JP6500553B2 - Liquid cartridge and liquid consumption device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid cartridge containing a liquid whose viscosity can change with time.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an inkjet recording apparatus which records an image on a recording medium by discharging ink stored in an ink container from a nozzle. In the ink jet recording apparatus having the above configuration, when the viscosity of the ink in the ink container changes, the nozzles may be clogged, and the image recording quality may be affected.

  Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses an ink jet recording apparatus which calculates the ink viscosity in the ink container and performs an optimum preliminary discharge operation according to the calculation result. Specifically, the ink jet recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1 calculates the viscosity of the ink based on the elapsed time after the ink container is attached to the ink jet recording apparatus and the remaining amount of ink in the ink container. doing.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-277560

  However, the change in the viscosity of the ink in the ink container may greatly vary depending on the type of ink in the ink container, the temperature of the environment in which the ink container is placed, and the like. Further, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, it is not possible to calculate the viscosity of the ink in the ink container which has been left without being attached to the ink jet recording apparatus.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a liquid cartridge which can estimate the viscosity of the liquid in the storage chamber more directly.

  (1) A liquid cartridge according to the present invention includes a liquid container having a liquid storage chamber in which liquid is stored, a first direction from the standby attitude toward the detection attitude, and a second direction from the detection attitude toward the standby attitude A pivoting member disposed in the liquid storage chamber so as to be pivotable about a pivoting axis; a restricting position regulating the pivoting member in the standby posture from pivoting in the first direction; A first restricting member capable of moving between allowable positions for allowing movement of the moving member, and restricting rotation of the rotating member in the detection posture in the first direction and rotating in the second direction And a second restricting member that permits movement. The rotation member is detected from the outside of the liquid cartridge when the detection posture is set, and the float having a smaller specific gravity than the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber, and the first direction of the rotation member And a first resistance portion that generates a resistance to the rotation of the lens. The float rotates the pivoting member in the first direction by moving upward in response to the liquid cartridge being in the use posture and the first restricting member being moved to the allowable position. When the liquid cartridge is in the use position and the liquid level in the liquid storage chamber is lowered, the rotation member is rotated in the second direction by moving downward. Each of the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion extends upward from the float when the liquid cartridge is in the use posture and the rotation member is in the detection posture, and the rotation shaft is It is disposed across an imaginary plane that extends in the direction of gravity.

  According to the above configuration, when the first restricting member moves from the restricting position to the permitting position, the pivoting member moves from the standby posture to the detection posture. Since the pivoting member moves in the liquid while receiving viscous resistance and inertial resistance from the liquid, the moving speed of the pivoting member depends on the viscosity of the liquid. Therefore, the viscosity of the liquid stored in the liquid cartridge can be estimated by measuring the time from the movement of the first restricting member to the allowable position until the turning member reaches the detection posture. Further, the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion receive resistance from the liquid in the liquid storage chamber by rotation of the rotation member. As a result, since the time from when the first restricting member is moved to the allowable position until the turning member reaches the detection posture is long, the estimation accuracy of the liquid viscosity is improved.

  Thereby, for example, the degree of deterioration of the liquid in the liquid cartridge which has been left for a long time without being attached to the liquid consuming apparatus can be estimated, or plural types of liquid cartridges in which liquids having different viscosities are stored In the case where the apparatus can be mounted, the type of liquid cartridge mounted can be identified. According to the above configuration, in addition to or in place of the above-described effects, the following effects can also be obtained.

  Further, according to the above configuration, when the float is exposed from the liquid surface as the liquid surface in the liquid storage chamber descends, the rotation member is rotated in the second direction from the detection posture due to the decrease in the buoyancy applied to the float. As a result, since the turning member deviates from the detection posture, it can be determined that the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber has become less than the threshold amount. By the way, when the liquid level falls, before the float is exposed from the liquid level, the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion located above the float are exposed from the liquid level. When the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion are exposed from the liquid surface, the buoyancy corresponding to the volume of the portion exposed from the liquid surface of the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion is reduced.

  Therefore, by arranging the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion across the virtual plane, the amount of reduction of the buoyancy in the portion closer to the first direction than the virtual plane of the rotation member is greater than the virtual plane of the rotation member. Also, it can be suppressed that the reduction of the buoyancy at the portion near the second direction becomes too large. As a result, it is possible to suppress that the pivoting member deviates from the detection posture before the amount of liquid becomes less than the threshold amount. Similarly, it is suppressed that the amount of reduction of the buoyancy in the portion near the second direction than the imaginary plane of the pivoting member becomes too large as the amount of the reduction of the buoyancy in the portion near the first direction than the imaginary plane of the pivoting member. it can. As a result, it is possible to suppress that the pivoting member remains in the detection posture even though the amount of liquid is less than the threshold amount.

  Furthermore, when it is desired to reduce the amount of liquid when the pivoting member deviates from the detection posture, it is preferable to position the float near the bottom of the liquid storage chamber. On the other hand, the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion located above the float can be laid out at any position in the liquid storage chamber without worrying about interference with the float and the bottom surface of the liquid storage chamber.

  The use posture of the liquid cartridge means, for example, a posture when the liquid cartridge is mounted to the liquid consumption device and used, or a posture of the liquid cartridge when confirming the movement of the rotation member in the manufacturing process.

  (2) Preferably, in each of the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion, the area of the first surface facing the first direction is larger than the area of the second surface intersecting the first surface.

  (3) More preferably, each of the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion extends in a direction intersecting with the first direction, and a plurality of the resistance portions are spaced apart from each other in the first direction. I have a fin. A distribution space formed between the plurality of fins is open in a plurality of directions with respect to the liquid storage chamber.

  According to each of the above-described configurations, the viscous resistance and the inertial resistance that the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion receive from the liquid increase. As a result, since the time until the rotating member reaches the detection attitude becomes long, the estimation accuracy of the liquid viscosity is improved.

  (4) Preferably, the flow spaces are open in opposite directions.

  According to the above configuration, the amount of inflow and outflow of the liquid into the circulation space is increased. As a result, the time taken for the pivoting member to reach the detection posture is further lengthened, so that the estimation accuracy of the liquid viscosity is further improved.

  (5) Preferably, said 1st resistance part and said 2nd resistance part have the same number of said fins.

  According to the above configuration, the amount of reduction of the buoyancy due to the lowering of the liquid level is between the portion closer to the first direction than the imaginary plane of the pivoting member and the portion closer to the second direction than the imaginary plane of the pivoting member Can suppress large differences.

  (6) Preferably, the surface facing the first direction of the fin is a concave surface.

  According to the above configuration, the viscous resistance and the inertial resistance that the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion receive from the liquid are further increased. As a result, the time taken for the pivoting member to reach the detection attitude becomes long, so that the estimation accuracy of the liquid viscosity is further improved.

  (7) Preferably, the liquid cartridge is in the use posture, the rotating member is in the detection posture, and the liquid level in the liquid storage chamber is the upper end of the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion. The horizontal distance between the volume M1 of the first resistance portion located above the liquid surface and the center of volume of the volume M1 and the rotation axis between the time when it falls and the upper end of the float is reached L1, a volume M2 of the second resistance portion located above the liquid surface, and a horizontal distance L2 between the center of volume of the volume M2 and the rotation axis are 0.9 × (M2 × L2) The relationship of <M1 × L1 <1.1 × (M2 × L2) is satisfied.

  According to the above configuration, the amount of decrease of the moment of buoyancy due to the drop of the liquid surface is a portion closer to the first direction than the virtual plane of the pivoting member and a portion closer to the second direction than the imaginary plane of the pivoting member It is possible to suppress large differences between

  (8) Preferably, said 1st resistance part and said 2nd resistance part are shapes rotationally symmetric around the said rotation axis. When the cartridge is in the use posture and the rotation member is in the detection posture, an angle formed by an imaginary line connecting the rotation axis and the first representative point of the first resistance portion with the horizontal line is the rotation It is equal to the angle between the horizontal line and an imaginary line connecting the axis and the second representative point of the second resistor.

  According to the above configuration, the amount of decrease of the moment of buoyancy due to the drop of the liquid surface is a portion closer to the first direction than the virtual plane of the pivoting member and a portion closer to the second direction than the imaginary plane of the pivoting member It is possible to suppress large differences between The first representative point is an arbitrary position of the first resistor, and is, for example, the position of the center of gravity or the position of the tip of the first resistor. In addition, the second representative point is an arbitrary position of the second resistance portion, and is a gravity center position or a tip end position of the second resistance portion.

  (9) Preferably, in the process of being moved from the allowable position to the restricted position, the first restricting member rotates the pivoting member to the standby position.

  According to the above configuration, the pivoting member is returned to the standby position by returning the first restricting member from the permitted position to the restricted position. As a result, the viscosity of the liquid in the liquid cartridge can be repeatedly estimated.

  (10) For example, the first regulating member contacts the pivoting member at the regulating position, separates from the pivoting member at the permissible position, and is moved from the permissible position to the regulating position And in contact with the pivoting member to pivot the pivoting member to the standby position.

  (11) For example, the control unit includes an operation member movable from the standby position to the operation position in response to an external force from the outside of the liquid container. The first restricting member is moved from the restricting position to the allowable position in conjunction with the movement of the operation member from the standby position to the actuating position.

  (12) For example, the first regulation member and the operation member are integrated.

  (13) For example, the liquid cartridge further includes a liquid supply unit having a liquid supply port that supplies the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber to the outside of the liquid cartridge. The operation member closes the liquid supply port when in the standby position, and opens the liquid supply port when in the operating position.

  (14) Preferably, the apparatus further comprises a biasing member that biases the operation member from the operating position toward the standby position.

  According to the above configuration, the first restricting member is automatically moved to the restricting position by removing the external force for moving the operating member to the operating position.

