a predetermined area of the EEPROM 134 (S109). On the other hand, the controller 130 deletes the error information S from the predetermined area of the EEPROM 134 based on the determination that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is less than the threshold height H _th2 (S108: No) (S110).

  Accordingly, the controller 130 takes into account the ratio of the error to the maximum ink amount that can be stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the ratio of the error to the maximum ink amount that can be stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160. The presence or absence of an error can be determined independently for the liquid chambers 210 and 171.

Further, the threshold height H _th1 and the threshold height H _th2 may not be relative to the difference between the heights Hc and Hs. For example, as shown in FIG. 12A, the threshold height H _th1 is for a difference between a certain height H and the current height Hc (ΔHc = Hc−H (an example of the first error)). The threshold height H _th2 may be a difference between a certain height H and the current height Hs (ΔHs = H−Hs (an example of the second error)). The height H is a height in a predetermined state in which the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is almost eliminated (that is, a state in which the movement of ink is negligibly small between the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171). It is.

Further, the controller 130 determines whether or not to write the error information C and S, and the controller 130 determines whether to set “large” or “small”. It may be executed with a trigger that the elapsed time from the replacement of the cartridge 200 has reached a predetermined time. That is, the controller 130 may not determine whether the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is _{equal to} or greater than the threshold height _Hth1 .

  As shown in FIG. 15, the controller 130 determines whether or not the elapsed time after reading the CTG information in S33 has reached a predetermined time (S111). The predetermined time is set as follows, for example. It is assumed that an ink (for example, a black dye) having a predetermined temperature and pressure and having a predetermined composition is used. As shown in FIG. 11A, the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is empty (Vs = 0) and the maximum ink amount Vc0 is stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the mounted cartridge 200. As shown in FIG. 12 (A), the time until the difference between the heights Hc and Hs almost disappears may be set as the predetermined time. For example, the higher the temperature and the atmospheric pressure, the shorter the predetermined time is set. Since the composition of the ink affects the viscosity of the ink, for example, the higher the viscosity of the ink, the longer the predetermined time is set. The predetermined time may be determined in advance and stored in the EEPROM 134. In addition, a plurality of predetermined times corresponding to temperature, atmospheric pressure, and ink type are stored in the EEPROM 134 as a table, and the controller 130 selects a predetermined time from the table according to the temperature, atmospheric pressure, and ink type. May be.

  Based on the determination that the elapsed time has not reached the predetermined time (S111: No), the controller 130 writes the error information C into the memory of the IC chip 247 (S112). Further, based on the determination that the elapsed time has not reached the predetermined time (S111: No), the controller 130 writes the error information S in the predetermined area of the EEPROM 134 (S112). On the other hand, the controller 130 erases the error information C from the memory of the IC chip 247 based on the determination that the elapsed time has reached the predetermined time (S111: Yes). Further, the controller 130 deletes the error information S from the predetermined area of the EEPROM 134 based on the determination that the elapsed time has reached the predetermined time (S111: Yes) (S113).

  In the above-described embodiment, the controller 130 detects whether or not the detected portion 194 of the actuator 190 is located at the detection position based on the signal output from the liquid level sensor 155. However, the configuration of the liquid level sensor 155 is not particularly limited as long as the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 can be detected. For example, the controller 130 optically detects the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 by using a prism having a different reflectance depending on whether or not the ink is in contact with the rear wall 164 of the liquid chamber 171. It may be a sensor. Further, the liquid level sensor 155 may be an electrode rod inserted into the liquid chamber 171.

  The controller 130 receives a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154, then receives a high level signal from the mounting sensor 154, and then receives a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154. This is an example of determining that a cartridge is mounted in the mounting case 150. Another example in which the controller 130 determines that the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 will be described below.

  For example, the controller 130 receives the low level signal after receiving the high level signal from the cover sensor 88. Then, the controller 130 reads the identification information from the memory of the IC chip 247 and compares it with the identification information of the cartridge 200 before replacement stored in the EEPROM 134. In response to determining that the identification information read from the memory of the IC chip 247 is different from the identification information stored in the EEPROM 134, the controller 130 may determine that the ink cartridge 30 has been replaced in the mounting case 150. . That is, “the controller 130 reads the identification information from the memory of the IC chip 247 and compares it with the identification information of the cartridge 200 before replacement stored in the EEPROM 134. As a result, the identification information read from the memory of the IC chip 247 The controller 130 determines that the identification information stored in the EEPROM 134 is different ”is an example in which the controller 130 determines that the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150.

