JP4258258B2 - Ink cartridge detection mechanism, ink jet printer, and ink cartridge - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink cartridge detection mechanism that detects an attachment / detachment state of an ink cartridge in a cartridge holder. The present invention also relates to an ink jet printer including the ink cartridge detection mechanism and an ink cartridge used in the ink cartridge detection mechanism.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Ink jet printers that form characters and images on a print medium by ejecting ink supplied from an ink tank onto the print medium from a print head have become widespread. In this type of ink jet printer, a cartridge type ink tank (hereinafter referred to as an ink cartridge) is widely used to facilitate ink supply.
[0003]
In the above-described ink jet printer, in order to prevent a printing defect due to insufficient ink remaining in the ink cartridge or the ink cartridge not being installed, or to detect the alarm, the ink remaining amount and the attachment / detachment state of the ink cartridge are detected. A mechanism has been proposed that enables detection of the remaining ink amount and attachment / detachment of an ink cartridge by the same reflective optical sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
[0004]
The detection mechanism irradiates light from the optical sensor to each of the two reflecting portions (prisms) formed at the bottom of the ink cartridge, and detects the remaining amount of ink and the attachment / detachment state based on the amount of reflected light received. . In other words, the reflection unit for detecting the remaining amount of ink has light transmittance so that the reflectance (the intensity of reflected light) changes according to the remaining amount of ink, while the reflection unit detects the attached / detached state. The part is subjected to a mirror finish so as to reflect light regardless of the remaining amount of ink.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-230616 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-9-174877 [0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional ink jet printer has the following problems.
(1) Since it is necessary to provide two reflecting portions formed of separate members in the ink cartridge, the number of parts and manufacturing processes increase, leading to an increase in the cost of the ink cartridge.
(2) Even during printing operation, the ink cartridge's reflective part is exposed inside the printer, so ink or other dirt that scatters during printing operation adheres to the reflective part, making detection by the optical sensor unstable. There is a possibility.
(3) When the optical sensor receives the reflected light, it is determined that the ink cartridge is in a mounted state. Therefore, if the optical sensor receives disturbance light, it is mistakenly recognized as a mounted state even if the ink cartridge is not mounted. There is a possibility that a printing operation is performed.
[0007]
An object of the present invention is to detect the attachment / detachment state of an ink cartridge with a reflection type optical sensor, but eliminates the need to provide a reflection portion for attachment / detachment detection on the ink cartridge, thereby reducing the cost of the ink cartridge. It is another object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge detection mechanism, an ink jet printer, and an ink cartridge that can prevent misrecognition of the attachment / detachment state due to dirt on the reflecting portion or disturbance light.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an ink cartridge detection mechanism according to the present invention is an ink cartridge detection mechanism for detecting an attachment / detachment state of an ink cartridge in a cartridge holder, and irradiates light toward the cartridge holder and is based on the reflected light. A reflection type optical sensor for detecting the attachment / detachment state of the ink cartridge, a reflection member which is fixed to the cartridge holder and forms a reflection optical path of the optical sensor, and is provided on the ink cartridge. Is mounted on the cartridge holder, and includes a shielding portion that shields the optical path of the optical sensor, and a housing portion that can accommodate the reflecting member and one side surface portion forms the shielding portion. When the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder, the ink cartridge A locking mechanism for locking the cartridge at a predetermined position of the cartridge holder, and the locking mechanism is provided on the cartridge holder and locks the mounted ink cartridge; and the ink cartridge And a locked portion that is locked by the locking portion of the cartridge holder, and the locking portion has a substantially V shape having a first slope and a second slope, An end portion is formed on the other end portion of the plate-like elastic member fixed to the cartridge holder, and the locked portion protrudes so as to be able to contact the first and second inclined surfaces of the locking portion. In the state where the locked portion is in contact with the first inclined surface of the locking portion, the shielding portion does not block the optical path of the optical sensor, and the ink cartridge is not locked. The part touches the second slope of the locking part. In the mounted state, the shielding portion is preferably to shield the optical path of the optical sensor. Here, the optical path of the optical sensor shielded by the shielding part is the optical path of the irradiation light from the optical sensor and / or the optical path of the reflected light from the reflection part of the cartridge holder. In other words, an optical path that can be formed by the optical sensor and the reflecting portion of the cartridge holder is shielded. If both the irradiation optical path and the reflection optical path are shielded, it is effective in preventing misidentification of the attachment / detachment state due to dirt on the reflection part or disturbance light.