  (15) The liquid consuming apparatus according to the present invention consumes the liquid supplied from the liquid cartridge having the liquid storage chamber in which the liquid is stored. The liquid cartridge has a liquid container having a liquid storage chamber in which liquid is stored, a first direction from the standby attitude toward the detection attitude, and a second direction from the detection attitude toward the standby attitude, A pivoting member rotatably disposed in the liquid storage chamber; a restricting position that regulates the pivoting member in the standby posture from pivoting in the first direction; and A first restricting member capable of moving between allowable position to allow, and restricting rotation of the rotating member in the detection posture in the first direction and permitting rotation in the second direction And a second restricting member. The rotation member is detected from the outside of the liquid cartridge when the detection posture is set, and the float having a smaller specific gravity than the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber, and the first direction of the rotation member And a first resistance portion that generates a resistance to the rotation of the lens. The float rotates the pivoting member in the first direction by moving upward in response to the liquid cartridge being in the use posture and the first restricting member being moved to the allowable position. When the liquid cartridge is in the use position and the liquid level in the liquid storage chamber is lowered, the rotation member is rotated in the second direction by moving downward. Each of the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion extends upward from the float when the liquid cartridge is in the use posture and the rotation member is in the detection posture, and the rotation shaft is It is disposed across an imaginary plane that extends in the direction of gravity. The liquid consumption device includes: a mounting portion to which the liquid cartridge is detachably mounted; a liquid consumption portion that consumes the liquid supplied from the liquid cartridge mounted to the mounting portion through the liquid supply portion; And a detection unit that outputs a detection signal indicating that the moving member is in the detection posture.

  (16) Preferably, in the liquid consuming apparatus, whether the elapsed time from the movement of the first regulating member to the allowable position and the output of the detection signal by the detection unit is included in the threshold range. And a control unit that determines the

  According to the above configuration, the viscosity of the liquid stored in the liquid cartridge is estimated by measuring the time from when the first regulating member is moved to the allowable position until the rotating member reaches the detection posture. Can. Further, the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion receive resistance from the liquid in the liquid storage chamber by rotation of the rotation member. As a result, since the time from when the first restricting member is moved to the allowable position until the turning member reaches the detection posture is long, the estimation accuracy of the liquid viscosity is improved.

  Further, according to the above configuration, the pivoting member deviates from the detection posture as the liquid level in the liquid storage chamber falls, so that it is detected that the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber becomes less than the threshold. Can. Here, by arranging the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion across the imaginary plane, the reduction of the buoyancy due to the drop of the liquid level is biased in the direction of rotating the rotation member in the second direction, It is possible to prevent the pivoting member from deviating from the detection posture before the amount falls below the threshold.

  Note that the “threshold range” in the present specification does not necessarily need to specify both the upper limit value and the lower limit value, and at least one of the upper limit value and the lower limit value may be specified. For example, the threshold range in which only the upper limit value is specified includes all values equal to or less than the upper limit value. Similarly, the threshold range in which only the lower limit value is specified includes all values equal to or higher than the lower limit value.

  (17) More preferably, the control unit determines that the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber becomes less than a threshold amount in response to the stop of the output of the detection signal by the detection unit. .

  According to the present invention, the viscosity of the liquid stored in the liquid cartridge is estimated by measuring the time from the movement of the first restricting member to the allowable position until the turning member reaches the detection attitude. Can. In addition, since the time from when the first regulating member is moved to the allowable position until the turning member reaches the detection posture is long, the estimation accuracy of the liquid viscosity is improved.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of a printer 10 provided with a cartridge mounting portion 110. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of the ink cartridge 30. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ink container 31 with the film removed. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ink container 31 in which the detected member 59 and the regulating member 88 are added to FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the detection target member 59. FIG. FIG. 6 is a right side view of the detection target member 59. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the valve body 77 and the regulating member 88. FIG. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the printer 10. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30, in which (A) shows the state where the restricting member 88 is at the restricting position and the detected member 59 is in the standby position, and (B) shows the detected member when the restricting member 88 is at the allowable position. 59 is in the standby position. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30, where (A) shows the state where the restricting member 88 is at the allowable position and the detected member 59 is in the detection posture, and (B) shows that the remaining amount of ink is as shown in FIG. It is in a reduced condition. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the process of determining whether or not there is an abnormality in the viscosity of the ink stored in the ink chamber 36, which is executed by the control unit 130. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the process executed by the control unit 130 on condition that the process shown in FIG. 11 is completed and the cover of the cartridge mounting unit 110 is closed. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the remaining amount determination process performed by the control unit 130. FIG. 14 is a right side view of the detection target member 59 in which the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 are rotationally symmetrical. FIG. 15 is a right side view of the detection target member 59 provided with the through holes 170 and 171. FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the cartridge mounting portion 110 including the sensor 103 and the second sensor 148 and the ink cartridge 30 including the convex portion 149. As shown in FIG. FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the cartridge mounting portion 110 including the sensor 103 and the ink cartridge 30 including the convex portion 149. As shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example in which the present invention is embodied, and it goes without saying that the embodiment can be appropriately modified without departing from the scope of the present invention. Further, in the following description, the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 is defined as the insertion direction 51. Further, a direction opposite to the insertion direction 51 and in which the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 is defined as a removal direction 52. In the present embodiment, the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 are horizontal directions, but the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 may not be horizontal directions. Further, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, that is, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is in the use posture, the gravity direction is defined as downward direction 53, and the opposite direction to the gravity direction is defined as upward direction 54. Ru. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the removal direction 52, directions orthogonal to the insertion direction 51 and the downward direction 53 are defined as the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. In the following description, the ink cartridge 30 is in the use position unless otherwise specified.

[Overview of Printer 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 records an image by selectively discharging ink droplets onto a recording sheet based on an inkjet recording method. The printer 10 (an example of a liquid consumption device) includes a recording head 21 (an example of a liquid consumption unit), an ink supply device 100, and an ink tube 20 connecting the recording head 21 and the ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 is provided with a cartridge mounting unit 110 (an example of a mounting unit). The ink cartridge 30 (an example of a liquid cartridge) can be attached to the cartridge attachment unit 110. The cartridge mounting portion 110 is provided with an opening 112 on one surface thereof. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the insertion direction 51 through the opening 112 or is withdrawn from the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the removal direction 52.

  The ink cartridge 30 stores ink (an example of liquid) usable in the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are connected by the ink tube 20 in a state where the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed. 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 discharges the ink supplied from the sub tank 28 from the nozzles 29 by an inkjet recording method. Specifically, a drive voltage is selectively applied from the head control substrate 21A provided in the recording head 21 to the piezo elements 29A provided corresponding to the respective nozzles 29. Thereby, the ink is selectively discharged from the nozzles 29.

  The recording sheet fed from the sheet feeding tray 15 to the conveyance path 24 by the sheet feeding roller 23 is conveyed onto the platen 26 by the conveyance roller pair 25. The recording head 21 selectively discharges the ink onto the recording sheet passing over the platen 26. Thus, the image is recorded on the recording sheet. The recording sheet having passed through the platen 26 is discharged by the discharge roller pair 27 to the discharge tray 16 provided on the most downstream side of the conveyance path 24.

[Ink supply device 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 is provided with a cartridge mounting portion 110 in which the ink cartridge 30 can be mounted. The cartridge mounting unit 110 includes a case 101, an ink needle 102, a sensor 103 (an example of a detection unit), and a mounting sensor 107.

  Note that FIG. 1 shows a state in which the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed. That is, the state in which the ink cartridge 30 is in the use posture is shown. The cartridge mounting portion 110 can accommodate four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the respective colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Further, four ink needles 102, four sensors 103, and four mounting sensors 107 are provided corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30, respectively.

[Ink needle 102]
As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 112 is formed in the case 101. The case 101 has a back surface 151 located opposite to the opening 112. The ink needle 102 protrudes from the back surface 151 of the case 101 in the removal direction 52. The ink needle 102 is disposed on the back surface 151 of the case 101 at a position that can face the ink supply unit 60 (an example of a liquid supply unit) of the ink cartridge 30. The ink needle 102 is a tubular resin needle in which a liquid flow path is formed, and an opening is provided in the vicinity of the projecting end, and the ink tube 20 is connected to the proximal end. The ink in the ink chamber 36 (an example of a liquid storage chamber) flows out to the ink tube 20 through the ink needle 102 that has entered the ink supply unit 60. That is, the ink in the ink chamber 36 is supplied to the recording head 21 from the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 through the ink supply unit 60.

  The printer 10 includes a cover (not shown) that covers or exposes the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting unit 110. The cover is supported so as to be openable and closable by a case 101 or is supported so as to be openable and closable by a housing (not shown) of the printer 10. The opening 112 when the cover is open is exposed to the outside of the printer 10. In this state, the user can insert the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the opening 112 or can withdraw the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110. On the other hand, the opening 112 when the cover is closed is covered with respect to the outside of the printer 10. In this state, the ink cartridge 30 can not be inserted into or removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  In the present specification, the “ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110” is an ink in which at least a portion is positioned in the cartridge mounting portion 110 (more specifically, in the case 101). The cartridge 30 is meant. Therefore, the ink cartridge 30 in the process of being inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 is also the ink cartridge 30 mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  On the other hand, in the present specification, the state “completion of the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110” is a state in which the ink can be supplied from the ink cartridge 30 to the recording head 21 at least. For example, in this state, the ink cartridge 30 is locked so as not to move with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110, or the ink in the cartridge mounting portion 110 in a state in which a cover that opens and closes the opening 112 is closed. This means the state of the ink cartridge 30 in which image recording by the printer 10 is possible, such as the state in which the cartridge 30 is positioned. The ink cartridge 30 mounted to the cartridge mounting unit 110 is in the use posture.

[Sensor 103]
As shown in FIG. 1, the case 101 includes a top surface 152 that extends from the upper end of the back surface 151 toward the opening 112. The sensor 103 protrudes downward from the top surface 152 of the case 101. The sensor 103 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The light emitting unit is provided at an interval from the light receiving unit in the right direction 55 or the left direction 56 of the light receiving unit. The convex portion 37 of the ink cartridge 30 which has been completely mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 is disposed between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. In other words, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are disposed opposite to each other with the convex portion 37 of the ink cartridge 30 which has been completely mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. In the present embodiment, the optical path of the light output from the light emitting unit coincides with the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.

