JP6547369B2 - Liquid cartridge and liquid consumption device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid cartridge capable of detecting that the remaining amount of liquid stored in a liquid storage chamber has become low, and a liquid consumption device provided with the liquid cartridge.

  There is known an inkjet recording apparatus which records an image on a recording medium by discharging ink stored in an ink storage chamber of an ink cartridge from a nozzle. Among ink cartridges, there is known one provided with a member such as a float that moves in the ink storage chamber according to the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-147118).

  Further, in the ink jet recording apparatus, when the viscosity of the ink in the ink storage chamber changes, the nozzles may be clogged, and the image recording quality may be affected.

  Therefore, for example, the float described above is locked in a state of being sunk in the ink by the lock member, and the time from when the lock is released to when the float floats in the ink and the detection member reaches the detection position is measured. It is conceivable to estimate the viscosity of the ink in the ink storage chamber. Further, it is conceivable that the viscosity of the ink in the ink storage chamber can be repeatedly estimated by locking the float floating in the ink again by the lock member.

JP, 2011-140128, A

  When locking the float, the locking member needs to contact the float in the ink storage chamber to move the float from the unlocked position to the locked position. Here, the size of the ink storage chamber is limited. Therefore, it is preferable that the moving amount of the lock member for moving the float to the lock position be smaller.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is a liquid cartridge including a lock member for locking a member which moves according to the amount of ink remaining in the ink storage chamber. An object of the present invention is to provide a means capable of moving a member moving according to the ink remaining amount in the ink storage chamber from the unlocking position to the locking position while reducing the moving amount.

  (1) The liquid cartridge according to the present invention is a liquid cartridge, and a liquid container having a liquid storage chamber in which liquid is stored, a detection position detectable from the outside of the liquid cartridge, and a standby different from the detection position The specific gravity is higher than the specific gravity of the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber, the float having a smaller specific gravity than the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber, or the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber. A biasing member configured of a large weight and biasing the pivoting member to the detection position, an abutted portion provided on the pivoting member, and an abutting member capable of abutting on the abutted portion A first position having a contact portion, and the contact portion abuts on the abutted portion to restrict rotation of the rotation member from the standby position to the detection position, and the contact Part is separated from the abutted part by Comprises a movable regulating member linearly, the between the second position to permit rotation of the member along the movement direction. In a plan view along the axial direction of the pivoting member, more than half of the movement locus of the abutted portion in the process of pivoting the pivoting member from the standby position to the detection position is The rotation angle θ with respect to the straight line extending in the movement direction from the rotation center is included in the region where θ <45 ° and 315 ° <θ, or the region where 135 ° <θ <225 °.

  The rotation angle of the rotation member with respect to the movement along the movement direction of the restriction member is in the region where the rotation angle θ is θ <45 °, 135 ° <θ <225 °, or 315 ° <θ. When half or more of the movement trajectory is included, the region where the rotation angle θ is 45 ° ≦ θ ≦ 135 ° or 225 ° ≦ θ ≦ 315 ° includes more than half the movement trajectory of the abutted portion It is bigger than it is. That is, in the region of the rotation angle θ in the present configuration, the rotation member can be largely rotated while the movement amount of the restriction member is reduced.

  (2) All of the movement trajectories are included in the area.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to rotate the pivoting member largely while reducing the amount of movement of the regulating member, compared to the configuration in which a part of the movement trajectory of the abutted portion is included in the above region.

  (3) The rotation angle when the rotation member rotates from the standby position to the detection position is less than 45 °.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to easily realize a configuration in which the entire movement trajectory of the abutted portion is contained in the above-mentioned area.

  (4) For example, the contact portion is a position different from the first contact portion that contacts the abutted portion at the first position and the first contact portion, and the second position Has a component oriented in the moving direction from the first position to the first position, and abuts against the abutted portion when moving from the second position to the first position to move the rotating member to the standby position And a second contact portion to be moved.

  (5) The surface included in the first contact portion is continuous with the surface included in the second contact portion.

  According to the above configuration, since the first contact portion and the second contact portion including the surface returning the rotation member are continuous, the abutted portion contacts the second contact portion and slides. As a result, it is possible to smoothly perform a series of operations that are returned to the restricting position and restricted to the restricting position at the first contact portion.

  (6) The first contact portion moves from the standby position of the pivoting member in the process of moving the restricting member from the first position to the third position between the first position and the second position. It slides with respect to the said abutted part, hold | maintaining regulation of the rotation toward the said detection position. In the state where the restriction member is positioned between the third position and the second position, the restriction member is separated from the abutted portion.

  According to the above configuration, the first abutting portion slides relative to the abutted portion between the first position and the third position. That is, the first contact portion maintains contact with the abutted portion without moving the abutted portion at a position between the first position and the third position. Here, the pivoting member is maintained at the standby position by the first abutting portion abutting on the abutted portion. As a result, even when the first contact portion moves between the first position and the third position, the pivoting member is maintained at the standby position. That is, even if the position of the restricting member varies between the first position and the third position, the position of the pivoting member does not vary.

  (7) For example, at least one of the abutted portion or the abutting portion has an abutting surface which is parallel to the moving direction and can abut on the other of the abutted portion or the abutting portion. doing.

  (8) For example, one of the abutted portion or the abutting portion has a curved surface that can abut on the other of the abutted portion or the abutting portion.

  According to the above configuration, the contact area between the abutted portion and the abutting portion is reduced, so that the load applied to the regulating member at the time of movement of the regulating member can be reduced.

  (9) The abutted portion has a first flat surface. The contact portion has a second plane. The first plane and the second plane abut on each other.

  According to the above configuration, since the contact between the abutted portion and the contact portion is a contact between the flat surfaces, the region in which the contacted portion and the contact portion are in contact becomes wider. Thus, when the restricting member moves, the turning member can be kept long at the standby position.

  (10) In the process of being moved from the second position to the first position, the restricting member contacts the rotating member to move the rotating member to the standby position.

  According to the above configuration, by returning the regulating member from the second position to the first position, it is possible to regulate the rotation of the pivoting member again at the standby position.

  (11) The restriction member includes a main body portion that receives an urging force from the outside, and an extension portion that extends from the main body portion toward the rotation axis of the rotation member. The contact portion is provided at the extension portion.

  According to the above configuration, since the extension portion extends toward the rotation axis of the rotation member, the contact portion can be disposed near the rotation axis. Thereby, the rotation member and the restriction member can be brought into contact with each other at a position close to the rotation center of the rotation member.

  (12) In the liquid cartridge according to the present invention, in the use posture of the liquid cartridge, the liquid cartridge is formed lower than the rotation axis of the rotation member in the liquid container, and the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber is the liquid The cartridge further includes a liquid supply port for supplying to the outside of the cartridge, a closed position for closing the liquid supply port, and a movable member movable between an open position for opening the liquid supply port. The restriction member is coupled to the moving member so as to be movable from the first position to the second position in conjunction with the movement of the moving member from the closed position to the open position.

  According to the above configuration, the regulating member can be moved according to the opening and closing of the liquid supply port.

  The use posture of the liquid cartridge refers to, for example, the posture of the liquid cartridge attached to the liquid consumption apparatus, or the posture of the liquid cartridge when confirming the movement of the rotating member or the regulating member in the manufacturing process.

