JP2020055114A - Liquid discharging device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a liquid discharging device capable of accurately grasping the amount of liquid stored in a first liquid chamber or a second liquid chamber while considering evaporation.SOLUTION: A controller 130 of a printer 10 decides a count value TN by a value corresponding to the amount of ink instructed to be discharged by a received discharge instruction, decides the evaporation amount Ec and Es of the ink respectively stored in liquid chambers 210 and 171, and decides ink amount Vc, ink amount Vs, and total amount Vt on the basis of the decided count value TN and the evaporation amount Ec and Es.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid discharging device for discharging a liquid.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an inkjet printer including a detachable main tank, a sub-tank for storing ink supplied from a mounted main tank, and an image recording unit for ejecting ink stored in the sub-tank and recording an image has been known. (For example, Patent Document 1). The internal space of the main tank and the sub tank is open to the atmosphere. Therefore, when the main tank is mounted on the ink jet printer, the liquid level of the main tank and the sub tank is the same due to the difference between the head of the internal space of the main tank and the head of the internal space of the sub tank (hereinafter referred to as “head difference”). The ink moves to match the height.

JP 2008-213162 A

  When the image recording unit discharges ink, the amount of liquid stored in each of the main tank and the sub tank changes. For example, when the amount of ink stored in the cartridge approaches zero, it is desirable to inform the user that the cartridge needs to be replaced. On the other hand, when the amount of ink stored in the sub-tank becomes close to zero, it is desirable to notify the user or prohibit image recording so that air does not enter the image recording unit from the sub-tank. Therefore, it is desirable that the ink amounts of the main tank and the sub tank are grasped.

  Further, since the main tank and the sub-tank are each communicated with the outside, the ink stored in the main tank and the sub-tank, respectively, evaporates according to the passage of time and the environment. Since the amount of ink stored in each of the main tank and the sub tank changes due to the evaporation, it is desirable to know the amount of ink in consideration of the amount of evaporation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to accurately grasp the amount of liquid stored in a first liquid chamber or a second liquid chamber in consideration of evaporation. It is to provide a simple liquid discharging device.

  (1) The liquid discharge device 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 having the above-described one flow path. A mounting case in which a cartridge having a second flow path which is connected to the first liquid chamber and the other end of which is connected to the outside is mounted, and a tank having the second liquid chamber, one end of which is connected to the outside and the other A third flow path having one end communicating with the second liquid chamber, a fourth flow path having one end located below the third flow path communicating with the second liquid chamber, and one end being connected to the second liquid chamber. The tank includes a tank having a fifth flow path that communicates with the liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside, a head that communicates with the other end of the fourth flow path, a controller, and a memory. 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 receives a discharge instruction for discharging the liquid through the head, determines a count value with a value corresponding to the amount of liquid instructed to be discharged by the received discharge instruction, and determines the first liquid chamber and the first liquid chamber for a predetermined period. The total evaporation amount of the liquid stored in the second liquid chamber is determined, and the liquid amount Vc stored in the first liquid chamber and the second evaporation amount are determined based on the determined count value and the total evaporation amount. At least one of the liquid amount Vs stored in the liquid chamber and the total liquid amount Vt which is the sum of the liquid amount Vc and the liquid amount Vs is determined, and the determined liquid amount Vc and the liquid amount are determined. The amount Vs or the total liquid amount Vt is stored in the memory.

  According to the above configuration, the liquid amount Vc, the liquid amount Vs, or the total liquid amount Vt in which the evaporation amounts of the liquids stored in the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber, respectively, are determined.

  (2) Preferably, the controller is configured to, when the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid chamber becomes less than a predetermined amount, evaporate the tank stored in the second liquid chamber for a predetermined period thereafter. The amount is determined, and the liquid amount Vs stored in the second liquid chamber is determined based on the determined count value and the determined tank evaporation amount.

  According to the above configuration, after the liquid stops flowing from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber, the liquid amount Vs that takes into account the tank liquid amount that evaporates from the second liquid chamber is determined.

  (3) Preferably, the controller outputs a first signal output by a liquid level sensor based on a position of one of the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber being equal to or higher than a predetermined position. Receiving, from the liquid level sensor, a second signal output from the liquid level sensor based on the fact that the position of the one liquid level is less than the predetermined position. After receiving the signal, based on the reception of the second signal, it is determined that the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid chamber is less than a predetermined amount.

  (4) Preferably, the liquid discharging device further includes an alarm, and the tank has a float whose vertical position changes according to the position of the liquid surface of the second liquid chamber, The float is in the first state when the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is equal to or higher than the predetermined position, and is in the first state when the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is lower than the predetermined position. And the liquid level sensor outputs the first signal based on detecting the float in the first state, and based on detecting the float in the second state. The controller outputs the second signal, and, after receiving the first signal, performs first notification to the alarm based on a lapse of a predetermined period from when the second signal is received. Let

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to notify the user that the concentration of the liquid in the second liquid chamber increases and the float may not move smoothly.

  (5) Preferably, the liquid discharging device further includes an alarm, and the tank has a float whose vertical position changes according to the position of the liquid surface of the second liquid chamber, The float is in the first state when the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is equal to or higher than the predetermined position, and is in the first state when the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is lower than the predetermined position. And the liquid level sensor outputs the first signal based on detecting the float in the first state, and based on detecting the float in the second state. The controller outputs the second signal, and, based on the fact that the tank evaporation amount after receiving the second signal is greater than or equal to a first threshold value after receiving the first signal, The first notification.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to notify the user that the concentration of the liquid in the second liquid chamber increases and the float may not move smoothly.

  (6) Preferably, when the first time has elapsed from when the controller has determined that the cartridge has been mounted in the mounting case, the controller notifies the alarm based on the reception of the second signal. After the second signal is received, the first signal is received, and based on the lapse of a predetermined period from the time when the second signal is received, the first time is replaced with the first time longer than the first time. Set 2 hours.

  According to the above configuration, when the first time has elapsed since the cartridge was mounted in the mounting case and the first signal is not received from the liquid level sensor, it is determined that the liquid has not flowed into the second liquid chamber. The user can be notified. When there is a possibility that the float may not move smoothly, the second time longer than the first time has elapsed, and the liquid flows into the second liquid chamber when the first signal is not received from the liquid level sensor. The user can be notified that it is not. Thus, when the float does not move smoothly, the time required for the float to move can be lengthened.

  (7) Preferably, when the first time has elapsed from when it was determined that the cartridge was mounted in the mounting case, the controller sends a second signal to the alarm based on the reception of the second signal. The second notification is performed, and a second time longer than the first time is set instead of the first time based on the fact that the tank evaporation amount is equal to or more than the second threshold value.

  According to the above configuration, when the first time has elapsed since the cartridge was mounted in the mounting case and the first signal is not received from the liquid level sensor, it is determined that the liquid has not flowed into the second liquid chamber. The user can be notified. When there is a possibility that the float may not move smoothly, the second time longer than the first time has elapsed, and the liquid flows into the second liquid chamber when the first signal is not received from the liquid level sensor. The user can be notified that it is not. Thus, when the float does not move smoothly, the time required for the float to move can be lengthened.

  (8) Preferably, the controller acquires environmental information on an environment of a place where the liquid discharging device is installed, and determines the total evaporation amount based on the acquired environmental information.

  According to the above configuration, the total evaporation amount is determined according to the environment of the place where the liquid discharge device is set. Thereby, the liquid amount Vc, the liquid amount Vs, or the total liquid amount Vt is determined with higher accuracy.

  (9) Preferably, the liquid discharging device further includes an environment sensor, and the controller receives an output signal indicating the environment information from the environment sensor.

  (10) Preferably, the liquid discharging device further includes a display, and the controller is configured to control the display based on the liquid amount Vc, the liquid amount Vs, or the total liquid amount Vt read from the memory. Next, an object indicating the liquid amount Vc, the liquid amount Vs, or the total liquid amount Vt is displayed.

  According to the present invention, the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid chamber or the second liquid chamber can be accurately grasped in consideration of evaporation.

1A and 1B are external perspective views of the printer 10, in which FIG. 1A shows a state where a cover 87 is at a covering position, and FIG. 1B shows a state where the cover 87 is at an exposing position. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustrating 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, wherein FIG. 4A is a front perspective view and FIG. 4B is a longitudinal sectional view. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the printer 10. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the image recording process. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the evaporation amount calculation processing. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the counting process. FIG. 10 is a screen of the display 17 showing the ink amounts Vc and Vs.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. Further, the vertical direction 7 is defined based on a use posture in which the printer 10 is installed on a horizontal surface so that the printer 10 can be used, and the front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface of the printer 10 on which the opening 13 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-back direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal.

