JP7063129B2 - Liquid drainer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid discharge device that discharges a liquid.

Conventionally, an inkjet printer equipped with a detachable main tank, a sub tank for storing ink supplied from the mounted main tank, and an image recording unit for ejecting ink stored in the sub tank and recording an image has been known. (For example, Patent Document 1). Further, in the inkjet printer, the internal spaces of the main tank and the sub tank are open to the atmosphere. Therefore, when the main tank is attached to the inkjet printer, the liquid levels of the main tank and the sub tank are the same due to the difference between the head in the internal space of the main tank and the head in the internal space of the sub tank (hereinafter referred to as "head difference"). The head pressure causes the ink to move so that it aligns with the height. Then, in the inkjet printer, when the remaining amount of ink detected by the remaining amount detection sensor becomes less than the threshold value, the display indicates that the cartridge needs to be replaced, or the ink is empty. To display.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-21126

For example, in an inkjet printer having the above configuration, when the main tank is replaced, ink flows out from the main tank to the sub tank. If there is a remaining amount detection sensor that detects the ink in the sub tank, the ink will flow from the main tank to the sub tank, and eventually the detection signal of the remaining amount detection sensor will change. When the detection signal of the remaining amount detection sensor changes, the inkjet printer can erase the display indicating that the cartridge needs to be replaced or the empty display. However, if it takes time for the ink to flow out from the main tank to the sub tank and the signal output by the remaining amount detection sensor changes, the display on the display will not disappear during that time. Therefore, the user who has replaced the main tank may assume that the replacement of the main tank is inadequate because the display does not disappear.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object thereof is to be performed after the cartridge having the first liquid chamber is replaced and before the liquid level in the second liquid chamber becomes a predetermined position or higher. The purpose is to provide a means capable of deactivating the alarm.

(1) In the liquid discharge device according to the present invention, a mounting case in which a cartridge having a first liquid chamber in which liquid is stored is mounted and a tank having a second liquid chamber, one of which communicates with the second liquid chamber. The other is a flow path that communicates with the first liquid chamber of the cartridge mounted in the mounting case, a head that communicates with the second liquid chamber, a liquid level sensor, and an alarm. It is equipped with a controller. The controller causes the alarm to perform the first notification based on the reception of the first signal output by the liquid level sensor when the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is less than the predetermined position. , The amount of liquid stored in the second liquid chamber based on the amount of liquid instructed to be discharged by the discharge instruction received after receiving the discharge instruction to discharge the liquid through the head. The first value with respect to is determined, it is determined whether or not the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, and based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, the first value reaches the first threshold value. Based on the determination that the first value has not reached the first threshold value, the first notification is canceled, and the first value reaches the first threshold value. The first notification is sent based on the fact that the second signal output by the liquid level sensor is received when the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is equal to or higher than the predetermined position. unlock.

According to the above configuration, in the state where the first notification is performed, after the cartridge is replaced and before the liquid level in the second liquid chamber reaches a predetermined position or higher, the liquid stored in the second liquid chamber The first notification can be canceled on condition that the first value regarding the amount has not reached the first threshold value. The first value may be, for example, the amount of liquid itself stored in the second liquid chamber, or may be the amount of liquid specified to be discharged by the discharge instruction for calculating the amount of liquid. good.

(2) Preferably, the controller prohibits the discharge of the liquid from the head based on the determination that the first value has reached the first threshold value, and the liquid level sensor determines that the first value has reached the first threshold value. 2 Allows the liquid to be discharged from the head based on the reception of the signal.

According to the above configuration, after the cartridge is replaced and before the liquid level in the second liquid chamber reaches a predetermined position or higher, the first value regarding the amount of liquid stored in the second liquid chamber becomes the first threshold value. If so, draining of liquid from the head is prohibited. Then, the discharge of the liquid is permitted based on the fact that the liquid level of the second liquid chamber is equal to or higher than the predetermined position.

(3) Preferably, the controller permits the discharge of the liquid from the head based on the reception of the second signal from the liquid level sensor after prohibiting the discharge of the liquid from the head.

(4) Preferably, the controller causes the alarm to execute a second notification different from the first notification based on the determination that the first value has reached the first threshold value. Based on the reception of the second signal from the liquid level sensor, the second notification is canceled, and the alarm is made to perform the first notification and the third notification different from the second notification.

According to the above configuration, when the first value regarding the amount of liquid stored in the second liquid chamber reaches the first threshold value, the second notification is performed, so that, for example, the liquid flows from the cartridge to the tank. It is possible to notify the user that the inflow is in progress. Further, since the third notification is performed when the liquid level in the second liquid chamber reaches the predetermined position or higher, for example, the inflow of the liquid from the cartridge to the tank progresses and printing is executed. It is possible to notify the user.

(5) Preferably, the mounting case has the cartridge having the first liquid chamber in which the color ink used for color printing is stored, and the first liquid in which the monochrome ink used for monochrome printing is stored. Both of the above cartridges having a chamber are fitted. The controller receives a recording instruction for recording an image on a sheet as the ejection instruction, and the received recording instruction is a monochrome printing instruction for ejecting monochrome ink through the head, or color ink is discharged through the head. The first value regarding the amount of color ink stored in the second liquid chamber communicating with the first liquid chamber in which the color ink is stored is the first value. Based on the determination that the threshold has been reached and the recording instruction is a color printing instruction, the discharge of the liquid from the head is prohibited, and the first liquid in which the color ink is stored is prohibited. It is determined that the first value regarding the amount of color ink stored in the second liquid chamber communicating with the chamber has reached the first threshold value, and the recording instruction is a monochrome printing instruction. Based on the determination, the discharge of the liquid from the head is permitted.