  (13) The liquid container includes a first wall having the liquid supply port and a second wall. The pivoting member is disposed between the first wall and the second wall. The biasing member is the float. The float is disposed at a position shifted from the rotation axis of the rotation member toward the second wall. In the use posture of the liquid cartridge, the position of the abutted portion when the rotating member is positioned at the detection position is below the rotating shaft of the rotating member.

  According to the above configuration, the position of the abutted portion when the pivoting member is located at the detection position is below the pivoting axis of the pivoting member. Therefore, the restricting member connected to the moving member that opens and closes the liquid supply port disposed below the pivoting shaft of the pivoting member is located near the abutted portion, so it can be easily combined with the abutted portion It can abut.

  (14) For example, the float is not in contact with the liquid container when the pivoting member is at the standby position.

  (15) In the use posture of the liquid cartridge, the position of the abutted portion when the pivoting member is positioned at the detection position is lower than when the pivoting member is positioned at the standby position .

  According to the above configuration, the regulating member connected to the moving member that opens and closes the liquid supply port disposed below the pivoting shaft of the pivoting member is abutted when the pivoting member is at the detection position Since the position is close to the portion, it can be easily in contact with the abutted portion.

  (16) The present invention is a liquid that consumes the liquid supplied from the liquid cartridge, the mounting portion to which the liquid cartridge is detachably mounted, and the liquid cartridge mounted to the mounting portion through the liquid supply port. It can also be grasped as a liquid consumption apparatus provided with a consumption part and a detection part which outputs a detection signal which shows that the above-mentioned rotation member exists in the above-mentioned detection position.

  (17) In the liquid consuming apparatus according to the present invention, whether the elapsed time from the movement of the regulating member to the second position to the output of the detection signal by the detection unit is included in the threshold range. The controller further includes a controller that makes a determination.

  According to the above configuration, the turning member can be moved from the standby position to the detection position in accordance with the movement of the restricting member from the first position to the second position. At this time, 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 when the restricting member is moved to the second position to when the rotating member reaches the detection position.

  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.

  According to the present invention, the rotation member can be moved from the detection position to the standby position while reducing the amount of movement of the restriction member.

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 32. As shown in FIG. 4A and 4B are views of the ink container 32 when the regulating member 88 is at the regulating position and the detected member 59 is at the standby position, where (A) is a right side view and (B) is a longitudinal sectional view. 5A and 5B are diagrams of the ink container 32 when the regulating member 88 is at the intermediate position and the detected member 59 is at the standby position, where (A) is a right side view, and (B) is a longitudinal sectional view. 6A and 6B are views of the ink container 32 when the regulating member 88 is in the allowable position and the detected member 59 is in the standby position, where (A) is a right side view, and (B) is a longitudinal sectional view. 7A and 7B are views of the ink container 32 in the state where the restricting member 88 is at the allowable position and the detected member 59 is at the detecting position, FIG. 7A is a right side view, and FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the detection target member 59, and FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the valve body 77, the sealing member 78, and the regulating member 88. FIG. 9 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. 10 is a flowchart of the process executed by the control unit 130 on condition that the process shown in FIG. 9 is completed and the cover of the cartridge mounting unit 110 is closed. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the remaining amount determination process executed by the control unit 130. FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of the printer 10. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the ink container 32 in the first modification, in which (A) is a state where the regulating member 88 is at the regulating position and the detected member 59 is at the standby position, and (B) is regulating The member 88 is at the intermediate position and the detected member 59 is in the standby position. FIG. 14 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the ink container 32 in the first modification, in which (A) is a state where the restricting member 88 is in the allowable position and the detected member 59 is in the standby position, and (B) is when it is restricted. The member 88 is in the permitted position and the detected member 59 is in the detected position. FIG. 15 is a right side view of the ink container 32 in the second modification, in which (A) shows the state where the restricting member 88 is at the restricting position and the detected member 59 is at the standby position, and (B) shows the middle between the restricting members 88. The detected member 59 is in the standby position at the position. FIG. 16 is a right side view of the ink container 32 in the second modification, in which (A) shows the state where the restricting member 88 is at the allowable position and the detected member 59 is at the standby position, and (B) shows that the restricting member 88 is allowable. At the position, the detection target member 59 is in the state of the detection position. FIG. 17 is a right side view of the ink container 32 in the second modification. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the area around the regulating member 88 in the ink container 32 in the third modification. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing the area around the regulating member 88 in the ink container 32 in the fourth modification. FIG. 20 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. 21 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. FIG. 22 is a right side view schematically showing the ink container 32. As shown in FIG. FIG. 23 is a view of the ink container 32 in a state in which the surface 94 of the regulating member 88 abuts on the regulated portion 64, (A) is a right side view, and (B) is a longitudinal sectional view.

  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 where it can face the ink supply unit 60 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 that has been completely inserted into 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). The light emitting portion in the present embodiment is, for example, light (for example, visible light which transmits through the wall of the convex portion 37 of the ink cartridge 30 (that is, the frame 31 described later) and does not transmit ink stored in the ink cartridge 30. Output light and infrared light).

[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. 12). 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 surface 58 of the cartridge cover 33 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 the front surface 58 of the cartridge cover 33 is pressed. Although the mounting sensor 107 in the present embodiment is a mechanical sensor that outputs a detection signal that varies depending on whether or not the front surface 58 of the cartridge cover 33 is pressed, specific examples of the mounting sensor 107 are limited to this. Alternatively, it may be an optical sensor or the like.

[Ink cartridge 30]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink cartridge 30 has an ink container 32 (an example of a liquid container) and a cartridge cover 33 that covers the ink container 32. The cartridge cover 33 is composed of two members that can be fitted to each other, and covers the ink container 32 so as to sandwich the ink container 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge cover 33 is formed with two openings 34 and 35. The opening 34 is formed in the upper surface 57 of the cartridge cover 33. A protrusion 37 protrudes from the opening 34. The opening 35 is formed in the front surface 58 of the cartridge cover 33. The ink supply unit 60 protrudes from the opening 35.

  Note that, in the present embodiment, the convex portion 37 and the ink supply portion 60 protrude from the openings 34 and 35, respectively, but the cartridge cover 33 may partially expose the other portions of the ink container 32.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ink container 32 has an ink chamber 36, an ink supply unit 60, and a frame 31. The ink container 32 is formed of a transparent resin, and 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.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the frame 31 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and is thin in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and the dimensions of the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54 and the insertion direction 51 and removal direction 52 are right direction The flat shape is larger than the dimensions of 55 and the left direction 56. The frame 31 has a front wall 40 (an example of a first wall) and a rear wall 41 (an example of a second wall) overlapping at least partially when viewed in plan from the insertion direction 51 or the removal direction 52, and the downward direction 53 or An upper wall 39 and a lower wall 42 which at least partially overlap in a plan view from the upper direction 54, and a first portion of the lower wall 42 erected toward the upper wall 39 from the center of the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 An inner wall 43 and a second inner wall 44 protruding from the first inner wall 43 in the right direction 55 are formed. 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 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 surfaces of the frame 31 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 are open. The surface of the open frame 31 is sealed by a film (not shown). The outer shape of the film sealing the surface of the frame 31 in the right direction 55 substantially matches the outer shape of the frame 31 when viewed in plan from the right direction 55. The outer shape of the film that seals the left direction 56 of the frame 31 substantially matches the outer shape of the frame 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 ink container 32 is provided with a protrusion 48 extending in the right direction 55 from the first inner wall 43 in the frame 31. A detection member 59 is provided in the ink chamber 36, and the projection 48 supports the detection member 59.