  For example, the controller 130 receives a low level signal after receiving a high level signal from the cover sensor 88. Then, the controller 130 causes the user to display a confirmation screen indicating whether or not a new cartridge 200 has been mounted in the mounting case 150 through the display 17. The controller 130 displays a confirmation screen on the display 17, while receiving an input corresponding to the confirmation screen through the operation panel 22. The controller 130 may determine that the ink cartridge 30 of the mounting case 150 has been replaced in response to the received input corresponding to the mounting of a new cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150. . In other words, “the controller 130 receives the low level signal after receiving the high level signal from the cover sensor 88. Then, the controller 130 mounts a new cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150 to the user through the display 17. The controller 130 displays the confirmation screen on the display 17, while receiving the input corresponding to the confirmation screen through the operation panel 22. The received input is “Corresponding to the fact that a new cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150” is an example in which the controller 130 determines that the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150.

  In the above embodiment, the ink supply port 234 provided in the supply pipe 230 and the opening 183 of the needle 181 are opened, and the ink valve chamber 213 of the supply pipe 230 and the internal space of the needle 181 communicate with each other. Explained. The ink supply port 234 may be provided on the rear wall 202 of the cartridge 200. For example, a through hole that penetrates the rear wall 202 in the thickness direction may be formed in the rear wall 202 as the ink supply port 234. The internal space of the ink supply port 234 is an example of a first flow path. In this modification, in the process in which the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, the needle 181 enters the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 through the ink supply port 234, and one end (opening 183) of the needle 181 is connected to the liquid in the cartridge 200. It will be in the state located inside the chamber 210. As a result, the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 communicates with the internal space of the needle 181. That is, in a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150, the internal space of the needle 181 forms a flow path that connects the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160.

  An opening 183 may be provided in the front wall 162 of the tank 160. For example, as the opening 183, a through-hole penetrating the front wall 162 in the thickness direction may be formed in the front wall 162. The internal space of the opening 183 is an example of a first flow path. In this modification, in the process of mounting the cartridge 200 to the mounting case 150, the supply pipe 230 enters the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 through the opening 183, and the other end (ink supply port 234) of the supply pipe 230 is connected to the tank. It will be in the state located inside the 160 liquid chambers 171. As a result, the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 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 forms a flow path that connects the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160.

  In addition, the IC chip 247 is brought into contact with the contact 152 to conduct, but instead of this, data is read and written in a contactless manner using radio waves such as NFC (near field communication) and RFID (radio frequency identification). An information medium and an interface may be employed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the discharge of ink through the head 21 is described as image recording on a sheet. However, the discharge of ink through the head 21 is forcibly discharged from the nozzles 29 of the head 21. So-called purging may be performed.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the ink is described as an example of the liquid. However, the liquid may be, for example, a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto a sheet or the like prior to the ink during image recording. Water for washing may be used.

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 (32)