  The sensor 103 outputs a different detection signal depending on whether the light output from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit. For example, under the condition that the light output from the light emitting unit can not be received by the light receiving unit (that is, the light receiving intensity is less than the predetermined intensity), the sensor 103 is a low level signal (“signal having a signal level below the threshold level Point out). On the other hand, on the condition that the light output from the light emitting unit can be received by the light receiving unit (that is, the light receiving intensity is equal to or higher than the predetermined intensity), the sensor 103 sets the high level signal Output signal). Note that the light emitting unit in the present embodiment outputs, for example, light (for example, visible light or infrared light) transmitted through the wall of the convex portion 37 of the ink cartridge 30.

[Attachment sensor 107]
As shown in FIG. 1, the mounting sensor 107 is provided on the back surface 151 of the case 101 in the upward direction 54 of the ink needle 102. The mounting sensor 107 is disposed at a mounting detection position on the insertion path of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110. Then, the mounting sensor 107 outputs a detection signal corresponding to the presence or absence of the ink cartridge 30 at the mounting detection position to the control unit 130 (see FIG. 8). In the present embodiment, the mounting sensor 107 is disposed such that the ink cartridge 30 is positioned at the mounting detection position when the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed.

  Specifically, the mounting sensor 107 outputs a low level signal under the condition that the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110 is not pressed. On the other hand, the mounting sensor 107 outputs a high level signal on the condition that it is pressed by the front wall 40. The mounting sensor 107 in the present embodiment is a mechanical sensor that outputs a detection signal that varies depending on whether or not it is pressed by the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30, but specific examples of the mounting sensor 107 are limited thereto. It may be an optical sensor or the like.

[Ink cartridge 30]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the ink cartridge 30 can be rotated to the ink container 31 (an example of a liquid container) having an ink chamber 36 in which the ink is stored, and the ink chamber 36. And a regulating member 88 (an example of a first regulating member) disposed in the ink chamber 36 so as to be able to abut on the sensing member 59. The ink cartridge 30 supplies the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 to the outside through the ink supply unit 60. The ink cartridge 30 is in the upright state shown in FIG. 2, that is, with the surface in the lower direction 53 of FIG. 2 as the bottom and the surface in the upper direction 54 of FIG. And, it is inserted and withdrawn along the removal direction 52.

[Ink container 31]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink container 31 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and is thin in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and has a downward direction 53 and an upward direction 54 and an insertion direction 51 and a removal direction 52. The flat shape is larger in size than the rightward 55 and leftward 56 dimensions. The ink container 31 has at least a partial overlap between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 which at least partially overlap when viewed in plan from the insertion direction 51 or the withdrawal direction 52, and at least partially when viewed in plan from the downward direction 53 or the upward direction 54. The upper wall 39 and the lower wall 42 which overlap, and the inner wall 43 provided between the upper wall 39 and the lower wall 42 are provided. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the front wall 40 faces in the forward direction (in other words, in the insertion direction 51) and faces in the rear direction (in other words, the removal direction 52). Is the rear wall 41).

  The upper wall 39 connects the upper ends of the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41. The lower wall 42 connects lower ends of the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 to each other. The inner wall 43 connects central portions in the lower direction 53 and the upper direction 54 of the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41. The upper wall 39 is formed with a projection 37 projecting in the upward direction 54. The upper wall 39 formed with at least the convex portion 37 among the above-mentioned walls transmits light output from the light emitting portion of the sensor 103.

  The right 55 and left 56 surfaces of the ink container 31 are open. The surface of the opened ink container 31 is sealed by a film. The outer shape of the film 32 (see FIG. 2) for sealing the surface of the ink container 31 in the right direction 55 substantially matches the outer shape of the ink container 31 when viewed in plan from the right direction 55. The outer shape of a film (not shown) for sealing the surface of the ink container 31 in the left direction 56 substantially matches the outer shape of the ink container 31 when viewed in plan from the left direction 56. Each film constitutes the right and left walls of the ink chamber 36. Each film is heat-welded to the right end face and the left end face of the upper wall 39, the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, and the lower wall 42. Thereby, the ink can be stored in the upper wall 39, the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the lower wall 42, and the ink chamber 36 partitioned by the respective films. The inner wall 43 is disposed inside the ink chamber 36. The ink cartridge 30 may further include a cover that covers the outer surface of the film in order to protect the film against external forces.

[Ink chamber 36]
As shown in FIG. 3, the ink chamber 36 is formed between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41. Ink is stored in the ink chamber 36. The ink in the ink chamber 36 flows out of the ink cartridge 30 through the ink supply unit 60 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. The convex portion 37 has an internal space, and the internal space constitutes a part of the ink chamber 36.

  A wall 38 (an example of a second restricting member, see FIG. 9) for dividing the front in the insertion direction 51 of the internal space of the convex portion 37 is inserted in the insertion direction 51 from the detected portion 62 of the detection target 59 of the detection posture described later. It is arranged at a position shifted to Accordingly, the detection target portion 62 of the detection target member 59 moves in the insertion direction 51 toward the wall 38 and abuts on the wall 38. In other words, the wall 38 moves relative to the detected portion 62 of the detected member 59 in the removal direction 52 and abuts on the detected portion 62 of the detected member 59.

[Ink supply unit 60]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 9, the ink supply unit 60 is formed in the vicinity of the lower end of the front wall 40. As shown in FIG. 9, the ink supply unit 60 includes a cylindrical cylindrical wall 46 in which a valve chamber 47 is formed, and a seal member 76 and a cap 79 attached to the cylindrical wall 46.

  The cylindrical wall 46 extends from the inside to the outside of the ink chamber 36. An opening 46A is formed at an end of the removal direction 52 of the cylindrical wall 46. An opening 46 </ b> B (an example of a liquid supply port) is formed at an end of the cylindrical wall 46 in the insertion direction 51. Thus, the ink chamber 36 is in communication with the outside of the ink cartridge 30 via the valve chamber 47. That is, the ink supply unit 60 supplies the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30. A seal member 76 and a cap 79 are attached to the end of the cylinder wall 46 in the insertion direction 51, that is, the tip of the cylinder wall 46.

  The seal member 76 is a disk-shaped member whose outer diameter size is substantially the same as the outer diameter size of the cylindrical wall 46. The seal member 76 is in close contact with the end of the cylindrical wall 46 in a fluid-tight manner. A through hole 68 which penetrates the seal member 76 in the insertion direction 51 is formed at the central portion of the seal member 76. The through hole 68 brings the inside and the outside of the valve chamber 47 into communication with each other. The diameter of the through hole 68 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ink needle 102. The seal member 76 is formed of, for example, an elastic material such as rubber.

  The cap 79 is attached to the tip of the cylindrical wall 46 and sandwiches the seal member 76 with the cylindrical wall 46. At a central portion of the cap 79, a through hole 69 penetrating the cap 79 in the thickness direction is formed. The diameter of the through hole 69 is larger than the through hole 68.

[Valve 77, coil spring 87]
As shown in FIG. 9, a valve body 77 (an example of the operation member) and a coil spring 87 (an example of the biasing member) are accommodated in the cylindrical wall 46 of the ink supply unit 60. The valve 77 and the coil spring 87 indicate the state of the ink supply unit 60 as a state in which the ink flows out from the ink chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 via the ink supply unit 60, and the ink chamber via the ink supply unit 60. This is for selectively switching between the state where the ink is not discharged from the ink cartridge 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30.

  The valve body 77 includes a disc-shaped valve 83 and a convex portion 84 extending from the valve 83 in the removal direction 52. The valve body 77 is disposed in the valve chamber 47 so as to be movable in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 with the valve 83 directed to the end of the cylinder wall 46 in the insertion direction 51. The tip of the protrusion 84 in the removal direction 52 is connected to the regulating member 88.

  The outer diameter of the valve body 77 is smaller than the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall 46. Thereby, the valve body 77 is movable in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. Specifically, valve body 77 is movable between the standby position shown in FIG. 9A and the operating position shown in FIG. 9B at a position closer to rear wall 41 than the standby position. It is.

  Also, the outer dimension of the valve 83 is slightly larger than the through hole 68 of the seal member 76. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9A, when the valve body 77 is in the standby position, the valve 83 is pushed into the through hole 68 of the seal member 76, and the through hole 68 is liquid-tight. Can be sealed. Thereby, the opening 46B is closed. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the valve body 77 is in the operating position, the valve 83 is separated from the sealing member 76. Thereby, the opening 46B is opened.

  Further, the outer diameter dimension of the convex portion 84 is smaller than the outer diameter dimension of the valve 83.

  The coil spring 87 is disposed with one end in contact with the wall defining the edge of the opening 46A and the other end in contact with the valve body 77. The coil spring 87 biases the valve body 77 in the insertion direction 51. That is, the coil spring 87 biases the valve body 77 from the operating position to the standby position. Thus, in the valve chamber 47, the valve body 77 is held in a state of being in contact with the seal member 76 (see FIG. 9A). In place of the coil spring 87, another biasing member such as a leaf spring may be used. Also, the biasing member such as the coil spring 87 may not necessarily be provided.

[Detected member 59]
As shown in FIG. 4, the detection member 59 is disposed in the ink chamber 36. The detected member 59 is rotatably supported by the ink container 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the inner wall 43 is provided with a convex portion 44 that protrudes in the right direction 55. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the detection target member 59 includes a rotation center portion 61 which is a rotation center of the detection target member 59. In the present embodiment, the rotation center portion 61 has a cylindrical shape with the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 as the axial direction, but may have a shape other than the cylindrical shape. A through hole 70 penetrating in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 is formed in the rotation center portion 61. The convex portion 44 is inserted into the through hole 70. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection target member 59 can rotate around the rotation axis 66 extending along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 at the center of the through hole 70 in the ink chamber 36. It is supported by the ink container 31.

  As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the detection target member 59 includes the rotation center portion 61, the first resistance portion 64, the second resistance portion 65, the first arm 71, the second arm 72, and the detection portion described above. 62 and a float 63.