Furthermore, since the reflecting portion is provided in a fixed manner, the structure can be simplified as compared with the case where the reflecting portion is configured by a movable member, and the reliability of attachment / detachment detection can be improved.
Furthermore, since the reflecting portion is covered by the housing portion when the ink cartridge is mounted, it is possible to reliably prevent the reflecting portion from being stained during the printing operation.
Furthermore, even if ambient light is incident when the ink cartridge is not installed, the attachment / detachment detection result is not affected, and when the ink cartridge is installed, the reflecting member is reliably covered by the housing portion. It is possible to prevent erroneous detection caused by
[0015]
The cartridge holder and the optical sensor are preferably movable relative to each other. Further, the cartridge holder is preferably provided with a plurality of the reflecting member arranged along the relative movement direction of the optical sensor. In this case, the attachment / detachment state of the plurality of ink cartridges can be detected by the same optical sensor.
[0016]
Further, the ink cartridge preferably further comprises a reflection member for detecting the amount of remaining ink that permits detection of remaining ink by the optical sensor. In the case of this is, by the same optical sensor can detect the detachment state and the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge.
[0017]
In order to achieve the above object, the ink jet printer of the present invention includes any one of the ink cartridge detection mechanisms described above.
[0018]
In order to achieve the above object, an ink cartridge according to the present invention includes a reflective optical sensor that moves relative to the ink cartridge, a cartridge holder in which the ink cartridge is mounted, and a protrusion that is fixed to the cartridge holder. An ink cartridge for use in an ink jet printer, the ink cartridge being provided with a reflecting member formed to be able to reflect the light emitted from the optical sensor when the ink cartridge is not attached. An ink reservoir chamber, a reflection optical path for light from the optical sensor, and a reflective member for detecting the remaining amount of ink that enables detection of the remaining amount of ink; and when attached to the cartridge holder, from the irradiation light and the front Symbol reflection member from the optical sensor with respect to the reflection member to the optical sensor A shielding portion capable of shielding reflected light; and a housing portion capable of housing the reflecting member when mounted on the cartridge holder, wherein one side portion of the housing portion is configured to form the shielding portion. The
[0021]
Further, the receiving portion, the recess der Rukoto formed along the outer shape of the reflection member is preferred.
[0022]
Moreover, it is preferable that the said recessed part is formed so that a part of surface of the mounting direction side to the said cartridge holder may be penetrated.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the internal structure of the printer, and FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the internal structure of the printer. As shown in these drawings, an insertion port 11 for manually inserting the paper P is formed on the front surface of the printer 10, while the printed paper P is discharged on the upper surface of the printer 10. The discharge port 12 is formed. Inside the printer 10, a side-view V-shaped paper path 13 extending from the insertion port 11 to the discharge port 12 is formed. On the paper path 13, a pair of paper feed rollers 14 and a print head 15 are arranged. The The pair of paper feed rollers 14 includes a paper feed roller 16 and a paper presser roller 17 that are opposed to each other with the paper path 13 interposed therebetween, and the paper P is pinched and conveyed according to the driving rotation of the paper feed roller 16. The print head 15 is mounted on a carriage 18 that reciprocates in the width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 2) of the paper path 13 and performs dot matrix printing on the paper P whose position is defined by the platen 19. The printing method of the print head 15 is an inkjet method in which characters and images are formed on the paper P by ejecting ink. The ink used for printing is transferred from the ink supply unit 20 provided at the rear of the printer 10 to the print head 15. Supplied.
