JP4107257B2 - Liquid ejecting apparatus and liquid remaining amount calculating method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus and a liquid remaining amount calculating method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printer) is widely known as a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto a target. Some printers have a configuration (so-called off-carriage type) in which an ink cartridge is not mounted on a carriage but is arranged on the apparatus main body side. An ink supply system provided in the printer supplies ink from an ink cartridge to a sub tank mounted on a carriage, and supplies ink from the sub tank to a recording head.

The printer also includes an ink end determination unit that calculates the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge. This ink end determination means includes, for example, an ink amount detection means for detecting that the ink amount in the sub-tank has become a predetermined amount or less, and a timing means for measuring the time from the start of ink supply (for example, , See Patent Document 1). In the printer disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the ink amount detection means including a sensor for detecting the liquid level detects that the ink in the sub tank is less than a predetermined amount, air is sent into the ink cartridge by driving the pressure pump. Thus, ink is supplied to the sub tank by pressurization of air. At this time, if the ink amount detection means does not detect a predetermined amount or more of ink (ink full state) even though the pump drive time measured by the time measurement means has exceeded a predetermined time, the ink in the ink cartridge It is determined that there is no ink (ink end state).
JP 2002-273906 A

  However, since the ink end determination means directly detects the ink amount in the sub tank, the ink amount detection means is assembled to the sub tank. For this reason, the configuration of the sub-tank or the printer may be complicated, and the number of parts may increase.

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus and a liquid remaining amount calculating method capable of calculating the remaining amount of liquid with a simple configuration.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus and a liquid remaining amount calculating method capable of calculating the remaining amount of liquid with a small number of parts.

The liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting head, in which a liquid accommodating portion having a flexible member is accommodated in a sealed air chamber in the case, and the liquid accommodating portion A plurality of liquid containers in which the volume of the air chamber is increased by a reduced volume of the liquid container by deriving liquid to the liquid ejecting head; a pressure pump for supplying air to the air chamber; and the air Detecting means for detecting the pressure in the room, and calculating means for calculating the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container, and in the middle of each air flow path communicating with each liquid container and the pressurizing pump. the air supply valve is provided, when supplying the liquid to said liquid ejecting head side from a predetermined said liquid container, while the air supply valve corresponding to the liquid container in an open state, said computing means, said The pressure of the air chamber for each liquid container is based on the air supply amount by the pressurizing pump to reach a predetermined pressure to calculate the volume of the air chamber, from said initial liquid volume of each of the liquid container The remaining liquid amount of the liquid container is calculated by subtracting the air chamber volume .

According to this, it is possible to calculate the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container based on the air supply amount supplied from the pressurizing pump to the air chamber. That is, the calculation means calculates the volume of the air chamber from the air supply amount of the pressurizing pump, and calculates the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid storage unit from this volume. For this reason, the remaining amount of liquid can be calculated without providing a sensor or the like for detecting the remaining amount of liquid on the liquid ejecting apparatus side or the liquid container.

  According to this, each air supply valve is each provided in the middle of the several air flow path which connects a pressurization pump and a some liquid container. For this reason, air can be supplied only to a predetermined liquid container. Then, the computing means calculates the volume of the air chamber from the air supply amount supplied from the pressurizing pump for each liquid container, and calculates the remaining liquid amount of each liquid container from this air chamber volume. For this reason, when a plurality of liquid containers are provided, the remaining liquid amount can be calculated without providing a sensor or the like for detecting the remaining liquid amount on the liquid ejecting apparatus side or the liquid container.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid ejecting apparatus may further include a discharge amount calculating unit that calculates a remaining amount of liquid in each liquid container based on the number of liquid droplets or the amount of liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head. Based on each remaining liquid amount calculated by the means and each remaining liquid amount calculated by the calculating means, the discharge amount calculating means corrects a calculation parameter used for calculating the remaining liquid amount.

  According to this, it is possible to correct the calculation parameter used when the discharge amount calculation unit calculates the remaining liquid amount based on the result calculated by the calculation unit. For this reason, the calculation result of the discharge amount calculation means can be made more accurate.

The liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting head, in which a liquid accommodating portion having a flexible member is accommodated in a sealed air chamber in the case, and the liquid accommodating portion A plurality of liquid containers in which the volume of the air chamber is increased by a reduced volume of the liquid container by deriving liquid to the liquid ejecting head; a pressure pump for supplying air to the air chamber; and the air Based on the number of liquid droplets or the amount of liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head , detection means for detecting the pressure in the room, calculation means for calculating the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container, and each liquid container of the discharge amount calculating means for calculating the remaining quantity of liquid, said to each liquid container, wherein an air flow path for supplying and distributing the air chamber of the air delivered from the pressure pump each liquid container Bei For example, the arithmetic means Based on the amount of air supplied by the pressurizing pump until the pressure of each air chamber reaches a predetermined pressure, the sum of the volumes of the air chambers is calculated, and the sum of the initial liquid amounts of the liquid containers is calculated. Subtracting the sum of the volumes of the air chambers to calculate the sum of the remaining liquid amounts of the liquid containers, and calculating the sum of the remaining liquid amounts of the liquid containers by the discharge amount calculating means. Multiply each ratio with respect to the total amount of remaining liquid in each liquid container to calculate the remaining liquid amount in each liquid container.

According to this configuration, the liquid ejecting apparatus includes the ejection amount calculation unit that calculates the remaining amount of liquid in each liquid container based on the number of droplets ejected from the liquid ejecting head or the amount of liquid. In addition, the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a plurality of liquid containers, and includes an air flow path for distributing air from the pressurizing pump to the air chambers of the liquid containers. The calculation means calculates the total amount of the remaining liquid based on the air supply amount supplied to the air chamber of each liquid container by the pressurizing pump. Then, the calculation means calculates the remaining liquid amount of each liquid container by multiplying the calculated remaining amount total by the liquid remaining ratio of each liquid container calculated by the discharge amount calculation means. In other words, the calculation means calculates the liquid remaining amount of each liquid container using the total liquid remaining amount calculated from the air supply amount and the ratio based on the liquid remaining amount calculated by the discharge amount calculation means. . Therefore, even when a plurality of liquid containers are provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is possible to calculate the remaining amounts of liquid without using a sensor or the like that detects the remaining amount of liquid. In addition, the remaining amount of liquid can be calculated more accurately by using not only the remaining amount of liquid in the discharge amount calculation means, which tends to vary due to individual differences in the apparatus, but also the air supply amount actually supplied by the pressure pump. be able to.

  In this liquid ejecting apparatus, the discharge amount calculating means compares the total of the remaining amounts of liquid calculated by the discharge amount calculating means with the total of the remaining amounts of liquid calculated by the calculating means. The calculation parameter used for calculating the remaining amount is corrected.

  According to this, it is possible to correct the calculation parameters used when the discharge amount calculation unit calculates the total of the remaining amounts of liquid based on the result calculated by the calculation unit. For this reason, the calculation result of the discharge amount calculation means can be made more accurate.

  In this liquid ejecting apparatus, the computation parameter is a coefficient that multiplies the number of liquid droplets ejected from the liquid ejecting head, and the ejection amount computing means multiplies the number of droplets by the coefficient. When calculating the liquid consumption amount by the above-mentioned method and correcting the calculation parameter of the discharge amount calculation means, the calculation means calculates the magnitude of the coefficient and the remaining liquid amount calculated by the discharge amount calculation means by the calculation means. Change to approach the remaining liquid level.

  According to this, when a correction is made to the coefficient as the calculation parameter of the discharge amount calculating means, the magnitude of the coefficient is set so that the remaining liquid amount by the discharge amount calculating means is changed to the remaining liquid amount calculated by the calculating means. Change to get closer. For this reason, the value of the coefficient can be corrected to a value suitable for the device.

  In this liquid ejecting apparatus, when the remaining liquid amount calculated by the calculating unit is smaller than the remaining liquid amount calculated by the discharge amount calculating unit, the remaining liquid amount calculated by the discharge amount calculating unit is set. adopt.