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

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, inside the housing 14, a feed tray 15, a feed roller 23, a transport roller 25, a head 21 having a plurality of nozzles 29, and a face facing the head 21. A platen 26, a discharge roller 27, a discharge tray 16, a mounting case 150 to which the cartridge 200 is attached and detached, and a tube 32 for communicating the head 21 and the cartridge 200 mounted to the mounting case 150 are located.

  The printer 10 drives the feed roller 23 and the feed roller 25 to feed the sheet supported by the feed tray 15 to the position of the platen 26. Next, the printer 10 causes the head 21 to discharge the ink supplied from the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150 through the tube 32 through the nozzle 29. As a result, the ink lands 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.

  For example, the head 21 is mounted on a carriage that reciprocates in a main scanning direction that intersects the sheet conveyance direction by the conveyance roller 25. Then, the printer 10 causes the head 21 to eject ink through the nozzles 29 in the process of moving the carriage from one side 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 causes 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, an image is recorded on one sheet by alternately and repeatedly executing these processes.

  In the present embodiment, discharging of ink from the nozzles 29 of the head 21 during image recording is referred to as “discharge”, while discharging of ink from the nozzles 29 of the head 21 during purging is not referred to as “discharge”. However, “discharge” is a concept included in “discharge”.

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

[Cover sensor 88]
The printer 10 has a cover sensor 88 (see FIG. 6). The cover sensor 88 may be, for example, a mechanical sensor such as a switch with which the cover 87 comes and goes, or 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 when the cover 87 is located at the covering position. On the other hand, the cover sensor 88 outputs a high-level signal having a higher signal strength than the low-level signal to the controller 130 in response to the cover 87 being 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 when the cover 87 is located at the exposure position.

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

  The 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 defining an upper end, a bottom wall defining a lower end, a back wall defining a rear end in the front-rear direction 8, and a pair of side walls defining both ends in the left-right direction 9. Is defined. On the other hand, a 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 arranged at the exposure position.

  Then, the cartridge 200 is inserted into the mounting case 150 through the opening 85 of the housing 14 and is 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 removed from the mounting case 150 passes through the opening 85 in the front-back 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 inner wall of the mounting case 150. The rod 153 is located on a back wall of the mounting case 150 above a joint 180 described later. The rod 153 enters the atmosphere valve chamber 214 through the later-described atmosphere communication port 221 of the cartridge 200 while the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. When the rod 153 enters the atmosphere valve chamber 214, an atmosphere valve chamber 214 described later is communicated with the atmosphere.

[Wearing 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 the controller 130 to detect 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 separated 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 located 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 located opposite to each other with the light shielding rib 245 of the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150 interposed therebetween.

  The mounting sensor 154 outputs a different signal (denoted as “mounting signal” in the figure) depending on whether or not light emitted from the light emitting unit in the left-right direction 9 is received by the light receiving unit. . The mounting sensor 154 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 130, for example, when the light receiving intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit is less than the threshold intensity. On the other hand, the mounting sensor 154 outputs a high-level signal having a signal intensity higher than the low-level signal to the controller 130 in response to the light intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit being equal to or higher than the threshold intensity.

[Liquid level sensor 155]
The liquid level sensor 155 is a sensor for the controller 130 to detect whether or not a detected portion 194 of the actuator 190 described later is located at a detection position. The liquid level sensor 155 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit separated in the left-right direction 9. In other words, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the liquid level sensor 155 are located opposite to each other with the detected portion 194 located at the detection position interposed therebetween. The liquid level sensor 155 outputs a different signal (referred to as a “liquid level signal” in the drawing) depending on whether or not the light output from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit. The liquid level sensor 155 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 130, for example, in response to the received light intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit being less than the threshold intensity. On the other hand, the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a high-level signal having a higher signal intensity than the low-level signal to the controller 130 in response to the light intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit being equal to or higher than the threshold intensity. The high level signal is an example of a second signal, and the low level signal is an example of a first signal.

[Lock pin 156]
The lock pin 156 is a rod-shaped member extending along the left-right direction 9 at the upper end of the internal space of the mounting case 150 and near 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 at the mounting position shown in FIG. The cartridge 200 is engaged with the lock pin 156 while being mounted on the mounting case 150.

[Tank 160]
The printer 10 includes four tanks 160 corresponding to the four cartridges 200, respectively. The tank 160 is located further behind the inner wall of the mounting case 150. 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), as shown in FIG. The front wall 162 is constituted by a plurality of walls, each of which is shifted in the front-rear direction 8. Inside the tank 160, a liquid chamber 171 is formed. The liquid chamber 171 is an example of a second liquid chamber.

  At least the wall of the tank 160 facing the liquid level sensor 155 has a light-transmitting property. Thus, the light output by 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 face of the side wall. 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 tank 160 adjacent in the left-right direction 9 is partitioned by a partition wall (not shown). The configurations of the four tanks 160 are substantially common.

  The liquid chamber 171 communicates with an ink flow path (not shown) through an outlet 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 up-down direction 7. The ink flow path (not shown) connected to the outlet 174 is connected to the tube 32 (see FIG. 2). 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 from the outlet 174 to the head 21 through the ink flow path and the tube 32. The ink flow path and the tube 32 communicated with the outflow port 174 include a fourth flow path in which one end (outflow port 174) is in communication with the liquid chamber 171 and the other end 33 (see FIG. 2) is in communication with the head 21. This is an example.

  The liquid chamber 171 is communicated with the atmosphere through an atmosphere communication chamber 175. More specifically, the atmosphere communication chamber 175 communicates with the liquid chamber 171 through a through hole 176 penetrating the front wall 162. The atmosphere communication chamber 175 is communicated 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 (the through hole 176) is communicated with the liquid chamber 171 and the other end (the atmosphere communication port 177) is communicated 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]
The joint 180 includes a needle 181 and a guide 182, as shown in FIG. The needle 181 is a tube in which a flow path is formed. The needle 181 projects forward from a front wall 162 that defines the liquid chamber 171. An opening 183 is formed at the protruding tip of the needle 181. Further, the internal space of the needle 181 communicates with the liquid chamber 171 through a through hole 184 penetrating the front wall 162. The needle 181 is an example of a third channel in which one end (opening 183) is communicated with the outside of the tank 160 and the other end (through hole 184) is communicated with the liquid chamber 171. The guide 182 is a cylindrical member arranged around the needle 181. The guide 182 protrudes forward from the front wall 162 and has a protruding end opened.

  A valve 185 and a coil spring 186 are located in the internal space of the needle 181. The valve 185 is movable 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 located at the closed position. The valve 185 opens the opening 183 when located at the open position. The coil spring 186 biases the valve 185 in a direction for moving the valve 185 from the open position to the closed position, that is, forward.

[Actuator 190]
The actuator 190 is located in the liquid chamber 171. The actuator 190 is supported by a support member (not shown) arranged 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 shown by a solid line and a position shown by a broken line in FIG. Further, the rotation of the actuator 190 from the position indicated by the solid line in the direction of the arrow 198 is restricted 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 portion 194.

  The float 191 is formed of a material having a lower specific gravity than the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171. The shaft 192 protrudes in the left-right direction 9 from the right surface and the left surface of the float 191. The shaft 192 is inserted into a hole (not shown) formed in the support member. Thus, 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 protruding tip of the arm 193. The detected part 194 is a plate-shaped member extending in the vertical direction 7 and the front-back direction 8. The detected part 194 is formed of a material or a color that blocks light output from the light emitting part of the liquid level sensor 155.

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

  The predetermined position P is indicated by an imaginary line extending in the horizontal direction at the same height as the axis center of the needle 181 in the vertical direction 7 and at the same height as the center of the ink supply port 234 described later. However, the predetermined position P is not limited to the above-described position as long as it is a position above the outlet 174 in the vertical direction 7. As another example, the predetermined position P may be the height of the upper end or lower end of the internal space of the needle 181 or the height of the upper end or 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 predetermined position P, the light output from the light emitting unit of the liquid level sensor 155 is blocked by the detection unit 194. As a result, 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 lower than the predetermined position P, the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a high-level signal to the controller 130 because the light output from the light emitting section reaches the light receiving section. I 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 predetermined position P based on a signal output from the liquid level sensor 155.