  The first resistance portion 64 is connected to the peripheral edge of the rotation center 61 and is configured integrally with the rotation center 61. The second resistance portion 65 is connected to the peripheral edge of the rotation center 61 at a position shifted from the first resistance portion 64 in the insertion direction 51, and is configured integrally with the rotation center 61 and the first resistance portion 64. ing. The first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 will be described in detail later.

  The first arm 71 is connected to the second resistor 65. The first arm 71 is extended from the second resistance portion 65 toward the upper wall 39. The second arm 72 is connected to the rotation center 61. The second arm 72 extends from the rotation center 61 toward the lower wall 42.

  The detection target portion 62 is provided at the extension end of the first arm 71 and is supported by the first arm 71. The to-be-detected part 62 is plate shape. The to-be-detected part 62 is formed of the material which interrupts | blocks the light output from the light emission part. More specifically, when the light output from the light emitting portion reaches one of the right surface and the left surface of the detected portion 62, the light which exits from the other surface of the right surface and the left surface of the detected portion 62 and reaches the light receiving portion Is less than a predetermined intensity, eg, zero. The to-be-detected part 62 may completely block the light from traveling rightward 55 or leftward 56, may partially absorb the light, or may bend the traveling direction of the light. , Light may be totally reflected. For example, the detection portion 62 may be a resin containing a pigment, or may be a transparent or translucent but prism-like shape to bend the traveling direction of light, or aluminum A reflective film such as a film may be provided on the surface. The detection target portion 62 may be provided at a position other than the extension end of the first arm 71, for example, at an intermediate position between the extension end and the base end of the first arm 71.

The float 63 is connected to the first resistance portion 64. The float 63 is disposed below the first resistance portion 64. The float 63 is formed of a material having a specific gravity smaller than that of the ink stored in the ink chamber 36.

  The detection target member 59 is rotatable between a detection posture shown in FIG. 10A and a posture shown in FIGS. 9 and 10B and a posture different from the detection posture. The detection target member 59 has a first direction 74 which is a direction from the standby posture to the detection posture (counterclockwise in the plane of FIGS. 9 and 10), and a direction from the detection posture to the standby posture (FIGS. 9 and 10). It is rotatable in a second direction 75, which is clockwise on the plane of the drawing sheet.

  When the detection target member 59 is in the detection posture, the detection target portion 62 is located between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the sensor 103 (see FIG. 1). Therefore, the light output from the light emitting unit is blocked by the detected unit 62 and does not reach the light receiving unit, that is, the intensity of the light reaching the light receiving unit is less than a predetermined intensity. Thus, the detected portion 62 is detected by the sensor 103 from the outside of the ink cartridge 30 when the detected member 59 is in the detected attitude. On the other hand, when the detected member 59 is in a posture other than the detected posture, the detected portion 62 is not located between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the sensor 103. Therefore, the light output from the light emitting unit reaches the light receiving unit, that is, the intensity of the light reaching the light receiving unit becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined intensity.

[Restriction member 88]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the restricting member 88 is disposed in the ink chamber 36. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the restricting member 88 is integrally formed with the valve body 77. The restricting member 88 is connected to the tip of the projecting portion 84 of the valve body 77 in the removal direction 52. Thus, the restricting member 88 moves integrally with the valve body 77 in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the regulating member 88 has a pair of convex portions 89 and 90 which project from the convex portion 84 in the removal direction 52 and are spaced apart in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. ing. At the tip of the projection of the projection 89, a projection 89A projecting toward the projection 90 is provided. At the protruding end of the protrusion 90, a protrusion 90A protruding toward the protrusion 89 is provided. Thus, the gap between the pair of convex portions 89 and 90 in the portion where the convex portions 89A and 90A are provided is narrower than the gap between the pair of convex portions 89 and 90 in the portion where the convex portions 89A and 90A are not provided. .

  As shown in FIG. 9, the restriction member 88 is disposed below the rotation center 61 of the detection target member 59. The second arm 72 of the detection target member 59 is inserted into the gap between the pair of convex portions 89 and 90.

  The restricting member 88 is movable between a restricting position shown in FIG. 9A and an allowable position shown in FIG. 9B and FIG. 10 and closer to the rear wall 41 than the restricting position. is there. When the valve body 77 is in the standby position, the regulating member 88 is in the regulating position. When the valve body 77 is in the operating position, the regulating member 88 is in the allowable position. When the valve body 77 moves from the standby position to the operating position, the restricting member 88 moves from the restricting position to the permitting position. When the valve body 77 moves from the operating position to the standby position, the restricting member 88 moves from the permitting position to the restricting position.

  When the restricting member 88 is at the restricting position, the convex portions 89A and 90A of the restricting member 88 abut on a surface facing the removal direction 52 of the second arm 72 of the detected member 59 in the standby posture. Thereby, the rotation of the detection target member 59 in the standby posture in the first direction 74 is restricted. Here, the regulation means that the movement of the detection member 59 in a rattling degree is permitted while the rotation of the detection member 59 in the first direction 74 is restricted. Further, the restricting member 88 does not necessarily restrict the rotation of the detected member 59 in the second direction 75 from the standby position.

  On the other hand, when the restricting member 88 is in the allowable position, the convex portions 89A and 90A of the restricting member 88 are separated from the second arm 72 of the detected member 59 regardless of the posture of the detected member 59. Thereby, rotation of the detected member 59 is permitted.

[First Resistor 64, Second Resistor 65]
FIG. 10A shows a state in which the ink cartridge 30 is in the use orientation and the detected member 59 is in the detection orientation. FIG. 6 is a right side view of the detected member 59 in the same state as FIG. 10 (A). As shown in FIG. 6A, the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 are disposed above the rotation center portion 61. On the other hand, the float 63 is disposed below the rotation center 61. That is, the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 extend upward from the float 63 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the use orientation and the detection target member 59 is in the detection orientation.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the first resistance portion 64 includes the rotation axis 66 of the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 which are integrally formed, and the direction of gravity (downward direction 53). It is the part arrange | positioned in the position shifted to the extraction direction 52 from the virtual plane 67 to extend. The second resistance portion 65 is a portion of the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 which are integrally formed, which are disposed at a position deviated from the virtual plane 67 in the insertion direction 51. That is, the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 are disposed across the virtual plane 67 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the use orientation and the detection target member 59 is in the detection orientation.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6A, the first resistance portion 64 includes a plurality of fins 153, and the second resistance portion 65 includes a plurality of fins 154. The fins 153 and 154 are each extended from the rotation center 61 in a direction intersecting the first direction 74. In the present embodiment, the direction intersecting the first direction 74 from the rotation center portion 61 is a direction extending radially from the rotation axis 66 of the detection target member 59 in plan view from the right direction 55 or the left direction 56 . In other words, the direction intersecting the first direction 74 from the rotation center 61 is the radial direction of the rotation center 61.

  The fins 153 and 154 are provided four each. That is, the fins 153 and the fins 154 are provided in the same number. The number of fins 153 and 154 is not limited to four. Further, the fins 153 and the fins 154 may not be the same number.

  In the present embodiment, the float 63 is connected to the fin 153 provided foremost in the second direction 75 among the four fins 153. Further, the first arm 71 is connected to the fin 154 provided at the forefront in the second direction 75 among the four fins 154.

  The fins 153 and 154 are spaced apart from each other in the first direction 74. Each fin 153, 154 has a first surface 161, a second surface 162, and a third surface 163. The first surface 161 faces the first direction 74. The second surface 162 is a surface that is continuous with and intersects the first surface 161 and extends from the first surface 161 in the second direction 75. The third surface 163 is a surface that is continuous with and intersects the second surface 162 and faces the second direction 75.

  Since the fins 153 and 154 have the first surface 161 facing in the first direction 74, the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 resist the rotation of the detection member 59 in the first direction 74. Give rise to

  The lengths of the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 of the fins 153 and 154 are longer than the length of the first direction 74 of the fins 153 and 154. The length of the fins 153 and 154 in the radial direction of the rotation center 61 is longer than the lengths of the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 of the fins 153 and 154. Therefore, in each of the fins 153 and 154, the area of the first surface 161 and the third surface 163 is larger than the area of the second surface 162.

  The fins 153, 154 extend in the radial direction while curving so as to be recessed in the second direction 75. Thereby, the first surface 161 is a concave surface, and the third surface 163 is a convex surface.

  The first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 extend in the first direction 74 and the second direction 75, and include ribs 156 connecting the base end portions of the fins 153 and 154. The rib 156 reinforces the connection of the fins 153 and 154.

  A space 155 (an example of a circulation space) is formed between the adjacent fins 153 and 154. The space 155 is open in a plurality of directions with respect to the ink chamber 36. The space 155 communicates with the ink chamber 36 at the open position. In the present embodiment, the plurality of directions are a direction from the rotation axis 66 toward the extending tip of the fins 153 and 154, and a right direction 55 and a left direction 56 which are opposite directions. The direction in which the space 155 is opened to the ink chamber 36 is not limited to the direction described above.

  The first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 satisfy the relationship described in detail below.

  The relationship is described with reference to FIG. 6 (B). In FIG. 6B, the ink cartridge 30 is in use, the detection member 59 is in the detection posture, and the liquid surface 80 of the ink in the ink chamber 36 corresponds to the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65. It is a state after reaching the upper end 82 of the float 63 after falling below the upper end 81. That is, FIG. 6B shows a state in which the liquid level 80 of the ink in the ink chamber 36 is between the upper end 81 and the upper end 82.

  In the state of FIG. 6 (B), the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 located above the liquid surface 80 are hatched in FIG. 6 (B). The volume of the hatched portion of the first resistance portion 64 is a volume M1, and the volume of the hatched portion of the second resistance portion 65 is a volume M2.

  Next, a volume center C1 of the volume M1 is defined. The volume center C1 has the same volume as the volume of the portion shifted in the insertion direction 51 from the volume center C1 and the volume of the portion shifted in the removal direction 52 from the volume center C1 in the volume M1. The volume of the shifted portion and the volume of the portion shifted upward in the direction 54 from the volume center C1 are the same, and the volume shifted in the right direction 55 from the volume center C1 and the portion shifted in the left direction 56 from the volume center C1 And the volume of the same. Similar to the volume center C1, a volume center C2 of the volume M2 is defined.