  According to this, when the liquid remaining amount calculated from the previous calculation means is smaller than the liquid remaining amount calculated from the discharge amount calculation means, the liquid remaining amount calculated from the discharge amount calculation means is adopted. That is, since the discharge amount calculation means calculates the consumption based on the number of droplets, the size (weight, volume) of the droplets is set to be large in consideration of individual differences. For this reason, the liquid remaining amount calculated by the discharge amount calculating means is often smaller than the actual liquid remaining amount, and therefore, it is predicted that the liquid remaining amount calculated by the calculating means is smaller. Therefore, conversely, when the liquid remaining amount calculated by the calculating means is smaller than the liquid remaining amount calculated by the discharge amount calculating means, there is a possibility that the mechanism from the pressurizing pump to the air chamber may be faulty. The remaining liquid amount calculated by the discharge amount calculating means is employed. For this reason, even when there is a failure in the mechanism for supplying air, the remaining amount of liquid can be calculated relatively accurately.

In this liquid ejecting apparatus, the volume of the air chamber when the liquid in the liquid container is not consumed is set as an initial volume, and the computing means includes the initial volume and the air chamber in the initial volume state. The air supply amount per unit time of the pressurization pump is calculated from the drive time of the pressurization pump until air is supplied by the pressurization pump and the pressure of the air chamber reaches a predetermined pressure, and the unit An air supply amount from the pressurizing pump is calculated based on an air supply amount per hour.
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to the aspect of the invention is a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting head, in which a liquid accommodating portion having a flexible member is accommodated in a sealed air chamber in the case, and the liquid accommodating portion A liquid container in which the volume of the air chamber increases by reducing the volume of the liquid container by deriving liquid to the liquid ejecting head side, a pressure pump for supplying air to the air chamber, Detecting means for detecting pressure, and calculating means for calculating the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container, wherein the volume of the air chamber when the liquid in the liquid container is not consumed is an initial volume, and the calculation is performed. The means includes the initial volume and the driving time of the pressurizing pump until the pressure of the air chamber reaches a predetermined pressure by supplying air to the air chamber in the initial volume state by the pressurizing pump. The above The air supply amount per unit time of the pressure pump is calculated, the air supply amount from the pressurizing pump is calculated based on the air supply amount per unit time, and the volume of the air chamber is calculated based on the air supply amount. The remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid container is calculated from the air chamber volume.

According to this, the volume of the air chamber when the liquid in the liquid container is not consumed is set as the initial volume, and the calculation means supplies air to the initial volume and the air chamber in the initial volume state by a pressure pump. Then, the air supply amount per unit time of the pressurization pump is calculated from the drive time of the pressurization pump until the predetermined pressure is reached. Air is supplied by the pressurizing pump, and the air supply amount per unit time of the pressurizing pump is calculated from the driving time of the pressurizing pump until the pressure of each air chamber reaches a predetermined pressure and the initial volume of the air chamber. For this reason, the supply amount of the pressure pump can be calculated more accurately.

The liquid remaining amount calculation method for a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present invention is a liquid remaining amount calculating method for a liquid ejecting apparatus in which liquid is ejected from a liquid ejecting head. A plurality of liquid containers in which the volume of the air chamber is increased by the reduced volume of the liquid container by accommodating the container and deriving liquid from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting head side; and the air chamber A pressure pump for supplying air, a detection means for detecting the pressure in the air chamber, and each air supply valve provided in the middle of each air flow path communicating with each liquid container and the pressure pump. with bets, when supplying the liquid to said liquid ejecting head side from a predetermined said liquid container, while the air supply valve corresponding to the liquid container in the open state, the air at the pressure pump Said Was supplied to the gas chamber, the pressure of the air chamber determine the air supply amount of the pressure pump to reach a predetermined pressure, from the air supply amount calculated the volume of the air chamber, of each of the liquid container The remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid container is calculated by subtracting the air chamber volume from the initial liquid amount .
In the liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting liquid from the liquid ejecting head, the liquid remaining amount calculating method for the liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention accommodates a liquid accommodating portion having a flexible member in a sealed air chamber in the case, A plurality of liquid containers in which the volume of the air chamber is increased by a reduced volume of the liquid container by deriving the liquid from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting head side, and air supply is supplied to the air chamber. Discharge amount for calculating the remaining amount of liquid in each liquid container based on a pressure pump, detection means for detecting the pressure in the air chamber, and the number or amount of liquid droplets discharged from the liquid ejecting head Using the calculation means and an air flow path that distributes and supplies the air sent from the pressurizing pump to the air chambers of the liquid containers for the liquid containers, and the pressure of the air chambers is Until a certain pressure is reached The amount of air supplied by the pressurizing pump is obtained, the sum of the volumes of the air chambers is obtained from the amount of air, and the sum of the volumes of the air chambers is subtracted from the sum of the initial liquid amounts of the liquid containers. To calculate the total remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container, and add the total remaining amount of liquid in the liquid containers calculated by the discharge amount calculation means to the total remaining liquid amount in the liquid containers. The liquid remaining amount of each liquid container is calculated by multiplying each ratio.
In the liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting liquid from the liquid ejecting head, the liquid remaining amount calculating method for the liquid container according to the present invention accommodates a liquid accommodating portion having a flexible member in a sealed air chamber in the case, A liquid container in which the volume of the air chamber increases by deriving the liquid from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting head side, and a pressure pump that supplies air to the air chamber And a detecting means for detecting the pressure in the air chamber and a calculating means for calculating the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container, and the volume of the air chamber when the liquid in the liquid container is not consumed. The initial volume, and the driving time of the pressurizing pump until the pressure of the air chamber reaches a predetermined pressure by supplying air to the air chamber in the initial volume state by the pressurizing pump. From the above The air supply amount per unit time of the pressure pump is calculated, the air supply amount from the pressurizing pump is calculated based on the air supply amount per unit time, and the volume of the air chamber is calculated based on the air supply amount. The remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid container is calculated from the air chamber volume.

  According to this, it is possible to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of calculating the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container based on the amount of air supplied from the pressurizing pump to the air chamber.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an outline of an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as a printer) as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a frame 2 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape whose upper side is open. A platen 3 is erected on the frame 2, and paper as a target is fed on the platen 3 by a paper feed mechanism (not shown). A guide member 4 is installed on the frame 2 in parallel with the platen 3, and a carriage 5 is inserted into and supported by the guide member 4 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the guide member 4. The carriage 5 is drivingly connected to a carriage motor 7 via a timing belt 6, and is reciprocated along the guide member 4 by driving the carriage motor 7.

  A recording head 8 as a liquid ejecting head is mounted on the surface of the carriage 5 facing the platen 3. On the lower surface 8a of the recording head 8 (see FIG. 2), the nozzles N of the recording head 8 are opened. Then, by driving a piezoelectric element (not shown) provided in the recording head 8, an ink droplet as a liquid is ejected from the nozzle opening onto the paper surface.

  Further, four first to fourth sub tanks S1 to S4 are mounted on the carriage 5. The first to fourth sub tanks S1 to S4 temporarily store ink to be supplied to the recording head 8 therein. Four first to fourth sub tanks S1 to S4 are provided corresponding to the type of ink used by the printer 1. In the present embodiment, when the first to fourth sub tanks S1 to S4 are not distinguished from each other, they are simply described as the sub tank S.

  A cartridge holder 10 is provided at the right end of the frame 2. The cartridge holder 10 is equipped with four first to fourth ink cartridges C1 to C4 as detachable liquid containers. When the first to fourth ink cartridges C1 to C4 are attached to the cartridge holder 10, the ink stored therein is respectively supplied to the first to fourth sub tanks S1 to S4 via the supply paths 11a to 11d. It is configured to replenish. In the present embodiment, when the first to fourth ink cartridges C1 to C4 are not distinguished from each other, they are simply described as the ink cartridge C. Similarly, the replenishment paths 11a to 11d are simply described as the replenishment paths 11 unless otherwise distinguished.

  A cleaning mechanism 12 is provided in the non-printing area in the frame 2. The cleaning mechanism 12 has a cap unit 13. The cap means 13 includes a box-shaped cap 13a and a cap lifting mechanism (not shown). The cap 13a seals the lower surface 8a of the recording head 8 that has moved above the cap 13a by driving the cap lifting mechanism. A suction pump (not shown) is connected to the cap 13a. This suction pump uses a drive motor (not shown) provided in the cleaning mechanism 12 as a drive source. The cleaning mechanism 12 performs so-called cleaning in which when the cap 13a seals the recording head 8, the suction pump is driven to suck ink in the nozzles N through the cap 13a. As a result of this cleaning, the ink, bubbles, and dust adhering to the lower surface 8a in the nozzle N of the recording head 8 are transferred to the suction pump, and printing defects are prevented.