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 in which a cartridge having a second flow path in communication with the mounting unit 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;
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 the amount of liquid Vc stored in the first liquid chamber of the cartridge mounted in the mounting case;
A liquid discharging apparatus that stores the determined liquid amount Vc and error information indicating that there is an error in the liquid amount Vc in a cartridge memory of the cartridge 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 mounting case in which a cartridge having a second flow path in communication with the mounting unit 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;
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 the amount of liquid Vc stored in the first liquid chamber of the cartridge mounted in the mounting case;
A liquid discharging apparatus that stores error information indicating the determined liquid amount Vc and an error included in the liquid amount Vc in a cartridge memory of the cartridge through the interface. The controller
Determining the amount of liquid Vs stored in the second liquid chamber;
Based on the determined liquid amounts Vc and Vs, the height Hc from the reference position to the liquid level of the first liquid chamber and the height Hs from the reference position to the liquid level of the second liquid chamber are determined. ,
Determining the error based on the difference between the determined heights Hc and Hs;
The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the error information indicating the determined error is stored in the cartridge memory through the interface. The controller
The amount Qc of the liquid flowing out from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber during the period Δt is defined as the height Hc, Hs, the flow path resistance Rc of the second flow path, and the fifth flow path. Determined based on the channel resistance Rs and the channel resistance Rn which is the resistance of one or both of the first channel and the third channel,
Subtracting the outflow amount Qc from the liquid amount Vc determined immediately before to determine the liquid amount Vc after the period Δt has elapsed,
Adding the outflow amount Qc to the liquid amount Vs determined immediately before, determining the liquid amount Vs after the period Δt has elapsed,
The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determined liquid amount Vc and the error information are stored in the cartridge memory through the interface. The controller
Determining the outflow amount Qc and the liquid amounts Vc, Vs and storing the determined liquid amount Vc and the error information in the cartridge memory;
Wait until the period Δt elapses after the liquid amount Vc and the error information are stored in the cartridge memory.
5. The flow rate Qc and the liquid amounts Vc and Vs are determined again based on the elapse of the period Δt, and the determined liquid amount Vc and the error information are stored in the cartridge memory. Liquid discharger. The controller
Based on determining the outflow amount Qc and the liquid amounts Vc and Vs and storing the determined liquid amount Vc and the error information in the cartridge memory, the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is a threshold height. Determine whether it is less than
The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the apparatus waits until the period Δt elapses based on determining that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is equal to or greater than the threshold height.   The controller determines the outflow amount Qc and the liquid amounts Vc and Vs based on the determination that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is less than the threshold height, and determines the determined liquid amount Vc and The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the process of storing error information in the cartridge memory is stopped.   8. The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the controller erases the error information from the cartridge memory based on determining that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is less than the threshold height.   The controller increases the time Δt until the next determination of the liquid amounts Vc, Vs and the heights Hc, Hs as the difference between the heights Hc, Hs approaches the threshold height. The liquid discharging apparatus according to any one of 1 to 8. Equipped with an alarm,
The controller
Determine that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case,
Based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, the error information stored in the cartridge memory is read out,
The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the alarm is operated based on the error information being read out. Equipped with device memory,
The controller
A liquid amount Vs stored in the second liquid chamber is determined and stored in the device memory;
11. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 1, wherein tank error information indicating that there is an error in the liquid amount Vs is stored in the apparatus memory based on the mounting of the cartridge in the mounting case. . The controller
Based on the determined liquid amounts Vc and Vs, the height Hc from the reference position to the liquid level of the first liquid chamber and the height Hs from the reference position to the liquid level of the second liquid chamber are determined. ,
12. The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the tank error information is erased from the apparatus memory based on determining that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is less than the threshold height. The controller
Based on the determination that the error indicated by the error information is greater than or equal to a first threshold error, the error information is stored in the cartridge memory,
The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the tank error information is stored in the apparatus memory based on determining that an error indicated by the tank error information is equal to or greater than a second threshold error. The controller
Based on the determined liquid amounts Vc and Vs, the height Hc from the reference position to the liquid level of the first liquid chamber and the height Hs from the reference position to the liquid level of the second liquid chamber are determined. ,
A first error in the first liquid chamber and a second error in the second liquid chamber are determined from a predetermined state in which the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is less than a threshold height and the difference between the Hc and Hs. ,
Based on the determination that the determined first error is greater than or equal to the first threshold error, the error information indicating the first error is stored in the cartridge memory,
The liquid discharge according to claim 13, wherein the tank error information indicating the second error is stored in the device memory based on the determination that the error indicated by the tank error information is equal to or greater than the second threshold error. apparatus. 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 in which a cartridge having a second flow path in communication with the mounting unit 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;
Device memory;
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
A liquid amount Vs stored in the second liquid chamber is determined and stored in the device memory;
A liquid discharging apparatus that stores in the apparatus memory tank error information indicating that there is an error in the liquid amount Vs based on the mounting of the cartridge in the mounting case. The controller
Determining the amount of liquid Vs stored in the second liquid chamber;
Based on the determined liquid amounts Vc and Vs, the height Hc from the reference position to the liquid level of the first liquid chamber and the height Hs from the reference position to the liquid level of the second liquid chamber are determined. ,