[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 chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 before being mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110 is maintained at a negative pressure. The ink chamber 30 communicates with the atmosphere through the first atmosphere communication passage 66 and the second atmosphere communication passage 67 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. 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.

[Ink supply unit 60]
As shown in FIG. 4, the ink supply unit 60 is formed near the lower end of the front wall 40. 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.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4A, the valve chamber 47 is connected to a first atmosphere communication passage 66 and a second atmosphere communication passage 67. The first air communication passage 66 is a flow passage for passing a gas between the valve chamber 47 and the outside of the ink cartridge 30. That is, the first atmosphere communication passage 66 causes the valve chamber 47 to communicate with the atmosphere. The first air communication passage 66 has a hole 66A connecting the inner and outer surfaces of the cylinder wall 46, a groove 66B one end of which is in communication with the hole 66A, and a hole 66C connecting the other end of the groove 66B and the outside of the ink cartridge 30. And consists of.

  The second air communication passage 67 is a flow passage for passing a gas between the valve chamber 47 and the ink chamber 36. The second air communication passage 67 includes a hole 67A connecting the inner surface and the outer surface of the cylinder wall 46, a groove 67B one end of which communicates with the hole 67A, and a hole 67C connecting the other end of the groove 67B and the ink chamber 36. It is configured. The hole 67A is disposed at a position shifted from the hole 66A in the removal direction 52. The hole 67 </ b> C is located above the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 in the unused state. In other words, the hole 67 </ b> C is located above the liquid surface of the ink in a state in which the ink is stored in the ink chamber 36 in the maximum amount. The first atmosphere communication passage 66 and the second atmosphere communication passage 67 are sealed in a liquid-tight manner by a film that constitutes the right wall of the ink cartridge 30.

  As shown in FIG. 4, 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. The cap 79 is formed with an engaging portion (not shown) projecting in the removal direction 52. The engaging portion is engaged with the engaged portion 81 provided on the front wall 40. The cap 79 holds the seal member 76 at the tip of the cylindrical wall 46.

[Valve 77, Sealing member 78, Coil spring 87]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8B, the valve body 77 (an example of the moving member), the sealing member 78, and the coil spring 87 are accommodated in the cylindrical wall 46 of the ink supply unit 60. . The valve body 77, the sealing member 78, and the coil spring 87 indicate the state of the ink supply unit 60 in a state where the ink flows out from the ink chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 via the ink supply unit 60; This is for selectively switching between the state in which the ink is not discharged from the ink chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through 60. Further, the valve body 77, the sealing member 78, and the coil spring 87 allow the gas to communicate between the ink chamber 36 and the outside of the ink cartridge 30 via the ink supply unit 60 in the state of the ink supply unit 60. This is for selectively switching between the state and the state in which the ink chamber 36 and the outside of the ink cartridge 30 are not communicatively communicated with each other via the ink supply unit 60.

  The valve body 77 includes a disc-shaped valve 83, a projection 84 extending from the valve 83 in the removal direction 52, and a first projection 85 and a second projection projecting from the projection 84 in the radial direction of the projection 84. And a unit 86. 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 protrudes from the valve chamber 47 to the ink chamber 36. That is, the valve body 77 is disposed in the ink supply unit 60 and the ink chamber 36. The convex portion 84 may not protrude from the valve chamber 47 to the ink chamber 36. In this case, the valve body 77 is disposed in the ink supply unit 60.

  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, the valve body 77 can move between the closed position shown in FIG. 4 (B) and the open position shown in FIG. 6 (B) at a position closer to the rear wall 41 than the closed 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. 4B, when the valve body 77 is in the closed 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. 6B, when the valve body 77 is in the open position, the valve 83 is separated from the seal 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 first projecting portion 85 and the second projecting portion 86 are formed at four places at intervals in the circumferential direction of the projecting portion 84. The first projecting portion 85 is disposed at a position shifted from the second projecting portion 86 in the insertion direction 51 and in the removal direction 52 from the valve 83.

  The sealing member 78 is formed of, for example, an elastic material such as rubber. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8B, the sealing member 78 includes a cylindrical portion 95 having a cylindrical shape, and a first sealing portion 96 having a flange shape projecting radially outward from the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 95. A second sealing portion 97 is provided.

  The cylindrical portion 95 is disposed between the first projecting portion 85 and the second projecting portion 86 in a state where the convex portion 84 is penetrated. The inner diameter of the cylindrical portion 95 is larger than the outer diameter of the convex portion 84. Therefore, a space is formed between the cylindrical portion 95 and the convex portion 84 in a state where the convex portion 84 penetrates the cylindrical portion 95. Further, the inside of the cylindrical portion 95 is exposed through the gap between the two adjacent first protrusions 85 and the gap between the two adjacent second protrusions 86. Thus, the space in the valve chamber 47 that is continuous with the opening 46A and the space in the valve chamber 47 that is continuous with the opening 46B are communicated by the internal space of the cylindrical portion 95.

  One end of the cylindrical portion 95 is in contact with the first projecting portion 85, and the other end of the cylindrical portion 95 is in contact with the second projecting portion 86. Accordingly, the sealing member 78 moves in the valve chamber 47 together with the valve body 77 in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52.

  The first sealing portion 96 is disposed at a position shifted from the second sealing portion 97 in the insertion direction 51.

  Each sealing portion 96, 97 is in close contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 46. In a state where the sealing member 78 is not inserted into the valve chamber 47, the outer diameter dimension of each sealing portion 96, 97 is slightly larger than the inner diameter dimension of the cylindrical wall 46. As a result, the sealing portions 96 and 97 in close contact with the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 46 are elastically deformed in the direction in which the outer diameter dimension is reduced. Each sealing portion 96, 97 slides relative to the inner surface of the cylindrical wall 46 by the movement of the valve body 77.

  The coil spring 87 is disposed between the opening 46A and the second protrusion 86. 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 open position toward the closed 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. 4B). In place of the coil spring 87, another biasing member such as a leaf spring may be used. Further, the biasing member such as the coil spring 87 may not necessarily be provided.

[Detected member 59]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a detection target member 59 (an example of a rotation member) is disposed in the ink chamber 36. The detection member 59 is disposed between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41. That is, the rear wall 41 is provided on the opposite side of the front wall 40 with respect to the detection target member 59 in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. The detected member 59 is rotatably supported by the frame 31. The detection target member 59 includes a rotation center portion 61 which is a rotation center of the detection target member 59. The rotation center portion 61 has a cylindrical shape, but may have a shape other than the cylindrical shape. The projection 48 of the frame 31 is inserted into the rotation center 61 of the detection member 59. Thus, the detection target member 59 is supported by the frame 31 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis. The pivot axis is an imaginary line extending in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. The pivot axis is an imaginary line passing through the center of the projection 48 when the detected member 59 is viewed in plan from the right direction 55 or the left direction 56. The pivot shaft is located above the ink supply unit 60.

  As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 8A, the ink cartridge has a detected member 59 and a float 63 (an example of a biasing member). In the present embodiment, the float 63 is configured as a part of the detected member 59. The detection target member 59 includes the rotation center 61, the first arm 71, the second arm 72, the third arm 73, the detection target 62, the float 63, and the control target 64 (an example of the contact receiving portion). It is done.