[Cartridge 200]
The cartridge 200 is a container having a liquid chamber 210 (see FIG. 2) in which ink, which is an example of a liquid, can be stored. The liquid chamber 210 is defined by, for example, a resin wall. As shown in FIG. 4A, the cartridge 200 has a flat shape in which the dimension along each of the vertical direction 7 and the front-back direction 8 is larger than the dimension along the horizontal direction 9. Note that the outer shapes of the cartridges 200 storing the inks of different colors may be the same or different. At least a part of the wall constituting the cartridge 200 has translucency. Accordingly, the user can visually recognize the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 from outside 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 constituted by a plurality of walls, each of which is shifted in the front-rear direction 8. Further, the upper wall 204 is constituted by a plurality of walls, each of which is shifted in the vertical direction 7. Further, the lower wall 205 is constituted by a plurality of walls, each of which is shifted in the vertical direction 7.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, a liquid chamber 210, an ink valve chamber 213, and an atmospheric valve chamber 214 are formed in the internal space of the cartridge 200. 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 atmosphere valve chamber 214 allows the liquid chamber 210 to 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 by a through hole 216 formed in the partition wall 215. The upper liquid chamber 211 and the atmosphere valve chamber 214 are separated from each other in the up-down direction 7 by a partition 217 that partitions the internal space of the housing 201. The upper surface 215U of the partition 215 partitions the upper liquid chamber 211. The lower surface 215L of the partition wall 215 defines the lower liquid chamber 212. The upper liquid chamber 211 and the atmosphere valve chamber 214 are communicated with each other by 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 atmosphere valve chamber 214 communicates with the outside of the cartridge 200 through an atmosphere communication port 221 formed in the rear wall 202 at the top of the cartridge 200. That is, one end (the through hole 218) of the atmosphere valve chamber 214 communicates with the liquid chamber 210 (more specifically, the upper liquid chamber 211), and the other end (the atmosphere communication port 221) communicates with the outside of the cartridge 200. 5 is an example of a second flow path. The atmosphere valve chamber 214 communicates with the atmosphere through an atmosphere communication port 221. A valve 222 and a coil spring 223 are located in the atmosphere valve chamber 214. The valve 222 is movable along the front-rear direction 8 between the closed position and the open position. When the valve 222 is located at the closing position, the valve 222 closes the atmosphere communication port 221. When the valve 222 is located at the open position, the valve 222 opens the air communication port 221. The coil spring 223 biases the valve 222 in a direction for moving the valve 222 from the open position to the closed position, that is, rearward.

  In the process of mounting the cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150, the rod 153 enters the atmosphere valve chamber 214 through the atmosphere communication port 221. The rod 153 that has entered the atmosphere valve chamber 214 moves the valve 222 in the closed position forward against the urging force of the coil spring 223. When the valve 222 moves to the open position, the upper liquid chamber 211 is communicated with the atmosphere. The configuration for opening the atmosphere communication port 221 is not limited to the above-described example. As another example, a configuration in which the rod 153 pierces the film that seals the air communication port 221 may be used.

  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 opening at the protruding end (that is, the rear end). That is, the ink valve chamber 213 allows the liquid chamber 210 communicated through the through hole 219 to communicate with the outside of the cartridge 200. The ink valve chamber 213 has one end (through hole 219) connected to the liquid chamber 210 (more specifically, the lower liquid chamber 212), and the other end (ink supply port 234 described later) connected to the outside of the cartridge 200. It is an example of a 1st flow path. The packing 231, the valve 232, and the 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 the closed position and the open position. When the valve 232 is located at the closing position, the valve 232 contacts the packing 231 to close the ink supply port 234. When the valve 232 is located at the open position, the valve 232 is separated from the packing 231 to open the ink supply port 234. The coil spring 233 biases the valve 232 in a direction for moving the valve 232 from the open position to the closed position, that is, rearward. 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. At this time, the needle 181 makes liquid-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 urging force of the coil spring 233. Further, the valve 232 moves the valve 185 protruding from the opening 183 of the needle 181 backward against the urging force of the coil spring 186.

  Thereby, 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, when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, the internal space of the ink valve chamber 213 and the needle 181 forms a flow path that allows the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 to communicate with the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160.

  When 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 from 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 head difference through the connected supply pipe 230 and the joint 180.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a protrusion 241 is formed on the upper wall 204. The projection 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 forward 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 and rearward.

  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 where the lock pin 156 contacts 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 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 member is an operation unit 244 operated by a user when removing the cartridge 200 from the mounting case 150. When the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150 and the cover 87 is located at the exposed position, the operation unit 244 can be operated by the user. When the operation unit 244 is pressed downward, the lock surface 242 moves downward from the lock pin 156 by rotating the cartridge 200. 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 a color that blocks light output from the light emitting unit of the mounting sensor 154. The light-blocking 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 in response to the mounting of the cartridge 200 on the mounting case 150. On the other hand, the mounting sensor 154 outputs a high-level signal to the controller 130 when the cartridge 200 is not mounted on the mounting case 150. That is, the controller 130 can detect whether or not the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150 based on a signal output from the mounting sensor 154.

  An IC substrate 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 substrate 247. The IC board 247 includes a memory (not shown). The electrode 248 is electrically connected to the memory on the IC substrate 247. The electrode 248 is exposed on the upper surface of the IC substrate 247 so as to be able to conduct with the contact 152. That is, when cartridge 200 is mounted in mounting case 150, electrode 248 is electrically connected to contact 152. The controller 130 can read information from the memory of the IC substrate 247 through the contact 152 and the electrode 248, and can write information to the memory of the IC substrate 247 through the contact 152 and the electrode 248.

  The memory of the IC board 247 stores the ink amount Vc, identification information for identifying the individual cartridge 200, abnormal information, and the like. The abnormality information is information indicating that the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC board 247 may include an error. The initial ink amount Vc0 is stored as the ink amount Vc in the memory of the IC substrate 247 where the cartridge 200 is new. This initial ink amount Vc0 indicates the amount of ink stored in the new cartridge 200. Hereinafter, information stored in the memory of the IC substrate 247 may be collectively referred to as “cartridge information” or “CTG information”. Further, “new” is a so-called unused product, and indicates a state in which the ink in the cartridge 200 has never flowed out of the cartridge 200 manufactured and sold.

  The storage area of the memory of the IC board 247 includes, for example, an area in which information is not overwritten by the controller 130 and an area in which information can be overwritten by the controller 130. For example, the identification information is stored in an area that is not overwritten, and the ink amount Vc and the abnormality information are stored in an area that can be overwritten.

[Controller 130]
As shown in FIG. 6, the controller 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, an EEPROM 134, and an ASIC 135. The ROM 132 stores programs for the CPU 131 to control various operations. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals, and the like 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, the RAM 133, and the EEPROM 134 are examples of a memory.

  The ASIC 135 operates the feed roller 23, the transport roller 25, the discharge roller 27, and the head 21. The controller 130 rotates a feed roller 23, a transport roller 25, and a discharge roller 27 by driving a motor (not shown) through the ASIC 135. Further, the controller 130 causes the head 21 to eject ink through the nozzles 29 by outputting a drive signal to a drive element of the head 21 through the ASIC 135. The ASIC 135 can output a plurality of types of drive signals in accordance with the amount of ink to be ejected through the nozzle 29.

  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 has a display surface on which various information is displayed. The display 17 is an example of an alarm. 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 according to a user operation to the controller 130. The operation panel 22 may have, for example, a push button or a touch sensor superimposed on the display 17.

  Further, the ASIC 135 is electrically connected to a contact 152, a cover sensor 88, a mounting sensor 154, a liquid level sensor 155, a temperature sensor 40 (an example of an environmental sensor), and a clock 30. The controller 130 accesses the memory of the IC substrate 247 of the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting 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 insertion / removal of the cartridge 200 through the mounting sensor 154. Further, the controller 130 determines through the liquid level sensor 155 whether or not the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the predetermined position P. The temperature sensor 40 is located, for example, in the internal space of the housing 14. The temperature sensor 40 outputs an electric signal corresponding to the detected temperature to the controller 130. The clock 30 outputs date and time information. Note that the clock 30 does not necessarily have to be provided in the printer 10. For example, the controller 130 may acquire date and time information from an external device through an interface.

  When the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a high level signal, the ROM 132 stores a predetermined ink amount Vsc stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 and a predetermined ink amount Vcc stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200. Is stored. The predetermined ink amount Vcc is zero in the present embodiment. The ROM 132 stores a total amount threshold value Vth and a timeout time Th (an example of a predetermined time). In the present embodiment, the total amount threshold Vth is 1.01 times the predetermined ink amount Vsc.