  Next, the distance in the horizontal direction (insertion direction 51 and removal direction 52) between the volume center C1 and the rotation axis 66 is defined as L1. Further, the horizontal distance between the volume center C2 and the pivot axis 66 is defined as L2.

  The volumes M1 and M2 and the distances L1 and L2 defined above satisfy the relationship of 0.9 × (M2 × L2) <M1 × L1 <1.1 × (M2 × L2).

[Control unit 130]
The printer 10 includes a control unit 130. As shown in FIG. 4, 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 programs for the CPU 131 to control various operations. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals and the like used when the CPU 131 executes the program, or a work area for data processing. The EEPROM 134 stores settings and flags that should be held even after the power is turned off. Note that part or all of the CPU 131, the ROM 132, the RAM 133, the EEPROM 134, and the ASIC 135 may be configured by one IC chip, or may be divided into a plurality of IC chips.

  The control unit 130 rotates the feed roller 23, the conveyance roller pair 25, and the discharge roller pair 27 by driving a motor (not shown). 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 of a magnitude indicated by the control signal acquired from the control unit 130 to the piezo element 29A provided in each nozzle 29, thereby causing the nozzle 29 to eject ink. The control unit 130 causes the display unit 109 to display information and various messages related to the printer 10 and the ink cartridge 30.

  The control unit 130 acquires a detection signal output from the sensor 103, a detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107, a signal output from the temperature sensor 106, and a signal output from the cover sensor 108. The temperature sensor 106 outputs a signal corresponding to the temperature. The measurement position of the temperature by the temperature sensor 106 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, the inside of the cartridge mounting unit 110 or the surface of the printer 10. The cover sensor 108 outputs different signals when the cover that opens and closes the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting portion 110 is open and closed.

[Operation of Mounting Ink Cartridge 30 to Cartridge Mounting Section 110]
Hereinafter, the movement of the valve body 77, the regulating member 88, and the detected member 59 in the process of mounting the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36 is larger than the near empty state described later.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, in the ink cartridge 30 before being mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the valve body 77 is in the standby position by the biasing force of the coil spring 87.

  The valve body 77 in the standby position is in contact with the seal member 76 by the biasing force of the coil spring 87. In this state, the valve 83 is in close contact with the peripheral portion of the through hole 68 of the seal member 76 in a fluid-tight manner. Thereby, the through hole 68 is closed. As a result, the flow of ink from the ink chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 is shut off.

  When the valve body 77 is in the standby position, the regulating member 88 is in the regulating position. When the restricting member 88 is at the restricting position, the detected member 59 is in the standby position. At this time, the convex portions 89A and 90A of the restricting member 88 are in contact with the surface of the second arm 72 of the detected member 59 facing the removal direction 52. Thus, the restricting member 88 at the restricting position restricts the rotation of the detection target member 59 in the first direction 74. That is, the restricting member 88 at the restricting position restricts the rotation of the detection target member 59 from the standby posture to the detection posture.

  When the detected member 59 is in the standby position, the float 63 is located near the lower wall 42. That is, the float 63 is sunk in the ink stored in the ink chamber 36.

  When the detected member 59 is in the standby position, the detected portion 62 is not located between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the sensor 103. Therefore, the light output from the light emitting unit reaches the light receiving unit. Therefore, when the detected member 59 is in the standby position, the sensor 103 outputs a high level signal to the control unit 130.

  The mounting sensor 107 is not pressed against the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 since the ink cartridge 30 is being mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110. Therefore, the mounting sensor 107 outputs a low level signal to the control unit 130.

  In the above state, the cover for opening and closing the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting portion 110 is opened, and the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 is started. That is, the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. That is, the ink cartridge 30 is in the use posture.

  When the ink cartridge 30 moves in the insertion direction 51 near the back surface 151 of the cartridge mounting portion 110, the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 presses the mounting sensor 107. Then, the mounting sensor 107 outputs a high level signal to the control unit 130. Thereby, counting of measurement of the movement time of the detection target member 59 described later is started.

  When the ink cartridge 30 moves in the insertion direction 51 to the vicinity of the back surface 151 of the cartridge mounting portion 110, the valve 83 of the valve body 77 abuts on the ink needle 102. When the ink cartridge 30 further moves in the insertion direction 51 in this state, the valve body 77 receives a reaction force from the ink needle 102 and is pushed. As a result, the valve body 77 moves in the removal direction 52 from the standby position to the operating position against the biasing force of the coil spring 87. That is, the valve body 77 is movable from the standby position to the operation position in response to an external force from the outside of the ink container 31.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, the valve body 77 in the actuated position is in a state of being separated from the seal member 76. Thereby, the through hole 68 is opened. As a result, the flow of ink from the ink chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 is permitted.

  When the valve body 77 moves from the standby position to the operating position in the removal direction 52, the restricting member 88 moves in the removal direction 52 integrally with the valve body 77. That is, the restricting member 88 moves from the restricting position to the permitting position in conjunction with the movement of the valve body 77 from the standby position to the actuation position. Thereby, the convex portions 89A and 90A of the regulating member 88 are separated from the second arm 72 of the detection target member 59. As a result, the detection target member 59 is rotatable from the standby position.

  When the detection member 59 is in a rotatable state, the float 63, which has been restricted to sink in the ink, is pivoted in a first direction 74, which is a floating direction due to the buoyancy. That is, in the first direction 74 from the standby posture to the detection posture, the detected member 59 is moved by the float 63 which moves upward in response to the ink cartridge 30 being in the use posture and the regulating member 88 being moved to the allowable position. Rotate.

  The float 63 pivots in the first direction 74 until the detected portion 62 abuts on the wall 38 of the convex portion 37. When the detection target portion 62 abuts on the wall 38, the detection target member 59 is positioned in the detection posture which is the position shown in FIG. The wall 38 restricts the detection member 59 in the detection posture from pivoting in the first direction 74. On the other hand, the wall 38 allows the detected member 59 in the detection posture to pivot in the second direction 75.

  When the detection target member 59 is in the detection posture, the detection target portion 62 is located between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the sensor 103. Therefore, the light output from the light emitting unit does not reach the light receiving unit, that is, the intensity of the light reaching the light receiving unit is less than the predetermined intensity. Therefore, when the detection target member 59 is in the detection posture, the sensor 103 outputs a low level signal to the control unit 130. In other words, the sensor 103 outputs a low level signal (an example of a detection signal) indicating that the detected member 59 is present in the detection posture. Thereby, the counting of the measurement of the movement time of the detection target member 59 described later is ended. The mounting of the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed through the above process.

  Next, the movement of the valve body 77, the regulating member 88, and the detection member 59 in the process of removing the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110 will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36 is larger than the near empty state described later.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, in the ink cartridge 30 in the state where the mounting to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed, the valve body 77 is in the operating position by the pressing force of the ink needle 102. When the valve body 77 is in the actuated position, the regulating member 88 is in the permissible position. When the restricting member 88 is in the allowable position, the rotation of the detected member 59 is permitted. The to-be-detected member 59 is in the detection posture by the buoyancy of the float 63.

  When removal of the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110 is started and the ink cartridge 30 moves in the removal direction 52, the valve body 77 separates from the ink needle 102. Thus, the valve body 77 moves from the operating position to the standby position by the biasing force of the coil spring 87. When the valve body 77 moves from the operating position to the standby position, the regulating member 88 moves integrally with the valve body 77 from the permitted position to the regulated position. In the process of moving the restricting member 88 from the allowable position to the restricting position, the convex portions 89A and 90A of the restricting member 88 move in contact with the second arm 72 of the detected member 59 while moving in the insertion direction 51. Thereby, the second arm 72 is pushed in the insertion direction 51. As a result, the detection target member 59 pivots in the second direction 75 from the detection posture to the standby posture. That is, in the process of being moved from the permitted position to the restricted position, the restricting member 88 contacts the detected member 59 and rotates it to the standby position.

  Next, when the ink cartridge 30 is completely mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink is consumed by the recording head 21 to reduce the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36. The movement of the restricting member 88 and the detected member 59 will be described.

  When the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 is consumed by being discharged from the nozzles 29 of the recording head 21 and the liquid level of the ink falls below the float 63, the float 63 Follow the surface and move downward. Accordingly, the detection target member 59 is rotated in the second direction 75. That is, the detection target member 59 rotates from the detection posture to the standby posture (see FIG. 10B). As a result, the detected part 62 is not located between the light emitting part and the light receiving part of the sensor 103. Therefore, the light output from the light emitting unit reaches the light receiving unit. Thus, the sensor 103 outputs a high level signal to the control unit 130. The control unit 130 recognizes that the remaining amount of the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 has become a predetermined amount by the high level signal being output from the sensor 103.

[Abnormal determination of ink viscosity by control unit 130]
Hereinafter, the determination processing of the presence or absence of the abnormality of the viscosity of the ink stored in the ink chamber 36, which is executed by the control unit 130, will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 11, FIG. 12 and FIG.

  The control unit 130 starts counting the movement time of the detection target member 59 (S11: Yes) on condition that the detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107 has switched from the low level signal to the high level signal (S11: Yes) S12). The control unit 130 refers to the detection signal at a predetermined cycle, and the detection signal is switched when the detection signal at a certain timing and the detection signal at a timing immediately before the certain timing have different levels. to decide. On the other hand, when the detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107 does not switch from the low level signal to the high level signal (S11: No), the control unit 130 executes the process of step S20 described later. The case where the detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107 does not switch from the low level signal to the high level signal (S11: No) is, for example, the case where the new ink cartridge 30 is not mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110. .

  Next, the control unit 130 determines whether the elapsed time from the start of the measurement of the moving time exceeds a predetermined maximum time (S13). If the maximum time has already passed (S13: Yes), the control unit 130 executes the process of step S15 described later. When the maximum time elapses before the detection signal output from the sensor 103 switches from the high level signal to the low level signal (S13: Yes), the viscosity of the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 is extremely high. .

