JP6328091B2 - Liquid container and liquid discharge device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container and a liquid ejection device, and more particularly to a configuration for detecting the amount of ink in a liquid container such as an ink tank that stores ink.

  As a detection configuration of this type, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228667 discloses a blocking unit that changes the position in the vertical direction according to the amount of ink stored in the ink tank, and the optical path is blocked at a predetermined position of the blocking unit. An optical sensor is described. In this configuration, the amount of ink corresponding to the state can be known by detecting a state in which the blocking unit blocks or does not block the optical path of the optical sensor.

JP 2005-254734 A

  By the way, in a liquid container such as an ink tank, bubbles may be mixed in the liquid due to various factors, and the bubbles mixed in such liquid rise in the liquid by its buoyancy and stay in the container. In this case, in the case of detecting the amount of liquid in the container by the movement of the blocking unit as described in Patent Document 1, in the container configured to retain the above-described bubbles in the movement range of the blocking unit, the blocking unit It is possible that the detection of the liquid amount in the container cannot be performed because the movement of the liquid is hindered by the bubbles.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid container and a liquid ejection device in which movement of a blocking unit that blocks an optical path of a sensor for detecting the amount of liquid in a liquid container is not hindered by bubbles in the container. .

To accomplish the above object, a liquid material container, the liquid and the reservoir, and the liquid storage chamber liquid is suppliable configured externally to said reservoir, first communicating with the liquid reservoir chamber and the chamber, a blocking unit for blocking an optical path in said first chamber, between a position that does not block the position and the light path to block the optical path, the amount of liquid that the liquid storage chamber for storing the A position where the light path is blocked from the position where the light path is not blocked as it decreases, and the light receiving section outside the liquid container can receive light when the light path is not blocked; and wherein provided in the first chamber and adjacent positions, said first through-chamber and communicating, a second chamber having a width greater than a width of the first chamber, a comprises, the second chamber Is provided outside the moving range of the blocking portion, and the first The chamber, characterized in that adjacent at position side does not block the optical path from the position to block the optical path.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a liquid container in which the movement of the blocking unit that blocks the optical path of the sensor for detecting the amount of liquid in the liquid container is not hindered by bubbles in the container.

(A)-(d) is a figure for demonstrating the phenomenon in which the movement of the interruption | blocking part which interrupts | blocks the optical path of an optical sensor is inhibited by the bubble which stays in a liquid container. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows the ink tank which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention in a partial cross section. It is a figure which shows the ink tank which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention in a partial cross section. It is a figure which shows the ink tank which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention in a partial cross section. It is a perspective view which shows the ink tank which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the ink tank which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention in a partial cross section. It is sectional drawing which shows the ink tank which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of a liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  Before describing an embodiment of the present invention, a phenomenon in which movement of a blocking unit that blocks an optical path of an optical sensor for detecting the amount of liquid is hindered by bubbles staying in a liquid container will be described. FIGS. 1A to 1D are views for explaining this phenomenon, and show a cross section of an ink tank as a liquid container.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, ink as a liquid is stored in an ink tank 1 as a liquid container. The ink storage chamber (liquid storage chamber) has a supply port and is configured to be able to supply ink to the outside. The position of the liquid level 4 of the stored ink changes in the z direction (vertical direction) shown in the drawing according to the ink amount (liquid amount) at that time. In the ink tank 1, an arm member 5 having a float 5 </ b> A at one end and a blocking portion 3 at the other end is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 5 </ b> B fixed to the ink tank 1. ing. Further, the ink tank 1 is provided with a detection unit 2 so as to protrude outward. The detection unit 2 is another chamber that communicates with a chamber in which the ink in the ink tank 1 is stored, and the blocking unit 3 is configured to be movable in this chamber. In the above configuration, the arm member 5 is rotated by the movement of the float 5A that can follow the position of the liquid level 4 that changes according to the amount of ink in the ink tank 1. And the position in the detection part 2 of the interruption | blocking part 3 changes with rotation of this arm member 5. FIG.

  On the other hand, an optical sensor having a light emitting unit 6A and a light receiving unit 6B is provided at a position where the ink tank 1 is mounted. That is, as shown in FIG. 1B, at least a side surface of the detection unit 2 of the ink tank 1 is formed of a light-transmitting material, and a light emitting unit 6A and a light receiving unit 6B are arranged on both sides of the detection unit 2, respectively. Has been. Thereby, the light 6C is emitted from the light emitting unit 6A, and when the light 6C is not blocked by the blocking unit 3, it passes through the detection unit 2 and reaches the light receiving unit 6B.

  As described above, the position of the blocking unit 3 in the detection unit 2 changes according to the amount of ink in the ink tank 1, and the amount of ink decreases as shown in FIG. If it becomes the minimum amount used for, the blocking unit 3 becomes the upper limit position of the movement range in the detection unit 2 according to the position of the float 5A. The upper limit position is defined by the upper wall 2A formed by the detection unit 2. In this state, the light 6C from the light emitting unit 6A is not blocked by the blocking unit 3, but can be received by the light receiving unit 6B, thereby detecting that the ink amount has become a predetermined amount or less. Can do.