  The rotation center portion 61 is provided at a position deviated in the insertion direction 51 from the second inner wall 44. The first arm 71 extends from the rotation center 61 in the radial direction of the rotation center 61. The second arm 72 extends from the rotation center 61 in the radial direction and a direction different from that of the first arm 71. The second arm 72 extends in the removal direction 52 more than the second inner wall 44 through the recess 45 which is recessed in the left direction 56 from the right end of the second inner wall 44 from the rotation center portion 61. The third arm 73 extends from the rotation center 61 in the radial direction and in a direction different from the first arm 71 and the second arm 72. The third arm 73 is shorter than the second arm 72.

  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 a material that shields the light output from the light emitting part. 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.

  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 float 63 is provided at the extension end of the second arm 72 and is supported by the second arm 72. The float 63 is disposed between the pivot shaft of the detection target member 59 and the rear wall 41 in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. That is, the float 63 is disposed at a position away from the rotational axis of the detection target member 59 toward the rear wall 41. 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 float 63 may be provided at a position other than the extension end of the second arm 72, for example, at an intermediate position between the extension end and the base end of the second arm 72.

  The regulated portion 64 is provided at the extension end of the third arm 73. The controlled portion 64 is a part of the third arm 73 and is an extended end portion of the third arm 73. The regulated portion 64 has a flat surface 80 (an example of a first flat surface) at the extension end portion. The flat surface 80 is a surface which spreads in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 and the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 in the standby position. The regulated portion 64 is in contact with and separated from a regulating member 88 described later. The regulated portion 64 may be a separate member from the third arm 73. In this case, the regulated portion 64 is supported by the third arm 73.

  In the detection member 59, the ink chamber 36 with the first arm 71 substantially facing upward 54, the second arm 72 generally facing the removal direction 52, and the third arm 73 generally facing the insertion direction 51. Placed inside.

  The detection target member 59 is pivotable between the detection position shown in FIG. 7 and the position shown in FIG. 4 and in the standby position which is a position different from the detection position.

  In the state where the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed (the ink cartridge 30 is in the use posture), when the detected member 59 is at the detection position, the detected portion 62 detects the sensor 103 (see FIG. 1). Between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. Therefore, the light output from the light emitting unit is blocked by the detected unit 62 and does not reach the light receiving unit. Thus, the detection target portion 62 is detected by the sensor 103 from the outside of the ink cartridge 30 when the detection target member 59 is at the detection position.

  Further, in the state where the ink cartridge 30 is in the use posture, when the detection target member 59 is at the detection position, the control target portion 64 is below the pivot axis of the detection target member 59.

  On the other hand, in the state where the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed (the state where the ink cartridge 30 is in the use posture), the detected portion 62 is a sensor when the detected member 59 is at a position other than the detection position. It is not located between the light emitting unit 103 and the light receiving unit. Therefore, the light output from the light emitting unit reaches the light receiving unit.

  In the state where the ink cartridge 30 is in the use posture, the position of the controlled portion 64 when the detected member 59 is at the detection position is lower than when the detected member 59 is other than the detection position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4, in the state where the ink cartridge 30 is in the use posture, the float 63 when the detected member 59 is in the standby position contacts the rear wall 41, the lower wall 42 and the second inner wall 44 I did not. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, in the state where the ink cartridge 30 is in the use posture, the float 63 when the detected member 59 is in the standby position is not in contact with the first inner wall 43. As described above, in the state where the ink cartridge 30 is in the use posture, the float 63 when the detected member 59 is in the standby position is not in contact with the ink container 32.

[Restriction member 88]
As shown in FIG. 4, a regulating member 88 is disposed in the ink chamber 36. The restricting member 88 is linearly movably supported by the frame 31 in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the frame 31 of the ink container 32 is provided with a pair of guide members 49 at positions shifted in the removal direction 52 from the protrusions 48 of the first inner wall 43. The pair of guide members 49 are provided in an area above the valve body 77 in the ink chamber 36 and below the projection 48, and are provided at intervals in the upper direction 54 and the lower direction 53. The pair of guide members 49 is extended in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. The restricting member 88 is disposed between the pair of guide members 49. Thus, the restriction member 88 is supported by the frame 31 so as to be linearly movable in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the regulating member 88 has a first portion 89 (an example of a main body) and a second portion 90 (an example of an extension). A convex portion 91 (an example of the contact portion) protruding in the right direction 55 is formed at the central portion of the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 of the second portion 90. The convex portion 91 of the second portion 90 is located at a position projecting in the right direction 55 relative to the guide member 49. On the other hand, the portion other than the convex portion 91 of the second portion 90 is disposed between the pair of guide members 49 and does not protrude in the right direction 55 with respect to the guide member 49.

  The first portion 89 extends downward 53 from the projection 91 of the second portion 90. At the tip of the first portion 89, a through hole 92 is formed which faces the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. The tip end portion 77A of the valve body 77 in the removal direction 52 is inserted into the through hole 92. The diameter of the through hole 92 is slightly smaller than that of the tip 77A. Therefore, the tip end portion 77A and the through hole 92 are fitted. Thereby, the first portion 89 of the regulating member 88 is engaged with the valve body 77. With such a configuration, the regulating member 88 receives the biasing force from the valve body 77 disposed outside the regulating member 88, and moves in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 integrally with the valve body 77. Do.

  The second portion 90 extends from the proximal end of the first portion 89 in the insertion direction 51. In other words, the second portion 90 extends from the proximal end of the first portion 89 toward the pivot axis of the detection member 59.

  The restricting member 88 is at the restricting position (an example of the first position) shown in FIG. 4 and the allowable position (an example of the second position) which is the position shown in FIG. 6 and closer to the rear wall 41 than the restricting position. It is possible to move between. When the valve body 77 is in the closed position, the regulating member 88 is in the regulated position. When the valve body 77 is in the open position, the regulating member 88 is in the permissible position. When the valve body 77 moves from the closed position to the open position, the restricting member 88 moves from the restricted position to the permitted position. When the valve body 77 moves from the open position to the closed position, the restricting member 88 moves from the permitted position to the restricted position. That is, the regulating member 88 is connected to the valve body 77 so as to be movable from the regulating position to the closing position in conjunction with the movement of the valve body 77 from the closing position to the opening position.

  When the restricting member 88 is at the restricting position, a surface 93 (an example of the contact surface or the second flat surface) of the convex portions 91 of the second portion 90 of the restricting member 88 is from below the controlled portion 64. It abuts on the flat surface 80 of the restricted portion 64 toward the upper side. As a result, when the restricted portion 64 receives the upward biasing force, the rotation of the detected member 59 in the direction of the arrow 74 (see FIG. 4B) is restricted. That is, the rotation of the detection target member 59 in the direction of the arrow 74 from the standby position is restricted. Here, the regulation means that the movement of the detection member 59 is allowed to move about while the rotation of the detection member 59 from the standby position is restricted. Further, the regulating member 88 does not necessarily regulate rotation of the detected member 59 from the standby position in the direction opposite to the arrow 74 (clockwise in FIG. 4B).

