JP2020179610A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress ink from being wasted due to replacement of a cartridge storing ink with a new cartridge.SOLUTION: A controller, in response to determining that one cartridge attached to an attachment case becomes empty (S33:ON), determines whether or not volumes of ink stored in the other cartridge are less than a determination threshold (S35). The controller makes sub-tank storage volume increase processing to be performed (S36) in response to determining that the volumes of ink stored in the other cartridge are less than the determination threshold (S35:YES), to make the other cartridge to be emptied. The controller displays on a display panel the emptied cartridge and a forcibly emptied cartridge.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an image recording device including a tank in which a cartridge is mounted and consumables flow from the cartridge.

An image recording device including a tank to which a cartridge is mounted and a liquid as an example of a consumable material flows from the cartridge is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such an image recording device, when the liquid stored in the cartridge is exhausted, a new cartridge is mounted in the tank while the liquid stored in the tank is consumed. As a result, the liquid is supplied from the new cartridge to the tank.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-213754

In an image recording device in which a plurality of cartridges can be mounted, a plurality of cartridges may be purchased together. If multiple new cartridges are in the hands of the user, when a cartridge that is out of liquid is replaced, a cartridge that still has liquid may be replaced as well. In particular, if the maximum number of printable sheets is set for a predetermined period and the limit is within the limit, a contract is concluded between the user and the service provider that the purchase of a new cartridge is not charged. In some embodiments, the service provider may provide the user with a new cartridge before the liquid in the tank runs out. And, for users who are not charged for new cartridges, there is no economic loss even if the cartridges that still have liquid remain are replaced. However, it is not desirable to replace and discard the cartridge in which the liquid remains, because the liquid is wasted.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a means for reducing wasteful liquid that is replaced while being left in the cartridge.

Various disclosures are made herein. The image recording device of the disclosure example is a tank that can be connected to a first chamber for storing the consumable material and a first cartridge having a first outlet for the consumable material to flow out from the first chamber, and stores the consumable material. A first tank having a first chamber into which the consumable material flowing out from the first outlet of the connected first cartridge flows in, a second chamber for storing the consumable material, and the first chamber. A tank that can be connected to a second cartridge having a second outlet through which the consumables in the two chambers flow out, from the fourth chamber for storing the consumables and the second outlet of the connected second cartridge. It includes a second tank having a second inflow port into which the outflowing consumables flow in, and a controller. The controller detects that the consumable material stored in the first chamber of the first cartridge connected to the first tank is exhausted or becomes less than the first threshold value, and the first tank is filled with the consumable material. At a predetermined timing after detecting that the consumable material stored in the first chamber of the connected first cartridge is exhausted or less than the first threshold value, the second chamber of the second cartridge is used. If it is determined whether or not the consumable material stored in the second threshold value is less than the second threshold value and it is determined that the consumable material stored in the second chamber is less than the second threshold value, the consumable material stored in the second chamber can be stored in the fourth chamber. Increase the threshold storage amount, which is the storage amount of consumables.

The user replaces the first cartridge because it is determined that at least one of the remaining amount of the consumable material stored in the first chamber and the remaining amount of the consumable material stored in the third chamber is less than the first threshold value. Is assumed. If it is determined that the remaining amount in the second room is less than the second threshold value, the limit storage amount of the consumable material that can be stored in the fourth room increases, so that the printing material in the second room moves to the fourth room. .. As a result, even if the user replaces the second cartridge together with the first cartridge, the remaining amount of the consumable material remaining in the replaced second cartridge can be reduced.

According to the present invention, wasteful liquid can be reduced by replacing the liquid while leaving it in the cartridge.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of the printer 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the printer 10 with the cover 22 closed, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the printer 10 with the cover 22 open. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the printer 10. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the pump 87 and the valve 88. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the main process. FIG. 6A is a flowchart of the notification process, and FIG. 6B is a flowchart of the CTG exchange process. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the notification process in the first modification. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a standby screen. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation in the modified example 2. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation in the modified example 3.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. It goes without saying that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. In addition, the execution order of each process described later can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention.

In this embodiment, the printer 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. The information processing device 11 and the drive motor 86 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in the first and second modifications.

[Printer 10]
As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a housing 20, a panel unit 21, a cover 22, a paper feed tray 23, and a paper output tray 24 held in the housing 20.

The panel unit 21 includes a panel main body 41, a touch panel 42 held by the panel main body 41, and a plurality of operation switches 45. The panel body 41 has a rectangular plate shape and is attached to one surface of the housing 20. Hereinafter, in a state where the printer 10 is placed on a horizontal plane, the front-rear direction 8 is defined with one side of the housing 20 where the panel main body 41 is located as the front surface, and the direction along the vertical direction is described as the vertical direction 7. Further, the left and right sides when the printer 10 is viewed from the front are defined as the left and right directions 9 and will be described. The front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 are parallel to the horizontal plane and orthogonal to the vertical direction 7, respectively, and are orthogonal to each other.

As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel 42 has a display panel 43 for displaying an image and a transparent film-like touch sensor 44 superimposed on the display panel 43. The touch sensor 44 outputs position information indicating a position on the display panel 43 touched by the user. The display panel 43 and the touch sensor 44 of the touch panel 42 are connected to the controller 51 (FIG. 1) described later by a cable or the like. The controller 51 outputs image data to the display panel 43 and causes the display panel 43 to display the image. Further, the controller 51 receives the position information output by the touch sensor 44. In addition, only one of the touch sensor 44 and the operation switch 45 may be provided in the panel unit 21.

The paper feed tray 23 is located at the lower part of the housing 20 as shown in FIG. 2, and is detachably held in the housing 20. The output tray 24 is located at the lower part of the housing 20 and above the paper feed tray 23, and is held by the paper feed tray 23 or the housing 20.

The cover 22 is located on the right side of the front surface of the housing 20, and is rotatably held by the housing 20. The cover 22 rotates between a closing position for closing the opening provided on the right side of the housing 20 and an opening position for opening the opening. The mounting unit 30 is arranged behind the opening and is held by the housing 20. The mounting unit 30 holds the cartridge 13 detachably. Details will be described later.

A cover sensor 46 (FIG. 1) that detects the opening and closing of the cover 22 is attached to the housing 20. The cover sensor 46 is, for example, a photointerruptor having a light emitting diode and a photodiode. The cover 22 has a detection piece (not shown) that is located on the optical path of the light emitting diode in the closed position and deviates from the optical path in the open position. The cover sensor 46 outputs different detection signals depending on whether the cover 22 is in the closed position or the open position. Hereinafter, the cover sensor 46 will be described as outputting a first detection signal when the cover 22 is in the closed position and outputting a second detection signal when the cover 22 is in the open position. The cover sensor 46 may be a mechanical switch such as a tact switch having a pressing portion. In that case, the cover 22 has a protruding piece that presses the pressing portion at the closed position instead of the detection piece.

The cover sensor 46 is connected to a controller 51 (FIG. 1) described later by a cable or the like. That is, the detection signal output by the cover sensor 46 is input to the controller 51. The controller 51 determines whether the cover 22 is open or closed depending on whether the detection signal input from the cover sensor 46 is the first detection signal or the second detection signal.

The housing 20 holds the printing engine 40 shown in FIG. 3 inside. The printing engine 40 includes a paper feed roller 25, a transport roller 26, a paper output roller 27, a platen 28, and a recording unit 29. The paper feed roller 25 is held in a frame (not shown) provided in the housing 20 so as to be in contact with the sheet 6 placed on the paper feed tray 23. The paper feed roller 25 is rotated by a motor (not shown). The rotating paper feed roller 25 feeds the sheet 6 to the transport path 37. The transport path 37 is a space partitioned by a guide member (not shown). In the illustrated example, the transport path 37 is curved and extends from the rear end of the paper feed tray 23 to a position above the paper feed tray 23, and then extends forward.

The transport roller 26 is located downstream of the paper feed tray 23 in the transport direction of the sheet 6. The transport roller 26 and the driven roller 35 form a roller pair. The transfer roller 26 is rotated by a motor (not shown). The rotating transport roller 26 and the driven roller 35 transport the sheet 6 sent out to the transport path 37 by the paper feed roller 25 while sandwiching it. The paper ejection roller 27 is located downstream of the transport roller 26 in the transport direction of the sheet 6. The paper ejection roller 27 and the driven roller 36 form a roller pair. The paper ejection roller 27 is rotated by a motor (not shown). The rotating paper ejection roller 27 and the driven roller 36 convey the sheet 6 while sandwiching it, and eject the sheet 6 to the paper ejection tray 24. The platen 28 is located between the transport roller 26 and the paper discharge roller 27 in the front-rear direction 8 and is located downstream of the transport roller 26 and upstream of the paper discharge roller 27 in the transport direction of the sheet 6.