  However, as shown in FIG. 1D, when the bubble 10 is stored in the upper part of the detection unit 2, the blocking unit 3 may not be able to move to the upper limit of the movement range by the bubble 10. In this case, although the ink amount is equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the light receiving unit 6B cannot receive light while the blocking unit 3 blocks the light 6C. As a result, an error occurs in the detection of the ink amount.

  The present invention relates to a configuration that suppresses the inhibition of the movement of the blocking portion due to such bubbles, and an embodiment thereof will be described below.

(First embodiment)
FIGS. 2A and 2B are views showing a partial cross section of the ink tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and are the same as FIGS. 1A and 1B. When mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus, the vertical direction of the ink tank 1 shown in each of FIGS. 2A and 2B is the vertical direction. The configuration of the ink tank of the present embodiment is the same as the configuration shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C except for the portions described below.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the ink tank of the present embodiment has a space (hereinafter simply referred to as an “upper chamber”) above the upper limit of the moving range of the blocking unit 3 in the detection unit 2. ) 22 is provided. The width of the upper chamber (enlarged chamber) 22 (the length in the horizontal direction in FIG. 2A) is larger than the width of the chamber 21 of the detection unit 2 which is the movement range of the blocking unit 3. As a result, bubbles generated in or entering the moving range of the blocking unit 3 move (rise) to the upper chamber 22 in the vertical direction due to the buoyancy and stay in the upper chamber 22. As a result, bubbles do not stay in the movement range of the blocking unit 3, and the movement of the blocking unit 3 can be suppressed from being inhibited by the bubbles. In the present embodiment, the cross section of the chamber including the detection chamber 21 and the expansion chamber 22 is T-shaped.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink tank 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, which is the same as FIG. 2 (a). As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the upper chamber (enlarged chamber) 23 provided above the detection unit 2 is an inverted triangle, and the width of the portion corresponding to the base of the triangle is the width of the detection unit 2. The width of the chamber 21 is longer. In this configuration as well, as in the first embodiment, air bubbles can be introduced and retained in the upper chamber 23, so that the air bubbles do not stay in the moving range of the blocking unit 3, and the movement of the blocking unit 3 is caused by the bubbles. Inhibition can be suppressed.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink tank 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, which is the same as FIG. 2 (a). As shown in FIG. 4, in this embodiment, the shape of the upper chamber (enlarged chamber) 24 provided above the detection unit 2 is spherical, and the diameter of this sphere is larger than the width of the chamber 21 of the detection unit 2. large. In this configuration as well, as in the first and second embodiments, bubbles can be introduced and retained in the upper chamber 24, whereby bubbles do not stay in the moving range of the blocking unit 3, and the movement of the blocking unit 3 can be performed. Can be inhibited by bubbles.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an ink tank 1 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The ink tank shown in FIG. 5 has the same structure as the ink tank according to the first embodiment except for the configuration described below. FIG. 5 shows the ink tank 1 with the thickness of the wall constituting the ink tank 1 omitted.

  In the ink tank 1 of the present embodiment, a groove structure 7 is provided on the bottom surface of the detection unit 2. Thereby, the outflow of ink from the detection unit 2 to the ink storage unit can be promoted. As a result, the bubbles in the detection unit 2 are also discharged as the ink flows out, and the amount of bubbles remaining in the moving range of the blocking unit can be reduced.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink tank 1 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, which is the same as FIG. The ink tank shown in FIG. 6 has the same structure as the ink tank according to the first embodiment, except for the configuration described below.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the ink tank 1 of the present embodiment, the uneven shape 8 is formed by surface processing on the inner surface of the upper chamber 22 above the detection unit 2. Thereby, bubbles can be adsorbed and held on the inner surface. An example of surface processing that easily absorbs bubbles includes a method of increasing the surface area by providing fine irregularities, but it is needless to say that the method is not limited thereto.

(Sixth embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an ink tank 1 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, and is the same view as FIG. The ink tank shown in FIG. 7 has the same structure as the ink tank according to the first embodiment, except for the configuration described below.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the ink tank 1 of the present embodiment has a form in which the upper part of the detection unit 2 is enlarged upward. Specifically, in the detection unit 2, an expansion chamber 25 having a predetermined volume is provided above the upper limit 31 of the moving range of the blocking unit 3. In the present embodiment, bubbles generated in or entering the movement range of the blocking unit 3 are moved (raised) to the expansion chamber 25 and are retained in this chamber. As a result, bubbles do not stay in the movement range of the blocking unit 3, and the movement of the blocking unit 3 can be suppressed from being inhibited by the bubbles.

(Configuration of liquid ejection device)
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention.