  Next, an ink supply system provided in the printer 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an ink supply system provided in the printer 1. 3 and 4 are explanatory views for explaining the inside of the ink cartridge C. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each ink cartridge C includes a case 14 formed in an airtight state. In addition, the case 14 is provided with an ink pack 18 as a liquid storage portion made of a bag-like flexible film (flexible member). Each ink pack 18 can draw ink to each replenishment path 11 connected to each sub tank S. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the space between the case 14 and the ink pack 18 is a pressure chamber 19 as an air chamber. As shown in FIG. 3, the pressure chamber 19 has a minimum volume when the ink in the ink pack 18 is not consumed. The minimum volume is hereinafter referred to as an initial volume A1 of the pressure chamber 19.

  A memory element 15 and a terminal 16 are disposed on the outer surface of the case 14. The terminal 16 is configured to be electrically connected to the printer 1 side when the ink cartridge C is attached to the cartridge holder 10. The storage element 15 stores information about the ink cartridge C, such as the type of ink, the serial number, the initial amount of ink when the ink is not consumed, the initial volume A1 of the pressure chamber 19, and the like. For convenience, FIG. 2 shows one ink cartridge C, an air flow path and an ink flow path corresponding to the ink cartridge C, and the other ink cartridge C and the corresponding air flow path and ink flow path. Illustration is omitted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer 1 is provided with a pressurizing pump P. One upstream tube 20 is connected to the pressure pump P. A pressure adjustment valve 21 is provided in the middle of the upstream tube 20. The pressure regulating valve 21 releases the pressure and maintains the air pressure applied to each ink cartridge C within a predetermined range when the air pressure pressurized by the pressure pump P reaches an excessive state due to some trouble. have. The pressure adjusting valve 21 is connected to air supply paths 22 as four air paths connected to the ink cartridges C, respectively. Each air supply path 22 is composed of a tube or the like, and supplies air sent from the pressure pump P to each ink cartridge C independently. In the middle of these air supply paths 22, air supply valves 25 are provided as detection means.

Each air supply valve 25 corresponds to each ink cartridge C, and is opened when ink is supplied from the ink cartridge C. In the present embodiment, each air supply path 22 is provided with a pressure detector 27 between the air supply valve 25 and the pressure regulating valve 21. Each pressure detector 27 outputs a signal when the air pressure in the pressure chamber 19 of the corresponding ink cartridge C becomes equal to or higher than an upper limit pressure P2 (eg, 1.1 atmospheres) as a predetermined pressure. And when the said signal is output from all the pressure detectors 27, the pressurization pump P stops driving | operation. Further, when it is detected by a signal from each pressure detector 27 that the air pressure in at least one pressure chamber 19 of the ink cartridge C has become less than a predetermined lower limit pressure P1 (for example, 1 atm), an increase is made. The pressure pump P is driven or the air supply valve 25 is opened to open the pressure chamber 19 to the atmosphere.

  In addition, each supply valve 26 is provided in the middle of each supply path 11 connecting the ink pack 18 and each sub tank S. In the ink supply operation, the pressure pump P is first driven with these supply valves 26 closed, and the pressure chamber 19 is filled with air. Further, when the pressure detector 27 detects that the pressure in the pressure chamber 19 has become equal to or higher than the upper limit pressure P2, the refill valve 26 is opened. At this time, since each ink pack 18 is pressurized by the air filled in each pressure chamber 19, the ink in each ink pack 18 is pushed out to each supply path 11. The pushed ink is replenished to each sub tank S via each replenishment path 11. The ink in each sub tank S is supplied to the recording head 8 side.

  In this way, when ink is supplied from the ink cartridge C to the sub tank S, as shown in FIG. 4, the occupied volume of the ink pack 18 in the case 14 is smaller than the initial state indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. Become. That is, the volume of the pressure chamber 19 is increased by the amount that the volume of the ink pack 18 is decreased. For this reason, as the ink is consumed, the amount of air supplied from the pressure pump P to the pressure chamber 19 also increases.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the printer 1 will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of the electrical configuration of the printer 1. The print control unit 30 generates bitmap data based on print data transmitted from a computer (not shown) connected to the printer 1 or an external storage medium reader (not shown) provided in the printer 1. . The print control unit 30 transmits a signal to the head drive circuit 31 based on the generated bitmap data, and drives the piezoelectric element to eject ink droplets from the recording head 8. Further, the print control unit 30 transmits a driving signal for flushing to the head driving circuit 31 in accordance with the flushing program. Upon receiving this signal, the head drive circuit 31 ejects ink from the recording head 8 and performs so-called flushing. By performing this flushing, the meniscus of the ink in the nozzle N is adjusted.

  The pressurization pump drive circuit 32 receives a signal from the print control means 30 and drives a pressurization drive motor (not shown) that is a drive source of the pressurization pump P. When the pressure pump P is driven by driving the pressure drive motor, air is supplied from the pressure pump P to the pressure chamber 19 of the ink cartridge C through the upstream tube 20 and the air supply path 22.

  The cleaning mechanism drive circuit 33 receives a control signal from a cleaning command detection means (not shown) and drives the suction pump drive motor of the cleaning mechanism 12 to operate the suction pump. The cleaning command detection means is a switch or the like provided in the operation unit of the printer 1.

  The first valve drive circuit 34 receives a signal from the printing control means 30 and the like, and opens one designated air supply valve 25 among the air supply valves 25. The second valve drive circuit 35 receives a signal from the print control means 30 and the like, and opens one designated supply valve 26 among the supply valves 26.

The calculation means 36 (ejection amount calculation means) calculates the ink remaining amount based on the dot calculation processing for calculating the ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge C based on the bitmap data and the like, and the air supply amount of the pressure pump P. A function of performing an air amount calculation process. When performing the dot calculation process, the calculation unit 36 receives data relating to the number of ink droplet ejections based on the bitmap data from the print control unit 30. Further, the calculation unit 36 receives data relating to the number of ink droplets ejected during the flushing from the print control unit 30. Further, the calculation means 36 receives data relating to the amount of ink discharged from the recording head 8 during cleaning from the cleaning mechanism drive circuit 33.

  When the calculation unit 36 receives data relating to the number of ink droplet ejections from the print control unit 30, the calculation unit 36 reads the coefficient d from the coefficient setting unit 42. This coefficient d is a calculation parameter set with respect to the volume or weight of the ink droplets, etc., and is multiplied by the number of ink droplet ejections to calculate the ink ejection amount. That is, the calculation unit 36 multiplies the read coefficient d by the ink droplet ejection number J received from the print control unit 30 and consumes the consumed ink amount in the sub tank S (= d) for each printing or flushing. J: This is hereinafter referred to as tank consumption). It should be noted that when the calculation means 36 receives data relating to the amount of ink discharged during cleaning from the cleaning mechanism drive circuit 33, the consumption amount discharged during one cleaning is known, so the coefficient d It is not calculated using.

  Further, the calculation means 36 transmits the calculated tank consumption to the consumption counter 37. The consumption counter 37 stores data related to the consumption of ink stored in the first to fourth sub-tanks S1 to S4 (hereinafter referred to as cumulative consumption R). More specifically, the consumption counter 37 adds the received tank consumption (= d · J) to the previously stored accumulated consumption R to obtain a new accumulated consumption R (= R + d · J). By storing, the ink consumption amount in each sub tank S at that time is stored. When the accumulated consumption R reaches a predetermined value or more, the print control unit 30 determines that the amount of ink in the sub tank S that has reached the predetermined value is small, and causes the pressurization pump drive circuit 32 to operate. Then, the pressure pump P is driven to start the ink supply operation. At this time, the printing control means 30 opens the air supply valve 25 of the air supply path 22 connected to the ink cartridge C corresponding to the sub tank S that has reached a predetermined value or more via the first valve drive circuit 34. To.