The recording unit 29 is located above the platen 28. The recording unit 29 may be movably held in the left-right direction 9 by a guide rail that is a part of the frame, or may be fixed to the frame. That is, the printer may be a so-called serial printer or a so-called line printer.

The recording unit 29 has a head 31. The head 31 has an internal flow path through which ink flows. The flow path is communicated with the internal space of the sub tank 72 described later by the tube 32. That is, the ink stored in the sub tank 72 is supplied to the head 31 of the recording unit 29 through the tube 32. The head 31 has a driving element such as a piezoelectric element or a heater. The drive element is provided in the above-mentioned flow path. The piezoelectric element is deformed by being supplied with a DC voltage, and ink droplets are ejected from a nozzle which is an opening of a flow path. The heater causes the ink to boil by being supplied with a DC voltage, and ejects ink droplets from the nozzle.

As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting unit 30 includes a mounting case 71 held in the housing 20. The mounting case 71 holds a plurality of cartridges 13 in a detachable manner. In the illustrated example, the mounting case 71 holds the four cartridges 13 in a detachable manner. The four cartridges 13 store, for example, ink of one of the colors magenta, cyan, yellow, and black. That is, the printer 10 is a so-called color inkjet printer. However, the mounting case 71 may detachably hold a plurality of cartridges containing toner instead of ink. That is, the printer 10 may be a so-called color laser printer. Inks and toners are examples of consumable materials.

As shown in FIG. 3, in association with one cartridge 13, one sub tank 72, one pump 87, one valve 88, one liquid level sensor 33, one cartridge I / F 74, one needle 75. , And one set of one flow path member 70 is provided. That is, the four sets are provided in the mounting case 71. Since the configuration of each set is substantially the same, one set will be described below.

The cartridge I / F74 is a terminal. "I / F" is an abbreviation for interface. The cartridge I / F 74 is provided at a position where the cartridge 13 mounted on the mounting case 71 comes into contact with an electrode (not shown) of the IC chip 14. The cartridge I / F 74 is connected to a controller 51 described later by a cable (not shown). The cartridge I / F74 may be an antenna, a light emitting diode, a photodiode, or the like. That is, the cartridge I / F 74 may transmit / receive information or data to / from the IC chip 14 described later using radio waves or light.

The needle 75 is held in the mounting case 71. One end of the needle 75 is inserted into an outlet 16 provided in the cartridge 13 mounted on the mounting case 71. That is, one end of the needle 75 is located in the internal space of the cartridge 13. The other end of the needle 75 is connected to the pump 87. That is, the ink stored in the cartridge 13 flows out to the pump 87 through the needle 75. Further, the needle 75 is provided near the lower end of the mounting case 71. That is, one end of the needle 75 is located near the inner bottom surface of the cartridge 13 mounted on the mounting case 71. Since one end of the needle 75 is located near the inner bottom surface of the cartridge 13, the amount of ink remaining on the cartridge 13 and cannot be used for printing is reduced.

The pump 87 is, for example, a tube pump or a pump having an impeller. When the pump 87 is driven, the ink stored in the cartridge 13 is moved to the sub tank 72 through the flow path member 70. Details will be described later.

The pump 87 is connected to the sub tank 72 by a flow path member 70. The flow path member 70 is a tube, a pipe, or the like. One end of the flow path member 70 is connected to the pump 87. The other end of the flow path member 70 is connected to the sub tank 72.

A valve 88 is provided on the flow path member 70. The valve 88 may be a solenoid valve having a solenoid, or a mechanical on-off valve that is opened and closed by a motor or the like. The solenoid or motor is connected to the controller 51 described later. The controller 51 opens and closes the valve 88 by inputting a drive signal to the drive circuit of the solenoid or the motor. When the valve 88 is opened, the internal space of the sub tank 72 and the internal space of the cartridge 13 are communicated with each other.

The sub tank 72 is held in the housing 20. The sub tank 72 stores ink in the liquid chamber 79, which is an internal space. One sub-tank 72 is an example of a first tank. The liquid chamber 79 of one sub tank 72 is an example of the third chamber. The other sub tank 72 is an example of the second tank. The liquid chamber 79 of the other sub tank 72 is an example of the fourth chamber.

The sub tank 72 has a box-shaped upper portion 76 extending along the vertical direction 7 and a box-shaped lower portion 77 extending along the front-rear direction 8. The front end of the lower portion 77 in the front-rear direction 8 is connected to the lower end of the upper portion 76.

The other end of the above-mentioned flow path member 70 is inserted into an inflow port 34 provided on the front wall of the lower portion 77. The inflow port 34 of one sub tank 72 is an example of the first inflow port. The inflow port 34 of the other sub tank 72 is an example of the second inflow port.

The upper part 76 has an air communication port 78 on the upper wall. The air communication port 78 communicates the internal space of the sub tank 72 with the outside. That is, the internal space of the sub tank 72 is open to the atmosphere. Further, as will be described in detail later, the internal space of the cartridge 13 is also open to the atmosphere. When the ink is ejected from the head 31, the internal space of the tube 32 becomes a negative pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure. Then, due to the atmospheric pressure, ink flows out from the internal space of the sub tank 72 to the tube 32. When the ink flows out from the sub tank 72 to the tube 32, the liquid level of the ink stored in the sub tank 72 drops. Then, the ink stored in the cartridge 13 is needled so that the height positions of the liquid level of the ink stored in the sub tank 72 and the liquid level of the ink stored in the cartridge 13 are substantially equal to each other due to the atmospheric pressure. It flows out into the internal space of the sub tank 72 through the 75 and the flow path member 70.

The upper end of the upper portion 76 is set at a position higher than the upper end of the cartridge 13 mounted on the mounting case 71, or at substantially the same height position so that the ink flowing from the cartridge 13 does not overflow from the atmospheric communication port 78. ing.

The upper end of the lower portion 77 is located slightly higher than the position where the needle 75 is arranged. Further, the lower end of the lower portion 77 is located below the lower end of the cartridge 13 mounted on the mounting case 71. Therefore, immediately after the cartridge 13 is emptied, the sub tank 72 stores ink. That is, the printer 10 can print using the ink stored in the sub tank 72 even after the cartridge 13 is emptied. The user replaces the empty cartridge 13 with a new cartridge 13 after the cartridge 13 is emptied and before the ink stored in the sub tank 72 is used up. That is, by providing the sub tank 72, the printer 10 can reduce the possibility that the printer 10 runs out of ink and cannot print. The empty cartridge 13 means that the ink stored in the cartridge 13 is completely exhausted, or the ink is exhausted to the extent that the ink does not move from the cartridge 13 to the sub tank 72. ..

The liquid level sensor 33 is, for example, a photointerruptor having a light emitting diode and a photodiode. The light emitting diode and the photodiode are arranged so as to face each other on the left and right sides of the sub tank 72. That is, the sub tank 72 is located on the optical path of the light emitted by the light emitting diode. The sub tank 72 is, for example, a resin molded product molded from a transparent resin that transmits light. The liquid level sensor 33 outputs signals having different voltage values depending on whether there is ink on the optical path and when there is no ink. Hereinafter, the liquid level sensor 33 will be described as outputting a first detection signal when there is ink on the optical path and outputting a second detection signal when there is no ink on the optical path. The configuration of the liquid level sensor 33 is not limited to the above configuration. The liquid level sensor 33 may have any configuration as long as it can output a detection signal according to the amount of ink and the position of the liquid level.

The position of the liquid level sensor 33 in the vertical direction 7 is the same as the height position of the needle 75 described above in the vertical direction 7. That is, the detection signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 changes from the first detection signal to the second detection signal when the liquid level of the ink stored in the sub tank 72 reaches the needle 75.

The liquid level sensor 33 is connected to the controller 51 by a cable or the like. That is, the detection signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 is input to the controller 51. The controller 51 can determine whether or not the liquid level of the ink stored in the sub tank 72 has reached the needle 75 based on the detection signal input from the liquid level sensor 33. That is, the controller 51 can determine whether or not the cartridge 13 has been emptied by the detection signal input from the liquid level sensor 33.

The cartridge 13 has a box shape having an internal space for storing ink. The cartridge 13 stores ink in the liquid chamber 18, which is an internal space. One cartridge 13 is an example of a first cartridge. The liquid chamber 18 of one cartridge 13 is an example of the first chamber. The other cartridge 13 is an example of a second cartridge. The liquid chamber 18 of the other cartridge 13 is an example of the second chamber.

