JP6112048B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that records an image on a sheet by discharging printing fluid stored in a cartridge.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an image recording apparatus that records an image on a sheet by discharging a printing fluid stored in a cartridge. In such an image recording apparatus, it is necessary to detect whether or not the cartridge is properly mounted in the mounting portion in order to maintain the image recording quality and suppress malfunction.

  Thus, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ink jet recording apparatus that guides light output from the light emitting unit and passed through the light guide unit of the cartridge to a display unit that can be visually recognized by the user or detected by the light receiving unit. . According to the above configuration, the user and the ink jet recording apparatus can be made aware of whether or not the cartridge is properly mounted on the mounting portion.

JP 2007-1212 A

  In addition, in order to prevent the cartridge from being removed during image recording, there is also an ink jet recording apparatus having a function of detecting whether or not the cover covering the opening of the mounting portion is closed. However, in the ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to separately provide a sensor in order to detect whether or not the cover is closed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of detecting a mounted state of a cartridge and an open / closed state of a cover with a single sensor.

  An image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage chamber in which a printing fluid is stored, a cartridge having a light guide path through which light passes, a mounting portion to which the cartridge is attached and detached through an opening, a covering position that covers the opening, and the opening A cover provided with a reflecting portion that reflects light at a position facing the mounting portion at the covering position, and a storage chamber of the cartridge mounted on the mounting portion. A recording unit that executes a recording process for recording an image on a recording medium using the supplied printing fluid, a light emitting unit that outputs light to the light guide, and a light receiving unit that outputs a signal indicating whether the light has been received. And a control unit that determines whether or not the cartridge is mounted on the mounting unit and the position of the cover based on a signal output from the light receiving unit. The light guide path includes a first input terminal to which light output from the light emitting unit is input and light input to the first input terminal in a state where the cartridge is mounted to the mounting unit. A first light guide path having a first output end that outputs to the reflection portion provided on the cover at the covering position, a second input end to which light reflected by the reflection portion is input, and the second input end And a second light guide having a second output terminal for outputting the light input to the light receiving unit.

  According to the above configuration, when the cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and the cover is located at the covering position, the light output from the light emitting portion is received by the light receiving portion. As a result, it is possible to obtain an image recording apparatus capable of detecting the mounting state of the cartridge and the open / closed state of the cover by one sensor (that is, a set of light emitting unit and light receiving unit).

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image recording apparatus capable of detecting the mounting state of the cartridge and the open / closed state of the cover by one sensor constituted by a pair of light emitting unit and light receiving unit.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an internal structure of a printer 10 including a cartridge mounting unit 110 according to the embodiment. 2A and 2B are views showing the cover 111 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110, in which FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the cover 111 in the exposed position, FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the cover 111 in the covering position, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a rear view of the cover 111. 3A and 3B are perspective views showing an external configuration of the ink cartridge 30, wherein FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of the frame 31 and the film 44, and FIG. 3B is a state where the film 44 is welded to the frame 31. Show. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the light guide member 60, where FIG. 4A is a perspective view seen from the second output end 67 side, and FIG. 4B is a view seen from the first output end 63 and the second input end 66 side. It is a perspective view. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the printer 10. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the switch circuit 120. 7A and 7B are cross-sectional views of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 7A is a process in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, and FIG. A state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted and the cover 111 is in the exposed position, and FIG. 8C shows a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 and the cover 111 is in the covering position. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing executed by the control unit 130, where (A) is processing executed when a recording instruction is acquired, and (B) is a signal output from the light receiving unit 104 at a high level. A process executed when the signal changes from the low level signal to the low level signal. FIG. 5C shows a process executed when the signal output from the light receiving unit 104 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal. FIGS. 9A and 9B are external perspective views of the printer 10 according to the modified example. FIG. 9A illustrates a state where the cover 111 is in the covering position, and FIG. 9B illustrates a state where the cover 111 is in the exposed position. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of the carriage 22 and the ink cartridge 30 according to the modification. FIG. 10A is a cross-section in a plane including the height direction 52 and the depth direction 53, and FIG. 10B is the width direction 51 and the depth direction 53. The cross section in the plane containing is shown.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example in which the present invention is embodied, and it is needless to say that the embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Overview of Printer 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 records an image by selectively ejecting ink droplets onto a recording sheet (an example of a recording medium) based on an ink jet recording method. The printer 10 (an example of an image recording apparatus) includes a recording head 21, an ink supply device 100, and an ink tube 20 that connects the recording head 21 and the ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 is provided with a cartridge mounting part 110 (an example of a mounting part). An ink cartridge 30 (an example of a cartridge) can be mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. An opening 112 is provided on one surface of the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110 in the insertion direction 56 through the opening 112 or is extracted from the cartridge mounting part 110 in the removal direction 55.

  The ink cartridge 30 stores ink (an example of a printing fluid) that can be used by the printer 10. In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are connected by the ink tube 20. The recording head 21 is provided with a sub tank 28. The sub tank 28 temporarily stores the ink supplied through the ink tube 20. The recording head 21 selectively ejects the ink supplied from the sub tank 28 from the nozzles 29 by the ink jet recording method. Specifically, the drive voltage is applied from the head control board 21A provided to the recording head 21 to the piezo elements 29A (an example of an actuator) provided corresponding to each nozzle 29, so that the nozzle 29 can selectively Ink is discharged.