  The EEPROM 134 stores various types of information in association with each of the four cartridges 200 mounted in the mounting case 150, in other words, in association with each of the tanks 160 communicating with the cartridge 200. The various types of information include, for example, ink amounts Vc and Vs, which are examples of liquid amounts, functions F1 and F2, C_Empty flag, S_Empty flag, count value SN, count value TN, threshold value Nth, and evaporation. Includes quantities Ec and Es, an evaporation flag, and a threshold value Eth. The evaporation amount Es is an example of the tank evaporation amount. The threshold value Eth is an example of a first threshold value and a second threshold value. In the present embodiment, the first threshold value and the second threshold value are the same value, but the first threshold value and the second threshold value may be set as different values.

  Note that the ink amount Vc, the abnormality information, and the identification information are information read by the controller 130 from the memory of the IC substrate 247 through the contacts 152 in a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. The function F1 and the function F2 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 amount Vs is calculated by the function F1 or the function F2. The ink amount Vc is calculated based on the ink amount Vs calculated by the function F1 or the function F2 and the total amount Vt.

  The functions F1 and F2 are information indicating the correspondence between the total amount of ink Vt and the amount of ink Vs. The ink in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the ink in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 are in equilibrium in a state where the positions of the respective ink levels in the vertical direction 7 coincide. That is, in the equilibrium state, the movement of the ink between the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 stops. The relationship between the total amount of ink Vt and the amount of ink Vs in the equilibrium state can be approximated by an actual measurement value by a function.

  The relationship between the ink amount Vs and the total amount Vt can be approximately represented by two functions F1 and F2. The function F1 indicates a relationship with the ink amount Vs when the total amount Vt is equal to or more than the threshold value Vh, and is represented by, for example, Vs = a × Vt + b (a and b are constants). The function F2 indicates a relationship with the ink amount Vs when the total amount Vt is less than the threshold value Vh, and is represented by, for example, Vs = c × Vt + d (c and d are constants).

  The threshold value Vh is a value corresponding to the total amount Vt when the liquid level of the ink stored in the upper liquid chamber 211 of the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 contacts the upper surface 215U or the lower surface 215L of the partition 215. Therefore, when the ink level in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 is above the partition wall 215, that is, when the total amount Vt is equal to or greater than the threshold value Vh, the ink amount Vs is calculated by the function F1. In the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200, when the liquid level of the ink is in contact with the partition 215 or is below the partition 215, that is, when the total amount Vt is less than the threshold value Vh, the ink amount Vs is calculated by the function F2. You. The ink amount Vc is calculated as a difference between the total amount Vt and the ink amount Vs.

  After the signal output from the liquid level sensor 155 has changed from a low level signal to a high level signal, the count value SN becomes equal to the ink discharge amount Dh instructing the head 21 to discharge (that is, the ink amount indicated by the drive signal). This is a value that is updated in a direction approaching the threshold value Nth with a corresponding value. The count value SN is a value that is counted up by setting the initial value to “0”. The threshold value Nth corresponds to the volume of the liquid chamber 171 between the vicinity of the upper end of the outlet 174 and the predetermined position P. However, the count value SN may be a value that is counted down with a value corresponding to the volume as an initial value. The threshold value Nth in this case is 0. The threshold value Nth of the count value SN is an example of a predetermined amount.

  The count value TN corresponds to the ink discharge amount Dh (that is, the ink amount indicated by the drive signal) instructing the head 21 to discharge after the signal output from the mounting sensor 154 changes from the high level signal to the low level signal. This is a value that is counted up by setting the initial value to “0”. Further, the count value TN may be a value that is counted down with an initial value being a value corresponding to the total amount Vt of ink.

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

  The S_Empty flag is information indicating whether or not the tank 160 is in the ink empty state. In the S_Empty flag, a value “ON” corresponding to the ink empty state or a value “OFF” corresponding to the non-ink empty state is set. The inempty state is, for example, a state in which the liquid level of the ink stored in the tank 160 (more specifically, the liquid chamber 171) reaches a position near the upper end of the outlet 174. In other words, the ink empty state is a state where the count value SN is equal to or larger than the threshold value Nth. If the ink discharge by the head 21 is continued after entering the inempty state, the liquid level of the ink in the tank 160 falls below the upper end of the outlet 174, and the ink flow path from the tank 160 to the head 21 or the head 21 There is a possibility that air is mixed into the inside (so-called air-in). As a result, the inside of the nozzle 29 is not filled with the ink, and there is a possibility that the ink is not ejected.

  The evaporation amount Ec indicates the amount of water evaporated from the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200. The evaporation amount Es indicates the amount of water evaporated from the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160. The evaporation amounts Ec and Es are calculated based on the coefficient K1 or K2 stored in the EEPROM 134, the elapsed time Tk since the cartridge 200 was mounted on the mounting case 150, and the output signal of the temperature sensor 40.

  The coefficients K1 and K2 are the amounts of water evaporated from the liquid chambers 210 and 171 per unit time, respectively. Therefore, the controller 130 calculates the amount of water evaporated from the liquid chambers 210 and 171 based on the coefficient K1 or K2 and the elapsed time Tk.

  The output signal of the temperature sensor 40 is used as information for correcting the coefficient K1 and the coefficient K2. Generally, as the temperature increases, the amount of evaporation from the ink tends to increase. Therefore, the controller 130 corrects the coefficient K1 and the coefficient K2 based on the output signal of the temperature sensor 40, and calculates the coefficient K1 used for calculating the evaporation amount from a plurality of preset coefficients K1 and K2. And the coefficient K2.

  The evaporation flag is information indicating that the amount of evaporation from the tank 160 has exceeded the threshold value Eth. The evaporation flag has a value “ON” corresponding to the amount of evaporation from the tank 160 exceeding the threshold Eth, or a value “OFF” corresponding to the amount of evaporation from the tank 160 not exceeding the threshold Eth. Is set.

  The threshold value Eth is a water amount corresponding to a difference between the ink level when the tank 160 is in the ink empty state and the ink level at which the shaft 192 of the actuator 190 is exposed to the air. When the amount of water corresponding to the threshold value Eth evaporates from the ink stored in the tank 160, the liquid level of the ink drops below the shaft 192 of the actuator 190, and the shaft 192 is exposed to the air. As a result, the ink attached to the shaft 192 dries or the viscosity increases. Then, the resistance to the rotation of the actuator 190 increases, and the rotation of the actuator 190 becomes difficult. The dried or thickened ink melts into the ink or decreases in viscosity as the shaft 192 is immersed in the ink. As a result, the increased resistance to the rotation of the actuator 190 is restored.

[Operation of Printer 10]
The operation of the printer 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9 are executed by the CPU 131 of the controller 130. Note that each of the following processes may be executed by the CPU 131 reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 132, or may be realized by a hardware circuit mounted on the controller 130. Further, the execution order of each of the following processes can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention.

[Image recording process]
The controller 130 executes the image recording process shown in FIG. 7 in response to a recording instruction being input to the printer 10. The recording instruction is an example of an ejection instruction for causing the printer 10 to execute a recording process of recording an image represented by image data on a sheet. The method for acquiring 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).

  The controller 130 determines the set value of the S_Empty flag for each of the four cartridges 200 (S11). Then, in response to determining that at least one of the S_Empty flags of the four cartridges 200 is set to “ON” (S11: ON), the controller 130 displays an S_Empty notification screen on the display 17 (S11: ON). S12). The S_Empty notification screen informs the user that the corresponding tank 160 is in an ink empty state and the ink cannot be discharged through the head 21 and informs the user that the cartridge 200 needs to be replaced. Screen. The S_Empty notification screen may include, for example, information indicating the color of the ink stored in the tank 160 in the ink empty state and the ink amounts Vc and Vs. In S12, the controller 130 determines that at least one of the C_Empty flags of the four cartridges 200 is set to “ON”, and sets the C_Empty notification screen together with the S_Empty notification screen on the display 17. May be displayed.

  The controller 130 executes the processing of S13 to S25 for each cartridge 200 corresponding to the S_Empty flag for which “ON” is set. That is, the processes of S13 to S25 are executed for each of the cartridges 200 for which the corresponding S_Empty flag is set to “ON” among the four cartridges 200. Since the processes of S13 to S25 for each cartridge 200 are common, only the processes of S13 to S25 corresponding to one cartridge 200 will be described.