Based on the difference between the determined heights Hc and Hs, the presence or absence of the error is determined,
The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the tank error information is stored in the apparatus memory based on the determination that there is an error. The controller
The amount Qc of the liquid flowing out from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber during the period Δt is defined as the height Hc, Hs, the flow path resistance Rc of the second flow path, and the fifth flow path. Determined based on the channel resistance Rs and the channel resistance Rn which is the resistance of one or both of the first channel and the third channel,
Subtracting the outflow amount Qc from the liquid amount Vc determined immediately before to determine the liquid amount Vc after the period Δt has elapsed,
Adding the outflow amount Qc to the liquid amount Vs determined immediately before, determining the liquid amount Vs after the period Δt has elapsed,
The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the determined liquid amount Vs and the tank error information are stored in the apparatus memory. The controller
Determining the outflow amount Qc and the liquid amounts Vc, Vs and storing the determined liquid amount Vs and the tank error information in the device memory;
Wait until the period Δt elapses after the liquid amount Vs and the tank error information are stored in the device memory.
18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the outflow amount Qc and the liquid amounts Vc and Vs are determined again based on the elapse of the period Δt, and the determined liquid amount Vs and the tank error information are stored in the device memory. The liquid discharging apparatus as described. The controller
Based on determining the outflow amount Qc and the liquid amounts Vc, Vs and storing the determined liquid amount Vs and the tank error information in the device memory, the difference between the heights Hc, Hs is a threshold value high. Determine whether it is less than
19. The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the apparatus waits until the period [Delta] t elapses based on determining that the difference between the heights Hc and Hs is equal to or greater than the threshold height.   The controller determines the outflow amount Qc and the liquid amounts Vc, Vs based on determining that the difference between the heights Hc, Hs is less than the threshold height, and determines the determined liquid amount Vs and The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the process of storing tank error information in the apparatus memory is stopped.   The controller increases the time Δt until the next determination of the liquid amounts Vc, Vs and the heights Hc, Hs as the difference between the heights Hc, Hs approaches the threshold height. Or the liquid discharge apparatus of 20. Equipped with an alarm,
The controller
Determine that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case,
Based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, the tank error information stored in the device memory is read out,
The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the alarm is operated based on the tank error information being read. With an interface,
The controller
Based on the readout of the tank error information, error information indicating that there is an error in the liquid amount Vc stored in the first liquid chamber is stored in the cartridge memory of the cartridge through the interface. The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 22. 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;
A second flow path having one end communicating with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicating with the outside;
And a cartridge memory,
A mounting case;
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;
Interface,
The cartridge is mounted in the mounting case of a liquid discharge device comprising 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 on the mounting case,
The controller determines a liquid amount Vc stored in the first liquid chamber of the cartridge mounted in the mounting case;
In the cartridge memory, the controller can write information through the interface in a state where the cartridge memory is mounted, and the liquid amount Vc determined by the controller and the liquid amount Vc have an error. A cartridge that stores error information. 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;
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 the amount of liquid Vc stored in the first liquid chamber of the cartridge mounted in the mounting case;
A system for storing the determined liquid amount Vc and error information indicating that there is an error in the liquid amount Vc in a cartridge memory of the cartridge 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;
Interface,
Device memory;
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
A liquid amount Vs stored in the second liquid chamber is determined and stored in the device memory;
Determine whether the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case,
A system that stores error information indicating that there is an error in the liquid amount Vs in the apparatus memory based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case. 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 in which a cartridge having a second flow path in communication with the mounting unit 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;
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
Determine whether the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case,
Based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, error information indicating that there is an error in the liquid amount Vc stored in the first liquid chamber is sent to the cartridge memory of the cartridge through the interface. Liquid discharge device to be memorized. The controller
28. The error information stored in the cartridge memory is erased through the interface based on an elapsed time after determining that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case reaching a predetermined time. Liquid discharger. Equipped with device memory,
The controller
The tank error information indicating that there is an error in the liquid amount Vs stored in the second liquid chamber based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case is stored in the device memory. The liquid discharging apparatus according to 27 or 28. The controller
30. The liquid discharge according to claim 29, wherein the tank error information stored in the device memory is erased based on the fact that an elapsed time since it was determined that the cartridge was mounted in the mounting case has reached a predetermined time. apparatus. The controller
The amount Qc of the liquid flowing out from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber during the period Δt is defined as the height Hc, Hs, the flow path resistance Rc of the second flow path, and the fifth flow path. Determined based on the channel resistance Rs and the channel resistance Rn which is the resistance of one or both of the first channel and the third channel,
Subtracting the outflow amount Qc from the liquid amount Vc determined immediately before to determine the liquid amount Vc after the period Δt has elapsed,
Adding the outflow amount Qc to the liquid amount Vs determined immediately before, determining the liquid amount Vs after the period Δt has elapsed,
31. The liquid discharging apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the determined liquid amount Vc and the error information are stored in the cartridge memory through the interface. Equipped with an alarm,
The controller
Determine that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case,
Based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, the error information stored in the cartridge memory is read out,
32. The liquid discharge apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the alarm is operated based on the error information being read out.

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