The cartridge 13 has an outlet 16 at the lower end of the side wall into which one end of the needle 75 is inserted. The outlet 16 of one cartridge 13 is an example of the first outlet. The outlet 16 of the other cartridge 13 is an example of the second outlet.

The cartridge 13 has an atmospheric communication port 17 on the upper wall. That is, the internal space of the cartridge 13 is open to the atmosphere. Further, the cartridge 13 includes an IC chip 14. In the illustrated example, the IC chip 14 is attached to the upper surface of the cartridge 13. The IC chip 14 has an electrode (not shown) that comes into contact with the cartridge I / F74, which is a terminal, and an IC memory 15 (FIG. 1) that is electrically connected to the electrode. The IC chip 14 may have an antenna, a light emitting diode, a photodiode, or the like instead of the electrodes.

As shown in FIG. 1, the IC memory 15 stores cartridge information. The cartridge information includes the model number of the cartridge 13, the type information, the initial remaining amount value, the CTG serial number, and the like. The type information indicates, for example, information indicating whether the cartridge is a normal cartridge or a large-capacity cartridge, ink type information indicating whether the ink to be stored is a pigment ink or a dye ink, and the color of the ink to be stored. Includes color information and more. The initial remaining amount value is a value indicating the amount of ink stored in the cartridge 13 when not in use. The CTG serial number is identification information that distinguishes the cartridge 13 from other cartridges 13. The CTG serial number is used to determine if the cartridge 13 has been replaced. Details will be described later. In addition, "CTG" is an abbreviation for "cartridge".

The printer 10 further includes a controller 51 shown in FIG. 1 and a communication I / F 47. The communication I / F 47 is connected to the communication line 12. The communication line 12 is, for example, a local network such as a wired LAN (abbreviation of Local Area Network) (registered trademark) or a wireless LAN, and the Internet connected to the local network via a router (not shown).

The controller 51 includes a CPU 52, which is a central processing unit, a memory 53, and a communication bus 54. The CPU 52, the memory 53, the cover sensor 46, the touch panel 42, the operation switch 45, the pump 87, the valve 88, the communication I / F 47, the liquid level sensor 33, and the cartridge I / F 74 are connected to the communication bus 54. That is, the CPU 52 transmits information, data, and signals to the memory 53, the cover sensor 46, the touch panel 42, the operation switch 45, the drive motor 86, the communication I / F 47, the liquid level sensor 33, and the cartridge I / F 74 through the communication bus 54. It is connected so that it can be delivered.

The memory 53 includes a ROM 55, a RAM 56, and an EEPROM 57. The ROM 55 stores the operating system OS 58 and the control program 59 in advance. The instructions described in the OS 58 and the control program 59 are executed by the CPU 52. That is, the OS 58 and the control program 59 are executed by the CPU 52. The OS 58 and the control program 59 executed by the CPU 52 display an image on the display panel 43 and receive user input through the touch sensor 44 and the operation switch 45. Further, the OS 58 and the control program 59 executed by the CPU 52 transmit and receive information and data through the communication I / F 47 and the cartridge I / F 74, and store the received information and data in the memory 53.

The control program 59 may be a single program or a program including a plurality of modules. The control program 59 includes, for example, a UI module, a communication module, and a print control module. Each module is executed in pseudo parallel by so-called multitasking processing. The UI module is a program that inputs image data to the display panel 43, displays an image including an object such as an icon on the display panel 43, and receives signals output by the touch sensor 44 and the operation switch 45. The communication module is a program for transmitting and receiving information and data according to the communication protocol of the communication line to which the communication I / F 47 is connected. The print control module is a program that generates and outputs a drive signal to be input to the drive circuit of the motor and the drive circuit of the drive element of the head 31 based on the print data.

The RAM 56 is used for executing the OS 58 and the control program 59, and temporarily stores information and data in the execution of the OS 58 and the control program 59. The EEPROM 57 stores in advance a fixed storage value, a MAC address (not shown), a serial number (not shown), an empty threshold (not shown), a determination threshold, and the like. Further, the EEPROM 57 stores the CTG serial number read from the IC memory 15 of the IC chip 14 of the cartridge 13 mounted on the mounting case 71, the calculated initial storage value, and the like. Details will be described later.

Hereinafter, the processing executed by the control program 59 will be described. Specifically, a process such as a main process executed by the control program 59 according to the use of ink in printing will be described. In the following, the process executed by the control program 59 will be described as the process executed by the controller 51.

The controller 51 executes the main process shown in FIG. First, the controller 51 determines whether or not the print instruction has been acquired (S11). The print instruction is input to the printer 10 from the personal computer, for example, through the communication line 12. Alternatively, the print instruction is input to the printer 10 by the touch panel 42 or the operation switch 45. Although not shown in the flowchart, print data is input to the printer 10 together with the print instruction. The print data is input to the printer 10 from the personal computer described above, or is input to the printer 10 from a portable storage medium such as a USB memory mounted on the printer 10.

When the controller 51 determines that the print instruction has not been acquired (S11: No), the controller 51 executes the notification process (S28). The notification process will be described later. When the controller 51 determines that the print instruction has been acquired (S11: Yes), the controller 51 determines whether the value of the impedance flag is "ON" or "OFF" (S12). The income flag is a flag whose initial value is "OFF", which is set to "ON" in step S26 described later, and which is set to "OFF" when the cartridge 13 is replaced. When the controller 51 determines that the remaining amount of ink has decreased to the extent that printing cannot be continued, the impedance flag is set to "ON" in step S26. The inquiry flag is set for each of the magenta, cyan, yellow, and black colors.

When the controller 51 determines that the value of the income flag is "ON" (S12: ON), the controller 51 executes the notification process (S28) and ends the main process. That is, when the value of the impedance flag is "ON" and there is no ink in the sub tank 72, printing is not executed. If the controller 51 determines that even one of the inquency flags set for magenta, cyan, yellow, and black is "ON" (S12: ON), the controller 51 does not execute printing.

When the controller 51 determines that the value of the income flag is "OFF" (S12: OFF), the controller 51 acquires the detection signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 (S13). The detection signal acquired by the controller 51 in step S13 is used to determine whether or not the detection signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 has changed before and after printing is executed. Details will be described later.

Next, the controller 51 executes the printing process (S14). Specifically, a drive signal is generated based on the acquired print data, and the generated drive signal is output. The drive signal output by the controller 51 is input to the drive circuit that drives the drive element of the head 31 and the drive circuit of the above-mentioned motor that rotates the paper feed roller 25, the transfer roller 26, and the paper output roller 27. That is, the sheet 6 is conveyed, ink is ejected to the conveyed sheet 6, and the sheet 6 on which the image is recorded is ejected to the paper ejection tray 24 by the ejection of the ink.

Although not shown in the flowchart, the controller 51 drives the drive element based on the drive signal output to the drive circuit that drives the drive element of the head 31, that is, the number of times the ink droplets are ejected. To count. Hereinafter, the number of times the ink droplets are ejected will be described as an ink dot count value. The ink dot count value indicates the amount of ink used for printing. The controller 51 counts the ink dot count values for each of the magenta, cyan, yellow, and black colors.

The controller 51 adds the counted ink dot count value to the value stored in the predetermined storage area of the EEPROM 57 of the memory 53 and integrates the counted value (S15). Hereinafter, the value stored in the predetermined storage area of the EEPROM 57 will be described as the total count value. The total count value is reset in step S45 of the CTG exchange process (FIG. 6B) described later. That is, the total count value indicates the total amount of ink used after the cartridge 13 has been replaced. Even when ink is sucked from the head 31 by a pump having a maintenance mechanism (not shown), the controller 51 converts the amount of sucked ink into an ink dot count value and adds it to the total count value.

Next, the controller 51 determines whether or not the detection signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 has changed before and after printing (S16). That is, in step S16, it is determined whether or not the liquid level of the ink has dropped to the height position where the liquid level sensor 33 is installed due to the use of ink in printing. Specifically, the controller 51 acquires the detection signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 after the execution of printing, and compares the acquired detection signal with the detection signal acquired in step S13. When the controller 51 acquires the first detection signal in step S13 and determines that the second detection signal has been acquired after printing is executed (S16: Yes), the controller 51 resets the total count value (S17). That is, the total count value is reset not only when the cartridge 13 is replaced but also when the liquid level of the ink reaches the installation position of the liquid level sensor 33.