[0025]
The carriage 18 is supported by a pair of front and rear guide shafts 21 and 22 so as to be movable left and right, and is forcibly moved according to driving of the carriage moving mechanism 23. The carriage moving mechanism 23 includes a cam shaft 24 provided in parallel below the front guide shaft 21 and a carriage motor 26 that rotationally drives the cam shaft 24 via a reduction gear train 25. A spiral cam groove (not shown) is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cam shaft 24, and a cam follower 27 extending from the carriage 18 is engaged therewith. When the cam shaft 24 rotates in accordance with the drive of the carriage motor 26, the cam follower 27 is fed in the axial direction by the spiral feed action of the cam groove. As a result, the carriage 18 can be moved in the left-right direction in accordance with forward / reverse driving of the carriage motor 26.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a carriage on which the print head is mounted. As shown in this figure, the print head 15 is mounted on the carriage 18. A flexible flat cable 28 and an ink tube 29 are drawn out from one side of the print head 15, and ink is supplied from the ink supply unit 20 to the print head 15 through the ink tube 29. . The carriage 18 has a sensor mounting portion 18a extending downward from the rear portion thereof. On the rear surface of the sensor mounting portion 18a, a light emitting element 30a that irradiates light rearward and a light receiving element 30b that receives the reflected light. And a reflection type optical sensor 30 is attached.
[0027]
4 is a front view of the ink supply unit showing an ink cartridge not attached state, FIG. 5 is a front view of the ink supply unit showing an ink cartridge attached state, and FIG. 6 is an ink supply unit showing an ink cartridge not attached state. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an ink supply unit showing an ink cartridge mounted state, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge as viewed from below. As shown in these drawings, the ink supply unit 20 includes a cartridge holder 31 provided on the inner rear side of the printer 10, and two ink cartridges 32A that are detachably attached to the cartridge holder 31 from above. , 32B. Inside the ink cartridge 32A, sub-color ink (for example, color inks of red, green, blue, etc.) is stored, an ink storage chamber 34A for appropriately discharging the ink from the bottom ink discharge port 33A, and a bottom ink recovery port. A waste ink storage chamber 36 for storing the waste ink fed from 35 is partitioned. When the ink cartridge 32A is mounted at a predetermined position of the cartridge holder 31, the ink discharge port 33A and the ink recovery port 35 communicate with the connection ports 37A and 38 formed at the bottom of the cartridge holder 31, respectively. Waste ink can be collected. On the other hand, an ink storage chamber 34B for storing main color ink (for example, black ink) and appropriately discharging the ink from the ink discharge port 33B at the bottom is formed inside the ink cartridge 32B. When the ink cartridge 32B is mounted at a predetermined position of the cartridge holder 31, the ink discharge port 33B communicates with the connection port 37B formed at the bottom of the cartridge holder 31, and the main color ink can be supplied.
[0028]
The ink cartridges 32A and 32B are arranged so as to be aligned along the moving direction of the carriage 18 (optical sensor 30). In front portions of the ink cartridges 32A and 32B, prism-like reflecting members (ink remaining amount detecting reflecting portions) 39A and 39B having light transmittance are provided at portions facing the moving path of the optical sensor 30. The reflecting members 39A and 39B have a right triangular prism shape, and the two prism reflecting surfaces S1 and S2 that are perpendicular to each other protrude inside the ink storage chambers 34A and 34B. As shown in FIG. 9, when the optical sensor 30 is moved to a position opposite to the reflecting members 39A and 39B and irradiated with light, the irradiated light is transmitted through the reflecting members 39A and 39B while being transmitted through the prism. The light is sequentially reflected by the reflection surfaces S <b> 1 and S <b> 2 and enters the light receiving element 30 b of the optical sensor 30. The reflectivity (refractive index) of the prism reflection surfaces S1 and S2 is lower when the remaining ink level in the ink storage chambers 34A and 34B is higher than the prism reflection surfaces S1 and S2, whereas the reflectivity (refractive index) of the prism reflection surfaces S1 and S2 is lower than that of the prism reflection surfaces S1 and S2. It becomes high when it is low. That is, as shown in FIG. 9A, in the state where the prism reflection surfaces S1 and S2 are in contact with the ink, the irradiation light of the optical sensor 30 is absorbed by the ink and the reflectance (the intensity of the reflected light) is increased. As shown in FIG. 9B, when the prism reflection surfaces S1 and S2 are in contact with air, the ink absorbs no light and the reflectance (intensity of reflected light) increases. Thereby, based on the detection value of the light receiving element 30b in the optical sensor 30, it is possible to detect the ink remaining amount (the presence or absence of ink at a predetermined level) of the ink cartridges 32A and 32B.