  On the other hand, when the maximum time has not passed yet (S13: No), the control unit 130 determines whether the detection signal output from the sensor 103 has switched from the high level signal to the low level signal (S14). If it is determined that the detection signal output from the sensor 103 has not been switched (S14: No), the control unit 130 executes the process of step S13 again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the detection signal output from the sensor 103 has been switched (S14: Yes), the control unit 130 ends the count of measurement of the movement time, and determines the movement time of the detected member 59 (S15) ). On the other hand, when it is determined that the maximum time has elapsed (S13: Yes), the control unit 130 sets the maximum time as the movement time of the detection target member 59.

  The movement time is from when the detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107 switches from the low level signal to the high level (S11: Yes) and the detection signal output from the sensor 103 switches from the high level signal to the low level signal. It is the time taken.

  Strictly speaking, when the detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107 switches from the low level signal to the high level, the detection member 59 rotates from the standby posture to the detection posture by releasing the restriction by the restriction member 88. It may not be simultaneous with the timing of becoming movable. However, since the former timing and the latter timing are close in time, the latter timing can be simulated with the former timing. Therefore, the control unit 130 obtains the low level signal from the sensor 103 after obtaining the high level signal from the attachment sensor 107 by the moving time, that is, the detection member 59 changes from the standby attitude to the detection attitude. Measured as the time taken to move.

  Next, the control unit 130 resets the abnormality flag (that is, sets "OFF") (S16). The abnormality flag is set to "ON" when the movement time is not within the threshold range (S18: No) as a result of the judgment of the movement time (S18) described later. The abnormality flag is a value set for each ink cartridge 30. The control unit 130 stores the abnormality flag in the EEPROM 134.

  Next, the control unit 130 determines a threshold range based on the signal output from the temperature sensor 106 (S17). The threshold range is to be compared with the movement time measured in step S15 in order to estimate the viscosity of the ink stored in the ink chamber 36. The control unit 130 reduces at least one of the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the threshold range as the temperature specified by the signal output from the temperature sensor 106 is higher. In other words, the control unit 130 increases at least one of the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the threshold range as the temperature specified by the signal output from the temperature sensor 106 is lower.

  Next, the control unit 130 determines whether the moving time measured in step S15 is included in the threshold range determined in step S17 (S18). If the moving time falls below the lower limit of the threshold range, it is estimated that the viscosity of the ink is too low. On the other hand, if the moving time exceeds the upper limit of the threshold range, it is estimated that the viscosity of the ink is too high. Then, the control unit 130 sets the abnormality flag to "ON" (S19), on the condition that the moving time has deviated from the threshold range (S18: No). On the other hand, the control unit 130 skips the process of step S19 on condition that the movement time is included in the threshold range (S18: Yes).

  Next, the control unit 130 determines whether a signal indicating that the cover that opens and closes the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting unit 110 is closed is output from the cover sensor 108 (S20). If it is determined that the cover is open (S20: No), the control unit 130 executes the process after step S11 again. On the other hand, when it is determined that the cover is closed (S20: Yes), the control unit 130 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed after determining that the cover is closed in step S20 (S21) .

  If it is determined that the predetermined time has already passed (S21: Yes), the control unit 130 ends the process of FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not passed yet (S21: No), the control unit 130 executes the processing after step S11 again. When it is determined that the cover is open in the process of repeating step S11 and subsequent steps (S20: No), the control unit 130 determines that the cover is closed (S20: Yes). End the measurement.

  The control unit 130 outputs a signal indicating that the cover that opens and closes the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting unit 110 is closed from the cover sensor 108 after the process illustrated in FIG. The process shown in FIG. 12 is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals.

  First, the control unit 130 determines whether the detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107 is a high level signal (S31). When the detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107 is a low level signal (S31: No), the control unit 130 notifies that the ink cartridge 30 is not mounted (S38), and ends the processing of FIG. . Although the specific method of notification is not particularly limited, for example, a message may be displayed on the display unit 109 mounted in the printer 10, or a guide voice may be output from a speaker (not shown).

  On the other hand, when the detection signal output from the mounting sensor 107 is a high level signal (S31: Yes), the control unit 130 determines whether "ON" is set to the abnormality flag (S32). If the abnormality flag is set to "ON" (S32: Yes), the control unit 130 notifies information on the ink cartridge 30 (S37), and ends the process of FIG. Although the specific content of the notification is not particularly limited, for example, it may be notified that the ink in the ink chamber 36 is deteriorated, or the replacement of the ink cartridge 30 is recommended. The specific method of notification may be the same as the method of step S38.

  On the other hand, when “OFF” is set in the abnormality flag (S32: No), the control unit 130 executes the remaining amount determination process which is the process shown in FIG. 13 (S33). The remaining amount determination process will be described later. After the remaining amount determination process, the control unit 130 determines whether "ON" is set to the empty flag (S34). The empty flag is a flag that is set to "ON" when it is determined that the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36 is small enough to perform image recording.

  If “ON” is set to the empty flag (S34: Yes), the control unit 130 ends the process of FIG. On the other hand, when "ON" is not set to the empty flag (S34: No), the control unit 130 determines whether an image recording instruction has been acquired (S35). If the image recording instruction has not been acquired (S35: No), the control unit 130 ends the process of FIG. On the other hand, when the image recording instruction is obtained (S35: Yes), the control unit 130 directly and indirectly controls the recording head 21, the sheet feeding roller 23, the conveyance roller pair 25, the discharge roller pair 27 and the like. The image is recorded on the recording sheet (S36), and the processing of FIG. 12 is ended. Note that the process of step S36 may be completed as one process up to the time when the image recording process for one recording sheet is completed, or until the time when the image recording process corresponding to all the acquired image data is completed. May be ended as one process.

  As described above, when the abnormality flag is set to “ON” (S32: Yes), the control unit 130 does not perform the image recording process of step S36. That is, the control unit 130 skips step S36. That is, the control unit 130 does not cause the recording head 21 to discharge the ink.

  Hereinafter, the remaining amount determination process which is the process shown in FIG. 13 will be described. First, the control unit 130 determines whether “ON” is set in the near empty flag (S41). The near empty flag is a flag that is set to "ON" when it is determined that the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36 is small enough to execute image recording but the remaining amount is small. That is, the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36 when the near empty flag is set to “ON” is stored in the ink chamber 36 when the empty flag is set to “ON”. More than the amount of ink.

  When "ON" is not set to the near empty flag (S41: No), the control unit 130 determines whether the detection signal output from the sensor 103 has switched from the low level signal to the high level signal (S42) ). When it is determined that the detection signal output from the sensor 103 is not switched (S42: No), the remaining amount determination process is ended, and the control unit 130 executes the process of step S34 of FIG. On the other hand, when it is determined that the detection signal output from the sensor 103 is switched (S42: Yes), the control unit 130 sets "ON" to the near empty flag (S43). Next, the control unit 130 notifies that the ink cartridge 30 is in the near empty state (S44), and ends the process of FIG. After that, the control unit 130 executes the process of step S34 in FIG. The near empty state described above is a state in which the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36 is the amount that can execute image recording but the remaining amount is small.

  At the moment when the detection signal output from the sensor 103 is switched, the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36 is an example of the threshold amount. Then, in response to the stop of the output of the low level signal by the sensor 103, the control unit 130 determines that the amount of liquid stored in the ink chamber 36 is less than the threshold amount.

  In step S41, when the near empty flag is set to "ON" (S41: Yes), the control unit 130 determines that the soft count value after the near empty flag is set to "ON" is a predetermined value or more. It is determined whether or not (S45). The soft count value is a value calculated based on data when the control unit 130 issues an ink discharge instruction to the recording head 21. Specifically, the soft count value is a cumulative value of the number of ink droplets instructed by the controller 130 to be ejected from the recording head 21 and the ink amount of each ink droplet designated by the controller 130. It is a value to be counted. The predetermined value is a value to be compared with the soft count value.

  When the soft count value after the near empty flag is set to "ON" is less than the predetermined value (S45: No), that is, the ink consumption by the recording head 21 after the near empty flag is set to "ON" Is smaller than the predetermined amount (S45: No), the control unit 130 executes the process of step S44 described above.

  On the other hand, when the soft count value after the near empty flag is set to "ON" is equal to or more than the predetermined value (S45: Yes), that is, the ink by the recording head 21 after the near empty flag is set to "ON" When the consumption amount is equal to or more than the predetermined amount (S45: Yes), the control unit 130 sets the empty flag to “ON”. Next, the control unit 130 notifies that the ink cartridge 30 is empty (S47), and ends the process of FIG. After that, the control unit 130 executes the process of step S34 in FIG. The above-described empty state is a state in which the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36 is so small that it is insufficient for performing image recording.

  Although the specific method of the notification in steps S44 and S47 is not particularly limited, for example, a message may be displayed on the display unit 109 mounted in the printer 10, or a guide voice is output from a speaker (not shown). You may

[Operation and effect of the embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, when the restricting member 88 moves from the restricting position to the allowable position, the detected member 59 moves from the standby attitude to the detecting attitude. The detected member 59 moves in the ink while receiving viscous resistance and inertial resistance from the ink, so the moving speed of the detected member 59 depends on the viscosity of the ink. Therefore, the viscosity of the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 can be estimated by measuring the time from the movement of the restricting member 88 to the allowable position until the detected member 59 reaches the detection posture. The first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 receive resistance from the ink in the ink chamber 36 by the rotation of the detection member 59. As a result, since the time from when the regulating member 88 is moved to the allowable position until the detected member 59 reaches the detection posture is long, the estimation accuracy of the ink viscosity is improved.

  Thereby, for example, the degree of deterioration of the ink in the ink cartridge 30 which has been left for a long time without being attached to the printer 10 can be estimated, or a plurality of ink cartridges 30 in which inks of different viscosities are stored In the case where the ink cartridge 10 can be attached, the type of the attached ink cartridge 30 can be specified. According to this embodiment, in addition to or in place of the above-described effects, the following effects can be obtained.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the float 63 is exposed from the liquid surface as the liquid surface in the ink chamber 36 descends, the buoyancy applied to the float 63 decreases and the detection target member 59 moves in the second direction 75 from the detection posture. It is pivoted to As a result, since the detection target member 59 deviates from the detection posture, it can be determined that the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36 is less than the threshold amount. By the way, when the liquid level falls, the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 located above the float 63 are exposed from the liquid surface before the float 63 is exposed from the liquid surface. When the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 are exposed from the liquid surface, the buoyancy corresponding to the volume of the portion exposed from the liquid surface of the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 is reduced.