Next, the controller 51 sets the CTG empty flag to “ON” (S18). Specifically, the controller 51 stores the value of "ON" in a predetermined storage area of the EEPROM 57 set as the CTG empty flag. Next, the controller 51 sets the value of the confirmation flag to “ON” (S19). The confirmation flag will be described later. The CTG empty flag and the confirmation flag are set for each of the magenta, cyan, yellow, and black colors. After executing the process of step S19, the controller 51 determines whether or not there is a next page which is the next page to be printed (S27). When the controller 51 determines that there is a next page (S27: Yes), the controller 51 re-executes the processes after step S12.

The controller 51 acquires the first detection signal in step S13 and determines that the first detection signal has been acquired after printing is executed, or acquires the second detection signal in step S13 and acquires the second detection signal after printing is executed. (S16: No), it is determined whether the detection signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 after the execution of printing is the first detection signal or the second detection signal (S20). When the controller 51 determines that the detection signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 is the first detection signal after printing is executed (S20: first detection signal), the controller 51 performs the processes of steps S21 and S22 for calculating the remaining amount of ink. Run. That is, when ink remains in the cartridge 13, the processes of steps S21 and S22 are executed. Specifically, first, the controller 51 reads the initial storage value from the EEPROM 57 (S21). The initial storage value is the total remaining amount value calculated in step S44 of the CTG exchange process (FIG. 6B) described later and stored in the EEPROM 57. That is, the initial storage value is a value indicating the total amount of ink stored in the cartridge 13 and the sub tank 72 immediately after the cartridge 13 is replaced.

The controller 51 calculates the total remaining amount value, the CTG remaining amount value, and the sub tank remaining amount value based on the read initial storage value and the total count value stored in the EEPROM 57 (S22). The total remaining amount value is a value indicating the total amount of ink stored in the cartridge 13 and the sub tank 72. The CTG remaining amount value is a value indicating the amount of ink stored in the cartridge 13. The sub tank remaining amount value is a value indicating the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 72. The processes after step S20 are executed for the magenta, cyan, yellow, and black inks, respectively. That is, the total remaining amount value, the CTG remaining amount value, and the sub tank remaining amount value are calculated for each color.

The calculation of the total remaining amount value, the CTG remaining amount value, and the sub tank remaining amount value will be described in detail. First, the controller 51 subtracts the total count value from the initial storage value to calculate the total remaining value. Then, the controller 51 calculates the CTG remaining amount value and the sub tank remaining amount value from the calculated total remaining amount value. For example, the memory 53 stores in advance a calculation formula for calculating the CTG remaining amount value and the sub tank remaining amount value from the total remaining amount value. The controller 51 calculates the CTG remaining amount value and the sub tank remaining amount value based on the calculation formula and the total remaining amount value stored in the memory 53. Although not shown in the flowchart, the total remaining value, the CTG remaining value, and the sub tank remaining value calculated by the controller 51 are stored in the RAM 56 of the memory 53. Further, the CTG remaining value is also stored in the IC memory 15 of the cartridge 13.

When the controller 51 determines that the detection signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 is the second detection signal after printing is executed (S20: second detection signal), the controller 51 performs the processes of steps S23 and S24 for calculating the remaining amount of ink. Run. That is, when the cartridge 13 is empty, the processes of steps S23 and S24 are executed. Specifically, first, the controller 51 reads the fixed storage value from the EEPROM 57 (S23). The fixed storage value is a value stored in advance in the EEPROM 57 as the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 72 when the liquid level of the ink is at the installation position of the liquid level sensor 33. Next, the controller 51 subtracts the total count value stored in the EEPROM 57 from the read fixed storage value to calculate the total remaining amount value (S24). After the liquid level of the ink reaches the installation position of the liquid level sensor 33, the amount of ink stored in the cartridge 13 is zero. Therefore, the calculated total remaining amount value is also the subtank remaining amount value stored in the subtank 72.

Although not shown in the flowchart, the controller 51 stores the calculated total remaining value and the sub-tank remaining value in the RAM 56. Further, the controller 51 stores the CTG remaining value as zero in the RAM 56. The sub-tank remaining value and the CTG remaining value calculated in step S24 are used to display the remaining amount of ink indicated by the “ink” icon 90 on the standby screen (FIG. 8). Details will be described later. In step S20, the determination that the detection signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 is the second detection signal (S20: second detection signal) is that the consumable material stored in the first chamber of the first cartridge has disappeared. This is an example of detecting that.

Next, the controller 51 determines whether or not the total count value is equal to or greater than the empty threshold value (S25). The empty threshold is a threshold stored in advance in the EEPROM 57. That is, in step S25, it is determined whether or not the total count value indicating the amount of ink used after the liquid level of the ink has dropped to the installation position of the liquid level sensor 33 has reached the empty threshold value.

In step S25, instead of determining whether or not the total count value is equal to or greater than the empty threshold value, it may be determined whether or not the remaining amount value of the sub tank calculated in step S24 is less than or equal to the threshold value. That is, instead of determining whether the amount of ink used is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it may be determined whether or not the remaining amount of ink stored in the sub tank 72 is less than the threshold value.

When the controller 51 determines that the total count value is equal to or greater than the empty threshold value (S25: Yes), the controller 51 sets the value of the impedance flag to “ON” (S26). Specifically, the value of "ON" is stored in a predetermined storage area of the EEPROM 57 set as the inquency flag. After executing the processes of steps S19, S22, S25: No, and S26, the controller 51 determines whether or not there is a next page (S27). When the controller 51 determines that there is a next page (S27: Yes), the controller 51 re-executes the processes after step S12. When the controller 51 determines that there is no next page (S27: No), the controller 51 executes the notification process according to the set flag (S28). The notification process will be described with reference to FIG. 6A.

First, the controller 51 determines whether the value of the income flag is “ON” or “OFF” (S31). When the controller 51 determines that the value of the impedance flag is "ON" (S31: ON), the controller 51 notifies the inquency (S32) and ends the notification process. Specifically, the controller 51 causes the display panel 43 to display the standby screen shown in FIG. 8C.

The standby screen will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 (A) and 8 (C). The standby screen shown in FIG. 8A is a screen displayed on the display panel 43 in a state in which the printer 10 can operate normally. Specifically, the standby screen shown in FIG. 8A is displayed on the display panel 43 when the values of the inquenching flag and the CTG empty flag are both “OFF”. The standby screen has a plurality of icons such as a "fax" icon, a "copy" icon, a "scan" icon, and an "ink" icon 90. The "ink" icon 90 is an icon indicating the remaining amount of ink. Specifically, the "ink" icon 90 has four sets of bars arranged in the left-right direction. The four sets of bars show the remaining amount of ink in the colors "magenta", "cyan", "yellow", and "black" from the left. A set of bars consists of two bars, one above and one below. The upper bar shows the remaining amount of ink stored in the cartridge 13. The lower bar shows the remaining amount of ink stored in the sub tank 72. The remaining amount of ink stored in the cartridge 13 and the sub tank 72 is a value calculated in steps S22 and S24 described above and stored in the RAM 56.

The standby screen shown in FIG. 8C has a notification icon 91 and an “x” object 92 in addition to the above icons. The "x" object 92 is displayed so as to be superimposed on the set of bars out of the four sets of bars of the "ink" icon 90. In the illustrated example, the "x" object 92 is superimposed on the second set of bars from the right indicating the remaining amount of yellow ink. The notification icon 91 includes a character "!", A character indicating the color of the ink, and a character "cartridge". In the illustrated example, "Y" is displayed as a character indicating the color of the ink. "Y" indicates yellow. The “x” object 92 and the notification icon 91 make the user recognize that the yellow color ink has run out.

In step S31 of the notification process of FIG. 6A, the controller 51 may use one of the incemption flags set for each of the four colors of magenta, cyan, yellow, and black. When it is "ON", the standby screen shown in FIG. 8C is displayed on the display panel 43 (S32).

When the controller 51 determines in step S31 of the notification process shown in FIG. 6 (A) that the value of the inquenching flag is "OFF" (S31: OFF), the value of the CTG empty flag is "ON". It is determined whether it is "OFF" or "OFF" (S33). When the controller 51 determines that the value of the CTG empty flag is "OFF" (S33: OFF), the controller 51 displays the standby screen shown in FIG. 8 (A) on the display panel 43 (S40), and ends the notification process. ..