[0029]
Two reflecting members (attaching / detaching detecting reflecting portions) 40A and 40B arranged along the moving direction of the carriage 18 (the optical sensor 30) are fixed to the bottom portion of the cartridge holder 31 so as to protrude upward. The reflecting members 40A and 40B have a prism portion 40a having a right triangular prism shape having optical transparency, and two prism reflecting surfaces S3 and S4 that are perpendicular to each other are reflecting members 39A and 39B for detecting the remaining amount of ink. Similarly, the reflection optical path of the optical sensor 30 is formed. On the other hand, recessed portions (piercing portions) 41A and 41B are formed integrally with the lower portions of the ink cartridges 32A and 32B. When the ink cartridges 32A and 32B are mounted at predetermined positions of the cartridge holder 31, the reflecting members 40A and 40B are fitted into the recesses 41A and 41B, and the periphery thereof is covered. At this time, the shielding portions 42A and 42B integrally formed on one side surface portion (optical sensor facing wall portion) of the recesses 41A and 41B intervene between the optical sensor 30 and the reflecting members 40A and 40B, and reflect the optical sensor 30 and the reflection. The optical path (irradiation optical path and reflection optical path) between the members 40A and 40B is shielded.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 9C, when the ink cartridges 32A and 32B are not mounted in the cartridge holder 31, the reflecting members 40A and 40B are exposed. In this state, when the optical sensor 30 is moved to a position opposed to the reflecting members 40A and 40B and irradiated with light, the irradiated light is transmitted through the reflecting members 40A and 40B while being reflected by the prism reflecting surfaces S3 and S4. Are sequentially reflected and incident on the light receiving element 30b of the optical sensor 30. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, when the ink cartridges 32A and 32B are mounted on the cartridge holder 31, the front of the reflecting members 40A and 40B is covered by the shielding portions 42A and 42B. . In this state, when the optical sensor 30 is moved to a position opposed to the reflecting members 40A and 40B and irradiated with light, the irradiated light is shielded by the shielding portions 42A and 42B, and the reflecting members 40A and 40B extend. It does not reach the light receiving element 30b of the optical sensor 30. Accordingly, it is possible to detect the attachment / detachment state of the ink cartridges 32A and 32B by the optical sensor 30 without providing the ink cartridges 32A and 32B with a reflection member for attachment / detachment detection. Further, as described above, when the ink cartridges 32A and 32B are not mounted in the cartridge holder 31, the light receiving element 30b of the optical sensor 30 is always in a light receiving state, so that it is assumed that disturbance light is incident on the light receiving element 30b. This does not affect the attachment / detachment detection result of the ink cartridges 32A and 32B. Further, in a state where the ink cartridges 32A and 32B are mounted on the cartridge holder 31, the reflecting members 40A and 40B are covered with the concave portions 41A and 41B. Therefore, even if ink is scattered during the printing operation, this is reflected by the reflecting members 40A and 40B. As a result, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection due to contamination of the reflecting members 40A and 40B.
[0031]
FIG. 10 is an XX cross-sectional view of the ink supply unit showing the ink cartridge mounting state, and FIG. 11 is a YY cross-sectional view of the ink supply unit showing the ink cartridge temporary mounting state. As shown in these drawings, two lock plates 43 </ b> A and 43 </ b> B are erected on the rear portion of the cartridge holder 31. The lock plates 43A and 43B are plate-like elastic members, and at the upper end portions thereof, dog-shaped (V-shaped) locking portions 44A and 44B are formed. When the ink cartridges 32A and 32B are placed on the cartridge holder 31 from above, as shown in FIG. 11, the convex portions 45A and 45B protruding from the rear surfaces of the ink cartridges 32A and 32B are formed on the lock plates 43A and 43B. The ink cartridges 32A and 32B are held in the temporarily mounted state. At this time, the shielding portions 42A and 42B of the ink cartridges 32A and 32B are positioned above the prism portion 40a of the reflecting members 40A and 40B, and the optical path between the optical sensor 30 and the reflecting members 40A and 40B is shielded. Not. Further, when the ink cartridges 32A and 32B are pushed downward in the temporary mounting state, the lock plates 43A and 43B are pushed by the convex portions 45A and 45B and temporarily retracted backward, and then the convex portions 45A and 45B are moved. When it gets over, it turns back to the front. When the lock plates 43A and 43B return and rotate, as shown in FIG. 10, the engaging portions 44A and 44B engage with the upper portions of the convex portions 45A and 45B, and the ink cartridges 32A and 32B are held in the mounting positions (locked). ) At this time, the shielding portions 42A and 42B of the ink cartridges 32A and 32B intervene between the prism portion 40a of the reflecting members 40A and 40B and the optical sensor 30, and the optical path of the optical sensor 30 is shielded.