  The printer 10 includes the following recording paper transport mechanism. In other words, the recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 15 to the transport path 24 by the paper feed roller 23 is transported onto the platen 26 by the transport roller pair 25. The recording head 21 selectively ejects ink onto a recording sheet that passes over the platen 26. Thereby, an image is recorded on the recording paper. The recording paper that has passed through the platen 26 is discharged to a paper discharge tray 16 provided on the most downstream side of the transport path 24 by a discharge roller pair 27. The recording head 21, the paper feed roller 23, the transport roller pair 25, the discharge roller pair 27, and the like are examples of a recording unit. Further, the above-described process executed by the recording unit is an example of a recording process.

[Ink supply apparatus 100]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink supply device 100 is provided in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 supplies ink to the recording head 21 provided in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge mounting unit 110 in which the ink cartridge 30 can be mounted. The cartridge mounting unit 110 includes a case 101, an ink needle 102, a light emitting unit 103, and a light receiving unit 104.

  FIG. 1 shows a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. The cartridge mounting portion 110 can accommodate four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Further, four ink needles 102, light emitting units 103, and light receiving units 104 are provided corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30. Note that the number of ink cartridges 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 is not limited to four, and may be one or more.

[Ink needle 102]
An opening 112 is formed in the case 101. The case 101 includes a back surface located on the opposite side to the opening 112. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink needle 102 protrudes from the back surface of the case 101 in the removal direction 55. The ink needle 102 is disposed on the back surface of the case 101 at a position that can face the ink supply unit 35 of the ink cartridge 30. The ink needle 102 is a tubular resin needle having a flow path formed therein, and an opening is provided on the protruding end side, and the ink tube 20 is connected to the proximal end side. The ink in the ink chamber 36 flows out to the ink tube 20 through the ink needle 102 that has entered the ink supply unit 35.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 10 includes a cover 111 that covers or exposes the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting unit 110. The cover 111 rotates around the rotation axis extending in the width direction 51 at the lower end thereof, thereby rotating between the exposed position shown in FIG. 2 (A) and the covering position shown in FIG. 2 (B). Move. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the cover 111 is provided with a half mirror 113 (an example of a reflection portion and a transmission portion).

  The cover 111 exposes the opening 112 to the outside of the printer 10 at the exposure position shown in FIG. In this state, the user can insert the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the opening 112, or can pull out the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110. Further, the cover 111 covers the opening 112 at the covering position shown in FIG. The cover 111 at the covering position constitutes a part of the exterior of the printer 10. For example, the cover 111 constitutes a part of a user interface surface that is a wall surface of the printer 10 that faces when the user uses the printer 10. In this state, the user cannot insert or remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting unit 110.

  The half mirror 113 is provided at a position facing each of the four ink cartridges 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 when the cover 111 is positioned at the covering position. The half mirror 113 reflects a part of the input light and transmits the other part. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the half mirror 113 has an inner surface (a surface facing the cartridge mounting portion 110) and an outer surface (a surface opposite to the inner surface) of the cover 111. Is exposed.

[Light Emitting Unit 103, Light Receiving Unit 104]
The light emitting unit 103 outputs light having an arbitrary wavelength (visible light in the present embodiment) under the control of the control unit 130. The light receiving unit 104 outputs a signal indicating whether or not light has been received to the control unit 130. The light receiving unit 104 is, for example, a low-level signal (an example of a non-light-receiving signal that has a signal level lower than a threshold level on condition that light cannot be received (that is, the received light intensity is less than a predetermined intensity). "Signal") is output. On the other hand, the light receiving unit 104 is an example of a high-level signal (an example of a light-receiving signal having a signal level equal to or higher than a threshold level) on condition that light can be received (that is, the light-receiving intensity is equal to or higher than a predetermined intensity). "Signal") is output.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the light emitting unit 103 and the light receiving unit 104 are arranged in the cartridge mounting unit 110 in a positional relationship in which light output from the light emitting unit 103 is not directly received by the light receiving unit 104. In other words, the light receiving unit 104 is disposed at a position off the optical axis of the light output from the light emitting unit 103. The light emitting unit 103 in the present embodiment is disposed on the top surface of the cartridge mounting unit 110 at a position where it can face the ink cartridge 30 in the height direction 52. Further, the light receiving unit 104 in the present embodiment is disposed on the back surface of the cartridge mounting unit 110 at a position where it can face the ink cartridge 30 in the depth direction 53.

[Ink cartridge 30]
As shown in FIG. 3, the ink cartridge 30 includes a frame 31 that partitions the ink chamber 36 and an ink supply unit 35. The ink cartridge 30 supplies ink stored in the ink chamber 36 to the outside through the ink supply unit 35. The ink cartridge 30 is in the standing state shown in FIG. 3, that is, with the lower surface in the drawing as the bottom surface and the upper surface in the drawing as the top surface in the insertion and removal direction 50 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110. Inserted and removed. In the present embodiment, the insertion and removal direction 50 is a horizontal direction. Further, the width direction 51 and the depth direction 53 of the ink cartridge 30 in the standing state are also horizontal directions. Further, the height direction 52 of the ink cartridge 30 in the standing state is the gravity direction (vertical direction). Moreover, the removal direction 55 and the insertion direction 56 are directions along the insertion and extraction directions 50, respectively, and are opposite to each other. Furthermore, the insertion and removal direction 50 coincides with the depth direction 53.

  The frame 31 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, is thin in the width direction (left and right direction) 51, and has a flat shape in which the height direction (up and down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front and rear direction) 53 are larger than the width direction 51. It is. The frame 31 includes a front wall 40 and a rear wall 41 that at least partially overlap when viewed in plan from the depth direction 53, and an upper wall 39 and a lower wall 42 that at least partially overlap when viewed from above in the height direction 52. The right wall 38 is arranged on one side in the width direction 51 (in the example of FIG. 3A, on the right side when the frame 31 is viewed in plan from the front wall 40 side). When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the front wall 40 is on the front side (in other words, facing the insertion direction 56), and is on the rear side (in other words, the removal direction 55). The rear wall 41 is directed to the rear wall 41.