When the controller 51 determines in step S33 that the value of the CTG empty flag is "ON" (S33: ON), the controller 51 determines whether the value of the confirmation flag is "ON" or "OFF" (S34). ). The confirmation flag is a flag set so that the pump 87 is not driven in duplicate. The confirmation flag is set to "OFF" as the initial value, and is set to "ON" in response to the change of the detection signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 from the first detection signal to the second detection signal (S19), and the pump 87 is set. It is a flag that is turned "OFF" according to being driven (S36).

When the controller 51 determines that the value of the confirmation flag is "OFF" and the sub-tank storage amount increasing process (S36) has already been executed (S34: OFF), the controller 51 skips the processes from steps S35 to S37. When the controller 51 determines that the value of the confirmation flag is "ON" and the sub-tank storage amount increase process (S36) has not been driven yet (S34: ON), the controller 51 determines that the CTG empty flag is "ON". It is determined whether or not the CTG remaining value is less than the determination threshold value for the colors other than the specified color (S35). The determination threshold value is set to a value such that the ink does not overflow from the atmospheric communication port 78 of the sub tank 72 even if the ink is moved from the cartridge 13 to the sub tank 72 by executing the sub tank storage amount increasing process, and the determination threshold is set in the EEPROM 57 of the memory 53. It is a value stored in advance. The timing for executing the process of step S35 is an example of a predetermined timing.

When the controller 51 determines that there is a color whose CTG remaining value is less than the determination threshold value for colors other than the color determined that the CTG empty flag is "ON" (S35: Yes), the sub-tank storage amount increasing process is performed. Execution (S36), specifically, the controller 51 closes the opened valve 88 after driving the pump 87 corresponding to the color whose CTG remaining value is less than the determination threshold value for a predetermined time. .. The predetermined time is stored in advance in the EEPROM 57 of the memory 53 as a time sufficient for all of the amount of ink corresponding to the determination threshold to move from the cartridge 13 to the sub tank 72. The controller 51 drives the pump 87 and causes the timer counter to start the countdown with the predetermined time as the initial value. Then, the controller 51 stops the driving of the pump 87 in response to the time-up of the timer counter. By the process of step S36, in addition to the cartridge 13 that was initially emptied, the other cartridge 13 that was low in ink is also forcibly emptied. For example, when the cartridge 13 for storing the yellow color ink is emptied by the execution of printing, the cartridge 13 for storing the cyan color ink, which was low in ink at that time, is also emptied.

When the controller 51 determines that there is no color whose CTG remaining value is less than the determination threshold value for colors other than the color determined that the CTG empty flag is "ON" (S35: No), steps S36 to S37 are performed. Skip the process. Since the process of step S37 is also skipped, the value of the confirmation flag remains “ON” unless the sub-tank storage amount increase process is executed. Therefore, when printing is executed using the ink stored in the sub tank 72 after one cartridge 13 is emptied, the CTG remaining value is determined for the cartridges 13 other than the emptied cartridge 13. When it becomes less than the threshold value, the sub-tank storage amount increasing process is executed and the cartridge 13 is forcibly emptied. On the other hand, when the controller 51 determines that there is no color whose CTG remaining value is less than the determination threshold value for colors other than the color determined that the CTG empty flag is "ON" (S35: No), the sub tank in step S36. The storage amount increase process may be skipped and the value of the confirmation flag may be set to “OFF” in step S37. This is effective when two cartridges shown in FIG. 7, which will be described later, are ordered at the same time.

FIG. 4A is a diagram showing the mounting unit 30 before the sub-tank storage amount increase process is executed, and FIG. 4B is a view showing the mounting unit 30 after the sub-tank storage amount increase process is executed. It is a figure which shows. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, when the pump 87 is driven, the ink stored in the cartridge 13 is moved to the sub tank 72, and the cartridge 13 is emptied. Forcibly moving ink from the cartridge 13 to the sub tank 72 by the pump 87 is an example of an increase in the critical storage amount.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the controller 51 sets the confirmation flag to “OFF” so as not to drive the pump 87 in duplicate after executing the process of step S36 (S37).

Next, the controller 51 notifies the CTG empty (S38). Specifically, the controller 51 causes the display panel 43 to display the standby screen shown in FIG. 8B. The standby screen shown in FIG. 8 (B) has a notification icon 93 and a “!” Object 94 in addition to the above-mentioned icons of the standby screen shown in FIG. 8 (A). The “!” Object 94 is displayed on the bar indicating the empty cartridge 13 among the four sets of bars of the “ink” icon 90. In the illustrated example, the "!" Object 94 is superimposed on the second set of bars showing the yellow ink and the second set of bars from the left showing the cyan ink. The notification icon 93 includes a character “!”, A character indicating the color of the ink, and a character “cartridge”. In the illustrated example, "C" and "Y" are displayed as characters indicating the color of the ink. "C" indicates cyan and "Y" indicates yellow. The “!” Object 94 and the notification icon 93 make the user aware that the cartridge 13 that stores the yellow and cyan color inks is empty. The character "!", The character "Y", and the character "cartridge" are examples of the first notification. The character "!", The character "C", and the character "cartridge" are examples of the second notification.

The user who visually recognizes the notification icon 93 replaces the empty cartridge 13 storing the yellow ink and the empty cartridge 13 storing the cyan ink with a new cartridge 13. That is, by forcibly emptying the cartridge 13 that stores the cyan-colored ink, the user can replace the plurality of cartridges 13 at the same time. Alternatively, the cyan cartridge 13 is empty even if the user replaces the cyan cartridge 13 together with the yellow cartridge 13 by forcibly emptying the cartridge 13 that stores the cyan-colored ink. , Cyan ink is not wasted.

In step S35, instead of determining whether or not the remaining amount of CTG is less than the determination threshold value, it may be determined whether or not the total count value is equal to or more than the threshold value. That is, instead of whether or not the amount of ink stored in the cartridge 13 is less than the threshold value, it may be determined whether or not the ink used is equal to or more than the threshold value.

Next, the CTG exchange process executed by the controller 51 when the cartridge 13 is exchanged by the user will be described with reference to FIG. 6B.

The controller 51 periodically executes, for example, a CTG exchange process. First, the controller 51 determines whether or not the cover 22 has been opened for replacement of the cartridge 13 (S41). Specifically, the controller 51 determines whether or not the signal input from the cover sensor 46 is the second detection signal. When the controller 51 determines that the signal input from the cover sensor 46 is the first detection signal and the cover 22 is not opened (S41: No), the controller 51 ends the CTG exchange process. When the controller 51 determines that the signal input from the cover sensor 46 is the second detection signal and the cover 22 is opened (S41: Yes), whether or not the replacement of the cartridge 13 is completed and the cover 22 is closed. Is determined (S42). Specifically, the controller 51 determines whether or not the signal input from the cover sensor 46 is the first detection signal. The controller 51 periodically acquires the signal output by the cover sensor 46 until the signal input from the cover sensor 46 becomes the first detection signal (S42: No).

When the controller 51 determines that the signal output by the cover sensor 46 has become the second detection signal (S42: Yes), the controller 51 reads the CTG serial number from the IC memory 15 of the cartridge 13 mounted on the mounting case 71 and acquires it. Then, the controller 51 determines whether or not the acquired CTG serial number and the CTG serial number stored in the EEPROM 57 of the memory 53 match (S43). The CTG serial number stored in the EEPROM 57 is the serial number of the cartridge 13 before replacement. That is, in step S43, it is determined whether or not the cartridge 13 has been replaced. When the cover 22 is opened and closed without replacing the cartridge 13, the acquired CTG serial number and the CTG serial number stored in the EEPROM 57 match.

When the controller 51 determines that the acquired CTG serial number and the CTG serial number stored in the EEPROM 57 match (S43: Yes), the controller 51 ends the CTG exchange process. When the controller 51 determines that the acquired CTG serial number and the CTG serial number stored in the EEPROM 57 do not match (S43: No), the controller 51 calculates the total remaining amount value, the CTG remaining amount value, and the sub tank remaining amount value. (S44). To explain in detail, first, the controller 51 reads the remaining amount value of the sub tank calculated in steps S22 and S24 and stored in the RAM 56 from the RAM 56 and acquires it. Next, the controller 51 reads out the initial remaining amount value from the IC memory 15 of the cartridge 13 mounted on the mounting case 71 and acquires it. Then, the controller 51 adds the acquired sub-tank remaining amount value and the initial remaining amount value to calculate the total remaining amount value. The controller 51 calculates the CTG remaining amount value and the sub-tank remaining amount value based on the calculated total remaining amount value in the same manner as in step S22 described above. The controller 51 stores the calculated total remaining amount value in the EEPROM 57 as an initial storage value. Further, the controller 51 stores the calculated CTG remaining amount value and the sub tank remaining amount value in the RAM 56. The CTG remaining amount value and the sub tank remaining amount value stored in the RAM 56 are used for displaying the remaining amount in the "ink" icon 90 displayed on the standby screen.