  The surface 93 provided on the convex portion 91 is a surface extending in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 as well as the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. That is, the surface 93 is parallel to the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 which are the movement direction of the regulating member 88.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the surface 93 extends to a position deviated in the insertion direction 51 more than the restricted portion 64 when the restricting member 88 is in the restricting position. Thus, even if the restricting member 88 is located closer to the allowable position than the restricting position, the surface 93 abuts on the controlled portion 64. Specifically, the surface 93 is a position between the restricted position and the allowable position, and is located at the intermediate position (the position shown in FIG. 5 and an example of the third position). It abuts. The surface 93 maintains the state in contact with the controlled portion 64 in a state where the restricting member 88 is positioned between the restricting position and the intermediate position.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the restricting member 88 is located closer to the allowable position than the intermediate position, the surface 93 is separated from the controlled portion 64 of the detected member 59 and removed from the controlled portion 64. It is arranged at a position shifted in the direction 52. Thereby, the rotation of the detected member 59 in the direction of the arrow 74 is permitted. That is, the rotation of the detection target member 59 from the standby position to the detection position is permitted. That is, the surface 93 is separated from the regulated portion 64 in a state where the regulating member 88 is located between the intermediate position and the allowable position.

[Control unit 130]
The printer 10 includes a control unit 130. As shown in FIG. 12, 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. 4, in the ink cartridge 30 before being mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the valve body 77 is in the closed position by the biasing force of the coil spring 87.

  The valve body 77 in the closed position is in a state of being 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 closed position, the hole 66A is located between the first sealing portion 96 and the second sealing portion 97. Thus, the communication between the first atmosphere communication passage 66 and the second atmosphere communication passage 67 is blocked by the second sealing portion 97. As a result, the pressure in the ink chamber 36 is maintained at a negative pressure.

  When the valve body 77 is in the closed position, the regulating member 88 is in the regulated position. When the restricting member 88 is at the restricting position, the detected member 59 is at the standby position. Due to the buoyancy acting on the float 63, a force to turn in the direction of the arrow 74 acts on the detected member 59, and hence a force to move downward 53 acts on the regulated portion 64. . That is, the float 63 biases the detection target member 59 to the detection position. At this time, the surface 93 of the convex portion 91 of the regulating member 88 is in contact with the regulated portion 64 of the detection target member 59 from the lower side of the regulated portion 64. Thus, the restricting member 88 at the restricting position applies an external force in the opposite direction to the arrow 74 which is the turning direction of the detection target member 59 to the detection position, to the controlled portion 64. In other words, when the restricting member 88 is disposed at the allowable position, the restricted portion 64 is disposed in the moving area of the restricting member 88. However, since the restricting member 88 is disposed on the turning locus of the restricted portion 64 at the restricted position, the restricted portion 64 can not move into the movement region of the restricting member 88. As a result, the rotation of the detection target member 59 from the standby position is restricted.

  When the detection target member 59 is at the standby position, the flat surface 80 of the control target portion 64 is located within the rotation angle region. The rotation angle region is a two-dot chain line 161 in a plan view along the axial direction (right direction 55 and left direction 56 of the detection member 59, that is, a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 22). Of the four regions enclosed by 162, there are two regions in which the rotation angles θ1 and θ2 and the rotation angle θ3 are shown. Here, the two-dot chain lines 161 and 162 are virtual lines passing through the rotation center of the detection target member 59 and having an inclination of 45 ° with respect to the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. The rotation angle region is the rotation angle θ1, θ2 with respect to the dashed-dotted line 163 which is an imaginary line extending from the rotation center of the detection member 59 in the movement direction (insertion direction 51 and removal direction 52) of the restriction member 88. It is a region that is θ3. Here, θ1 <45 °, 315 ° <θ2, 135 ° <θ3 <225 ° are satisfied. In the present embodiment, the flat surface 80 of the controlled portion 64 abuts on the regulating member 88 in the region of 180 ° <θ3 <225 ° at the standby position.

  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 detection target member 59 is in the standby position, the detection target 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 by the front surface 58 of the cartridge cover 33 of the ink cartridge 30 since the ink cartridge 30 is being mounted in 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 surface 58 of the cartridge cover 33 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 closed position to the open position against the biasing force of the coil spring 87.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the valve body 77 in the open 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 is in the open position, both the hole 66A and the hole 67A are located between the first sealing portion 96 and the second sealing portion 97. Thus, the first atmosphere communication passage 66 and the second atmosphere communication passage 67 communicate with each other. As a result, the ink chamber 36 is in communication with the atmosphere, and the pressure in the ink chamber 36 changes from negative pressure to atmospheric pressure.

  When the valve body 77 moves from the closed position to the release position in the removal direction 52, the regulating 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 toward the allowable position.

  In the process of moving the restricting member 88 from the restricting position to the intermediate position, the surface 93 provided on the convex portion 91 of the restricting member 88 slides on the flat surface 80 of the restricted portion 64. In the process, the surface 93 is kept in contact with the flat surface 80 from below. Therefore, in the process, the restriction of the rotation of the detection target member 59 from the standby position to the detection position is held.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the restricting member 88 is at the intermediate position, the controlled portion 64 is in contact with the end of the surface 93 in the insertion direction 51. Therefore, when the restricting member 88 moves from the intermediate position to the allowable position, the surface 93 is separated from the plane 80 of the restricted portion 64. That is, the convex portion 91 of the regulating member 88 is separated from the regulated portion 64 of the sensed member 59. As a result, the detection target member 59 is pivotable from the standby position. That is, in the state where the restricting member 88 is positioned at the middle position from the restricting position, the controlled portion 64 maintains the state of being arranged in the region of 180 ° <θ3 <225 ° in FIG. Then, when the restricting member 88 moves from the intermediate position to the allowable position, the controlled member 59 pivots toward the boundary portion (θ3 = 225 °) of the moving area.

  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 the direction of the arrow 75, which is the direction in which it floats by buoyancy. That is, the detection member 59 is on standby by the float 63 which moves upward in response to the control member 88 being moved to the allowable position in the use posture in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110. Rotate from position to detection position.

  When the detection target member 59 is located at the detection position, the control target portion 64 enters the movement area of the control member 88.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 22, when the detection target member 59 is located at the detection position, a part of the control target portion 64 is located outside the rotation angle region. In FIG. 22, the detection target member 59 at the standby position is shown by a solid line, and the detection target member 59 at the detection position is shown by a broken line. The movement trajectories of the controlled portion 64 in the process of rotating the detected member 59 from the standby position to the detected position are the regions S1 and S2 hatched in FIG. The area S1 is an area within the rotation angle area among the hatched areas. The area S2 is an area outside the rotation angle area among the hatched areas. And as FIG. 22 shows, area | region S1 is larger than area | region S2. As described above, in the plan view along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, the rotation angle region includes half or more of the movement locus of the controlled portion 64 in the process of rotating the detected member 59 from the standby position to the detected position. It is done.

  The position of the controlled portion 64 where the detected member 59 is located at the detection position may be within the rotation angle region or outside the rotation angle region, provided that the region S1 is larger than the region S2. It may be

  In the present embodiment, the angle θ4 is less than 45 °. The angle θ4 is a rotation angle of the third arm 73 in the process of rotating the detection target member 59 from the standby position to the detection position. Here, the third arm 73 extends radially from the rotation center 61. Therefore, the rotation angle of the third arm 73 is the same as the rotation angle of the detection target member 59. From the above, the rotation angle of the detection target member 59 when the detection target member 59 rotates from the standby position to the detection position is less than 45 °. The rotation angle of the detection target member 59 when the detection target member 59 rotates from the standby position to the detection position may be 45 ° or more.