  The frame 31 is open on the left side in the width direction 51 (in the example of FIG. 3A, the left side when the frame 31 is viewed from the front wall 40 side). The opened surface of the frame 31 is sealed with the film 44. The outer shape of the film 44 substantially coincides with the outer shape of the frame 31 when viewed in plan from the width direction 51. As shown in FIG. 3B, the film 44 is disposed on the other side (left side) of the width direction 51 of the frame 31 and constitutes the left wall 37 of the ink chamber 36 in the width direction 51. The film 44 is thermally welded to the left end surfaces of the upper wall 39, the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, and the lower wall 42. As a result, ink can be stored in the ink chamber 36 defined by the right wall 38, the upper wall 39, the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the lower wall 42, and the film 44.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3A, the ink supply unit 35 protrudes forward (in a direction away from the frame 31) from the outer surface of the front wall 40 at the lower portion of the front wall 40. The ink supply unit 35 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and one end of the internal space is opened to the outside of the ink cartridge 30, and the other end is communicated with the ink chamber 36. The ink supply unit 35 of the ink cartridge 30 before being mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 is blocked by a blocking member (not shown) or the like. In the process of mounting the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting unit 110, the ink needle 102 enters the ink supply unit 35 and releases the blockage by the blocking member. As a result, the ink in the ink chamber 36 flows out to the ink needle 102 through the ink supply unit 35.

[Light guide member 60]
As shown in FIG. 3, the ink cartridge 30 includes a light guide member 60 (an example of a light guide path) that transmits light. The light guide member 60 in the present embodiment is embedded in the right wall 38 of the frame 31. More specifically, a part of the light guide member 60 is fixed to the frame 31, and other parts are not in contact with the frame 31 and have an interface with the air. Although the material which comprises the light guide member 60 is not specifically limited, For example, resin materials, such as an acrylic resin and a polycarbonate, are employable. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the light guide member 60 includes a first light guide 61 (an example of a first light guide), a second light guide 65 (an example of a second light guide), and It consists of

  The first light guide 61 has a first input end 62 exposed to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 on the upper wall 39 and a first output end 63 exposed to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 on the rear wall 41. The first light guide 61 is bent halfway. The first light guide 61 embedded in the right wall 38 has a first portion 61A extending from the first input end 62 to the bent position in the height direction 52, and extending from the bent position to the first output end 63. Two portions 61 </ b> B are extended in the depth direction 53. The bent portion 64 of the first light guide 61 is inclined so that light traveling through the first portion 61A is reflected by the bent portion 64 and travels through the second portion 61B. The second light guide 65 has a second input end 66 exposed to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 at the rear wall 41 and a second output end 67 exposed to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 at the front wall 40. The second light guide unit 65 embedded in the right wall 38 is linearly extended in the depth direction 53 from the second input end 66 to the second output end 67.

  As shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, the position where the first input end 62 faces the light emitting unit 103 in the height direction 52 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110. The second output end 67 is provided at a position facing the light receiving unit 104 in the depth direction 53. Further, as shown in FIG. 7C, in the state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 and the cover 111 is in the covering position, the first output end 63 and the second input end 66 have a depth. It is provided at a position facing the half mirror 113 in the direction 53.

  In the present embodiment, the optical axis of the light output from the light emitting unit 103 is parallel to the height direction 52. The bent portion 64 of the first light guide portion 61 reflects a light beam traveling in the first portion 61A along the optical axis of the light output from the light emitting portion 103, and forms a slight angle with the depth direction 53. It inclines so that the inside of the 2nd part 61B may be advanced along a direction. The angle formed by the traveling direction of the light beam in the second portion 61B and the depth direction 53 (in other words, the inclination angle of the bent portion 64) is output from the first light guide 61 through the first output end 63, and It is appropriately set so that most of the light reflected by the half mirror 113 is input to the second light guide unit 65 through the second input end 66.

[Control unit 130]
The printer 10 further includes a control unit 130. As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, an EEPROM 134, and an ASIC 135, which are connected by an internal bus 137. The ROM 132 stores a program for the CPU 131 to control various operations. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data and signals used when the CPU 131 executes the program, or as a work area for data processing. The EEPROM 134 stores settings, flags, and the like that should be retained even after the power is turned off. Note that the CPU 131, the ROM 132, the RAM 133, the EEPROM 134, and the ASIC 135 may be partially or entirely configured by one IC chip or may be configured by being divided into a plurality of IC chips.

  The controller 130 rotates the paper feed roller 23, the transport roller pair 25, and the discharge roller pair 27 by driving a motor (not shown). Further, the control unit 130 controls the recording head 21 to cause the nozzles 29 to eject ink. Specifically, the control unit 130 outputs a control signal indicating the magnitude of the drive voltage applied to the piezo element 29A to the head control board 21A. The head control board 21A applies a drive voltage having a magnitude indicated by the control signal acquired from the control unit 130 to a piezo element 29A (an example of an actuator) provided in each nozzle 29, whereby ink is applied to the nozzle 29. To discharge.