Next, the controller 51 resets the total count value (S45). Further, the controller 51 sets the inquenching flag and the CTG empty flag to “OFF” (S46, S47). Then, the controller 51 executes the sub-tank storage amount return process (S48). Specifically, the controller 51 opens the valve 88 closed in step S37 of the notification process described above. FIG. 4C is a diagram showing a mounting unit 30 immediately after the cartridge 13 forcibly emptied by driving the pump 87 as a sub-tank storage amount increasing process is replaced with a new cartridge 13. FIG. 4D is a diagram showing a mounting unit 30 after the valve 88 is opened as a sub-tank storage amount increasing process. When the valve 88 is opened, the height position of the ink liquid stored in the cartridge 13 and the height position of the ink liquid stored in the sub tank 72 are substantially the same due to atmospheric pressure. Ink moves from the cartridge 13 to the sub-tank 72 through the needle 75, the pump 87, and the flow path member 70. The process of step S49 in the CTG exchange process will be described in Modification 1.

[Action and effect of the embodiment]
In the present embodiment, as described above, on the condition that one cartridge 13 is emptied, the sub-tank storage amount increasing process is executed to forcibly empty the other one or more cartridges 13. Therefore, a plurality of cartridges 13 can be emptied at the same time. As a result, the printer 10 allows the user to replace the plurality of cartridges 13 at the same time. That is, the printer 10 can reduce the time and effort of the user who replaces the cartridges 13 as compared with the case where the plurality of cartridges 13 are replaced separately.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, when one cartridge 13 is emptied, the sub-tank storage amount increasing process is executed to forcibly empty the other one or more cartridges 13. To do. Therefore, even if the user replaces the empty cartridge 13 and also replaces the other cartridge 13 that is low in ink, the other cartridge 13 is empty and the ink is wasted. It will never be done.

Further, in the present embodiment, the character "Y" indicating the empty cartridge 13 and the character "C" indicating the empty cartridge 13 are displayed on the display panel 43. Therefore, the printer 10 can urge the user to replace the plurality of cartridges 13 at the same time.

[Modification 1]
In this modification, the printer 10 provided to the user by the service provider will be described. The service provider provides the user with services such as maintenance of the printer 10 and arrangement of ordering of the cartridge 13 described later. The information processing device 11 (FIG. 1) for which the service provider has the authority to use is connected to the Internet. Then, the printer 10 is used by being connected to the communication line 12. The communication line 12 is a local network and the Internet. The printer 10 transmits order information and the like to the information processing device 11 through the communication line 12. The details will be described below. The configurations and processes other than the configurations and processes shown below are the same as the configurations and processes described in the embodiments.

The EEPROM 57 of the memory 53 of the printer 10 stores the URL published by the information processing device 11. For example, the controller 51 of the printer 10 stores the URL input by the user or the service provider from the touch panel 42 or the operation switch in the EEPROM 57.

The controller 51 of the printer 10 executes the notification process shown in FIG. 7. The notification process is a process of notifying the information processing apparatus 11 of the order information for causing the service applicant to place an order for the empty cartridge 13. The details will be described below.

First, the controller 51 determines whether the value of the income flag is “ON” or “OFF” (S51). When the controller 51 determines that the value of the income flag is "OFF" (S51: OFF), the controller 51 skips the process of step S52. When the controller 51 determines that the value of the income flag is "ON" (S51: ON), the controller 51 includes the income information in the transmission data transmitted to the information processing device 11 (S52). The ink county information is information indicating that the printer 10 is in a state where printing cannot be performed because the ink has run out.

Next, the controller 51 determines whether the value of the CTG empty flag is “ON” or “OFF” (S53). When the controller 51 determines that the value of the CTG empty flag is "OFF" (S53: OFF), the controller 51 skips the processes from steps S54 to S57. When the controller 51 determines that the value of the CTG empty flag is "ON" (S54: ON), the controller 51 determines whether the value of the notified flag is "ON" or "OFF". The notified flag is a flag for preventing the order information described later from being duplicated and transmitted to the information processing apparatus 11. The initial value of the notified flag is "OFF". The notified flag is turned "ON" in response to the order information being transmitted to the information processing device 11. Then, the notified flag is turned "OFF" in the CTG exchange process shown in FIG. 6 (B) in response to the cartridge 13 being exchanged (S49).

As shown in FIG. 7, when the controller 51 determines that the value of the notified flag is “ON” (S54: ON), the controller 51 skips the processes from steps S55 to S57. When the controller 51 determines that the value of the notified flag is "OFF" (S54: OFF), the controller 51 includes the first order information in the transmission data (S55). The first ordering information is information indicating that the cartridge 13 of the color in which the value of the CTG empty flag is "OFF" is empty. The first ordering information is, for example, the model number of the cartridge 13.

Next, the controller 51 determines whether or not there is a cartridge 13 that has been forcibly emptied by executing the sub-tank storage amount increasing process (S56). Although not shown in the flowchart, the controller 51 is forcibly emptied in response to driving the pump 87 in the sub-tank storage amount increasing process (S36) of the notification process shown in FIG. 6 (A). The information indicating the cartridge 13 is stored in the EEPROM 57 of the memory 53. The controller 51 determines whether or not there is a cartridge 13 that has been forcibly emptied based on the information stored in the EEPROM 57 (S56). When the controller 51 determines that there is no cartridge 13 forcibly emptied (S56: No), the controller 51 skips the process of step S57. When the controller 51 determines that there is a cartridge 13 forcibly emptied (S56: Yes), the controller 51 includes the second order information in the transmission data (S57). The second ordering information is information indicating the cartridge 13 that has been forcibly emptied by executing the sub-tank storage amount increasing process. The second ordering information is, for example, the model number of the cartridge 13.

The controller 51 transmits the generated transmission data to the information processing device 11 indicated by the URL stored in the EEPROM 57 through the communication I / F 47 (S58). Then, the controller 51 determines whether or not the ACK (affirmative response) transmitted by the information processing apparatus 11 has been received (S59). When the controller 51 determines that the ACK has not been received (S59: No), the controller 51 executes a retry to retransmit the transmission data (S58). When the controller 51 determines that the ACK has been received (S59: Yes), the value of the notified flag is set to "ON" (S60), and the notification process ends.

Although not shown in the flowchart, the information processing apparatus 11 returns an ACK indicating that the transmission data has been received to the printer 10 in response to the reception of the transmission data. Further, the information processing device 11 stores the inequency information, the first ordering information, and the second ordering information included in the received transmission data in a memory (not shown). The service provider arranges the shipment of the cartridge 13 based on the first ordering information and the second ordering information stored in the memory. Specifically, the service provider collectively arranges the shipment of the plurality of cartridges 13 according to the fact that the first ordering information and the second ordering information are stored in the memory. The plurality of new cartridges 13 that have been shipped are delivered to the user. The user attaches the plurality of new cartridges 13 delivered to the printer 10 and replaces the cartridge 13.

Although not shown in the flowchart, the controller 51 is an information processing device that processes management information such as the CTG remaining value, the sub tank remaining value, and the number of printed sheets each time printing is executed or at a scheduled time every day. Send to 11. The information processing device 11 stores the received management information in the memory.

[Action and effect of modification 1]
In this modification, the controller 51 causes the sub-tank storage amount increasing process to be executed by triggering that one cartridge 13 is emptied, and forcibly empties the other one or a plurality of cartridges 13. Then, the second order information indicating the emptied cartridge 13 is transmitted to the information processing device 11 together with the first order information. Therefore, the printer 10 can have the service provider collectively arrange the shipment of the plurality of cartridges 13.

[Modification 2]
In the above-described embodiment, as an example of the sub-tank storage amount increasing process, an example of increasing the ink storage amount (marginal storage amount) stored in the sub-tank 72 by using the pump 87 has been described. In this modified example, as another example of the sub-tank storage amount increasing process, an example in which the ink storage amount (limit storage amount) stored in the sub-tank 72 is increased by changing the shape of the sub-tank 72 will be described. The configurations and processes other than the configurations and processes described below are the same as the configurations and processes described in the embodiments.