  Therefore, by arranging the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 with the virtual plane 67 interposed therebetween, the amount of decrease in buoyancy in the portion closer to the first direction 74 than the virtual plane 67 of the detection target member 59 is It can be suppressed that the amount of reduction of the buoyancy in a portion closer to the second direction 75 than the virtual plane 67 of the detection member 59 becomes too large. As a result, it is possible to suppress the detection member 59 from deviating from the detection posture before the amount of ink becomes less than the threshold amount. Similarly, the amount of decrease in buoyancy in the portion closer to the second direction 75 than the virtual plane 67 of the detected member 59 is smaller than the amount of decrease in buoyancy in the portion closer to the first direction 74 than the virtual plane 67 of the detected member 59. It can suppress becoming too large. As a result, it is possible to suppress the detected member 59 from remaining in the detection posture even though the amount of ink is less than the threshold amount.

  Furthermore, when it is desired to reduce the amount of ink when the detection target member 59 deviates from the detection posture, it is preferable to position the float 63 near the bottom surface in the ink chamber 36. On the other hand, the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 located above the float 63 are laid out at an arbitrary position in the ink chamber 36 without worrying about interference with the bottom surface of the float 63 or the ink chamber 36 be able to.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, each of the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 includes the plurality of fins 153 and 154, and the flow space 155 formed between the plurality of fins 153 and 154. Are opened in a plurality of directions with respect to the ink chamber 36. Therefore, the viscous resistance and the inertial resistance that the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 receive from the ink become large. As a result, the time taken for the detection target member 59 to reach the detection posture becomes long, so that the estimation accuracy of the ink viscosity is improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the flow spaces 155 are opened in opposite directions, that is, in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, so the amount of ink flowing into and out of the flow space 155 increases. As a result, the time taken for the detection target member 59 to reach the detection posture is further lengthened, so that the estimation accuracy of the ink viscosity is further improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 have the same number of fins 153, 154, the amount of reduction of the buoyancy due to the drop of the liquid level is an imaginary plane 67 of the detected member 59. It is possible to suppress a large difference between the portion closer to the first direction 74 and the portion closer to the second direction 75 than the virtual plane 67 of the detection target member 59.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the surfaces of the fins 153 and 154 in the first direction 74 are concave, the viscosity resistance and the inertia resistance that the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 receive from ink are further increased. Become. As a result, the time taken for the detection target member 59 to reach the detection posture becomes long, so the estimation accuracy of the ink viscosity is further improved.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the relationship of 0.9 × (M2 × L2) <M1 × L1 <1.1 × (M2 × L2) is satisfied, the amount of reduction of the moment of buoyancy due to the drop of the liquid level is A large difference between the portion closer to the first direction 74 than the virtual plane 67 of the detected member 59 and the portion closer to the second direction 75 than the virtual plane 67 of the detected member 59 can be suppressed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the detected member 59 is returned to the standby posture by returning the restricting member 88 from the allowable position to the restricted position. As a result, the viscosity of the ink in the ink cartridge 30 can be repeatedly estimated.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the coil spring 87 is provided, the restriction member 88 is automatically moved to the restriction position by removing the external force for moving the valve body 77 to the operation position.

[Modification]
As shown in FIG. 14, the first resistance portion 64 preferably has a shape overlapping the second resistance portion 65 when the first resistance portion 64 is rotated in the second direction 75 about the rotation axis 66. That is, it is preferable that the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 have a rotationally symmetrical shape. And in this case, it is preferable that the 1st resistance part 64 and the 2nd resistance part 65 fill the relation explained in full detail below.

  The above relationship will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 shows a state in which the ink cartridge 30 is in use and the detected member 59 is in the detected attitude.

A first representative point P1 and a second representative point P2 are defined. The first representative point P1 is a point provided to the first resistance portion 64. The second representative point P2 is a point provided to the second resistance portion 65. The first representative point P1 is an arbitrary position of the first resistance portion 64, and is, for example, the gravity center position or the tip end position of the first resistance portion 64. The second representative point P2 is an arbitrary position of the second resistance portion 65, and is a gravity center position or a tip end position of the second resistance portion 65 or the like. The first representative point P1 and the second representative point P1 are in plane symmetry with respect to the virtual plane 67. In FIG. 14, it is assumed that the first representative point P <b> 1 is the extension base end of the second equivalent fin 153 when four fins 153 are counted in order along the second direction 75. It is assumed that the second representative point P2 is an extension base end of the fin 153 which is the second one when the four fins 154 are counted in order along the first direction 74.

  And the above-mentioned relation is as follows. That is, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the use posture and the detected member 59 is in the detection posture, an angle θ1 between the virtual line 164 connecting the rotation axis 66 and the first representative point P1 and the horizontal line 166 is the rotation axis 66 And the angle θ 2 between the imaginary line 165 connecting the second representative point P 2 and the horizontal line 166.

  According to the above configuration, the amount of decrease of the moment of buoyancy due to the drop of the liquid surface is the portion closer to the first direction 74 than the virtual plane 67 of the detected member 59 and the second than the virtual plane 67 of the detected member 59 It is possible to suppress a large difference between the direction 75 and the portion.

  In the above embodiment, the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 include the fins 153 and 154, but the fins 153 and 154 may not be provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the first resistance portion 64 and the second resistance portion 65 have a plurality of through holes 170, 171 (in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56) instead of the fins 153, 154. In FIG. 15, four through holes 170 and 171) may be provided. In this case, the surfaces 172 and 173 facing the first direction 74 among the surfaces defining the through holes 170 and 171 generate resistance against the pivoting of the detection target member 59 in the first direction 74.

  In the above embodiment, the detection target portion 62 is located in the ink chamber 36 regardless of the position of the detection target member 59. However, the detection target portion 62 may have another configuration as long as the light from the light emitting portion of the sensor 103 to the light receiving portion is blocked when the detection target member 59 is in the detection posture. For example, the detection target portion 62 is disposed outside the ink chamber 36 when the detection target member 59 is in the standby position, and enters the ink chamber 36 in the process of rotating the detection target member 59 from the standby position to the detection position. You may come and go. Further, the detected portion 62 may be disposed outside the ink chamber 36 regardless of the position of the detected member 59.

  Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the measurement of the movement time is started at the timing when the ink cartridge 30 has been completely mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 (in other words, the high level signal is output from the mounting sensor 107). explained. As described above, by using the existing mounting sensor 107, it is possible to realize processing for estimating the viscosity of the ink without largely changing the configuration of the ink supply device 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any timing that can be recognized by the control unit 130 may be used.

  For example, the cartridge mounting unit 110 and the ink cartridge 30 may have the following configurations. As shown in FIG. 16, a second sensor 148 is provided on the top surface 152 of the case 101 of the cartridge mounting unit 110. The second sensor 148 is provided near the back surface 151. On the other hand, in the ink container 31 of the ink cartridge 30, a convex portion 149 formed of a material that shields light is formed. The convex portion 149 shields the light output from the light emitting portion in the same manner as the detected portion 62. The convex portion 149 is formed at a position shifted from the convex portion 37 in the insertion direction 51. Then, the control unit 130 moves at the timing when the second sensor 148 is shielded from light by the convex portion 149 (the timing when the ink cartridge 30 becomes the position of FIG. 16B from the position of FIG. 16A). The counting of the measurement is started, and the counting of the measurement of the movement time is ended at the timing when the sensor 103 is shielded from light by the detected portion 62.

  Also, for example, the cartridge mounting unit 110 and the ink cartridge 30 may have the following configurations. As shown in FIG. 17, the ink container 31 of the ink cartridge 30 is formed with a convex portion 149 formed of a material that blocks light. The convex portion 149 shields the light output from the light emitting portion in the same manner as the detected portion 62. The convex portion 149 is formed at a position shifted from the convex portion 37 in the insertion direction 51. Then, at the timing when the sensor 103 is shielded from light by the convex portion 149 and then the light shielding is released (at the timing when the ink cartridge 30 becomes the position of FIG. 17B from the position of FIG. 17A). The counting of the moving time measurement is started, and the counting of the moving time measurement is ended at the timing when the sensor 103 is shielded by the detection unit 62. The ink cartridge 30 is at the position shown in FIG. 17C when the counting of the movement time ends.

  In the above embodiment, the operation of the recording head 21 is restricted, that is, step S36 is skipped, on condition that the movement time is out of the threshold range (S18: No). As a result, it is possible to prevent the trouble of the recording head 21 by discharging the ink whose viscosity has largely changed. However, the process of skipping step S36 is not essential. That is, the control unit 130 may execute only the process (S37) of notifying the abnormality of the ink viscosity, and whether or not to operate the recording head 21 may be left to the user's judgment. In addition, although the control flow of the control part 130 in that case differs from what was shown in FIG.11, FIG.12 and FIG.13, the detailed description is omitted.

  Alternatively, when the control unit 130 determines that the abnormality flag is set to "ON" (S32: Yes), the process of steps S35 and S36 is not skipped in the image recording process in step S36. The head control board 21A may be controlled so that the magnitude of the drive voltage applied to the piezoelectric element of the nozzle 29 is adjusted.

  Specifically, the control unit 130 performs piezo processing so that the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle 29 is substantially the same between the case where the movement time is included in the threshold range and the case where the movement time deviates from the threshold range. The control signal output to the head control board 21A may be changed so as to adjust the magnitude of the drive voltage to be applied to the element 29A. That is, when the moving time is below the lower limit value of the threshold range (that is, the viscosity of the ink is too low), the control unit 130 decreases the driving voltage applied to the piezo element 29A more than the moving time is within the threshold range Just do it. On the other hand, when the moving time exceeds the upper limit of the threshold range (that is, the viscosity of the ink is too high), the control unit 130 increases the driving voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 29A more than the moving time is within the threshold range. Just do it.