  Further, the control unit 130 controls the light emission of the light emitting unit 103 by outputting a switch signal to the switch circuit 120 (see FIG. 6). Further, the control unit 130 acquires information (for example, various instructions to be described later) through the operation unit 105 (an example of an acquisition unit). The operation unit 105 is, for example, a push button or a touch panel, and is provided on the above-described interface surface, for example. The operation unit 105 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation to the control unit 130 when the push button or the touch panel is operated by the user. Then, the control unit 130 acquires information included in the operation signal from the operation unit 105. Further, the control unit 130 receives power supply from the power supply unit 106 and outputs a power signal to the power supply unit 106. With reference to FIG. 6, a method in which the control unit 130 controls the light emitting unit 103 in cooperation with the operation unit 105 and the power supply unit 106 will be described.

  The power supply unit 106 includes a power supply circuit 107 and a power supply control circuit 108 as shown in FIG. The power supply circuit 107 outputs the power acquired from the external power supply as drive power (for example, 24V) to the recording head 21, the motor (not shown), the light emitting unit 103, and the like, and the control power (for example, 5V) to the control unit 130. ) Is output. The power supply control circuit 108 causes the power supply circuit 107 to start or stop driving power output based on the power supply signal output from the control unit 130.

  Specifically, the power supply control circuit 108 causes the power supply circuit 107 to start outputting drive power on the condition that a high-level signal (an example of a power supply signal) is acquired from the control unit 130. On the other hand, the power supply control circuit 108 causes the power supply circuit 107 to stop outputting drive power on condition that a low-level signal (another example of the power supply signal) is acquired from the control unit 130. Note that the control unit 130 outputs a high-level signal to the power supply control circuit 108 on the condition that a power-on instruction has been acquired from the operation unit 105 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 105 by the user. On the other hand, the control unit 130 outputs a low-level signal to the power supply control circuit 108 on the condition that a power OFF instruction is acquired from the operation unit 105 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 105 by the user. Further, the control unit 130 may output a low level signal to the power supply control circuit 108 on condition that the recording head 21 or the like is not operating for a predetermined time. In this case, the power supply control circuit 108 causes the power supply circuit 107 to stop outputting the driving power to some of the components (for example, the recording head 21 and the motor), and the other portion of the components (for example, the light emitting unit). The output of the driving power to 103) may be continued.

  As illustrated in FIG. 6, the light emitting unit 103 is connected to the power supply unit 106 and the control unit 130 via the switch circuit 120. The control unit 130 starts or stops the supply of driving power to the light emitting unit 103 by outputting a switch signal to the base 121 </ b> B of the first transistor 121. That is, the control unit 130 causes the light emitting unit 103 to start outputting light or stops outputting light according to the switch signal.

  The switch circuit 120 includes a first transistor 121, a second transistor 122, a resistor 123 provided between the base 121B of the first transistor 121 and the control unit 130, and a base 121B and an emitter 121E of the first transistor 121. , A resistor 125 provided between the collector 121C of the first transistor 121 and the base 122B of the second transistor 122, and a resistor 122C provided between the collector 122C of the second transistor 122 and the light emitting unit 103. It consists of a resistor 126. The driving power is supplied from the power supply circuit 107 to the emitter 122E of the second transistor 122.

  When a high level signal (an example of a switch signal) is output from the control unit 130 to the base 121B of the first transistor 121, the first transistor 121 becomes conductive, and a current flows from the collector 121C to the emitter 121E. As a result, the second transistor 122 becomes conductive, and driving power is supplied to the light emitting unit 103 through the second transistor 122. On the other hand, when the low level signal (other example of the switch signal) is output from the control unit 130 to the base 121B (or the switch signal is not output), both the first transistor 121 and the second transistor 122 are in a non-conductive state. Thus, the supply of driving power to the light emitting unit 103 is stopped.

  Note that the control unit 130 according to the present embodiment continues to output a high-level signal to the base 121B on condition that control power is supplied from the power supply circuit 107. As a result, the light emitting unit 103 according to the present embodiment continues to output light on condition that driving power is output from the power supply circuit 107. The method by which the control unit 130 controls the light emission of the light emitting unit 103 is not limited to the above example. For example, the power supply unit 106 and the light emitting unit 103 may be connected via the resistor 126, and other components of the switch circuit 120 may be omitted. Then, the control unit 130 may control the light emission of the light emitting unit 103 by switching the power signal output to the power control circuit 108.

  Furthermore, the control unit 130 determines whether the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 and the position of the cover 111 based on the signal acquired from the light receiving unit 104. Specifically, on the condition that a low level signal is output from the light receiving unit 104, the control unit 130 does not have the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 or the cover 111 is positioned at the exposure position. Judge that On the other hand, on the condition that the high level signal is output from the light receiving unit 104, the control unit 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 and the cover 111 is located at the covering position. To do. The state in which a high level signal is output from the light receiving unit 104 is an example of a recordable state.

  For example, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is not attached to the cartridge attachment unit 110, or in the process where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment unit 110 (see FIG. 7A), the light receiving unit 104 moves from the light emitting unit 103. Since the output light cannot be received, a low level signal is output to the control unit 130. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 and the cover 111 is in the exposed position (see FIG. 7B), the light output from the light emitting unit 103 is first guided from the first input end 62. The light is input to the optical unit 61, and is output from the first output end 63 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 (that is, the outside of the printer 10) in the depth direction 53. However, since the light receiving unit 104 cannot receive this light, it outputs a low level signal to the control unit 130.