  The ink tank 1 of each embodiment described above is used for each of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) inks, and the ink tanks 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk are used as carriages. 100 is detachably mounted. That is, the ink tank of this embodiment is of a cartridge type and can be replaced when the ink runs out. The carriage 100 is provided with a set of the above-described issuing unit (light emitting element) 6A and light receiving unit (light receiving element) 6B for each ink tank. The ink remaining amount detection unit 2301 configured in the control unit 200 receives the drive signal for the light emitting element 6A and the detection signal from the light receiving element 6B.

  The respective inks stored in the ink tanks 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1Bk are supplied to the recording head (liquid ejection head) 101, and are ejected from the ejection ports of the recording head 101 by the drive control of the control unit 200. In FIG. 8, only the recording head corresponding to one color ink is shown for simplification of illustration. The recording head 101 is configured to eject ink using various ejection energy generating elements such as an electrothermal conversion element (heater) and a piezo element. The recording method of the recording apparatus is arbitrary, and a full line method may be used in addition to the serial scan method of the present embodiment.

(Other embodiments)
In each of the above-described embodiments, a float is provided at one end of an arm member that is rotatably provided, a blocking portion is provided at the other end, and an arm member that rotates according to displacement is used in the float. The application of the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the float itself may be in the form. In other words, the detection unit can be provided at a position corresponding to the ink liquid level position for notifying that there is no ink remaining, and the float that also functions as a blocking unit can be moved inside the detection unit. According to this aspect, in particular, as the ink amount decreases, the float that also serves as the blocking unit can move from the upper part to the lower part in the detection unit. For example, when the float that moves to the lower part and also serves as a blocking unit does not block the optical path of the optical sensor, it can be detected that the remaining amount of ink is small.

  And by applying this invention to this structure, it can suppress that a float is moved to the lower part different from the position of the liquid level of a detection part by presence of a bubble. That is, it is possible to suppress the bubbles from staying in the moving range of the blocking unit, in which the blocking unit enters the state where the optical path is not blocked from the blocked state, or the state where the blocking is performed from the state where the blocking is not performed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink tank 2 Detection part 22, 23, 24 Upper chamber 3 Blocking part 4 Ink liquid level 5 Arm member 5A Float 6A Light emission part 6B Light reception part 7 Groove structure 8 Surface processing

Claims (11)

A liquid material container,
A liquid storage chamber configured to store liquid and supply the stored liquid to the outside;
A first chamber communicating with the liquid storage chamber;
A blocking unit that blocks an optical path, wherein the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber decreases between a position at which the optical path is blocked and a position at which the optical path is not blocked in the first chamber. A blocking unit that moves from a position that blocks the optical path to a position that does not block the optical path, and that a light receiving unit outside the liquid container can receive light when in a position that does not block the optical path ;
Said first provided at adjacent positions with the chamber, the first through-chamber and the communication, the second chamber having a width greater than a width of the first chamber,
The equipped,
The second chamber is provided outside the moving range of the blocking section, and is adjacent to the first chamber on a position side where the optical path is not blocked than a position where the optical path is blocked. Feature liquid container. A liquid container,
A liquid storage chamber configured to store liquid and supply the stored liquid to the outside;
A first chamber protruding from the liquid storage chamber and communicating with the liquid storage chamber;
A blocking unit that blocks an optical path, wherein the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber decreases between a position at which the optical path is blocked and a position at which the optical path is not blocked in the first chamber. A blocking unit that moves from a position that blocks the optical path to a position that does not block the optical path, and that a light receiving unit outside the liquid container can receive light when in a position that does not block the optical path;
A second chamber protruding from the liquid storage chamber, provided at a position adjacent to the first chamber, communicating with the first chamber, and having a width larger than the width of the first chamber;
With
The second chamber is a wall that protrudes from the liquid storage chamber, and includes a wall that intersects the moving direction of the blocking part and faces each other, and a wall that faces each other along the moving direction of the blocking part. A liquid container, wherein the liquid container is in communication with the first chamber through an opening provided in one of the walls that intersect with the moving direction of the blocking portion and face each other. Claim 1 wherein the blocking portion with respect to the moving direction and vertical width to move to a position which does not block the optical path from a position for blocking said optical path, said second chamber having a width greater than a width of the first chamber Or the liquid container of 2 . The first chamber is in a position protruding from one surface of the liquid storage chamber, and the second chamber is the first chamber with respect to a width in a direction parallel to the surface and perpendicular to the moving direction of the blocking portion . The liquid container according to claim 3 , which has a width larger than the width of one chamber. The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein a cross section of a chamber formed by the first chamber and the second chamber is T-shaped. The second chamber is opposite to the side on the line connecting the position where the light path of the light blocking portion is blocked and the position where the light path is not blocked, with the position where the light path is blocked based on the position where the light path is not blocked. The liquid container according to claim 1, which is located on a side. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the second chamber communicates with the liquid storage chamber. The liquid container according to claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the second chamber has an uneven shape. 9. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid storage chamber includes a rotation shaft and a float that can rotate about the rotation shaft. The liquid container according to claim 9, further comprising an arm member provided with the blocking portion at one end and the float at the other end. A liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
A liquid discharge head for discharging the liquid supplied from the liquid container;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising:

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