The sub-tank 72 of this modification includes a lower portion 80 shown in FIG. 9 instead of the lower portion 77 described in the embodiment. The lower portion 80 has a front portion 81 located in the front in the front-rear direction 8, a rear portion 82 located in the rear, and a bellows portion 83 connecting the front portion 81 and the rear portion 82. The front portion 81 is connected to the lower end of the upper portion 76. The front end of the bellows portion 83 in the front-rear direction 8 is connected to the rear end of the front portion 81. The rear end of the bellows portion 83 in the front-rear direction 8 is connected to the front end of the rear portion 82. The bellows portion 83 can be expanded and contracted along the front-rear direction 8. The lower portion 80 can change its state between a reduced state in which the bellows portion 83 is reduced (FIG. 9 (A)) and an expanded state in which the bellows portion 83 is expanded (FIG. 9 (B)).

The mounting unit 30 further includes a slide device 73. The slide device 73 is a device that changes the state of the lower portion 80 of the sub tank 72 from the reduced state to the expanded state and changes the state from the expanded state to the reduced state. More specifically, the slide device 73 includes a rack gear 84, a pinion gear 85, and a drive motor 86 (FIG. 1). The rack gear 84 is fixed to the rear portion 82 of the lower portion 80. The rack gear 84 has a plurality of teeth arranged in the front-rear direction 8. The pinion gear 85 has a plurality of teeth that mesh with the teeth of the rack gear 84. The pinion gear 85 is rotatably held in the housing 20 or the frame described above. The pinion gear 85 is rotated by a drive motor 86. The drive motor 86 is connected to the controller 51 via a drive circuit (not shown). The controller 51 controls the rotation and stop of the drive motor 86 and the direction of rotation. When the drive motor 86 is rotated in one direction (hereinafter referred to as forward rotation), the pinion gear 85 rotates forward, and the rack gear 84 that meshes with the positively rotating pinion gear 85 moves rearward together with the rear portion 82. To do. As a result, the bellows portion 83 is extended, and the lower portion 80 of the sub tank 72, which was in the reduced state (FIG. 9 (A)), is changed to the expanded state (FIG. 9 (B)). When the drive motor 86 is rotated in the other direction (hereinafter referred to as reverse rotation), the pinion gear 85 rotates in the reverse direction, and the rack gear 84 that meshes with the reverse rotating pinion gear 85 moves forward. As a result, the lower 80 of the sub tank 72, which was in the expanded state, changes to the reduced state. The rear portion 82 moved by the sliding device 73 is an example of the moving portion. One end of the tube 32 is connected to the bottom of the front portion 81 which does not move.

The controller 51 changes the state of the lower 80 in the reduced state to the expanded state in the sub-tank storage amount increasing process in step S36 of the notification process shown in FIG. 6 (A). Specifically, when the controller 51 determines that the CTG remaining value is less than the determination threshold value (S35: Yes), the controller 51 rotates the drive motor 86 in the forward direction for a predetermined time. The predetermined time is a time stored in advance in the EEPROM 57 of the memory 53. When the expansion process is executed, the ink (FIG. 9 (A)) stored in the cartridge 13 is moved to the sub tank 72 by the atmospheric pressure, and the cartridge 13 is emptied (FIG. 9 (B)). That is, the controller 51 forcibly emptys the cartridge 13 by rotating the drive motor 86 in the forward direction as in the embodiment.

The movement of ink from the cartridge 13 to the sub tank 72 by changing the state of the sub tank 72 from the reduced state to the expanded state is an example of an increase in the critical storage amount.

Further, the controller 51 executes a reduction process of rotating the drive motor 86 in the reverse direction for a predetermined time as a sub-tank storage amount return process of step S48 of the CTG exchange process shown in FIG. 6 (B). When the reduction process is executed, a part of the ink (FIG. 9 (C)) stored in the sub tank 72 is moved to the cartridge 13 by the atmospheric pressure (FIG. 9 (D)). The volume of the internal space of the upper portion 76 of the sub tank 72 is sufficiently increased so that the ink does not overflow from the air communication port 78 of the sub tank 72. Further, the mounting height position of the cartridge 13 is sufficiently higher than that of the sub tank 72 so that the ink does not overflow from the atmospheric communication port 17 of the cartridge 13.

The reduction process may be executed according to the fact that the total count value exceeds the threshold value. The threshold value is a value corresponding to the volume of the internal space of the sub tank 72, which increases as the state of the sub tank 72 changes from the contracted state to the expanded state. That is, the reduction process may be executed according to the amount of ink reduced by printing according to the amount of ink that is reduced when the sub tank 72 is changed from the expanded state to the reduced state.

[Action and effect of modification 2]
Also in this modification, the other one or a plurality of cartridges 13 can be forcibly emptied by using the fact that one cartridge 13 is emptied as a trigger. Therefore, the printer 10 allows the user to replace the plurality of cartridges 13 at the same time. Further, even if the user replaces the empty cartridge 13 and then replaces the other cartridge 13 that has run out of ink, the other cartridge 13 is empty, so the ink is wasted. It will never be done.

In this modification, an example of changing the state of the sub tank 72 between the reduced state and the expanded state by the slide device 73 has been described. However, the state of the sub tank 72 may be changed between the reduced state and the expanded state manually or by a sliding device having another configuration. Further, an example in which the state of the sub tank 72 is changed by the bellows portion 83 has been described. However, instead of the bellows portion 83, a flexible member such as a film may be provided in the sub tank 72.

[Modification 3]
In this modification, an example will be described in which the printer 10 includes the mounting unit 100 shown in FIG. 10 instead of the mounting unit 30. The configuration other than the mounting unit 100 is the same as the configuration described in the embodiment. The configuration other than the configuration and processing described below is the same as the configuration and processing described in the embodiment.

The mounting unit 100 includes a mounting case 101 held in the housing 20. The mounting case 101 has a box shape having an opening on the upper surface. The cartridge 110 is inserted and removed from the opening. The mounting case 101 holds the four cartridges 110 in a detachable manner. A set consisting of one sub-tank 102, one liquid level sensor 33, one cartridge I / F 74, one drive motor 107, and two needles 103, 104 is provided in association with one cartridge 110. There is. That is, the four sets are provided in the mounting unit 100. Since the configuration of each set is the same, one set will be described below.

The cartridge 110 has a box shape having an internal space for storing ink. The cartridge 110 stores ink in the liquid chamber 18, which is an internal space. One cartridge 110 is an example of a first cartridge. The other cartridge 110 is an example of a second cartridge. Further, the cartridge 110 has an outlet 112 at the bottom through which the needles 103 and 104 are inserted. The outlet 112 of one cartridge 110 is an example of the first outlet. The outlet 112 of the other cartridge 110 is an example of a second outlet.

The liquid level sensor 33 is installed at a height position slightly above the inner bottom surface of the cartridge 13 mounted on the mounting case 101.

The needles 103 and 104 are held in the mounting case 101. The upper portions of the needles 103 and 104 project upward from the inner bottom surface of the mounting case 101. The upper portions of the needles 103 and 104 are inserted into the outlet 112 of the cartridge 110 mounted on the mounting case 101. That is, the upper ends of the needles 103 and 104 are located in the internal space of the cartridge 13 mounted on the mounting case 101. The lower portions of the needles 103 and 104 project downward from the bottom of the mounting case 101. The lower ends of the needles 103 and 104 are located in the internal space of the sub tank 102, which will be described later. That is, the internal space of the sub tank 102 and the internal space of the cartridge 13 mounted on the mounting case 101 are communicated with each other by the needles 103 and 104. The needle 104 is an example of a second tubular body. The internal space of the needle 104 is an example of the second flow path.

The needle 103 has an outer cylinder 105 and an inner cylinder 106 built in the outer cylinder 105. The inner cylinder 106 is slidably held by the outer cylinder 105 along the central axis of the outer cylinder 105. The inner cylinder 106 is between a storage position (FIG. 10 (B)) housed in the outer cylinder 105 and a protruding position (FIG. 10 (A)) at which the lower end protrudes downward from the lower end of the outer cylinder 105. Slide. The inner cylinder 106 is slid between the accommodation position and the protruding position by the drive motor 107. The needle 103 is an example of the first tubular body. The internal space of the needle 103 is an example of the first flow path. The opening at the lower end of the needle 103 is an example of a through hole.

The sub tank 102 has a box shape. The sub tank 102 can store ink in the liquid chamber 79, which is an internal space. One end of the tube 32 described above is connected to the bottom of the sub tank 102. That is, the internal space of the sub tank 102 communicates with the flow path of the head 31 through the tube 32. Further, the sub tank 102 has an atmospheric communication port 108 on the upper wall. That is, the internal space of the sub tank 102 is open to the atmosphere. The internal space of the cartridge 110 described above is not open to the atmosphere.