[0032]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the printer 10 irradiates light toward the cartridge holder 31, and based on the reflected light, the reflection type optical sensor 30 that detects the attachment / detachment state of the ink cartridges 32A and 32B, When the ink cartridges 32A and 32B are mounted on the cartridge holder 31 when the ink cartridges 32A and 32B are mounted on the cartridge holder 31, they are provided on the cartridge holder 31 and formed on the reflection members 40A and 40B that form the reflection optical path of the optical sensor 30. Are provided with shielding portions 42A and 42B for shielding the optical path. That is, while the reflection type optical sensor 30 detects the attachment / detachment state of the ink cartridges 32A, 32B, it is not necessary to provide the ink cartridges 32A, 32B with a reflection detecting portion for attachment / detachment, and the ink cartridges 32A, 32B are eliminated. In addition, it is possible to prevent erroneous recognition of the attachment / detachment state due to dirt on the reflecting portion or ambient light.
[0033]
Further, since the reflecting members 40A and 40B are fixed members integrally provided at the bottom of the cartridge holder 31, the structure can be simplified as compared with the case where the reflecting members 40A and 40B are formed of movable members. In addition, the reliability of attachment / detachment detection can be improved.
[0034]
Further, since the shielding portions 42A and 42B are integrally formed below the ink cartridges 32A and 32B, the number of parts and the manufacturing process of the ink cartridges 32A and 32B can be reduced.
[0035]
In addition, the ink cartridges 32A and 32B include recesses 41A and 41B that cover the reflecting members 40A and 40B when mounted on the cartridge holder 31, and one side surface of the recesses 41A and 41B forms the shielding portions 42A and 42B. In addition, it is possible to protect the reflecting members 40A and 40B when the ink cartridge is mounted, and to prevent a detection failure caused by dirt or scratches on the reflecting members 40A and 40B.
[0036]
Further, since the shielding portions 42A and 42B do not shield the optical path of the optical sensor 30 when the ink cartridges 32A and 32B are temporarily attached to the cartridge holder 31, printing is performed with the ink cartridges 32A and 32B temporarily attached. Troubles such as operation can be avoided.
[0037]
Further, since the cartridge holder 31 and the optical sensor 30 are relatively movable, the same optical sensor 30 can detect whether the plurality of ink cartridges 32A and 32B are attached or removed, and can determine the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridges 32A and 32B. It becomes possible to detect.
[0038]
Further, since the cartridge holder 31 includes a plurality of reflecting members 40A and 40B arranged along the relative movement direction of the optical sensor 30, the same optical sensor 30 detects the attachment / detachment state of the plurality of ink cartridges 32A and 32B. Can do.
[0039]
In addition, since the ink cartridges 32A and 32B include reflection members 39A and 39B for detecting the remaining amount of ink by the optical sensor 30, the same optical sensor 30 allows the ink cartridges 32A and 32B to be detected. The attachment / detachment state and the ink remaining amount can be detected.
[0040]
As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the matters shown in the embodiment, and the description of the claims and the detailed description of the invention, as well as the well-known technology. Based on the above, a range in which those skilled in the art can make changes and applications thereof is included.
[0041]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, one side surface of the concave portion formed integrally with the ink cartridge is used as the shielding portion. However, any one that can shield the optical path of the optical sensor 30 when attached to the cartridge holder may be used. For example, the shielding portion may be integrally formed in a bowl shape (L-shape) on one side surface of the ink cartridge.