  The controller 130 receives the signal output from the mounting sensor 154 (S13). Next, the controller 130 determines whether the signal received from the mounting sensor 154 has changed from a high-level signal to a low-level signal (S14). Then, the controller 130 performs the processing 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 and changes again from the high level signal to the low level signal. It is repeatedly executed (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 and the cartridge 200 is newly mounted on the mounting case 150.

  Then, the controller 130 receives the low-level signal from the mounting sensor 154, subsequently receives the high-level signal from the mounting sensor 154, and further receives the low-level signal from the mounting sensor 154 (S14: Yes), the date and time information output by the clock 30 is stored in the EEPROM 134 as the mounting date and time (S15).

  Next, the controller 130 reads out the evaporation flag stored in the EEPROM 134 (S16). If the read-out evaporation flag is “ON” (S16: Yes), the controller 130 determines the time-out time Th as a time obtained by adding the additional time Ta to the time Th previously stored in the EEPROM 134 (Th = Th + Ta). : An example of the second time) is set (S17). If the read evaporation flag is "OFF" (S16: No), the controller 130 sets a predetermined time Th (an example of a first time) stored in the EEPROM 134 as the timeout time Th (S18). ).

  Then, the controller 130 reads out the identification information and the ink amount Vc from the IC substrate 247 of the cartridge 200 through the contact point 152, and stores them in the EEPROM 134 (S19). At this time, the controller 130 updates the ink amount Vc stored in the EEPROM 134 with the ink amount Vc read from the IC board 247.

  Further, the controller 130 calculates the total amount Vt after the replacement of the cartridge (S20). Specifically, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vs before the cartridge replacement based on the count value SN before the cartridge replacement stored in the EEPROM 134 and the ink amount Vsc stored in the ROM 132 (Vs = Vsc-SN) and stored in the EEPROM 134. Note that the ink amount Vs before the cartridge replacement is equal to the total amount Vt before the cartridge replacement. Then, based on the calculated ink amount Vs and the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200 after the replacement, the total amount Vt after the cartridge replacement is calculated (Vt = Vs + Vc). When the cartridge 200 is replaced, the ink amount Vs (= Vsc−SN) of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 immediately before the replacement of the cartridge 200 is stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the new cartridge 200. A part of the stored ink amount Vc is added.

  Then, based on the calculated total amount Vt and the function F1 or the function F2 read from the EEPROM 134, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs when the movement of the ink from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 is completed. It is calculated (S20). When the cartridge is replaced, the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the new cartridge 200 flows into the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 through the needle 181. As a result, the ink amount Vc of the liquid chamber 210 decreases, and the ink amount Vs of the liquid chamber 171 increases. Then, the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 are equilibrated in a state where the positions of the respective liquid surfaces in the vertical direction 7 match.

  The controller 130 determines whether the calculated total amount Vt is equal to or greater than the threshold value Vh. For example, when a new cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, the total amount Vt is equal to or larger than the threshold value Vh. If the total amount Vt is equal to or larger than the threshold value Vh, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vs from the total amount Vt using the function F1. Then, the controller 130 stores the calculated ink amount Vc in the EEPROM 134 (S21). At this time, the controller 130 updates the ink amount Vs stored in the EEPROM 134 with the calculated ink amount Vs. Further, the controller 130 stores the calculated ink amount Vc in the memory of the IC substrate 247 through the contact point 152 (S21). At this time, the controller 130 updates the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC board 247 with the calculated ink amount Vc.

  Subsequently, the controller 130 determines whether the signal received from the liquid level sensor 155 has changed from a high-level signal to a low-level signal (S22). When a new cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, ink flows from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160. When the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 reaches the predetermined position P, the signal output from the liquid level sensor 155 changes from a high level signal to a low level signal.

  If the signal received from the liquid level sensor 155 remains a high level signal (S22: No), the controller 130 indicates the date and time indicated by the date and time information acquired from the clock 30 by the date and time information stored in the EEPROM 134 in S15. The elapsed time T elapsed from the date and time is calculated, and the elapsed time T is compared with the timeout time Th (S23). If the elapsed time T has not reached the timeout time Th (S23: No), the controller 130 performs the determination in S18 again. If the elapsed time T has reached the timeout time Th (S23: Yes), the controller 130 displays an error screen on the display 17 (S24). The error screen is an example of the second notification.

  After the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, the ink flows from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160, and the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 reaches the predetermined position P. Until the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a low level signal. In addition, during the additional time Ta, the liquid level of the liquid chamber 171 was lowered below the shaft 192 of the actuator 190, so that the shaft 192 was exposed to the air, and the ink attached to the shaft 192 dried or increased in viscosity. In other words, when the rotation resistance of the shaft 192 is increased, the liquid level rises above the shaft 192 due to the inflow of ink into the liquid chamber 171, and the rotation resistance of the shaft 192 is in the normal state, It is set as the time required for the detected part to rotate and the liquid level sensor 155 to output a low-level signal in a state where drying of the ink has disappeared or ink with increased viscosity has diffused. I have.

  If the liquid level sensor 155 does not output a low level signal even after the lapse of the elapsed time Th, it is assumed that ink has not flowed from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160. In this case, the ink flows from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 when the cartridge 200 is mounted again on the mounting case 150 or another cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. Is expected. Accordingly, the controller 130 displays an error screen on the display 17 to prompt the user to re-install or replace the cartridge 200.

  The controller 130 sets the S_Empty flag and the C_Empty flag to “OFF” in response to determining that the signal received from the liquid level sensor 155 has changed from the high level signal to the low level signal (S22: Yes). Further, the controller 130 deletes the displayed S_Empty notification screen and C_Empty notification screen from the display 17 (S25).

  Further, the controller 130 displays the calculated ink amounts Vc and Vs on the display 17. The remaining amount display screen shown in FIG. 10 has objects 71 to 78 indicating the remaining amount of ink. The object 71 indicates the remaining amount of magenta ink stored in the cartridge 200. Specifically, the object 71 is a bar having a length in the vertical direction according to the magenta ink amount Vc. The object 72 indicates the remaining amount of magenta ink stored in the tank 160. Specifically, the object 72 is a bar having a length in the vertical direction according to the magenta ink amount Vs.

  Similarly, the object 73 indicates the cyan ink amount Vc stored in the cartridge 200. The object 74 indicates the cyan ink amount Vs stored in the tank 160. The object 75 indicates the amount Vc of yellow ink stored in the cartridge 200. The object 76 indicates the amount Vs of yellow ink stored in the tank 160. The object 77 indicates the amount Vc of black ink stored in the cartridge 200. The object 78 indicates the amount Vc of black ink stored in the tank 160.

  Note that the controller 130 may display the calculated total amount Vt on the display 17. The display of the total amount Vt and the ink amounts Vc and Vs may be indicated by numerical values. Further, it is not always necessary to display both the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs, and at least a part thereof, for example, only the ink amount Vc may be displayed. Then, the controller 130 executes the processing after S11 again.

  If all the S_Empty flags respectively corresponding to all the cartridges 200 are not “ON”, that is, if all the S_Empty flags are “OFF”, the controller 130 receives the signals currently output from each of the four liquid level sensors 155. (S26). Further, in S26, the controller 130 causes the RAM 133 to store information indicating that the signal received from the liquid level sensor 155 is either a high-level signal or a low-level signal.

  Then, the controller 130 records the image indicated by the image data included in the recording instruction on one sheet (S27). More specifically, the controller 130 conveys the sheet on the feed tray 15 to the feed roller 23 and the conveying roller 25, causes the head 21 to discharge ink, and transfers the sheet on which the image is recorded to the discharge roller 27. Discharge to 16 That is, when “OFF” is set to all four S_Empty flags (S11: OFF), the controller 130 executes the process of S26. That is, discharge of ink through the head 21 is permitted. On the other hand, when at least one of the four S_Empty flags is set to “ON” (S11: ON), the controller 130 does not execute the process of S27. That is, discharge of ink through the head 21 is prohibited for all four tanks 160.

  Next, in response to recording the image on one sheet according to the recording instruction, the controller 130 receives signals currently output from each of the four liquid level sensors 155 (S28). Further, similarly to S25, the controller 130 causes the RAM 133 to store information indicating that the signal received from the liquid level sensor 155 is either a high-level signal or a low-level signal (S28).