The phenomenon that the ink stored in the cartridge 110 moves to the sub tank 102 through the needle 104 will be described. When the cartridge 110 for storing ink is mounted on the mounting case 101 while the sub tank 102 is empty, the ink stored in the cartridge 110 flows out to the sub tank 102 through the needle 104. Then, the air in the sub tank 102 flows into the cartridge 110 through the needle 103. That is, ink and air are exchanged in the cartridge 110 and the sub tank 102.

The ink flowing out from the cartridge 110 to the sub tank 102 collects in the internal space of the sub tank 102. When the height position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the sub tank 102 reaches the lower end of the needle 103, air cannot move to the internal space of the cartridge 110 through the needle 103. Then, the outflow of ink from the cartridge 110 to the sub tank 102 through the needle 104 is stopped. That is, ink flows from the cartridge 110 to the sub tank 102 until the liquid level reaches the height position at the lower end of the needle 103. Then, when the ink stored in the sub tank 102 is reduced by printing and the height position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the sub tank 102 is lower than the lower end of the needle 103, the ink is transferred from the sub tank 102 to the cartridge 110 through the needle 103. The air moves. Due to the movement of air, ink flows out from the cartridge 110 to the sub tank 102 through the needle 104. Then, when the liquid level of the ink stored in the sub tank 102 reaches the lower end of the needle 103, the outflow of ink from the cartridge 110 to the sub tank 102 is stopped in the same manner as described above.

When the controller 51 determines in the notification process (FIG. 6A) that the remaining amount of CTG is less than the determination threshold value (S35: Yes), the controller 51 drives the drive motor 107 in the sub-tank storage amount increase process in step S36. By driving the drive motor 107, the inner cylinder 106 of the needle 103 slides from the protruding position toward the accommodation position. That is, the lower end of the needle 103 moves upward. Then, air flows from the sub tank 102 into the cartridge 110 through the needle 103, and ink flows out from the cartridge 110 to the sub tank 102 through the needle 104. When the height position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the sub tank 102 reaches the lower end of the needle 103, the outflow of ink from the cartridge 110 to the sub tank 102 is stopped. That is, as the lower end of the needle 103 moves upward, the amount of ink stored in the sub tank 102 increases. The ink flowing out from the cartridge 13 to the sub tank 72 by moving the lower end of the needle 103 upward is an example of an increase in the critical storage amount.

FIG. 10C shows a state in which the empty cartridge 110 is replaced with a new cartridge 110. Even if a new cartridge 110 for storing ink is mounted in the mounting case 101, the ink does not flow out from the cartridge 110 to the sub tank 102. That is, the ink does not overflow from the atmospheric communication port 108 of the sub tank 102. Then, when the ink is used by printing and the height position of the liquid level of the ink stored in the sub tank 102 is lower than the lower end of the needle 103, the ink flows out from the cartridge 110 to the sub tank 102 through the needle 104 (FIG. 10). (D)).

[Action and effect of modification 3]
Also in this modification, the other one or a plurality of cartridges 110 can be forcibly emptied by using the fact that one cartridge 110 is emptied as a trigger. Therefore, the printer 10 allows the user to replace the plurality of cartridges 110 at the same time. Further, even if the user replaces the empty cartridge 110 and also replaces another cartridge 110 that is low in ink, the other cartridge 110 is empty, so the ink is wasted. It will never be done. An electromagnet or the like may be used instead of the drive motor 107.

[Other variants]
In the above-described embodiment, when ink is used for printing, the ink is moved from the cartridge 13 to the sub tank 72 by gravity and atmospheric pressure. However, when the ink is used for printing, the pump 87 may move the ink from the cartridge 13 to the subtank 72. As an example, when printing is executed, the liquid level of the ink drops, and the detection signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 changes from the first detection signal to the second detection signal. The controller 51 supplies ink from the cartridge 13 to the sub tank 72 by driving the pump 87 until the detection signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 changes from the second detection signal to the first detection signal. In the sub-tank storage amount increase process, even if the detection signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 changes from the second detection signal to the first detection signal, the pump 87 is continuously driven for a predetermined time to move the cartridge 13 to the sub-tank 72. Supply more ink. This is also an example of an increase in marginal storage.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the confirmation flag is set to “ON” by changing the signal of the liquid level sensor 33 (S19), and the sub-tank storage amount increasing process (S36) is performed when the confirmation flag is “ON”. However, it is not necessary to use the signal change of the liquid level sensor 33. For example, a confirmation flag is set according to the fact that the total count value is equal to or higher than the threshold value stored in the EEPROM 57 in advance, or the calculated CTG remaining value is less than the threshold value stored in the EEPROM 57 in advance. It may be turned "ON". The above threshold is an example of the first threshold. By processing in this way, it is possible to place an order at the same time before one cartridge 13 becomes empty, and the range of use is widened.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the installation position of the liquid level sensor 33 is set to the same height position as the installation position of the needle 75 has been described. That is, an example has been described in which the detection signal output by the liquid level sensor 33 changes when the cartridge 13 is empty. However, the installation position of the liquid level sensor 33 may be a height position higher than the installation position of the needle 75. In this case, for example, the CTG remaining value of the cartridge 13 may be calculated using the count value from the signal change of the liquid level sensor 33.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the storage capacity of the sub tanks 72 of all colors is increased. However, the storage amount may be increased only in the sub tank 72 of some colors. For example, as a configuration in which the storage amount of only the black sub-tank 72 is increased, the storage amount of the black sub-tank 72 may be increased as needed when the yellow, magenta, or cyan cartridge 13 is emptied.

10 ... Printer 13 ... Cartridge 18 ... Liquid chamber 16 ... Outlet 34 ... Inflow port 72, 102 ... Sub tank 79 ... Liquid chamber 87 ... Pump

Claims (6)

A tank that can be connected to the first chamber for storing the consumable material and the first cartridge having the first outlet from which the consumable material flows out in the first chamber, and is connected to the third chamber for storing the consumable material. A first tank having a first inflow port into which the consumable material flowing out from the first outflow port of the first cartridge
A tank that can be connected to the second chamber for storing the consumable material and the second cartridge having the second outlet from which the consumable material flows out in the second chamber, and is connected to the fourth chamber for storing the consumable material. A second tank having a second inlet into which the consumable material flowing out from the second outlet of the second cartridge flows in, and
With a controller,
The above controller
It is detected that the consumable material stored in the first chamber of the first cartridge connected to the first tank is exhausted or less than the first threshold value.
At a predetermined timing after detecting that the consumable material stored in the first chamber of the first cartridge connected to the first tank is exhausted or less than the first threshold value, the second cartridge It is determined whether or not the amount of consumable material stored in the second chamber is less than the second threshold value.
An image recording device that increases the limit storage amount, which is the storage amount of the consumable material that can be stored in the fourth room, when it is determined that the amount of the consumable material stored in the second room is less than the second threshold value. The above controller
Obtain the remaining amount of consumables stored in the first room above,
The first notification is notified according to the determination that the acquired remaining amount of the first chamber is zero or less than the first threshold value.
Obtain the remaining amount of consumables stored in the second room above,
The image recording device according to claim 1, wherein the second notification is notified when it is determined that the acquired remaining amount of the second chamber is zero or less than the second threshold value. The image recording device further includes a communication interface.
The above controller
It is determined that the acquired remaining amount of the first chamber is zero or less than the first threshold value, and the remaining amount of the second chamber after increasing the limit storage amount is zero or less than the first threshold value. The image recording device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the order information for instructing the ordering of the first cartridge and the second cartridge is transmitted through the communication interface on condition that the determination is made. The image recording device includes a pump for distributing consumables from the second chamber to the fourth chamber.
The image recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller changes the limit storage amount by the pump. The second tank is provided with a moving portion for partitioning and moving the fourth chamber.
The image recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller increases the limit storage amount by moving the moving unit to increase the volume of the fourth chamber. The second tank is
An atmospheric communication port that communicates the fourth room with the atmosphere,
A first flow path that communicates with the second chamber when the second cartridge is connected and communicates with the fourth chamber through the through hole is formed, and at least the through hole can be raised. 1 cylinder and
A second cylinder forming a second flow path that communicates with the second chamber when the second cartridge is connected and communicates with the fourth chamber via the second inlet. Prepare,
The through hole is located below the atmospheric communication port.
The limit storage amount is the volume of the portion of the fourth chamber below the through hole.
The image recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller increases the limit storage amount by raising the through hole.

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