  When the ink supply operation is started, the print control unit 30 outputs the accumulated consumption amount R stored in the consumption amount counter 37 to the first remaining amount counter 38 and the consumption amount counter 37. The stored accumulated consumption R at that time is reset.

  The first remaining amount counter 38 has an ink remaining amount (hereinafter referred to as a first ink remaining amount) of the ink pack 18 for each of the first to fourth ink cartridges C1 to C4 calculated by the dot calculation process. ) Respectively. The first remaining amount counter 38 subtracts the accumulated consumption amount R transmitted from the consumption amount counter 37 from the first remaining ink amount VD that has already been stored, and a new first remaining ink amount VD (= VD-R) is newly calculated and stored.

Further, during the air amount calculation process, the calculation means 36 calculates the increase volume ΔA of the pressure chamber 19 for each ink cartridge C based on the air supply amount supplied to the pressure chamber 19 by the pressure pump P. To do. Here, the increase volume ΔA is a value (= A2−A1) obtained by subtracting the initial volume A1 from the volume A2 of the pressure chamber 19 at a certain point in time. The increased volume ΔA (= A2−A1) means the volume of the pressure chamber 19 that is increased as the ink in the ink pack 18 is consumed. That is, the increased volume ΔA corresponds to an ink amount that is reduced as the ink is consumed from the ink amount (initial ink amount V1) in the ink pack 18 when not in use. Therefore, if the increased volume ΔA is subtracted from the initial ink amount V1, the ink remaining amount in the ink pack 18 (= V1−ΔA; hereinafter referred to as the second ink remaining amount VZ) is obtained. Then, the calculating means 36 transmits the calculated second ink remaining amount VZ to the second remaining amount counter 39. In this embodiment, the initial ink amount V1 and the initial volume A1 of the pressure chamber 19 are stored in advance in the storage element 15 provided in the ink cartridge C, and the stored initial ink amount V1 and initial volume A1 are used. The calculation is performed.

  The second remaining amount counter 39 stores the second ink remaining amount VZ of the ink pack 18 for each of the first to fourth ink cartridges C1 to C4 calculated by the air amount calculation process. The second remaining amount counter 39 updates and stores the new second ink remaining amount VZ (= V1−ΔA) every time the calculating unit 36 calculates.

  The time measuring means 40 measures the driving time T from the start of driving of the pressurizing pump P (the pressurizing drive motor) to the stop of driving. Furthermore, the time measuring means 40 transmits the drive time T to the time counter 41 when the time measurement of the drive time T is completed.

  The time counter 41 is configured to store, for each of the first to fourth ink cartridges C1 to C4, the driving time T when the pressure pump P is driven for the cartridge. When the time counter 41 receives a signal related to the drive time T from the time measuring means 40, the time counter 41 resets the drive time T that has already been stored and newly stores the drive time T. The supply rate setting means 43 stores an air supply rate K, which is an air supply amount per unit time of the pressure pump P.

Next, the processing procedure of the first embodiment will be described. First, a processing procedure for calculating the air supply amount (air supply rate K) per unit time of the pressure pump P will be described.
When the ink cartridge C is mounted in the cartridge holder 10, a signal is transmitted to the print control means 30 by electrically connecting the terminal 16 of the ink cartridge C to the printer 1 side. At this time, the air supply valve 25 and the replenishment valve 26 corresponding to the ink cartridge C are closed. When the print control means 30 receives the cartridge mounting signal, it sends a signal to the first valve drive circuit 34 to open only the air supply valve 25 corresponding to the ink cartridge C. Further, the print control unit 30 transmits a signal to the pressure pump drive circuit 32 to drive the pressure pump P. Further, a signal for starting the time measurement is transmitted from the print control means 30 to the time measurement means 40, and the time measurement means 40 starts measuring the driving time T of the pressure pump P.

  When the pressure pump P is driven, air is supplied to the pressure chamber 19 of the ink cartridge C. At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the ink pack 18 in the case 14 is in a state where no ink is consumed, and the initial volume A1 of the pressure chamber 19 between the case 14 and the ink pack 18 is constant (for example, 5 ml).

  When the pressure detector 27 detects that the pressure in the pressure chamber 19 has reached the upper limit pressure P2 (for example, 1.1 atm), a signal is output from the pressure detector 27 to the print control means 30. The print control unit 30 drives the first valve drive circuit 34 to close the air supply valve 25. Further, the print control unit 30 transmits a signal to the pressurization pump drive circuit 32 to stop the drive of the pressurization pump P (pressurization drive motor). When driving of the pressurizing pump P is stopped, the time measuring means 40 ends the time counting operation of the driving time T and stores the driving time T in the time counting counter 41.

  When the time counter 41 stores the drive time T, the calculation means 36 calculates the air supply rate K of the pressure pump P based on the count value (drive time T) of the time counter 41 and the initial volume A1 of the pressure chamber 19. To do. Specifically, the calculation means 36 divides the initial volume A1 stored in the storage element 15 by the measured drive time T. For example, the initial volume A1 of the pressure chamber 19 is 5 ml, and the driving time T of the pressure pump P until the pressure chamber 19 is changed from the lower limit pressure P1 (1 atm) to the upper limit pressure P2 (1.1 atm) is 0.5. Assuming seconds, the air supply rate K is 1 ml / s.

That is,
K = A1. (P2-P1) / T = 5. (1.1-1.0) /0.5=1 ml / s
This calculation is performed for each ink cartridge C, and the air supply rate K for each ink cartridge C is obtained. When a plurality of ink cartridges C are mounted on the cartridge holder 10 at the same time, the pressure pump P performs the above-described processing on one ink cartridge C. Then, the calculation unit 36 stores the calculated value of the air supply rate K of each ink cartridge C in the supply rate setting unit 43.

  Next, a process for supplying ink to the sub tank S will be described with reference to FIG. First, when ink is ejected (discharged) from the recording head 8 by printing, flushing or cleaning, the tank consumption (= d · J) is added to the consumption counter 37 (S1-1). Specifically, when printing or flushing is performed, the calculation unit 36 performs dot calculation processing. That is, as described above, the print control unit 30 transmits the ink droplet ejection number J from the nozzles of the recording head 8 to the calculation unit 36. The calculation means 36 multiplies the number of ejections by the coefficient d stored in the coefficient setting means 42 to calculate the tank consumption (= d · J) at the time of printing or flushing. Further, the calculation means 36 transmits the calculated tank consumption to the consumption counter 37. When cleaning is performed, the cleaning mechanism driving circuit 33 transmits the tank consumption amount discharged from the recording head 8 at the time of cleaning to the consumption amount counter 37. Upon receipt of the tank consumption, the consumption counter 37 adds the accumulated consumption R that has already been stored, and newly calculates the accumulated consumption R (= R + d · J).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the cumulative consumption R is greater than or equal to a predetermined value (S1-2). Specifically, the calculation means 36 determines whether or not the cumulative consumption R (= R + d · J) is 2 ml or more, for example. When the cumulative consumption R is less than 2 ml (NO in S1-2), the consumption value of the consumption counter 37 is set to a predetermined value as a state where the ink consumption in the sub tank S is small and a sufficient ink amount is stored. The process of step S1-1 and step S1-2 is repeated until it becomes more than a value.

  When the accumulated consumption amount R (= R + d · J) stored in the consumption amount counter 37 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value such as 2 ml or more (YES in S1-2), ink is supplied to the sub tank S. Before that, a remaining amount calculation process is performed (S1-3).

  This remaining amount calculation process will be described with reference to FIG. First, the calculation means 36 calculates the second ink remaining amount VZ of the ink cartridge C based on the air supply amount of the pressure pump P (S2-1). More specifically, a signal is transmitted to the pressurization pump drive circuit 32 by the print control means 30, and the pressurization pump P (pressurization drive motor) is driven. Further, the time measuring means 40 starts the time measuring operation of the driving time T of the pressure pump P in accordance with the command of the print control means 30. At this time, the replenishing valve 26 is closed.

  When the pressure chamber 19 is filled with air and the pressure detector 27 detects that the pressure in the pressure chamber 19 has reached the upper limit pressure P2 (1.1 atm), the drive of the pressure pump P is stopped. To do. When the driving of the pressurizing pump P is stopped, the time measuring means 40 stops the time counting, and the driving time T is stored in the time counting counter 41.