  The float 63 pivots in the direction of the arrow 75 until the second arm 72 abuts on the surface 45 A (see FIGS. 3 and 6A) defining the recess 45 of the second inner wall 44. When the second arm 72 abuts on the surface 45A, the detected member 59 is located at the detection position which is the position shown in FIG.

  When the detection target member 59 is at the detection position, 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. Therefore, when the detected member 59 is at the detection position, 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 at the detection position. 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. 7, 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 open position by the pressing force of the ink needle 102. When the valve body 77 is in the open position, the restricting member 88 is in the allowable 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 at the detection position 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. As a result, the valve body 77 moves from the open position to the closed position by the biasing force of the coil spring 87. When the valve body 77 moves from the open position to the closed position, the regulating member 88 moves integrally with the valve body 77 from the permitted position to the regulated position. When the restricting member 88 moves from the allowable position to the intermediate position, the convex portion 91 of the restricting member 88 abuts on the controlled portion 64 of the detection target member 59 entering the moving area of the restricting member 88 at the detection position. Specifically, the surface intersecting with the surface of the regulated portion 64 that is in contact with the convex portion 91 of the regulating member 88 at the regulating position abuts the surface 94 of the regulating member 88 facing the insertion direction 51 ( See Figure 23). Thereby, the restricted portion 64 is pushed by the convex portion 91 in the direction from the detection position to the standby position. As a result, the detected member 59 pivots in the opposite direction to the arrow 74 (see FIG. 4B). That is, the detection target member 59 pivots from the detection position to the standby position. Then, the regulated portion 64 enters the region of 180 ° <θ3 <225 ° by the regulating member 88. That is, from the state in which only a part of the controlled portion 64 is in the rotation angle area, the state in which the control part 64 is entirely in the rotation angle area returns.

  When the detection target member 59 rotates, the control target portion 64 rides on the convex portion 91. That is, the controlled portion 64 is separated from the surface 94 and is in contact with the surface 93 from the lower side (the state of FIG. 5). In this state, the surface 93 slides with respect to the flat surface 80 of the controlled portion 64 in the process of moving the regulating member 88 from the intermediate position to the allowable position.

  As described above, 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 the detected member 59 to the standby position.

  Next, in a state in which the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed, the ink is consumed in 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 ejected 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. Thereby, the detection target member 59 is rotated in the opposite direction to the arrow 74 (see FIG. 4B). That is, the detection target member 59 pivots from the detection position to the standby position. 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 process of determining whether or not the viscosity of the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 is abnormal, which is executed by the control unit 130, will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 9, 10, and 11.

  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 target member 59 rotates from the standby position to the detection position 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, from the standby position of the detected member 59 to the detection position. 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 lower than the viscosity of the normal ink. On the other hand, when the moving time exceeds the upper limit value of the threshold range, it is estimated that the viscosity of the ink is too higher than the viscosity of the normal ink. 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. 9 is finished. The process shown in FIG. 10 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 the abnormality flag is set to “OFF” (S32: No), the control unit 130 executes the remaining amount determination process which is the process shown in FIG. 11 (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.

  When “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). When 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. 10 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. 11 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. Thereafter, the control unit 130 executes the process of step S34 of 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.

  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. Thereafter, the control unit 130 executes the process of step S34 of 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, the rotational angle of the detection member 59 with respect to the movement of the regulating member 88 along the moving direction is θ <45 °, 135 ° <θ <225 °, or 315 ° <θ. In the region where the rotation angle θ is 45 ° ≦ θ ≦ 135 ° or 225 ° ≦ θ ≦ 315 ° when the rotation angle region is more than half of the movement trajectory of the control portion 64 It is larger than the case where more than half of the 64 movement trajectories are included. That is, in the region of the rotation angle θ in the present embodiment, the detected member 59 can be largely rotated while the moving amount of the regulating member 88 is reduced.

  According to the present embodiment, the projection 91 of the restricting member 88 holds the restriction of the rotation of the detection target member 59 from the standby position to the detection position between the restricting position and the intermediate position, and the restricted portion 64. Slide against. Thus, even when the convex portion 91 moves between the restricted position and the intermediate position, the detection target member 59 is maintained at the standby position. That is, even if the position of the restricting member 88 varies between the restricting position and the intermediate position, the position of the detected member 59 does not vary.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, by returning the restricting member 88 from the allowable position to the restricted position, it is possible to restrict the rotation of the detected member 59 again at the standby position.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the second portion 90 extends toward the rotational axis of the detection target member 59, the convex portion 91 provided on the second portion 90 is close to the rotational axis. Can be placed. Thus, the detection target member 59 and the restriction member 88 can be brought into contact with each other at a position close to the rotation center of the detection target member 59.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the regulating member 88 is coupled to the valve body 77 so as to move in conjunction with the movement of the valve body 77. Therefore, the restricting member 88 can be moved according to the opening and closing of the opening 46B opened and closed by the movement of the valve body 77.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the position of the controlled portion 64 when the detected member 59 is located at the detection position is below the pivot axis of the detected member 59. Therefore, the regulating member 88 connected to the valve body 77 that opens and closes the opening 46B disposed below the rotation axis of the detection target member 59 is at a position close to the regulated portion 64. It can be easily abutted.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the position of the controlled portion 64 when the detected member 59 is located at the detection position is lower than when the detected member 59 is located at the standby position. Therefore, the restricting member 88 connected to the valve body 77 that opens and closes the opening 46B disposed below the rotation axis of the detected member 59 is the controlled portion 64 when the detected member 59 is located at the detection position. Since the position is close to that of the control unit 64, it can be easily in contact with the controlled portion 64.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the detection target member 59 can be moved from the standby position to the detection position in accordance with the movement of the restriction member 88 from the restriction position to the allowance position. At that time, since the detection target member 59 moves in the ink while receiving viscous resistance and inertia resistance from the ink, the moving speed of the detection target 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 position.

[Modification 1]
In the above embodiment, the surface 93 formed on the regulating member 88 and in contact with the regulated portion 64 of the detected member 59 is parallel to the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 which is the moving direction of the regulating member 88. there were. However, the surface in contact with the regulated portion 64 may not be parallel to the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. Further, in the above embodiment, the restricting member 88 is moved in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 which is the moving direction of the valve body 77, but the movement direction of the restricting member 88 is the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 Not limited to the above, it may be a direction intersecting the moving direction of the valve body 77.

  For example, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the surface 124 in contact with the regulated portion 64 may extend downward 53 and upward 54 and in the right 55 and left 56 directions. That is, the surface in contact with the restricted portion 64 may be perpendicular to the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 which are the movement direction of the restriction member 88. The configurations shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 will be described in detail. In the following, portions different from the above embodiment will be described in detail, and the description of the same portions as the above embodiment will be simplified or omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the valve body 77 and the regulating member 88 are separate bodies. An inclined surface 121 is formed at the end of the removal direction 52 of the valve body 77. The inclined surface 121 is inclined upward in the removal direction 52.

  The restricting member 88 includes a main body 116 having a concave portion 115 recessed in a removal direction 52 from the surface facing the insertion direction 51, and a convex portion 117 protruding upward from the main body 116.