  On the other hand, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting section 110 and the cover 111 is in the covering position (see FIG. 7C), the light output from the light emitting section 103 is first guided from the first input end 62. The light is input to the optical unit 61 and output from the first output end 63 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30. Part of the light output from the first output end 63 is reflected by the half mirror 113 and input to the second light guide 65 from the second input end 66, and from the second output end 67 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30. Is output. The light receiving unit 104 receives the light output from the second output end 67 and outputs a high level signal to the control unit 130. In addition, another part of the light output from the first output end 63 passes through the half mirror 113 and is output to the outside of the cover 111 (that is, outside the printer 10).

[Operation of Printer 10]
Next, the operation of the printer 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 8 may be executed by the CPU 131 reading a program from the ROM 132, or may be executed by a hardware circuit such as an ASIC 135 or an FPGA.

  First, the control unit 130 starts the process illustrated in FIG. 8A on the condition that a recording instruction is acquired from the operation unit 105 in accordance with the operation of the operation unit 105 by the user. The recording instruction is an instruction for executing a recording process for recording an image on a recording sheet. The control unit 130 that has acquired the recording instruction checks the signal output from the light receiving unit 104 (S1). In step S1, the control unit 130 checks signals output from the four light receiving units 104.

  On the condition that the high-level signal is output from all four light receiving units 104 (that is, in a recordable state) (S1: Yes), the control unit 130 is a recording unit (the recording head 21, the paper feed roller 23). , The conveyance roller pair 25, the discharge roller pair 27, etc.) are caused to execute a recording process according to the recording instruction (S2). On the other hand, the control unit 130 notifies the user that the recording process cannot be executed (S3) on condition that a low level signal is output from at least one of the four light receiving units 104 (S1: No). Although the specific method of alerting | reporting is not specifically limited, For example, a message or an animation may be displayed on a display part (not shown), and a guide sound may be output from a speaker (not shown).

  Next, the control unit 130 outputs a signal output from at least one of the four light receiving units 104 from a high level signal (indicated as “High” in the figure) to a low level signal (indicated as “Low” in the figure). 8), it is determined that an opening operation for moving the cover 111 from the covering position to the exposure position has been performed, and the processing shown in FIG. 8B is started. However, the change from the high level signal to the low level signal generally occurs in the four light receiving units 104 at the same time.

  First, the control unit 130 determines whether or not the recording process is being performed by the recording unit when the signal output from the light receiving unit 104 changes from the high level signal to the low level signal (S11). Then, on condition that the recording process is being executed (S11: Yes), the control unit 130 causes the recording unit to interrupt the execution of the recording process (S12). In addition, the control unit 130 causes the EEPROM 134 to store resumption information (for example, image data and a resumption position) for resuming the interrupted recording process. On the other hand, the control unit 130 skips step S12 on condition that the recording process is not being executed (S11: No).

  Next, the control unit 130 performs a closing operation to move the cover 111 from the exposure position to the covering position on condition that the signals output from all the four light receiving units 104 have changed from the low level signal to the high level signal. The process shown in FIG. 8C is started. On the other hand, when a signal output from only a part of the four light receiving units 104 changes from a low level signal to a high level signal, the control unit 130 mounts at least one of the four ink cartridges 30 on the cartridge mounting unit 110. Therefore, the process shown in FIG. 8C is not executed.

  First, the control unit 130 checks whether or not there is an interrupted recording process when the signals output from all four light receiving units 104 change from the low level signal to the high level signal (S21). Specifically, the control unit 130 may confirm whether or not the restart information is stored in the EEPROM 134. Then, on condition that there is an interrupted recording process (S21: Yes), the control unit 130 causes the recording unit to resume the recording process according to the restart information read from the EEPROM 134 (S22). On the other hand, the control unit 130 skips step S22 on condition that there is no interrupted recording process (S21: No).

[Effects of Embodiment]
According to the above-described embodiment, the light output from the light emitting unit 103 is received by the light receiving unit 104 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110 and the cover 111 is located at the covering position. On the other hand, the light output from the light emitting unit 103 is not received by the light receiving unit 104 when the ink cartridge 30 is not mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110 or the cover 111 is located at the exposed position. As a result, it is possible to obtain the printer 10 that can detect the mounting state of the ink cartridge 30 and the open / closed state of the cover 111 by one sensor (that is, one set of the light emitting unit 103 and the light receiving unit 104).

  Even if the cover 111 is located at the exposure position, the recording process can be executed if the ink cartridge 30 is properly mounted in the cartridge mounting section 110. However, if the ink cartridge 30 is pulled out during the recording process, the recording process cannot be continued normally, and the printer 10 may be damaged. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8A, it is desirable to start the recording process on condition that the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 and the cover 111 is located at the covering position. Further, the recording process is interrupted on the condition that the opening operation is executed as shown in FIG. 8B, and the recording process is executed on the condition that the closing operation is executed as shown in FIG. 8C. By resuming the operation, it is possible to avoid the danger that the ink cartridge 30 is pulled out during the recording process.

  In the present embodiment, the light output from the light emitting unit 103 is input to the first light guiding unit 61 through the first input end 62, reflected by the bent portion 64, and first light guided through the first output end 63. Is output from the unit 61 and reflected by the half mirror 113 or transmitted through the half mirror 113. Then, most of the light reflected by the half mirror 113 is input to the second light guide unit 65 through the second input end 66, output from the second light guide unit 65 through the second output end 67, and the light receiving unit 104. To reach. Therefore, the light beam traveling in the first portion 61A along the optical axis of the light output from the light emitting unit 103 is reflected and travels in the second portion 61B along a direction that forms a slight angle with the depth direction 53. As described above, since the inclination angle of the bent portion 64 is set, most of the light output from the light emitting portion 103 can reach the light receiving portion 104. Accordingly, the light can be reliably received also by the light receiving unit 104 having low light receiving sensitivity.