When the pressurizing pump P stops, the calculation means 36 performs an air amount calculation process. Specifically, the calculation means 36 uses the driving time T of the pressure pump P stored in the time counter 37 and the air supply rate K stored in the supply rate setting means 43 to increase the volume of the pressure chamber 19. ΔA (= A2−A1) is calculated. For example, if the driving time T of the pressure pump P is 1.2 seconds and the air supply rate K is 1 ml / s, the volume A2 of the pressure chamber 19 is calculated as 12 ml from the air supply amount of the pressure pump P. . Further, when the initial volume A1 of the pressure chamber 19 is 5 ml, the increased volume ΔA from the initial state of the pressure chamber 19 is 7 ml.

That is,
A2 = T.K / (P2-P1) = 1.2.1 / (1.1-1.0) = 12 ml
ΔA = A2-A1 = 12 ml-5 ml = 7 ml
The increased volume ΔA of the pressure chamber 19 is a volume increased by the consumption of ink, and can be regarded as the ink consumption amount of the ink pack 18. Further, the calculation means 36 subtracts the increased volume ΔA of the pressure chamber 19 from the initial ink amount V1 of the ink cartridge C to calculate the second ink remaining amount VZ of the ink cartridge C. For example, if the initial ink amount V1 is 20 ml, the second ink remaining amount VZ is 13 ml.

That is,
VZ = V1-ΔA = 20 ml-7 ml = 13 ml
The calculating means 36 stores the calculated second ink remaining amount VZ in the second remaining amount counter 39.

  On the other hand, the calculation means 36 performs dot calculation processing. Specifically, the calculating means 36 supplies the accumulated consumption amount R stored in the consumption amount counter 37 and the predetermined value (2 ml) indicating the ink remaining in the sub tank S to the first remaining amount counter 38. The first ink remaining amount VD is subtracted from the already stored first ink remaining amount VD and stored in the first remaining amount counter 38 as a new first ink remaining amount VD.

  Then, the calculating means 36 stores the first ink remaining amount VD stored in the first remaining amount counter 38 by the dot calculating process and the first air amount calculating process stored in the second remaining amount counter 39. The remaining ink amount VZ of 2 is compared. Note that the coefficient d used for the dot calculation processing is set to be large in consideration of individual differences between apparatuses. That is, the ink droplet size may vary due to individual differences of the printer 1, and if the ink droplet size is biased to the larger of the variation range, a large amount of ink is consumed. Will be. Therefore, the coefficient d is set to a relatively large value in the range of variation in order to prevent a situation in which the ink end is not detected even though the ink in the ink cartridge C has run out.

  That is, in most cases, it is predicted that the actual ink remaining amount will be larger than the first ink remaining amount VD calculated by the dot calculation process. For this reason, since the second ink remaining amount VZ obtained by the air amount calculation process is also based on the actual air supply amount, it is expected to be larger than the first ink remaining amount VD obtained by the dot operation process. Accordingly, if the first ink remaining amount VD is larger than the prediction, an abnormality such as a leak may occur in the air supply system or the like, and the air amount calculation process may not be performed properly. . For this reason, when the first ink remaining amount VD is larger, the calculating means 36 adopts the first ink remaining amount VD. When the first ink remaining amount VD is smaller (VZ> VD), the second ink remaining amount VZ by the air amount calculation process is adopted. The employed ink remaining amount is stored in the storage element 15 of the ink cartridge C.

  In addition, when the second ink remaining amount VZ is adopted, the calculation unit 36 performs a correction process (S2-2). Specifically, the calculation unit 36 corrects the coefficient d stored in the coefficient setting unit 42 to be small based on the second ink remaining amount VZ and the first ink remaining amount VD.

Further, the calculation unit 36 is employed and determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink stored in the storage element 15 is equal to or less than a predetermined value (S2-3). Specifically, the calculation unit 36 accesses the storage element 15 and determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink corresponding to the first to fourth ink cartridges C1 to C4 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. If the remaining amount of ink exceeds the predetermined value (NO in S2-3), it is considered that the ink in the ink cartridge C is sufficient, and ink is continuously supplied (S1-4). If the ink remaining amount is equal to or less than the predetermined value (YES in S2-3), it is determined that the ink is in an end state, and an ink end display is output to a display unit (not shown) of the printer 1 (S2-4). That is, when the amount of ink in the ink cartridge C is small, ink is not supplied to the sub tank S. Therefore, although the ink cannot be supplied, the pressure pump P is driven and bubbles are formed in the supply path 11. The situation where it mixes etc. is avoided.

  Next, the processing procedure at the time of ink supply in step S1-4 will be described. Since the pressure chamber 19 is already filled with air in a pressurized state, a signal is transmitted from the printing control means 30 to the second valve driving circuit 35, and the replenishing valve 26 is opened. As a result, the air filled in the pressure chamber 19 crushes the ink pack 18, whereby ink is supplied to the sub tank S through the supply path 11. When the sub tank S is filled with ink, the replenishing valve 26 is closed by the second valve driving circuit 35, and the ink replenishment is terminated. Then, hereinafter, the cumulative consumption R is counted up, the first and second ink remaining amounts VD and VZ of the ink cartridge C are calculated, and the ink supply process is performed as described above (steps S1-1 to S1-4, It repeats based on steps S2-1 to S2-4).

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the first embodiment, the calculation means 36 has the driving time T of the pressure pump P stored in the time counter 37 and the air supply rate of the pressure pump P stored in the supply rate setting means 43. The increased volume ΔA of the pressure chamber 19 of the ink cartridge C is calculated using K. Further, the calculating means 36 subtracts the increased volume ΔA of the pressure chamber 19 from the initial ink amount V1 of the ink cartridge C to calculate the second ink remaining amount VZ of the ink cartridge C. Therefore, the ink remaining amount can be calculated from the air supply amount supplied to the ink cartridge C without providing a sensor or the like for detecting the ink remaining amount on the printer 1 side or the ink cartridge C. For this reason, the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge C can be calculated with a simple configuration. For calculating the remaining amount of ink, a pressure pump P, an air supply valve 25, and the like provided in advance in the ink supply system of the printer 1 are used. For this reason, since the ink remaining amount can be calculated without separately providing a component for calculating the ink remaining amount, the number of components can be reduced. Further, since the remaining amount of ink can be calculated before ink is replenished from the ink cartridge C to the sub tank S, an ink replenishing operation is performed even when there is no ink, and bubbles or the like are generated in the replenishment path 11 Mixing can be prevented.

  (2) In the first embodiment, each air supply valve 25 is provided in each air supply path 22 connected to each ink cartridge C. When air is supplied from the pressure pump P, the air supply valve 25 corresponding to the ink cartridge C that supplies ink is opened, and air is supplied to the pressure chamber 19. Further, the calculation means 36 calculates the volume of the pressure chamber 19 of the ink cartridge C from the driving time T of the pressure pump P, and calculates the second ink remaining amount VZ based on the volume of the pressure chamber 19. I did it. Therefore, even when a plurality of ink cartridges C are mounted on the printer 1, the remaining amount of ink can be calculated based on the air supply amount of the pressure pump P.

  (3) In the first embodiment, the calculating means 36 compares the first ink remaining amount VD calculated by the dot calculating process with the second ink remaining amount VZ calculated by the air amount calculating process. I did it. In addition, when the first ink remaining amount VD calculated by the dot calculation process is larger, the calculation unit 36 performs a correction process to correct the calculation function. In this correction process, the coefficient d stored in the coefficient setting unit 42 is changed so as to become smaller based on the remaining ink amount calculated in each process. For this reason, the ink remaining amount can be calculated more accurately. Further, since correction can be performed every time ink is replenished, the remaining amount of ink can be calculated more accurately.

  (4) In the first embodiment, the calculating means 36 compares the first ink remaining amount VD calculated by the dot calculating process with the second ink remaining amount VZ calculated by the air amount calculating process. I did it. Further, when the first ink remaining amount VD by the dot calculation process is smaller, the calculating means 36 adopts the second ink remaining amount VZ by the air calculating process and stores it in the storage element 15 of the ink cartridge C. I tried to do it. Further, when the first ink remaining amount VD by the dot calculation process is larger, the first ink remaining amount VD is adopted. That is, contrary to prediction, when the first ink remaining amount VD by the dot calculation process is larger, the dot calculation process is performed in consideration of the possibility that an abnormality such as a leak has occurred in the air supply system or the like. The first ink remaining amount VD is employed. For this reason, the reliability of the calculation function of the printer 1 can be improved.