  Then, the controller 130 executes an evaporation amount calculation process (S29). The evaporation amount calculation process is a process of calculating the evaporation amount based on the output signal of the temperature sensor 40, the elapsed time, and the coefficients K1 and K2, and updating the evaporation flag. The details of the evaporation amount calculation processing will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Further, the controller 130 performs a count process (S30). The count process is a process of updating the count value TN, SN, C_Empty flag, and S_Empty flag based on the signal received from the liquid level sensor 155 in S26 and S28. Details of the counting process will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the controller 130 records all the images indicated by the recording instruction on the sheet, and repeatedly executes the processing of S11 to S31 until there is no next page (S31: Yes). Then, the controller 130 records all the images indicated by the recording instruction on the sheet, and in response to the absence of the next page (S31: No), the setting values of the four S_Empty flags and the four C_Empty flags. The set value of each flag is determined (S32, S33).

  When at least one of the four S_Empty flags is set to “ON” (S32: ON), the controller 130 displays an S_Empty notification screen on the display 17 (S34). Further, the controller 130 responds to the fact that “OFF” is set to all of the four S_Empty flags and “ON” is set to at least one of the four C_Empty flags (S32: OFF & S32: ON). ), A C_Empty notification screen is displayed on the display 17 (S35).

  The S_Empty notification screen displayed in S34 may be the same as that in S12. The C_Empty notification screen notifies the user that the cartridge 200 corresponding to the C_Empty flag for which “ON” has been set is in the cartridge empty state, and notifies the user that the cartridge 200 needs to be replaced. This is the screen for The C_Empty notification screen may include, for example, information indicating the color of the ink stored in the cartridge 200 in the cartridge empty state and the ink amounts Vc and Vs. On the other hand, the controller 130 ends the image recording process in response to “OFF” being set to all of the four S_Empty flags and the four C_Empty flags (S33: OFF).

  Note that a specific example of the ejection instruction is not limited to the recording instruction, and may be a maintenance instruction or the like for instructing maintenance of the nozzle 29 such as purging. The controller 130 executes the same processing as in FIG. 7 in response to, for example, receiving a maintenance instruction through the operation panel 22. Differences from the above-described processing when a maintenance instruction is received are as follows. First, the controller 130 drives a maintenance mechanism (not shown) to discharge ink through the nozzles 29 in S27. Further, the controller 130 executes the processing of S32 and thereafter without executing the processing of S31 after performing the evaporation amount calculation processing and the counting processing.

[Evaporation amount calculation processing]
Next, the details of the evaporation amount calculation process executed by the controller 130 in S29 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the controller 130 independently executes the evaporation amount calculation processing for each of the four cartridges 200. Since the evaporation amount calculation process for each cartridge 200 is common, only the evaporation amount calculation process corresponding to one cartridge 200 will be described.

  First, the controller 130 reads out the execution date and time of the immediately preceding evaporation amount calculation process from the EEPROM 134, and determines whether the current date and time obtained from the output signal of the clock 30 has passed a predetermined time from the immediately preceding execution date and time ( S41). The predetermined time is set in advance as an interval for executing the evaporation amount calculation processing. When the controller 130 determines that the current date and time has not passed the predetermined time from the immediately preceding execution date and time (S41: No), the controller 130 ends the evaporation amount calculation processing.

  When the controller 130 determines that the current date and time has passed a predetermined time from the immediately preceding execution date and time (S41: Yes), the controller 130 reads out the information indicating the signal of the liquid level sensor 155 stored in the RAM 133 in S27 (S27). S42). If the signal of the liquid level sensor 155 read from the RAM 133 is a low level signal (S42: Yes), the controller 130 determines the evaporation amount Ec, based on the output signal of the temperature sensor 40, the elapsed time Tk, and the coefficients K1 and K2. Es is calculated (S43).

  The controller 130 corrects the coefficient K1 and the coefficient K2 based on the output signal of the temperature sensor 40, and calculates the coefficient K1 and the coefficient K1 used for calculating the evaporation amount from among a plurality of preset coefficients K1 and K2. Select K2. Then, based on the coefficient K1 or K2 and the elapsed time Tk, the evaporation amounts Ec and Es, which are the amounts of water evaporated from the liquid chambers 210 and 171, respectively, are calculated. Then, the controller 130 stores the calculated evaporation amounts Ec and Es in the EEPROM 134 (S44).

  If the signal of the liquid level sensor 155 read from the RAM 133 is a high level signal (S42: No), the controller 130 determines the evaporation amount Es based on the output signal of the temperature sensor 40, the elapsed time Tk, and the coefficient K2. It is calculated (S45). If the signal of the liquid level sensor 155 is a high level signal, no ink remains in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200, that is, the ink amount Vc is zero. Therefore, the evaporation amount Ec also becomes zero. The method of calculating the evaporation amount Es is the same as that in S43.

  Then, the controller 130 determines whether the calculated evaporation amount Es is equal to or larger than the threshold value Eth (S46). When the controller 130 determines that the calculated evaporation amount Es is less than the threshold value Eth (S46: No), the controller 130 updates the evaporation flag to “OFF” (S47) and stores the calculated evaporation amount Es in the EEPROM 134. (S48).

  When the controller 130 determines that the calculated evaporation amount Es is equal to or larger than the threshold value Eth (S46: Yes), the controller 130 displays a screen for urging cartridge replacement on the display 17 (S49). When the evaporation amount Es is equal to or larger than the threshold value Eth, the shaft 192 of the actuator 190 is exposed to the air in the ink empty state, so that the cartridge 200 is replaced before the ink empty state, and Desirably, the shaft 192 is not exposed to air. Then, the controller 130 updates the evaporation flag to “ON” (S50), and stores the calculated evaporation amount Es in the EEPROM 134 (S48).

[Counting process]
Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the details of the counting process executed by the controller 130 in S29 will be described. Note that the controller 130 executes the counting process 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 the information indicating the signal of the liquid level sensor 155 stored in the RAM 133 in S25 and S27 (S61). That is, the controller 130 determines whether or not the output signals of the four liquid level sensors 155 have changed before and after performing the process of S27 immediately before performing the count process (S30).

  The controller 130 responds to the fact that both the information stored in the RAM 133 in S26 and S28 indicate a low level signal (that is, the output signal of the liquid level sensor 155 has not changed before and after the processing of S27) (S61: L → L), the count value TN is updated (S62). That is, the controller 130 counts up the count value TN with a value corresponding to the ink amount instructed to be discharged in S26 immediately before.

  Further, the controller 130 calculates the current total amount Vt (S63). First, the controller 130 calculates the total amount Vt after the cartridge replacement, which is the sum of the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs stored in the EEPROM 134 after the cartridge replacement. Then, the controller 130 calculates the current total amount Vt as a value obtained by subtracting the ink amount corresponding to the count value TN and the evaporation amounts Ec and Es from the calculated total amount Vt (Vt = Vt−TN− (Ec + Es)). ). The sum of the evaporation amount Ec and the evaporation amount Es corresponds to the total evaporation amount. Then, the controller 130 obtains the ink amounts Vc and Vs based on the calculated total amount Vt and the function F1 or the function F2 (S63).

  The controller 130 determines whether the calculated current total amount Vt is equal to or greater than the threshold value Vh. If the current total amount Vt is equal to or larger than the threshold value Vh, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vs from the current total amount Vt using the function F1. On the other hand, if the current total amount Vt is less than the threshold value Vh, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vs from the current total amount Vt using the function F2. Then, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vc by subtracting the calculated ink amount Vs from the current total amount Vt.

  Subsequently, the controller 130 displays one of the calculated ink amount Vc and the calculated ink amount Vs and the calculated total amount Vt on the display 17 (S64). This display is, for example, the screen shown in FIG. Further, the controller 130 updates the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC substrate 247 of the cartridge 200 with the calculated ink amount Vc (S65).

  Further, the controller 130 indicates that the information stored in the RAM 133 at S26 indicates a low level signal, and the information stored in the RAM 133 at S28 indicates a high level signal (that is, the output of the liquid level sensor 155 before and after the processing of S27). In response to the signal change (S61: L → H), “ON” is set to the C_Empty flag (S66).

  Further, the controller 130 reads the predetermined ink amount Vcc (= 0) from the ROM 132, and sets the ink amount Vc to the predetermined ink amount Vcc (S67). Similarly, the controller 130 reads the predetermined ink amount Vsc (corresponding to the volume of the liquid chamber 171 below the predetermined position P) from the ROM 132, and sets the ink amount Vs to the predetermined ink amount Vsc (S67). Further, the controller 130 calculates the current total amount Vt as the same value (Vt = Vsc) as the ink amount Vs (S67). When the ink amount Vc becomes zero, the total amount Vt becomes the same value as the ink amount Vs.