  An inclined surface 123 is formed in the recess 115. The inclined surface 123 is inclined upward in the removal direction 52. The inclined surface 123 and the inclined surface 121 are in contact with each other. Thus, in the state shown in FIG. 13A, when the valve body 77 moves from the closed position toward the open position in the removal direction 52, the regulating member 88 moves downward 53 (FIG. 13 (B And FIG. 14).

  A coil spring 122 is disposed between the main body 116 and the lower wall 42 of the ink container 32. One end of the coil spring 122 is connected to the main body 116. The other end of the coil spring 122 is connected to the lower wall 42. Thus, the restricting member 88 can move up and down by the expansion and contraction of the coil spring 122. Instead of the coil spring 122, another biasing member such as a leaf spring may be used.

  The frame 31 of the ink container 32 is provided with a guide member 118 which protrudes in the upward direction 54 from the lower wall 42. The guide member 118 is disposed so as to surround the restriction member 88 from the insertion direction 51 of the restriction member 88, the removal direction 52, the right direction 55, and the left direction 56. While the restriction member 88 can be moved up and down along the guide member 118 by the guide member 118, only movement with a rattling degree in the insertion direction 51, the removal direction 52, the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 is possible. It becomes possible.

  The controlled portion 64 of the detection target member 59 is in contact with the surface 124 (an example of the contact surface) of the convex portion 117 of the restriction member 88 facing the removal direction 52. As illustrated in FIG. 13A, when the restricting member 88 is at the restricting position, the restricted portion 64 is in contact with the surface 124. At this time, the surface 124 is expanded to a position deviated in the upward direction 54 from the contact position with the regulated portion 64. Thus, even if the restricting member 88 is located closer to the allowable position than the restricting position, the surface 124 abuts on the controlled portion 64. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13B, the surface 124 is in contact with the restricted portion 64 even when the restricting member 88 is positioned at the intermediate position. The surface 124 is kept in contact with the controlled portion 64 in a state where the restricting member 88 is located between the restricting position and the intermediate position.

  When the restricting member 88 is located closer to the allowable position than the intermediate position, as shown in FIG. 14A, the convex portion 117 is lower than the controlled portion 64 and the surface 124 is separated from the controlled portion 64. . As a result, since the rotation of the detection target member 59 from the standby position to the detection position is permitted, the detection target member 59 is rotated to the detection position by the buoyancy of the float 63 (see FIG. 14B).

  In the first modification, as in the above embodiment, the rotation angle of the detection target member 59 when the detection target member 59 rotates from the standby position to the detection position is less than 45 °.

  Further, in the case of the first modification, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in a plan view along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, the object to be detected 59 rotates in the process of rotating from the standby position to the detection position. All of the movement trajectories of the regulating unit 140 are included in the rotation angle region (a region in which the rotation angle is within the range of θ3).

  According to the first modification, since all of the movement loci of the restricted parts 64 are included in the rotation angle area, a part of the movement loci of the restricted parts 64 is included in the rotation angle areas. The detected member 59 can be largely rotated while the amount of movement of the regulating member 88 is reduced.

  Further, according to the first modification, since the rotation angle of the detection target member 59 when the detection target member 59 rotates from the standby position to the detection position is less than 45 °, all movement trajectories of the control target portion 64 are The configuration contained in the rotation angle area can be easily realized.

[Modification 2]
In the above embodiment, the upward facing surface 93 provided on the regulating member 88 is in contact with the flat surface 80 of the regulated portion 64 from the lower side of the regulated portion 62 to the upper side. Thus, the restricting member 88 restricts the rotation of the detected member 59 from the standby position. However, the configuration in which the regulating member 88 regulates the rotation of the detected member 59 from the standby position is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15A, the downward facing flat surface 145 provided on the regulating member 88 is directed downward from above the regulated portion 140 provided on the sensed member 59. It may be in contact with the plane 141 of In the following, portions different from the above embodiment will be described in detail, and the description of the same portions as the above embodiment will be simplified or omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the detected member 59 includes a controlled portion 140 instead of the controlled portion 64 in the above embodiment. The regulated portion 140 is provided integrally with the second arm 72 at the proximal end of the second arm 72. The regulated portion 140 protrudes upward from the second arm 72. The regulated portion 140 has a flat surface 141 facing upward. The flat surface 141 is a surface extending in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 as well as the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.

  The restricting member 88 comprises a third portion 142 in addition to the first portion 89 and the second portion 90. The third portion 142 has a protrusion 143 extending upward from the protrusion 91 of the second portion 90 and a first contact portion 144 extending in the insertion direction 51 from the tip of the protrusion 143. And a second contact portion 147 connected to the extending tip end of the first contact portion 144. The first contact portion 144 includes a flat surface 145 (an example of a surface included in the first contact portion) facing downward. The second contact portion 147 is provided with an inclined surface 146 (an example of a surface included in the second contact portion) at a position shifted from the flat surface 145 in the insertion direction 51 and continuous with the flat surface 145. The flat surface 145 is a surface extending in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 and the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. The inclined surface 146 is inclined upward in the insertion direction 51. That is, the inclined surface 146 has a component directed in the insertion direction 51 (the moving direction from the allowable position to the restricted position).

  As shown in FIG. 15A, when the restricting member 88 is in the restricting position, the flat surface 141 and the flat surface 145 are in contact with each other. At this time, the controlled member 88 is located in the region of 315 ° <θ <360 ° in the rotational angle region θ. The flat surface 145 slides relative to the flat surface 141 when the restricting member 88 moves from the restricting position toward the permitting position in the removal direction 52. Thereby, the flat surface 141 and the flat surface 145 are kept in contact with each other in the state where the restricting member 88 is located between the restricting position and the intermediate position shown in FIG. 15 (B). In a state in which the flat surface 141 and the flat surface 145 are in contact with each other, the rotation of the detection target member 59 from the standby position to the detection position is restricted.

  When the restricting member 88 moves between the intermediate position and the permitting position and in the removal direction 52, the restricting member 88 is located between the intermediate position and the allowable position shown in FIG. And 145 are separated from each other. Thereby, since the rotation of the detection target member 59 from the standby position to the detection position is permitted, the detection target member 59 rotates to the detection position (see FIG. 16B). Also in this state, the controlled member 88 is located in the region of 315 ° <θ <360 ° in the rotational angle region θ.

  When the restricting member 88 moves from the allowable position to the restricting position in the insertion direction 51, the restricted portion 140 abuts on the inclined surface 146 and is guided by the inclined surface 146 toward the plane 145. Thereby, the plane 141 and the plane 145 are in contact with each other. Then, when the restricting member 88 further moves in the insertion direction 51, the plane 145 slides relative to the plane 141. In a state in which the flat surface 141 and the flat surface 145 are in contact with each other, the rotation of the detection target member 59 from the standby position to the detection position is restricted.

  In the second modification, as in the above embodiment, in the plan view along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, the portion to be detected 59 in the process of rotating from the standby position to the detection position. More than half of the movement trajectory of 140 is included in the rotation angle area.

  According to the second modification, since the first contact portion 144 and the second contact portion 147 including the inclined surface 146 returning the detected member 59 are continuous, the controlled portion 64 is the second contact portion 147. Can be returned to the restricting position by being in contact with and slid, and a series of operations regulated to the restricting position by the first contact portion 144 can be smoothly performed.