(5) In the first embodiment, air is supplied to the pressure chamber 19 of the ink cartridge C by the pressure pump P when the ink cartridge C is mounted. Further, the calculation means 36 calculates the air supply rate K of the pressurization pump P based on the driving time T of the pressurization pump P and the initial volume A1 of the pressure chamber 19, and stores it in the supply rate setting means 43. did. Therefore, since the air supply rate K of the pressure pump P having individual differences can be calculated for each printer 1, a more accurate air supply rate K can be set. For this reason, the air supply amount from the pressurizing pump P can be calculated more accurately.
(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The second embodiment has a configuration in which only the ink supply system of the first embodiment and the processing procedure for calculating the remaining ink amount are changed. Therefore, detailed description of the same parts is omitted. To do.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an ink supply system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, one upstream tube 20 is connected to the pressure pump P, and a pressure regulating valve 21 is provided in the middle of the upstream tube 20. A pressure detector 50 as one detection means is connected to the pressure regulating valve 21 via the upstream tube 20. When the pressure detector 50 detects that the pressure chamber 19 has reached the upper limit pressure P2, the pressure detector 50 stops driving the pressure pump P. Further, when the air pressure applied to each ink cartridge C reaches the lower limit pressure P1, the pressure detector 50 drives the pressure pump P so that the air pressure applied to the ink cartridge C is maintained within a predetermined range. Function.

  The pressure detector 50 is connected to air supply paths 51 as four air paths connected to the ink cartridges C, respectively. Each air supply path 51 is composed of a tube or the like, distributes the air sent from the pressure pump P, and supplies the air to each ink cartridge C. That is, when the pressure pump P is driven, air is distributed and supplied to the first to fourth ink cartridges C1 to C4 via the air supply paths 51. Therefore, since the air supply valve 25 and the replenishment valve 26 of each ink cartridge C in the first embodiment are not provided, the first and second valve drive circuits 34 and 35 are omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the sub tank S is a so-called self-sealing valve, and not only a function as a damper for temporarily storing ink in the recording head 8, but also a valve function for controlling the supply of ink to the recording head 8. Also have. In the sub tank S, when the ink flow path between the sub tank S and the recording head 8 becomes a negative pressure higher than a predetermined pressure, the sub tank S communicates with the recording head 8 and temporarily stores the ink to the recording head 8 side. It comes to supply.

Next, a processing procedure for calculating the air supply amount (air supply rate K) per unit time of the pressure pump P will be described. When the ink cartridge C is attached to the cartridge holder 10,
The print control unit 30 sends a signal to the pressure pump drive circuit 32 to drive the pressure pump P. In addition, a signal for starting the timing operation is transmitted from the printing control unit 30 to the timing unit 40, and the timing unit 40 starts measuring the driving time T of the pressure pump P.

  When the pressure pump P is driven, air is supplied to each pressure chamber 19 of the ink cartridge C. At this time, the initial volume A1 of each pressure chamber 19 is constant (for example, 5 ml). When the pressure detector 50 detects that the pressure in each pressure chamber 19 has reached the upper limit pressure P2 (for example, 1.1 atm), a signal is output from the pressure detector 50 to the print control means 30, and the print control is performed. The means 30 stops the driving of the pressurizing pump P (pressurizing drive motor). When driving of the pressure pump P is stopped, the time measuring means 40 ends the time counting operation of the driving time T, and the driving time T is stored in the time counting counter 41.

  When the time counter 41 stores the drive time T, the calculation means 36 calculates the air supply rate K of the pressure pump P based on the drive time T of the time counter 41 and the initial volume A1 of each pressure chamber 19. Specifically, the calculation means 36 divides the previously stored initial volume A1 by the measured drive time T. For example, the initial volume A1 of each pressure chamber 19 is 5 ml, and the driving time T of the pressure pump P until the pressure chamber 19 is changed from the lower limit pressure P1 (1 atm) to the upper limit pressure P2 (1.1 atm) is 0. Assuming 4 seconds, the air supply rate K is 5 ml / s.

That is,
K = 4 · A1 · (P2−P1) / T = 4 · 5 · (1.1−1.0) /0.4
= 5ml / s
Then, the calculation means 36 stores the calculated value of the air supply rate K in the supply rate setting means 43.

  Next, the procedures of the remaining ink amount calculation process and the ink supply process will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the calculation means 36 adds the tank consumption (= d · J) to the consumption counter 37 based on the signal transmitted from the print control means 30 or the cleaning mechanism drive circuit 33 (S1-1). Furthermore, the calculation means 36 determines whether or not each count value of the consumption counter 37, that is, the accumulated consumption R is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (S1-2). When the accumulated consumption R is less than a predetermined value (for example, 2 ml) (NO in S1-2), it is assumed that there is sufficient ink in the sub-tank S and the count value of the consumption counter 37 becomes equal to or greater than the predetermined value. , Steps S1-1 and S1-2 are repeated.

  When the cumulative consumption amount R corresponding to each ink cartridge C is stored with a cumulative consumption amount R equal to or greater than a predetermined value (2 ml) (YES in S1-2), the calculation means 36 performs the remaining amount calculation process. (S1-3). Specifically, the calculation means 36 calculates the total volume TA2 of the pressure chambers 19 using the air supply rate K stored in the supply rate setting means 43 and the driving time T of the time counter 51. . For example, when the air supply rate K of the pressure pump P is 5 ml / s and the driving time T of the pressure pump P is 1.1 seconds, the total volume TA2 of the pressure chambers 19 is 55 ml.

That is,
TA2 = TK / (P2-P1) = 1.1.5 / (1.1-1.0) = 55 ml
Further, the computing means 36 subtracts the total volume TA1 of the initial volumes of the pressure chambers 19 from the total volume TA2 of the pressure chambers 19 to obtain the total volume TΔA of the increased pressure chambers 19, that is, the ink cartridges C. Calculate the sum of ink consumption. For example, if the total TA1 of the initial volumes of the pressure chambers 19 is 20 ml (5 ml · 4), the total increase TΔA (= TA2−TA1) of the pressure chambers 19 is 35 ml.

  Further, the calculation means 36 subtracts the total volume TΔA of the increased volumes of the pressure chambers 19 from the total ink TV1 of the ink initial amount of the ink cartridge C, thereby calculating the second total ink residual quantity TVZ. For example, when the total ink TV1 of the initial ink amount is 80 ml (20 ml · 4), the second total ink amount TVZ (= TV1−TΔA) is 45 ml. At this time, dot calculation processing is performed by the calculation means 36, and the remaining ink amount of each ink cartridge C is stored in the first remaining amount counter 38.

  Further, the calculating means 36 accesses the first remaining amount counter 38 and reads the first ink remaining amount VD of the first to fourth ink cartridges C1 to C4 calculated by the dot calculating process. Further, the calculation means 36 uses the read first ink remaining amount VD of each ink cartridge C, and the ratio r (== the total of the first ink remaining amount VD of each first ink remaining amount VD. VD / TVD) is calculated. Further, the calculating means 36 multiplies each calculated ratio r by the total ink remaining amount TVZ to newly calculate a second ink remaining amount VZ (= r · TVZ) of each ink cartridge C.

  That is, for example, the first ink remaining amount VD of the first ink cartridge C1 is 8 ml, the first ink remaining amount VD of the second ink cartridge C2 is 16 ml, and the first ink remaining amount of the third ink cartridge C3 is, for example. When the amount VD is 8 ml and the first ink remaining amount VD of the fourth ink cartridge C4 is 18 ml, the total first TV remaining amount TVD is 50 ml. At this time, for example, the calculation means 36 calculates a ratio r (= VD / TVD = 8/50) with respect to the total remaining amount of the first ink cartridge C1. Further, the calculating means 36 multiplies the ratio r by the total amount TVZ (45 ml) of the second ink remaining amount calculated from the air supply amount, thereby obtaining the second ink remaining amount VZ (= r · TVZ = 7. 2 ml).