  Then, the controller 130 displays one of the current ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs and the current total amount Vt on the display 17 (S68). Further, the controller 130 overwrites the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC substrate 247 of the cartridge 200 with the aforementioned ink amount Vc (= 0) (S69).

  Note that the output signal of the liquid level sensor 155 changes during the process of S27. Therefore, the predetermined ink amount Vsc read in S67 is not exactly the amount of ink stored in the tank 160 at the moment when the output signal of the liquid level sensor 155 changes, but the output signal of the liquid level sensor 155. Indicates the amount of ink immediately before changes. However, since the difference between these ink amounts is small, the predetermined ink amount Vsc read in S67 is approximately treated as the ink amount Vs at the time when the output signal of the liquid level sensor 155 changes.

  Further, the controller 130 updates the count value SN stored in the EEPROM 134 with a value corresponding to the ink amount instructed to be discharged in S21 immediately before (S70). In other words, the controller 130 starts updating the count value SN and counts up in response to the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changing from the low level signal to the high level signal. Further, the controller 130 counts up the count value TN stored in the EEPROM 134 by a value corresponding to the ink amount instructed to be discharged in S27 immediately before.

  Then, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vs (S71). The calculated ink amount Vs is a value obtained by subtracting the ink amount corresponding to the count value SN stored in the EEPROM 134 and the evaporation amount Es from the predetermined ink amount Vsc stored in the ROM 132. Note that, as described above, after the output of the liquid level sensor 155 becomes a high level signal, the ink amount Vs has the same value as the current total amount Vt. The ink amount Vc is zero.

  Then, the controller 130 displays one of the calculated current ink amount Vc and the calculated ink amount Vs and the calculated current total amount Vt on the display 17 (S72).

  The controller 130 compares the count value SN updated in S42 with the threshold value Nth (S73). Then, in response to determining that the count value SN updated in S70 is less than the threshold value Nth (S73: No), the controller 130 ends the count processing. On the other hand, in response to determining that the count value SN updated in S70 is equal to or greater than the threshold value Nth (S73: Yes), the controller 130 sets “ON” to the S_Empty flag (S74). Then, the controller 130 prohibits the discharge of the ink through the head 21 in response to the setting of the ON flag in the S_Empty flag, and ends the counting process.

  Further, the controller 130 reads out the count value SN stored in the EEPROM 134 in response to the information stored in the RAM 133 in S26 and S28 both indicating a high level signal (S61: H → H). Then, the controller 130 counts up the read count value SN by a value corresponding to the ink amount instructed to be discharged in S27 immediately before, and stores the count value in the EEPROM 134 again. That is, the controller 130 updates the count value SN (S70). Next, the controller 130 executes the above-described processing of S71 to S74 using the count value SN updated in S70.

[Operation and Effect of Embodiment]
According to the above-described embodiment, the ink amounts Vc, Vs, and the total amount Vt, in which the evaporation amounts Ec, Es of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160, respectively, are determined. The output signals of the temperature sensor 40 are used to calculate the evaporation amounts Ec and Es of the ink, so that the evaporation amounts Ec and Es taking into account the difference in the evaporation amount due to the temperature are calculated.

  Further, after the ink stops flowing from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160, the ink amount Vs is determined in consideration of the evaporation amount Es evaporated from the liquid chamber 171.

  Further, when the controller 130 determines that the evaporation amount Es is equal to or larger than the threshold value Eth (S46: Yes), a screen for prompting the replacement of the cartridge 200 is displayed on the display 17, so that the liquid is stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160. It is possible to inform the user that the density of the ink that has been increased may cause the rotation of the actuator 190 to become less smooth.

  In addition, when the elapsed time Tk since the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 has reached the timeout time Th and the low level signal is not received from the liquid level sensor, the ink is displayed in the liquid chamber 171 by an error display. It is possible to inform the user that no inflow has occurred. When the rotation of the actuator 190 is not likely to be smooth, the additional time Ta is added to the predetermined timeout time Th. Therefore, when the rotation of the actuator 190 is not smooth, the timeout time Th becomes longer.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, in S46, it is determined whether the evaporation amount Es is equal to or greater than the threshold value Eth. Instead, the controller 130 indicates that the information stored in the RAM 133 in S26 indicates a low level signal, The elapsed time from when the information stored in the RAM 133 indicates a high level signal (that is, when the output signal of the liquid level sensor 155 changes before and after the processing of S27) reaches a predetermined time. It may be determined whether or not it has been done. Since the evaporation amount Es from the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 increases with the elapsed time, the ink concentration in the liquid chamber 171 increases based on the elapsed time, and the rotation of the actuator 190 may not be smooth. May be notified to the user.

  In the above embodiment, the controller 130 calculates the evaporation amounts Ec and Es, respectively, and calculates the total evaporation amount as the sum of the evaporation amounts Ec and Es. Instead, the controller 130 calculates the evaporation amount Ec. Instead of calculating, the total evaporation amount Et may be calculated. In this case, a coefficient suitable for calculating the total evaporation amount Et is stored in the EEPROM 134 in advance.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the temperature sensor 40 is used as an environment sensor, but in addition, a humidity sensor or the like may be provided in the printer 10 as an environment sensor. Further, even if the environment sensor is not provided in the printer 10 and the location where the printer 10 is installed is acquired from the global IP address and the setting information, and the temperature and humidity information of the installation location is acquired through the Internet or the like. Good.

[Other Modifications]
In the above embodiment, in response to the controller 130 determining that the signal of the liquid level sensor 155 has changed from the low level signal to the high level signal, the controller 130 changes the ink amounts Vs and Vc to the fixed ink amounts Vsc and Vc. Although it is set to Vc (S67), only the ink amount Vs may be set to the predetermined ink amount Vsc, or only the ink amount Vc may be set to the predetermined ink amount Vcc. Note that the total amount Vt, the total amount Vt and the ink amount Vs, or the total amount Vt and the ink amount Vc may be fixed values.

  In the above-described embodiment, the controller 130 sets “ON” to the C_Empty flag at the timing at which the signal of the liquid level sensor 155 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal, but this timing is changed. You may. For example, after the controller 130 determines that the signal of the liquid level sensor 155 has changed from the low level signal to the high level signal, the C_Empty flag is set to “ON” at the timing when the updated count value SN reaches a predetermined threshold. May be set. That is, the controller 130 sets the C_Empty flag to “ON” from the time when the ink amount Vc becomes zero to the time when the ink amount Vs becomes zero, and displays the C_Empty notification screen on the display 17. Good.

  In the above embodiment, the functions F1 and F2 are used to calculate the ink amount Vs from the current total amount Vt. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, an ink amount Vc is calculated from the current total amount Vt using a function that approximately indicates the relationship between the current total amount Vt and the ink amount Vc, and the calculated ink amount Vc is subtracted from the current total amount Vt. Thus, the ink amount Vs may be calculated.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the functions F1 and F2 are stored in the EEPROM 134, but the functions F1 and F2 may be stored in the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200. Further, the controller 130 reads the type information and the functions F1 and F2 from the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150, and sets the read functions F1 and F2 as the functions F1 and F2 corresponding to the cartridge 200. Good. Further, instead of the functions F1 and F2, a table indicating the correspondence between the current total amount Vt, the ink amount Vc, and the ink amount Vs may be stored in the IC board 247, the EEPROM 134, or the like. Then, if the current total amount Vt can be specified, the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs are determined from the table.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the controller 130 stores the total amount Vt after the cartridge 200 is replaced in the EEPROM 134, and obtains the current total amount Vt by subtracting the ink amount corresponding to the count value TN from the total amount Vt. Not limited to this. For example, each time the discharge of the ink through the head 21 is executed, the total amount Vt is updated and stored in the EEPROM 134, and when the discharge of the ink through the next head 21 is executed, the ink corresponding to the executed ink discharge is executed. The total amount Vt may be updated by calculating the amount based on the count value TN and subtracting the amount from the total amount Vt stored in the EEPROM 134.

  In the above 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. The configuration of the liquid level sensor 155 is not particularly limited as long as the liquid level of the ink in 171 can be detected. For example, a liquid surface of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 is optically detected using a prism having a different reflectance depending on whether or not the ink is in contact with the rear wall 164 (an example of a detection object) of the liquid chamber 171. May be a sensor. Further, the configuration may be such that the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 is detected by an electrode. Also, the liquid level sensor 155 may output a different signal depending on the liquid level of the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200, instead of outputting a different signal depending on the liquid level of the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160.