  According to the above configuration, when the plurality of types of ink cartridges 30 in which the inks having different viscosities are stored can be mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the piezo element 29A is driven with an appropriate driving voltage according to the type of ink. be able to. In the above embodiment, the piezoelectric element 29A is used as an example of the actuator, but a specific example of the actuator is not limited to this. For example, air bubbles are generated in the ink by heat and the ink is discharged from the nozzle 29 It may be a thermal type actuator that discharges

  Also, the viscosity of the ink changes under the influence of the ambient temperature. Specifically, the higher the temperature, the lower the viscosity, and the lower the temperature, the higher the viscosity. The control unit 130 controls the head control board 21A so that the drive voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 29A is adjusted according to the temperature. More specifically, when the temperature is high, the control unit 130 outputs a control signal to the head control board 21A such that a low drive voltage is applied to the piezo element 29A. When the temperature is low, the control unit 130 outputs a control signal to the head control board 21A such that a high drive voltage is applied to the piezo element 29A. In addition, there is an optimum threshold value of the ink viscosity corresponding to the drive voltage applied to the piezo element 29A. Therefore, it is preferable to set the threshold range of the ink viscosity according to the temperature. Therefore, in the above embodiment, an appropriate threshold range corresponding to the temperature is determined. Although the method of determining the threshold range is not particularly limited, the threshold range corresponding to the temperature may be selected from among a plurality of threshold ranges stored in advance in the ROM 132 or the like, or the threshold using a function having temperature as an input parameter The upper limit value or the lower limit value of the range may be calculated. Further, when the drive voltage applied to the piezoelectric element 29A is not adjusted according to the temperature, the step S17 of determining the threshold range based on the signal output from the temperature sensor 106 may be omitted, in which case, A fixed threshold range may be used.

  Further, the control unit 130 in the above embodiment measures the moving time of the detection target member 59 as follows. That is, the control unit 130 starts counting in response to the attachment sensor 107 outputting a high level signal, ends counting in response to the sensor 103 outputting a low level signal, and from the start to the end of counting. The movement time of the detection target member 59 was set as However, measurement of the movement time of the detection target member 59 by the control unit 130 is not limited to counting. For example, the control unit 130 may use the difference between the time when the mounting sensor 107 outputs a high level signal and the time when the sensor 103 outputs a low level signal as the movement time of the detection target member 59.

  Further, although the control unit 130 in the above-described embodiment stores the abnormality flag in the EEPROM 134, the control unit 130 may store the abnormality flag in the memory in the IC chip mounted on the ink cartridge 30. Moreover, although the control part 130 in said embodiment was provided with CPU131 and ASIC135, the structure of the control part 130 is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 130 does not have the ASIC 135, and all the processes shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 may be executed by the CPU 131 reading a program from the ROM 132. Conversely, the control unit 130 may not include the CPU 131 and may be configured only by hardware such as an ASIC 135 or an FPGA. Further, the control unit 130 may include a plurality of CPUs 131, a plurality of ASICs 135, and the like.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the ink is described as an example of the liquid, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, instead of the ink, a pretreatment liquid discharged onto the recording sheet prior to the ink during printing may be used as the liquid.

10 ・ ・ ・ Printer (liquid consumption device)
21 ・ ・ ・ Recording head (liquid consumption unit)
30 ・ ・ ・ Ink cartridge (liquid cartridge)
31 ・ ・ ・ Ink container (liquid container)
36 ・ ・ ・ Ink chamber (liquid storage chamber)
38 ・ ・ ・ wall (second regulating member)
59 ······· Detected member (rotational member)
63 ... float 64 ... first resistance section 65 ... second resistance section 66 ... rotation axis 67 ... imaginary plane 74 ... first direction 75 ... second direction 88 · · · .. Regulating member (first regulating member)
103 ... sensor (detection unit)
110: Cartridge mounting portion (mounting portion)
130 ··· Control unit

Claims (17)

A liquid cartridge,
A liquid container having a liquid storage chamber in which the liquid is stored;
A rotating member disposed within the liquid storage chamber so as to be rotatable around a rotating axis in a first direction from the standby attitude toward the detection attitude and in a second direction from the detection attitude toward the standby attitude;
A restricting position for restricting the turning of the rotating member in the standby posture in the first direction, and a first restricting member movable between a permitted position for permitting the turning of the rotating member;
And a second restricting member that restricts the pivoting member in the detection attitude from pivoting in the first direction and permits pivoting in the second direction.
The pivoting member is
It is detected from the outside of the liquid cartridge in the above detection posture,
A float having a specific gravity smaller than that of the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber;
And a first resistance portion and a second resistance portion that generate resistance to the rotation of the rotation member in the first direction,
The above float is
When the liquid cartridge is in the use posture and the first regulating member is moved to the permissible position, the pivoting member is pivoted in the first direction by moving upward.
When the liquid cartridge is in the use posture and the liquid level in the liquid storage chamber is lowered, the rotation member is rotated in the second direction by moving downward.
Each of the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion extends upward from the float when the liquid cartridge is in the use posture and the rotation member is in the detection posture, and the rotation shaft is A liquid cartridge which is disposed across an imaginary plane which includes and extends in the direction of gravity.   2. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein in each of the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion, an area of a first surface facing the first direction is larger than an area of a second surface intersecting the first surface. Each of the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion has a plurality of fins extending in a direction intersecting with the first direction and spaced apart from each other in the first direction,
The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a flow space formed between the plurality of fins is opened in a plurality of directions with respect to the liquid storage chamber. The liquid cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the flow space is opened in a direction along the rotation axis .   The liquid cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion have the same number of fins.   The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the surface of the fin facing the first direction is a concave surface. The liquid cartridge is in the use posture, the rotation member is in the detection posture, and the liquid level in the liquid storage chamber falls below the upper ends of the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion. In the time to reach the top,
A volume M1 of the first resistance portion located above the liquid surface;
A horizontal distance L1 between the center of volume of the volume M1 and the pivot axis,
A volume M2 of the second resistance portion located above the liquid surface;
The horizontal distance L2 between the center of volume of the volume M2 and the pivot axis is:
The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the relationship of 0.9 x (M2 x L2) <M1 x L1 <1.1 x (M2 x L2) is satisfied. The first resistance portion and the second resistance portion have a shape rotationally symmetric about the rotation axis,
The first resistance portion has a first representative point, the second resistance portion has a second representative point, and the first representative point is any one of the position of the center of gravity, the position of the tip, or the extending base end. There,
The second representative point is any one of the position of the center of gravity, the position of the distal end, or the extending proximal end, and is the same as any of the position of the center of gravity determined as the first representative point, the position of the distal end or the extending proximal end,
When the cartridge is in the use posture and the rotation member is in the detection posture, an angle formed by an imaginary line connecting the rotation axis and the first representative point of the first resistance portion with the horizontal line is the rotation The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is equal to an angle formed by a horizontal line and an imaginary line connecting the axis line and the second representative point of the second resistance portion.   The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first restricting member rotates the rotating member to the standby position in the process of being moved from the allowable position to the restricted position. The first regulation member is
Contacting the pivoting member at the restricted position;
At the permitted position, away from the pivoting member,
10. The liquid cartridge according to claim 9, wherein in the process of being moved from the permitted position to the restricted position, the rotating member is turned to the standby position by contacting the rotating member. The liquid container further includes an operation member movable from the standby position to the operation position in response to an external force from the outside of the liquid container.
The first restricting member according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first restricting member is moved from the restricting position to the allowable position in conjunction with the movement of the operation member from the standby position to the actuating position. Liquid cartridge.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the first restriction member and the operation member are integrated. It further comprises a liquid supply unit having a liquid supply port for supplying the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber to the outside of the liquid cartridge,
The operation member is
In the standby position, the liquid supply port is closed;
The liquid cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the liquid supply port is opened in the operating position.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 13, further comprising: a biasing member configured to bias the operating member from the operating position toward the standby position. A liquid consuming apparatus for consuming a liquid supplied from a liquid cartridge having a liquid storage chamber in which liquid is stored,
The above liquid cartridge is
A liquid container having a liquid storage chamber in which the liquid is stored;
A rotating member disposed within the liquid storage chamber so as to be rotatable around a rotating axis in a first direction from the standby attitude toward the detection attitude and in a second direction from the detection attitude toward the standby attitude;
A restricting position for restricting the turning of the rotating member in the standby posture in the first direction, and a first restricting member movable between a permitted position for permitting the turning of the rotating member;
And a second restricting member that restricts the pivoting member in the detection attitude from pivoting in the first direction and permits pivoting in the second direction.
The pivoting member is
It is detected from the outside of the liquid cartridge in the above detection posture,
A float having a specific gravity smaller than that of the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber;
And a first resistance portion and a second resistance portion that generate resistance to the rotation of the rotation member in the first direction,
The above float is
When the liquid cartridge is in the use posture and the first regulating member is moved to the permissible position, the pivoting member is pivoted in the first direction by moving upward.
When the liquid cartridge is in the use posture and the liquid level in the liquid storage chamber is lowered, the rotation member is rotated in the second direction by moving downward.
Each of the first resistance portion and the second resistance portion extends upward from the float when the liquid cartridge is in the use posture and the rotation member is in the detection posture, and the rotation shaft is Is placed across a virtual plane that extends in the direction of gravity, including
The liquid consumption device
A mounting portion on which the liquid cartridge is detachably mounted;
A liquid consuming unit that consumes the liquid cartridge or we subjected fed liquid mounted on said mounting portion,
A detection unit that outputs a detection signal indicating that the rotation member is in the detection posture.   The control unit is further provided with a control unit that determines whether an elapsed time until the detection signal is output by the detection unit after the first restriction member is moved to the allowable position is included in a threshold range. The liquid consumption device according to claim 1.   The liquid according to claim 16, wherein the control unit determines that the amount of the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber is less than a threshold amount in response to the output of the detection signal by the detection unit being stopped. Consumption device.

Images