  Further, the calculating means 36 calculates the ratio r (= VD / TVD = 16/50) of the second ink cartridge C2, and calculates the second ink remaining amount VZ (= r · TVZ = 14.4 ml). . The calculation means 36 calculates the second ink remaining amount VZ of the third and fourth ink cartridges C3 and C4 in the same manner. That is, the first ink remaining amount VD obtained by the dot calculation process varies depending on individual differences of the printers 1, but the ratio r of each remaining ink amount to the whole has an advantage of being relatively accurate. Further, since the air amount calculation processing is based on the actual air supply amount, the total amount of remaining ink can be calculated relatively accurately. Therefore, the second ink remaining amounts VZ of the plurality of ink cartridges C are respectively calculated by multiplying the total ink remaining amount TVZ calculated by the air amount calculating process by the ratio r obtained by the dot calculating process. Can do.

  In addition, when the second ink remaining amount VZ is larger than the first ink remaining amount VD (VZ> VD), the calculating unit 36 performs a correction process (S2-2). Specifically, the calculation means 36 calculates the coefficient d stored in the coefficient setting means 42 based on the total sum TVZ (45 ml) of the second ink remaining amount and the total sum TVD (50 ml) of the first ink remaining amount. Make it smaller.

  Further, the calculation means 36 determines whether or not the second ink remaining amount VZ of each ink cartridge C is equal to or less than a predetermined value (S2-3). Specifically, the calculation unit 36 accesses the second remaining amount counter 39, and the second remaining ink amount VZ corresponding to the first to fourth ink cartridges C1 to C4 is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Determine whether or not. When the second ink remaining amount VZ exceeds the predetermined value (NO in S2-3), ink replenishment is performed (S1-4). If it is equal to or less than the predetermined value (YES in S2-3), it is determined that the ink cartridge C is in an ink end state, and an ink end display is output to a display unit (not shown) (S2-4).

Next, a processing procedure for replenishing ink according to the present embodiment in step S1-4 will be described. First, a signal is transmitted from the printing control means 30 to the pressure pump drive circuit 32, the pressure pump P is driven, and air is sent out to all the pressure chambers 19. By supplying air from the pressure pump P, each pressure chamber 19 is filled with air, and the pressure detector 50 has reached the pressure for supplying ink (for example, 1.2 atmospheres). When this is detected, the driving of the pressure pump P is stopped. As a result, the air filled in the pressure chamber 19 crushes the ink pack 18, whereby ink is supplied to the sub tank S through the supply path 11. When the sub tank S is filled with ink, the ink supply is finished. Then, hereinafter, the cumulative consumption amount R is counted up, the first and second ink remaining amounts VD and VZ of the ink cartridge C are calculated, and the ink replenishment processing is performed as described above (steps S1-1 to S1-4, step Repeated based on S2-1 to S2-4).

According to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects (3) to (5) described in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(6) In the second embodiment, the calculating means 36 uses the driving time T of the pressurizing pump P stored in the time counter 37 and the air supply rate K stored in the supply rate setting means 43. A total sum TΔA of the increased volumes of the pressure chambers 19 of the ink cartridge C is calculated, and a total sum TVZ of the second ink remaining amount is calculated from the total sum TΔA of the increased volumes. Further, the calculation means 36 uses the first ink remaining amount VD calculated by the dot calculation process to calculate the ratio r of the first ink remaining amount VD to the total ink TVD of the remaining ink amount VD. . Further, the calculating means 36 calculates the second ink remaining amount VZ of each ink cartridge C by multiplying each calculated ratio r by the total sum TVZ of the second ink remaining amount. Therefore, the ink remaining amount can be calculated from the air supply amount supplied to the ink cartridge C without providing a sensor or the like for detecting the ink remaining amount on the printer 1 side or the ink cartridge C. Moreover, since the pressurization pump P, the air supply valve 25, etc. which are provided in advance in the ink supply system of the printer 1 are used for the calculation of the ink remaining amount, parts for calculating the ink remaining amount are separately provided. The remaining amount of ink can be calculated without any problem. Further, since the remaining amount of ink can be calculated before ink is replenished from the ink cartridge C to the sub tank S, an ink replenishing operation is performed even when there is no ink, and bubbles or the like are generated in the replenishment path 11 Mixing can be prevented.

  Further, each ink remaining amount is calculated by using an air amount calculation process that can calculate the total amount of remaining amount relatively accurately by actually supplying air and a dot calculation process that can calculate the ratio r of each ink remaining amount. Therefore, the remaining amount of ink can be calculated relatively accurately. Further, the remaining ink levels of the plurality of ink cartridges C can be calculated with a simple configuration and control without supplying air to each ink cartridge C.

In addition, you may change each said embodiment as follows.
In the first embodiment, the air supply rate K for each ink cartridge C is obtained. However, it may be averaged to use one air supply rate K.

  In each of the above embodiments, the ink remaining amount calculation process (S1-3) is performed before the ink supply (S1-4). However, as shown in FIG. 9, the ink supply (S3-3) is performed. The remaining amount calculation process (S3-4) may be performed later. At this time, the air amount calculation process is performed by the calculation means 36 by feeding air again from the pressure pump P to the ink cartridge C after supplying the ink to fill the pressure chamber 19 with air. For this reason, since the remaining amount of ink can be calculated immediately after the ink is consumed, the ink end state can be detected immediately. In addition, the content of the processing procedure of each step is the same as S1-1 to S1-4 and S2-1 to S2-4.

In each of the above embodiments, when the second ink remaining amount VZ is smaller than the first ink remaining amount VD (VZ <VD), the coefficient d stored in the coefficient setting means 42 is corrected (S2- 2) As described above, this process may be omitted when the individual difference of the printer 1 is small. Thereby, it can be made a simpler processing procedure.

  In each of the above embodiments, the coefficient setting unit 42 may store a coefficient related to the weight of the ink droplet (dot weight). At this time, the calculation means 36 may calculate the weight of the ink remaining in the ink cartridge C.

  In each of the above embodiments, the ink is supplied to the recording head 8 by supplying air to the ink cartridge C. However, by providing the ink cartridge C above the recording head 8 in the vertical direction, the ink is supplied. Ink may be supplied from the cartridge C to the recording head 8 by gravity. In this case, the air supply system such as the pressurizing pump P, the upstream tube 20, the pressure adjusting valve 21, the air supply valve 25, and the pressure detectors 27 and 50 is used only for the purpose of calculating the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge C. Is done.

In each of the above embodiments, the printer 1 is provided with four ink cartridges C, but other numbers may be used. For example, only one ink cartridge C may be provided.
In the second embodiment, the sub tank S is configured as a so-called self-sealing valve, but may be configured as a simple damper.

In the second embodiment, a plurality of ink packs 18 may be accommodated in one case and applied to an ink cartridge sharing one pressure chamber.
In the above embodiment, the printer 1 that ejects ink has been described as the liquid ejecting apparatus, but other liquid ejecting apparatuses may be used. For example, printing apparatuses including fax machines, copiers, etc., liquid ejecting apparatuses that eject liquids such as electrode materials and coloring materials used in the production of liquid crystal displays, EL displays, and surface-emitting displays, and bio-organic materials used in biochip manufacturing It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid or a sample ejecting apparatus as a precision pipette. The fluid (liquid) is not limited to ink, and may be applied to other fluids (liquids). Further, the liquid container may be used as one that is mounted on a device other than the liquid ejecting apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the printer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an ink supply system of the printer. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an initial state of an ink cartridge of the printer. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an ink consumption state of the ink cartridge. Explanatory drawing explaining the electrical constitution of the printer. Explanatory drawing of the process sequence of the embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the residual amount calculation process of the embodiment. The schematic diagram of the ink supply system of 2nd Embodiment. Explanatory drawing of the process sequence of another example.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer as a liquid ejecting apparatus, 8 ... Recording head as a liquid ejecting head, 14 ... Case, 18 ... Ink pack as a liquid container, 19 ... Pressure chamber as an air chamber, 22, 51 ... As an air flow path , 25 ... air supply valve as detection means, 36 ... calculation means and calculation means as discharge amount calculation means, 50 ... pressure detector as detection means, C, C1-C4 ... as liquid containers Ink cartridge, P: pressurizing pump.