  On the other hand, the inclination angle of the bent portion 64 is set so that the light beam traveling in the first portion 61A along the optical axis of the light output from the light emitting portion 103 travels in the second portion 61B along the depth direction 53. If set, the light output from the light emitting unit 103 is input to the first light guiding unit 61 through the first input end 62, reflected by the bent portion 64, and then transmitted through the first output end 63. 61 is reflected from the half mirror 113 or transmitted through the half mirror 113. Then, most of the light reflected by the half mirror 113 is input again to the first light guide 61 through the first output end 63, reflected by the bent portion 64, and through the first input end 62, the first light guide. 61, and reaches the light emitting unit 103. That is, most of the light output from the light emitting unit 103 cannot reach the light receiving unit 104.

  However, a method for inputting most of the light output from the first light guide 61 through the first output end 63 and reflected by the half mirror 113 to the second light guide 65 through the second input end 66 is as described above. It is not limited to examples. For example, the extending direction of the second portion 61B of the first light guide 61 and the second light guide 65 may be inclined with respect to the depth direction 53 by the same angle (ie, symmetry) in opposite directions. Alternatively, the normal direction of the reflection surface of the half mirror 113 and the direction in which the second portion 61B of the first light guide 61 extends extend most of the reflected light to the second light guide 65 through the second input end 66. You may adjust the installation angle of the half mirror 113 so that it may become a predetermined angle which can be inputted.

  Further, as in the above-described embodiment, when the opening 112 is exposed to the outside of the printer 10 (in other words, when the cover 111 forms a part of the exterior of the printer 10), the opening 112 is formed from the outside of the printer 10. There is a possibility that external light that has entered the cartridge mounting unit 110 through the light receiving unit 104 is received by the light receiving unit 104. Therefore, the control unit 130 may output intermittent light with a specific period to the light emitting unit 103 (that is, the light emitting unit 103 blinks). That is, the control unit 130 may switch the switch signal output to the switch circuit 120 between a high level signal and a low level signal at a specific period. Then, the control unit 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 and the cover 111 is positioned at the covering position on the condition that a high level signal is output from the light receiving unit 104 at a specific cycle. May be. Thereby, the erroneous detection resulting from the influence of external light can be suppressed.

  The light emitting unit 103 according to the above embodiment continues to output light on condition that driving power is output from the power supply circuit 107. As a result, the mounting state of the ink cartridge 30 and the open / closed state of the cover 111 can always be detected in a state where the recording process can be executed. Here, “the light emitting unit 103 continues to output light” means that the mounted state of the ink cartridge 30 and the open / closed state of the cover 111 can be always detected. That is, the intermittent light emission of the light emitting unit 103 described above is included in “the light emitting unit 103 continues to output light”. Hereinafter, non-intermittent light emission of the light emitting unit 103 is referred to as “continuous light emission” to be distinguished.

  However, it is not always necessary to continuously output light from the light emitting unit 103. In general, the cover 111 is opened and closed only when the ink cartridge 30 is replaced. Therefore, for example, the control unit 130 counts the amount of ink ejected from the recording head 21 for each ink cartridge 30, and the count value reaches the threshold amount (that is, the ink amount in the ink cartridge 30 is small). It is also possible to cause the light emitting unit 103 to output light until a predetermined light emitting period elapses on the condition that the light emitting unit has been or has disappeared. At this time, all the four light emitting units 103 may emit light, or only the light emitting unit 103 that faces the ink cartridge 30 corresponding to the count value that has reached the threshold amount (that is, the ink cartridge 30 to be replaced) emits light. You may let them.

  According to the above embodiment, the rear wall 41 (first output) of the ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 and the cover 111 is in the exposed position (see FIG. 7B). The light output from the end 63) can be visually recognized by the user. As a result, the user can recognize that the ink cartridge 30 is properly mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110. Furthermore, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 and the cover 111 is in the covering position, the user can visually recognize the light transmitted through the half mirror 113. This allows the user to recognize that the recording process can be executed.

  Further, the light output from each light emitting unit 103 may have the same or similar color as the color of the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 to be mounted at the mounting position facing the light emitting unit 103. For example, the light emitting unit 103 facing the mounting position of the ink cartridge 30 in which cyan ink is stored may output blue or light blue light. Further, information indicating the color of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 (for example, a character string indicating a color or a corresponding color sticker) may be added to the rear wall 41 of each ink cartridge 30. Thus, by comparing the light output from the rear wall 41 with the information added to the rear wall 41 in the state of FIG. 7B, the user can mount the ink cartridge 30 at an appropriate mounting position. Or not.

  Further, the positions of the light emitting units 103 in the cartridge mounting unit 110 (for example, positions in the depth direction 53) may be different from each other. In this case, it is necessary to change the position of the first input end 62 of each ink cartridge 30 according to the position of the light emitting unit 103 facing the mounting position where the ink cartridge 30 should be mounted. Accordingly, if the ink cartridge 30 is not mounted at the correct mounting position, no light is output from the rear wall 41 in the state of FIG. 7B, and a high level signal is output from the light receiving unit 104 in the state of FIG. 7C. Not output. Thereby, it is possible to make the user and the control unit 130 recognize whether or not the ink cartridge 30 is mounted at an appropriate mounting position.

  Similarly, the positions of the respective light receiving units 104 (for example, the positions in the height direction 52) may be made different from each other, and the position of the second output end 67 of the ink cartridge 30 may be matched with the corresponding position of the light receiving unit 104. Further, the positions of the half mirrors 113 (for example, the positions in the height direction 52) are made different from each other, and the positions of the first output end 63 and the second input end 66 of the ink cartridge 30 are matched with the corresponding positions of the half mirrors 113. May be.