  In the above embodiment, 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 further receives a low-level signal from the mounting sensor 154. (S14: Yes), the processes from S15 to S25 were executed. The controller 130 executes the processing from S15 to S25 when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 in which the cartridge 200 does not exist in the mounting case 150. That is, the controller 130 may execute the processing from S15 to S25 in response to determining that the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. Note that the controller 130 receives the low-level signal from the mounting sensor 154, thereafter receives the high-level signal from the mounting sensor 154, and further receives the low-level signal from the mounting sensor 154, which means that the controller 130 This is an example of a case where it is determined that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case 150. Another example in which the controller 130 determines that the cartridge 200 has been mounted in the mounting case 150 will be described below.

  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 reads the identification information from the memory of the IC board 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 board 247 is different from the identification information stored in the EEPROM 134, the controller 130 may execute the processing from S15 to S25. That is, “the controller 130 reads out the identification information from the memory of the IC board 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 out from the memory of the IC board 247 is , Determined that the identification information is different from the identification information stored in the EEPROM 134 ”is an example of the case where the controller 130 determines that the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150.

  Further, 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 a new cartridge 200 has been mounted in the mounting case 150 through the display 17. While displaying the confirmation screen on the display 17, the controller 130 receives an input corresponding to the confirmation screen via the operation panel 22. In response to the received input corresponding to the fact that a new cartridge 200 has been mounted in the mounting case 150, the controller 130 executes the processing shown in S15. That is, "the controller 130 receives a low-level signal after receiving a high-level signal from the cover sensor 88. Then, the controller 130 allows the user to mount a new cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150 through the display 17. While the confirmation screen is displayed on the display 17, the controller 130 receives an input corresponding to the confirmation screen through the operation panel 22. The received input is "Corresponding to the mounting of a new cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150" is an example of a case in which the controller 130 determines that the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which 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 communicates with the internal space of the needle 181. Was explained. The ink supply port 234 may be provided in the rear wall 202 of the cartridge 200. For example, a through hole penetrating 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 of mounting the cartridge 200 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 of the cartridge 200. The state is located inside the chamber 210. Thus, the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 communicates with the internal space of the needle 181. That is, when 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.

  Further, the 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 in 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 230 160 is located inside the liquid chamber 171. Thus, the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 communicates with the internal space of the needle 181. That is, when 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.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when at least one of the four S_Empty flags is set to “ON” (S11: ON), the discharge of the ink through the head 21 for all the four tanks 160 is prohibited. Explained. Discharging of ink through the head 21 may be prohibited only for the tank 160 for which the S_Empty flag is set to “ON”. When at least one of the S_Empty flags for magenta, cyan, and yellow is set to “ON” and the S_Empty flag for black is set to “OFF”, the magenta, cyan, and yellow inks are set. Discharge may be prohibited, and discharge of black ink may be permitted.

  Further, in the above embodiment, if the S_Empty flag is “ON”, the controller 130 prohibits the discharge of ink through the head 21, but the discharge of ink through the head 21 does not necessarily need to be prohibited. 130 may only display the S_Empty notification screen on the display 17 if the S_Empty flag is “ON”.

  The IC substrate 247 contacts and comes into contact with the contact 152, but instead reads and writes data in a non-contact manner using radio waves such as NFC (near field communication) and RFID (radio frequency identification). An information medium and an interface may be employed.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the ink is described as an example of the liquid. However, the liquid may be, for example, a pretreatment liquid that is discharged onto a sheet or the like prior to the ink at the time of image recording, or may be used for cleaning the head 21. It may be water.

10 Printer (liquid discharge device)
17 Display (alarm)
21 ... head 32 ... tube (fourth flow path)
130 ... controller 132 ... ROM (memory)
133 ... RAM (memory)
134: EEPROM (memory)
150 mounting case 155 liquid level sensor 160 tank 171 liquid chamber (second liquid chamber)
175: Atmospheric communication chamber (fifth flow path)
181 needle (third flow path)
200: cartridge 210: liquid chamber (first liquid chamber)
213: ink valve chamber (first flow path)
214 ... Atmosphere valve chamber (second flow path)

Claims (10)

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 being outside A mounting case in which a cartridge having a second flow path communicated with the mounting case 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 flow path having one end located below the third flow path and communicating with the second liquid chamber;
A fifth passage having one end communicating with the second liquid chamber and the other end communicating with the outside;
Said tank having
A head communicating with the other end of the fourth flow path,
A controller,
And a memory,
At least one of the first flow path and the third flow path communicates with the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted on the mounting case,
The above controller is
Receiving a discharge instruction to discharge the liquid through the head,
The count value is determined by a value corresponding to the amount of liquid instructed to be discharged by the received discharge instruction,
Determining a total evaporation amount of the liquids stored in the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber during a predetermined period,
Based on the determined count value and the total evaporation amount, the liquid amount Vc stored in the first liquid chamber, the liquid amount Vs stored in the second liquid chamber, the liquid amount Vc, and the liquid amount Determining at least one of the total liquid amount Vt that is the sum with the amount Vs,
A liquid discharging device for storing the determined liquid amount Vc, the liquid amount Vs, or the total liquid amount Vt in the memory. The above controller is
In response to the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid chamber being less than a predetermined amount, determining a tank evaporation amount of the liquid stored in the second liquid chamber for a predetermined period thereafter.
The liquid discharging device according to claim 1, wherein a liquid amount Vs stored in the second liquid chamber is determined based on the determined count value and the tank evaporation amount. The above controller is
Receiving, from the liquid level sensor, a first signal output by a liquid level sensor based on the position of one of the liquid levels of the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber being equal to or greater than a predetermined position;
A second signal output by the liquid level sensor based on that the position of the one liquid level is less than the predetermined position is received from the liquid level sensor,
The liquid discharging device according to claim 2, wherein after receiving the first signal, based on receiving the second signal, it is determined that the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid chamber is less than a predetermined amount. It also has an alarm,
The tank has a float whose vertical position changes according to the position of the liquid surface of the second liquid chamber,
The float is in the first state when the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is equal to or higher than the predetermined position. When the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is lower than the predetermined position, the first state is set. It becomes the second state different from the state,
The liquid level sensor outputs the first signal based on detecting the float in the first state, and outputs the second signal based on detecting the float in the second state,
4. The liquid according to claim 3, wherein the controller causes the notifier to perform the first notification based on a lapse of a predetermined period from the reception of the second signal after the reception of the first signal. 5. Discharge device. It also has an alarm,
The tank has a float whose vertical position changes according to the position of the liquid surface of the second liquid chamber,
The float is in the first state when the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is equal to or higher than the predetermined position. When the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is lower than the predetermined position, the first state is set. It becomes the second state different from the state,
The liquid level sensor outputs the first signal based on detecting the float in the first state, and outputs the second signal based on detecting the float in the second state,
The controller, after receiving the first signal, causes the annunciator to perform a first notification based on the fact that the tank evaporation amount after receiving the second signal is equal to or greater than a first threshold value. The liquid discharging device according to claim 3. The above controller is
When a first time has elapsed since it was determined that the cartridge was mounted in the mounting case, the second notification is performed by the alarm based on the reception of the second signal,
After receiving the first signal, setting a second time longer than the first time instead of the first time based on a lapse of a predetermined period from the time when the second signal is received. Item 6. A liquid discharging device according to Item 5. The above controller is
When a first time has elapsed since it was determined that the cartridge was mounted in the mounting case, the second notification is performed by the alarm based on the reception of the second signal,
The liquid discharging device according to claim 5, wherein a second time longer than the first time is set instead of the first time based on the fact that the tank evaporation amount is equal to or more than a second threshold. The above controller is
Obtain environmental information about the environment of the place where the liquid discharge device is installed,
8. The liquid discharging device according to claim 1, wherein the total evaporation amount is determined based on the acquired environment information. It also has an environmental sensor,
9. The liquid discharging device according to claim 8, wherein the controller receives an output signal indicating the environment information from the environment sensor. It further has a display,
The controller displays the liquid amount Vc, the liquid amount Vs, or the total liquid amount Vt on the display based on the liquid amount Vc, the liquid amount Vs, or the total liquid amount Vt read from the memory. The liquid discharge device according to claim 1, wherein an object to be displayed is displayed.

Images