Claims (11)

In a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting head,
A liquid containing part having a flexible member is housed in a sealed air chamber in the case, and the liquid is led out from the liquid containing part to the liquid ejecting head side, thereby reducing the volume of the liquid containing part. A plurality of liquid containers in which the volume of the air chamber increases, a pressurizing pump for supplying air to the air chamber, a detection means for detecting the pressure in the air chamber, and a liquid remaining amount in the liquid container are calculated. An arithmetic means,
When each air supply valve is provided in the middle of each air flow path communicating with each liquid container and the pressurizing pump, and when supplying liquid from the predetermined liquid container to the liquid ejecting head side, While opening the air supply valve corresponding to the liquid container,
It said calculating means, said calculating the volume of the air chamber based on the air supply amount by the pressurizing pump to the pressure of the air chamber for each liquid container reaches a predetermined pressure, each of the liquid containing A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the liquid remaining amount of the liquid container is calculated by subtracting the air chamber volume from an initial liquid amount of the body . The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1,
  A discharge amount calculating means for calculating a remaining amount of liquid in each liquid container based on the number of liquid droplets or the amount of liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head;
  Based on each liquid remaining amount calculated by the discharge amount calculating means and each liquid remaining amount calculated by the calculating means, the calculation parameter used by the discharge amount calculating means for calculating the liquid remaining amount is corrected. A liquid ejecting apparatus. In a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting head,
  A liquid containing part having a flexible member is housed in a sealed air chamber in the case, and the liquid is led out from the liquid containing part to the liquid ejecting head side, thereby reducing the volume of the liquid containing part. A plurality of liquid containers in which the volume of the air chamber increases, a pressurizing pump for supplying air to the air chamber, a detection means for detecting the pressure in the air chamber, and a liquid remaining amount in the liquid container are calculated. Based on the calculation means, the number of liquid droplets discharged from the liquid ejecting head or the amount of liquid, the discharge amount calculation means for calculating the remaining amount of liquid in each liquid container, and each liquid container, An air flow path that distributes and supplies the air sent from the pressurization pump to the air chambers of the liquid containers,
  The computing means calculates the sum of the volumes of the air chambers based on the amount of air supplied by the pressurizing pump until the pressure of the air chambers reaches a predetermined pressure, and the initial liquid in each liquid container Subtracting the sum of the volumes of the air chambers from the sum of the amounts to calculate the sum of the remaining liquid in the liquid container,
  The sum of the remaining amount of liquid in each liquid container is multiplied by the ratio of the remaining amount of liquid in each liquid container calculated by the discharge amount calculating means to the remaining amount of liquid in each liquid container. A liquid ejecting apparatus characterized in that each amount is calculated. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3,
  The total of the remaining amounts of liquid calculated by the discharge amount calculating means is compared with the total of the remaining amounts of liquid calculated by the calculating means, and the discharge amount calculating means uses the calculated remaining amount of liquid. A liquid ejecting apparatus that corrects a calculation parameter. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2 or 4,
  The calculation parameter is a coefficient for multiplying the number of liquid droplets ejected from the liquid ejecting head,
  The discharge amount calculating means calculates the liquid consumption by multiplying the number of droplets by the coefficient,
  When correcting the calculation parameter of the discharge amount calculating means, the magnitude of the coefficient is set so that the liquid remaining amount calculated by the discharge amount calculating means approaches the liquid remaining amount calculated by the calculating means. A liquid ejecting apparatus characterized by being changed to The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5,
  When the liquid remaining amount calculated by the calculating means is smaller than the liquid remaining amount calculated by the discharge amount calculating means, the liquid remaining amount calculated by the discharge amount calculating means is adopted. Liquid ejecting device. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
  The volume of the air chamber when the liquid in the liquid container is not consumed is an initial volume, and the computing means supplies air to the initial volume and the air chamber in the initial volume by the pressurizing pump. The air supply amount per unit time of the pressurization pump is calculated from the drive time of the pressurization pump until the pressure of the air chamber is supplied and reaches the predetermined pressure, and the air supply amount per unit time An air supply amount from the pressurizing pump is calculated based on In a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting head,
  A liquid containing part having a flexible member is housed in a sealed air chamber in the case, and the liquid is led out from the liquid containing part to the liquid ejecting head side, thereby reducing the volume of the liquid containing part. A liquid container in which the volume of the air chamber increases, a pressure pump for supplying air to the air chamber, a detection means for detecting the pressure in the air chamber, and a computing means for calculating the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container And
  The volume of the air chamber when the liquid in the liquid container is not consumed is an initial volume, and the computing means supplies air to the initial volume and the air chamber in the initial volume by the pressurizing pump. The air supply amount per unit time of the pressurization pump is calculated from the drive time of the pressurization pump until the pressure of the air chamber is supplied and reaches the predetermined pressure, and the air supply amount per unit time Calculating the air supply amount from the pressurizing pump based on the air supply amount, calculating the volume of the air chamber based on the air supply amount, and calculating the remaining amount of the liquid in the liquid storage portion from the air chamber volume. A liquid ejecting apparatus. In a liquid remaining amount calculation method of a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting head,
A liquid containing part having a flexible member is housed in a sealed air chamber in the case, and the liquid is led out from the liquid containing part to the liquid ejecting head side, thereby reducing the volume of the liquid containing part. A plurality of liquid containers in which the volume of the air chamber increases, a pressure pump for supplying air to the air chamber, a detection means for detecting the pressure in the air chamber, the liquid containers and the pressure pump, With each air supply valve provided in the middle of each air flow path communicating with each ,
When supplying the liquid from the predetermined liquid container to the liquid ejecting head, the air supply valve corresponding to the liquid container is opened, and the air is supplied to the air chamber by the pressurizing pump. Supply, obtain the air supply amount of the pressurizing pump until the pressure of the air chamber reaches a predetermined pressure, obtain the volume of the air chamber from the air supply amount, and respectively determine the initial liquid amount of the liquid container A liquid remaining amount calculation method for a liquid ejecting apparatus, comprising: calculating a remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container by subtracting the volume of the air chamber from In a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting head,
  A liquid containing part having a flexible member is housed in a sealed air chamber in the case, and the liquid is led out from the liquid containing part to the liquid ejecting head side, thereby reducing the volume of the liquid containing part. A plurality of liquid containers in which the volume of the air chamber increases, a pressure pump for supplying air to the air chamber, a detecting means for detecting the pressure in the air chamber, and a liquid liquid discharged from the liquid ejecting head Based on the number of drops or the amount of liquid, discharge amount calculation means for calculating the remaining amount of liquid in each liquid container, and the air sent from the pressurizing pump to each liquid container, the liquid containers Using an air flow path that distributes and supplies the air chamber,
  The amount of air supplied by the pressurizing pump until the pressure of each air chamber reaches a predetermined pressure is obtained, and the total volume of the air chamber is obtained from the amount of air, and the initial liquid amount of each liquid container is determined. Calculating the sum of the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid container by subtracting the sum of the volumes of the air chambers from the sum,
  By multiplying the sum of the remaining amount of liquid in each liquid container by the ratio of the total remaining amount of liquid in each liquid container calculated by the discharge amount calculating means, the liquid remaining in each liquid container is multiplied. A method for calculating a remaining amount of liquid in a liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein each of the amounts is calculated. In a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting head,
  A liquid containing part having a flexible member is housed in a sealed air chamber in the case, and the liquid is led out from the liquid containing part to the liquid ejecting head side, thereby reducing the volume of the liquid containing part. Using a liquid container in which the volume of the air chamber increases, a pressurizing pump for supplying air to the air chamber, and detection means for detecting the pressure in the air chamber,
  The volume of the air chamber when the liquid in the liquid container is not consumed is an initial volume, air is supplied to the initial volume and the air chamber in the state of the initial volume by the pressure pump, and the air The air supply amount per unit time of the pressurization pump is calculated from the drive time of the pressurization pump until the pressure of the chamber reaches a predetermined pressure, and the addition is performed based on the air supply amount per unit time. An air supply amount from a pressure pump is calculated, a volume of the air chamber is calculated based on the air supply amount, and a liquid remaining amount in the liquid storage unit is calculated from the air chamber volume. Liquid remaining amount calculation method for the apparatus.

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