[0042]
In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge is mounted on the printer main body. However, the present invention can also be implemented in a printer in which the ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage. That is, if a reflecting member is provided on the cartridge holder mounted on the carriage and this is detected by the optical sensor arranged on the printer main body side, the same effect as that of the above embodiment can be obtained.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, although the ink cartridge attachment / detachment state is detected by the reflection-type optical sensor, it is not necessary to provide the ink cartridge with a reflection detecting portion for attachment / detachment, thereby reducing the cost of the ink cartridge. In addition, it is possible to prevent misrecognition of the attachment / detachment state due to dirt on the reflecting portion or ambient light.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an internal structure of a printer.
FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an internal structure of the printer.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a carriage on which a print head is mounted.
FIG. 4 is a front view of an ink supply unit showing an ink cartridge not attached state.
FIG. 5 is a front view of an ink supply unit showing an ink cartridge mounted state.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an ink supply unit showing an ink cartridge not mounted state.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an ink supply unit showing an ink cartridge mounted state.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge as viewed from below.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing ink cartridge attachment / detachment detection and ink remaining amount detection.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the ink supply unit taken along the line XX showing an ink cartridge mounted state.
FIG. 11 is a YY cross-sectional view of the ink supply unit showing the ink cartridge temporarily mounted state.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printer 15 Print head 18 Carriage 20 Ink supply part 30 Optical sensor 30b Light receiving element 30a Light emitting element 31 Cartridge holder 32A, 32B Ink cartridge 39A, 39B Reflective member (for residual ink detection)
40A, 40B Reflective member (for attachment / detachment detection)
41A, 41B Recess 42A, 42B Shield 43A, 43B Lock plate

Claims (8)

An ink cartridge detection mechanism for detecting an attachment / detachment state of an ink cartridge in a cartridge holder,
A reflective optical sensor that irradiates light toward the cartridge holder and detects the attachment / detachment state of the ink cartridge based on the reflected light;
A reflection member provided fixed to the cartridge holder and forming a reflection optical path of the optical sensor; and provided in the ink cartridge and shielding the optical path of the optical sensor when the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge holder. A shielding part,
An accommodating portion capable of accommodating the reflecting member, wherein one side surface portion forms the shielding portion;
A locking mechanism for locking the ink cartridge at a predetermined position of the cartridge holder when the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge holder;
A locking portion provided on the cartridge holder for locking the mounted ink cartridge;
A locked portion provided in the ink cartridge and locked by a locking portion of the cartridge holder;
The locking portion has a substantially V shape having a first slope and a second slope, and one end is formed at the other end of a plate-like elastic member fixed to the cartridge holder,
The locked portion is formed in a protruding shape so as to be able to contact the first and second inclined surfaces of the locking portion,
In the ink cartridge, when the locked portion is in contact with the first inclined surface of the locking portion, the shielding portion does not shield the optical path of the optical sensor, and the locked portion is not engaged. The ink cartridge detection mechanism, wherein the shielding portion shields the optical path of the optical sensor when the stopper is in contact with the second inclined surface. The ink cartridge detection mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the cartridge holder and the optical sensor are relatively movable. The cartridge holder, the ink cartridge detection mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said reflective member arranged along the relative movement direction of the optical sensor. The ink cartridge includes an ink cartridge detection mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a reflective member for detecting the amount of remaining ink that permits detection of remaining ink by the optical sensor. Inkjet printer characterized by comprising an ink cartridge detecting mechanism according to any one of claims 1-4. A reflection-type optical sensor that moves relative to the ink cartridge; a cartridge holder to which the ink cartridge is mounted; and a fixed so as to protrude from the cartridge holder. A reflection member formed so as to be able to reflect light emitted from a sensor, and an ink cartridge used in an inkjet printer,
An ink storage chamber for storing ink;
A reflection member for detecting the remaining amount of ink that forms a reflection optical path of light from the optical sensor and enables detection of the remaining amount of ink;
When mounted to the cartridge holder, said shieldable shielding portion reflected light from the irradiation light and the front Symbol reflective member from the optical sensor to the optical sensor to the reflection member of said cartridge holder,
A housing portion capable of housing the reflective member when mounted on the cartridge holder;
The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein one side surface portion of the housing portion forms the shielding portion. The ink cartridge according to claim 6 , wherein the housing portion is a recess formed along an outer shape of the reflecting member. 8. The ink cartridge according to claim 7 , wherein the concave portion is formed so as to penetrate a part of a surface of the ink cartridge on the side in the mounting direction to the cartridge holder.

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