  Further, the control unit 130 causes the light emitting unit 103 to continuously emit light on the condition that driving power is output from the power supply circuit 107, and intermittently on the condition that the above-described count value has reached the threshold amount. It may be switched to proper light emission. Here, only the light emitting unit 103 facing the ink cartridge 30 corresponding to the count value that has reached the threshold amount may be switched from continuous light emission to intermittent light emission. This can prompt the user to replace the corresponding ink cartridge. Here, the intermittent light emission cycle needs to be long enough for the user to recognize the blinking. On the other hand, intermittent light emission for removing the influence of external light may have an extremely short period as long as the control unit 130 can recognize it.

  In the above embodiment, the example of the ink cartridge 30 in which the light guide member 60 is embedded in the right wall 38 has been described. However, the arrangement and attachment method of the light guide member 60 are not limited to this. For example, the light guide member 60 may be attached to the outer surface of the frame 31, or the light guide member 60 may be disposed inside the ink chamber 36. The specific shape of the light guide member 60 is not limited to the example of FIG. 4, and any shape that can reflect the output light from the light emitting unit 103 by the half mirror 113 and guide it to the light receiving unit 104 is adopted. Can do. Moreover, the light guide member 60 is good also as a form which covers a core part with a high refractive index with a clad part with a low refractive index. Further, the light guide path of the present invention is not limited to the light guide member 60, and may be a space (passage) through which light provided in the ink cartridge 30 passes.

  Moreover, although said embodiment demonstrated the example which employ | adopted the half mirror 113 which has the function of a reflection part and a transmission part, the specific example of a reflection part and a transmission part is not limited to this. For example, an aluminum foil that reflects a part of the light output from the first output end 63 (an example of a reflecting portion) and a through-hole that transmits the other part of the light output from the first output end 63 (transmission) An example) may be provided on the cover 111. Further, the positional relationship between the reflective portion and the transmissive portion is not particularly limited, and for example, an annular aluminum foil may be arranged so as to surround the through hole. That is, if the reflection part and the transmission part are provided close to each other at the position facing the first output end 63 (in other words, on the optical path of the light output from the first output end 63). Good.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the control unit 130 obtains a recording instruction from the operation unit 105 when the operation unit 105 is operated by a user has been described. However, an example in which the control unit 130 obtains a recording instruction is described. It is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 130 may acquire a recording instruction from an interface unit with an external PC (not shown, an example of an acquisition unit).

[Modification]
Next, a modified example of the printer 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In addition, the same reference numeral is given to the component that exhibits the same function as that of the above-described embodiment, and the detailed description is omitted, and the difference will be mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the printer 10 according to the modification includes an opening 112 in a part of the user interface surface and the upper surface of the housing 11. Further, the cover 111 according to the modification is rotated around the rotation axis extending in the width direction 51 at the rear end of the opening 112, and the cover position illustrated in FIG. 9A and the cover 111 illustrated in FIG. Move between the exposure positions shown. Furthermore, the half mirror 113 according to the modified example is provided in a part constituting a part of the user interface surface of the housing 11 in the cover 111 at the covering position. Further, the half mirror 113 according to the modification has a strip shape extending in the width direction 51 in a movement range of the carriage 22 described later.

  In addition, a guide shaft 18 and a guide rail 19 are provided in the internal space of the housing 11 as shown in FIG. Each of the guide shaft 18 and the guide rail 19 extends in the width direction 51 at a position separated in the depth direction 53. The guide shaft 18 and the guide rail 19 support the carriage 22. The carriage 22 is supported by the guide shaft 18 and the guide rail 19 so as to be movable in the width direction 51. An ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the carriage 22. That is, the carriage 22 is another example of the mounting portion. Further, as shown in FIG. 10B, the carriage 22 is provided at a position facing the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the carriage 22 and spaced apart in the width direction 51. And a light receiving unit 104.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the ink cartridge 30 according to the modification includes a recording head 45 that discharges ink in the ink chamber 36 instead of the ink supply unit 35. The recording head 45 is provided on the lower wall 42 of the ink cartridge 30. The recording head 45 is exposed to the outside of the carriage 22 through the opening 22 </ b> A provided on the lower surface of the carriage 22 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the carriage 22. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the carriage 22, an electrical contact (not shown) provided on the ink cartridge 30 comes into contact with an electrical contact (not shown) provided on the carriage 22, and the control unit 130 and the ink are in contact with each other. The recording head 45 of the cartridge 30 is electrically connected. As a result, the control unit 130 can drive the recording head 45 of the ink cartridge 30.

  9 and 10 convey the recording sheet to a position facing the lower surface of the carriage 22 in the height direction 52. In the process of moving the carriage 22 in the width direction 51, ink is selectively ejected from the recording head 45, whereby an image is recorded on the recording paper conveyed by the conveying roller pair 25 and the discharging roller pair 27. The above-described process is another example of the recording process.

  The light guide member 60 according to the modification is provided on the upper part of the ink cartridge 30 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10B, the first light guide 61 according to the modification is exposed to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 from the front wall 40 on the right wall 38 side from the center in the width direction 51. Curved between the end 62 and the first output end 63 exposed from the rear wall 41 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 at a substantially central portion in the width direction 51. The second light guide portion 65 according to the modification includes a second output end 67 exposed from the front wall 40 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 on the left wall 37 side from the center in the width direction 51, and a substantially central portion in the width direction 51. The second input end 66 that is exposed from the rear wall 41 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 is curved.