[Modification 3]
In the above embodiment, the detection member 59 is moved from the standby position to the detection position by the float 63 floating. However, the detection target member 59 may move from the standby position to the detection position by sinking the weight 125. In this case, the detection target member 59 may not include the float 63 but may include the weight 125 instead. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the weight 125 is provided at the extension end of the fourth arm 114 that extends from the rotation center 61 in the insertion direction 51. In the case of the third modification, the weight 125 is an example of a biasing member that biases the detection target member 59 to the detection position.

[Modification 4]
The flat surface 80 provided in the extension end portion of the controlled portion 64 may be longer in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 than in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18.

  According to the fourth modification, since the contact between the controlled portion 64 and the convex portion 91 is the contact between the flat surfaces (the plane 80 and the surface 93), the controlled portion 64 and the convex portion 91 are in contact with each other. The area becomes wider. As a result, when the restricting member 88 moves, the detected member 59 can be maintained in the standby position for a long time.

[Modification 5]
In the above embodiment, the flat surface 80 is formed in the controlled portion 64, the surface 93 which is a flat surface is formed in the regulating member 88, and the flat surface 80 and the surface 93 are in contact with each other. However, the plane may be formed on one of the regulated portion 64 or the regulating member 88. For example, while the surface 93 is formed on the regulating member 88, the tip of the regulated portion 64 may be pointed, and the surface 93 may abut on the tip.

[Modification 6]
In the above embodiment, the flat surface 80 is formed at the extended end portion of the controlled portion 64, but as shown in FIG. 19, the extended end portion of the controlled portion 64 is a curved surface 127 It is also good. The curved surface 127 may abut on the surface 93. The extended end portion of the restricted portion 64 may be a flat surface, and the portion of the restricting member 88 in contact with the restricted portion 64 may be a curved surface. That is, it is sufficient that one of the regulated portion 64 or the regulating member 88 has a curved surface that can abut on the other.

  According to the sixth modification, the contact area between the regulated portion 64 and the convex portion 91 is reduced, so that the load applied to the regulating member 88 when the regulating member 88 moves can be reduced.

[Other modifications]
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 on the condition that the light from the light emitting portion of the sensor 103 to the light reception portion is blocked when the detection target member 59 is at the detection position. 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 moving the detection target member 59 from the standby position to the detection position. May be 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. 20, on the top surface 152 of the case 101 of the cartridge mounting portion 110, a second sensor 148 is provided. The second sensor 148 is provided near the back surface 151. On the other hand, the cartridge cover 33 of the ink cartridge 30 has a convex portion 149 formed of a material that shields 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, 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. 20B from the position of FIG. 20A). 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. 21, the cartridge cover 33 of the ink cartridge 30 is formed with a convex portion 149 formed of a material that shields 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 at which 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. 21B from the position of FIG. 21A). 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. 21C when the count of the movement time measurement is completed.

  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. The control flow of the control unit 130 at that time is different from those shown in FIG. 9, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11, but the detailed description thereof 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 compared to the case where 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 processing illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11 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)
32 ・ ・ ・ Ink container (liquid container)
36 ・ ・ ・ Ink chamber (liquid storage chamber)
59 ······· Detected member (rotational member)
63 ・ ・ ・ Float (biasing member)
64 ・ ・ ・ Regulated part (abutted part)
88 ・ ・ ・ Regulation member 91 ・ ・ ・ Protuberance (contact part)
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 detection position which can be detected from the outside of the liquid cartridge, and a rotating member disposed in the liquid storage chamber so as to be rotatable between standby positions different from the detection position;
A float having a smaller specific gravity than the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber, or a weight having a larger specific gravity than the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber, and urging the rotating member to the detection position A biasing member,
An abutted portion provided on the rotating member;
The contact portion has an abutting portion capable of coming into contact with the abutted portion, and the contact portion abuts against the abutted portion, whereby the pivoting member rotates from the standby position to the detection position. Position can be linearly moved along the moving direction between the first position for restricting the movement and the second position for allowing rotation of the rotation member by separating the contact portion from the contact portion And a regulating member,
In a plan view along the axial direction of the pivoting member, more than half of the movement locus of the abutted portion in the process of pivoting the pivoting member from the standby position to the detection position is A liquid cartridge included in a region where a rotation angle θ with respect to a straight line extending from the rotation center in the movement direction is θ <45 ° and 315 ° <θ, or a region where 135 ° <θ <225 °.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein all of the movement trajectories are included in the area.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a rotation angle when the rotation member rotates from the standby position to the detection position is less than 45 °.   The contact portion is at a position different from the first contact portion, which is in contact with the abutted portion at the first position, and the first contact portion, and from the second position to the first position. A component facing the moving direction to the second position, and when moving from the second position to the first position, the second contact member abuts against the abutted portion to move the rotating member to the standby position; The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, having a contact portion.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the surface included in the first contact portion and the surface included in the second contact portion are continuous. The first contact portion is
In the process of moving the restriction member from the first position to the third position between the first position and the second position, the restriction of the rotation of the rotation member from the standby position to the detection position Sliding against the contact portion while holding the
The liquid cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the liquid cartridge is separated from the abutted portion in a state where the restricting member is positioned between the third position and the second position.   At least one of the abutted portion or the abutting portion is parallel to the moving direction and has an abutting surface which can abut on the other of the abutted portion or the abutting portion. The liquid cartridge according to 6.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 7, wherein one of the abutted portion or the abutting portion has a curved surface that can abut on the other of the abutted portion or the abutting portion. The abutted portion has a first plane,
The contact portion has a second plane,
The liquid cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the first flat surface and the second flat surface abut each other.   The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein, in the process of being moved from the second position to the first position, the restricting member contacts the rotating member to move the rotating member to the standby position. Liquid cartridge. The restriction member includes a main body portion receiving an urging force from the outside, and an extension portion extending from the main body portion toward a rotation axis of the rotation member,
The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the contact portion is provided in the extension portion. A liquid supply port which is formed lower than a rotation axis of the rotation member in the liquid container in the use posture of the liquid cartridge, and which supplies the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber to the outside of the liquid cartridge;
And a moving member movable between a closed position closing the liquid supply port and an open position opening the liquid supply port,
The control member is connected to the movable member so as to be movable from the first position to the second position in conjunction with the movement of the movable member from the closed position to the open position. The liquid cartridge according to any one of the above. The liquid container includes a first wall having the liquid supply port and a second wall, and the pivoting member is disposed between the first wall and the second wall.
The biasing member is the float,
The float is disposed at a position shifted from the rotation axis of the rotation member toward the second wall,
The liquid according to claim 12, wherein in the use posture of the liquid cartridge, the position of the abutted portion when the pivoting member is positioned at the detection position is below the pivoting axis of the pivoting member. cartridge.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the float is not in contact with the liquid container when the pivoting member is at the standby position.   In the use posture of the liquid cartridge, the position of the abutted portion when the rotation member is positioned at the detection position is lower than when the rotation member is positioned at the standby position. The liquid cartridge according to any one of 14. The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 15,
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 which outputs a detection signal indicating that the rotating member is present at the detection position. The control unit is further provided with a control unit that determines whether an elapsed time from the movement of the restriction member to the second position to the output of the detection signal by the detection unit is included in a threshold range. Liquid consumption device as described.

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