  In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the carriage 22, the first input end 62 faces the light emitting unit 103 in the depth direction 53, and the second output end 67 faces the light receiving unit 104 in the depth direction 53. Further, the first output end 63 and the second input end 66 face the half mirror 113 in the depth direction 53 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the carriage 22 and the cover 111 is located at the covering position.

  According to the above configuration, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the carriage 22 and the cover 111 is in the covering position, a high level signal is output from the light receiving unit 104 no matter where the carriage 22 moves in the width direction 51. The As a result, the control unit 130 can grasp the mounting state of the ink cartridge 30 and the position of the cover 111 and execute the processes of FIGS. 8A to 8C.

  In the embodiment and the modification described above, a part of the light guide member 60 is used so that the light receiving unit 104 arranged at a position off the optical axis of the output light from the light emitting unit 103 receives the output light. It is bent (embodiment) or curved (modified example). Thus, the light guide member 60 only needs to be bent on the path from the first input end 62 to the second output end 67.

  In the embodiment and the modification described above, the example in which the light emitting unit 103, the light receiving unit 104, and the half mirror 113 are provided on the printer 10 side has been described. However, the arrangement of each component is not limited to this, and one of them. May be provided in the ink cartridge 30. For example, in the example of FIG. 3, the light emitting unit 103 that outputs light toward the first output end 63 at the bent position of the first light guide unit 61 (another example of the first input end) may be provided. In this case, the first portion 61A of the first light guide portion 61 can be omitted, and the light guide member 60 may not be bent.

  Further, the printing method of the printer 10 is not limited to the ink jet recording method, and may be, for example, an electrophotographic method in which an image is recorded on a recording sheet with toner (another example of printing fluid).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer 21, 45 ... Recording head 22 ... Carriage 29 ... Nozzle 30 ... Ink cartridge 36 ... Ink chamber 60 ... Light guide member 61 ... First light guide First input end 63 First output end 65 Second light guide unit 66 Second input end 67 Second output end 103 Light emitting unit 104 ..Light receiving unit 105... Operation unit 106 .. power supply unit 110... Cartridge mounting unit 111 .. cover 112 .. opening 113 .. half mirror 130.

Claims (11)

A storage chamber in which the printing fluid is stored, and a cartridge having a light guide path through which light passes;
A mounting portion to which the cartridge is attached and detached through the opening;
A cover that is movable to a covering position that covers the opening and an exposure position that exposes the opening; and a cover provided with a reflecting portion that reflects light at a position facing the mounting portion at the covering position;
A recording unit that executes a recording process for recording an image on a recording medium using the printing fluid supplied from the storage chamber of the cartridge mounted on the mounting unit;
A light emitting unit that outputs light to the light guide;
A light receiving unit that outputs a signal indicating whether or not light is received;
A control unit for determining whether the cartridge is mounted on the mounting unit based on a signal output from the light receiving unit, and a position of the cover;
The light guide path is in a state where the cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion.
A first input terminal to which the light output from the light emitting unit is input, and a first output terminal to output the light input to the first input terminal to the reflecting unit provided on the cover at the covering position. A first light guide having
An image including a second input end to which the light reflected by the reflecting portion is input, and a second light guide path having a second output end for outputting the light input to the second input end to the light receiving portion. Recording device.   The control unit is capable of recording in which the cartridge is mounted on the mounting unit and the cover is positioned at the covering position on the condition that a light reception signal indicating that light has been received is output from the light receiving unit. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image recording apparatus is determined to be in a state. The image recording apparatus includes an acquisition unit,
The said control part acquires the recording instruction | indication which makes the said recording part perform the said recording process through the said acquisition part, and makes the said recording part perform the said recording process on condition that it determined that it was the said recordable state. 2. The image recording apparatus according to 2.   The control unit indicates that the signal output from the light receiving unit is not receiving light from a light receiving signal indicating that light is received while the recording process is being performed by the recording unit. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit interrupts execution of the recording process on condition that the signal is changed to a non-light-receiving signal.   The control unit performs the interrupted recording process on the recording unit on condition that the signal output from the light receiving unit has changed from the non-light receiving signal to the light receiving signal during the interruption of the recording process. The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image recording apparatus is resumed. The opening is exposed to the outside of the image recording apparatus by positioning the cover at the exposed position.
The control unit outputs light to the light emitting unit intermittently at a specific cycle,
6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it is determined that the cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion and the cover is located at the covering position on condition that the light receiving signal is output from the light receiving portion at the specific period. The image recording apparatus according to any one of the above. The cover at the covering position constitutes a part of the exterior of the image recording apparatus,
The light emitting unit outputs visible light,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover includes a transmission portion that transmits a part of the light output from the first output end.   The control unit changes the light to be output to the light emitting unit from continuous light to intermittent light at a specific period on condition that the discharge amount of the printing fluid discharged from the recording unit reaches a threshold amount. The image recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image recording apparatus is switched to. The image recording apparatus includes a power supply unit that supplies power to the recording unit, the light emitting unit, and the control unit,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit outputs light on condition that electric power is supplied from the power supply unit to the recording unit.   The control unit causes the light emitting unit to output light until a predetermined light emitting period elapses on condition that the discharge amount of the printing fluid discharged from the recording unit has reached a threshold amount. 10. The image recording apparatus according to any one of items 9. The light emitting part is provided in the mounting part,
The light receiving unit is provided in the mounting unit at a position off the optical axis of the light output from the light emitting unit,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light guide path is bent on a path from the first input end to the second output end.

Images