(6) Preferably, the liquid drainer further comprises an interface. The controller reads the cartridge information stored in the cartridge memory of the cartridge through the interface based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, and is mounted based on the read cartridge information. The first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is the first cartridge or is mounted on the mounting case with the maximum amount of liquid stored in the first liquid chamber. A first predetermined value based on the determination that the inflow rate of the liquid into the second cartridge is different from that of the first cartridge and that the mounted cartridge is the first cartridge. Was determined as the first threshold value, it was determined whether or not the determined first value reached the determined first threshold value, and it was determined that the mounted cartridge was the second cartridge. Based on this, a second predetermined value different from the first predetermined value is determined as the first threshold value, and it is determined whether or not the first value has reached the determined first threshold value.

According to the above configuration, different predetermined values are used for the determination as the first threshold value according to the inflow rate of the liquid from the cartridge to the tank, so that the determination of the first value is appropriately performed. The second cartridge may have a different inflow rate from the first cartridge because the viscosity of the stored liquid is different, or the type of the stored liquid is different (for example, from the pigment). The inflow rate may be different from that of the first cartridge due to the dye), or the inflow rate may be different from that of the first cartridge due to the different shape (for example, the shape and inner diameter of the flow path). good.

(7) Preferably, the liquid drainer further comprises an interface. The controller determines a first count value as the first value with a value corresponding to the amount of liquid instructed to be discharged by the discharge instruction received after receiving the first signal, and the cartridge is the mounting case. The cartridge information stored in the cartridge memory of the cartridge is read out through the interface based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted on the cartridge, and based on the cartridge information read out, is the mounted cartridge the first cartridge? Or, the inflow rate of the liquid from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber when the liquid is mounted on the mounting case with the maximum amount of liquid stored in the first liquid chamber is the first. Based on the determination that the second cartridge is larger than the cartridge of the above and the mounted cartridge is the first cartridge, the third predetermined value is determined as the first threshold value. It is determined whether or not the first count value has reached the determined first threshold value, and based on the determination that the mounted cartridge is the second cartridge, the third predetermined value is determined. A fourth predetermined value larger than is determined as the first threshold value, and it is determined whether or not the first count value reaches the determined first threshold value.

According to the above configuration, the larger the inflow speed of the liquid from the cartridge to the tank, the larger the first threshold value is used for the determination, so that the determination of the first count value as the first value is appropriately performed.

(8) Preferably, the liquid drainer further comprises an interface. Based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, the controller reads out the liquid level height or the liquid amount of the first liquid chamber stored in the cartridge memory of the cartridge through the interface. The first threshold value is determined based on the read-out liquid level height or the liquid amount, and it is determined whether or not the first value has reached the determined first threshold value.

According to the above configuration, since the first threshold value is determined based on the liquid level height or the liquid amount stored in the cartridge memory, the determination of the first value is appropriately performed.

(9) Preferably, the liquid discharge device further includes a memory. The memory stores print setting information, and the print setting information is the first print setting or the second print setting in which the amount of liquid discharged from the head per unit time is different from the first print setting. Indicates one of. The controller determines whether the print setting information indicates the first print setting or the second print setting, and is based on the determination that the print setting information indicates the first print setting. 5 The predetermined value was determined as the first threshold value, it was determined whether or not the determined first value reached the determined first threshold value, and it was determined that the print setting information indicates the second print setting. Based on this, a sixth predetermined value different from the fifth predetermined value is determined as the first threshold value, and it is determined whether or not the first value has reached the determined first threshold value.

In canceling the first notification based on the determination of the first value, for example, when there is a high possibility that a large amount of liquid will be consumed in the future, the first notification will be performed with a relatively large amount of liquid stored in the tank. It is preferable to release it. On the contrary, when it is unlikely that a large amount of liquid is consumed, even if the first notification is canceled with a relatively small amount of liquid stored in the tank, the liquid in the tank will be discharged during the inflow of the liquid from the cartridge. It is unlikely that it will disappear. Here, the default print settings stored in the memory are likely to be used in the next and subsequent prints. Then, if the default setting is a setting that consumes a large amount of liquid, there is a high possibility that a large amount of liquid will be consumed in the future. Conversely, if the default setting is a low liquid consumption setting, it is likely that future liquid consumption will be low. According to the above configuration, since a different first threshold value is used for the determination according to the print setting indicated by the print setting information stored in the memory, the determination of the first value according to the prediction of the future liquid consumption is made. It can be performed.

(10) Preferably, the controller accepts a recording instruction for recording an image on the sheet as the discharging instruction, and the recording instruction is the third print setting or the amount of liquid discharged from the head per unit time. Specifies one of the fourth print settings that is different from the third print setting. The controller determines whether the received recording instruction specifies the third print setting or the fourth print setting, and determines that the recording instruction specifies the third print setting. Based on the above, a seventh predetermined value is determined as the first threshold value, it is determined whether or not the first value has reached the determined first threshold value, and the recording instruction sets the fourth print setting. Based on the determination that the designation is made, an eighth predetermined value different from the seventh predetermined value is determined as the first threshold value, and whether or not the first value reaches the determined first threshold value. Is determined.

In canceling the first notification based on the determination of the first value, for example, in a state where a large amount of liquid is likely to be consumed in the future, the first notification is performed in a state where a relatively large amount of liquid is stored in the tank. Is preferably released. On the contrary, in a state where it is unlikely that a large amount of liquid will be consumed in the future, even if the first notification is canceled with a relatively small amount of liquid stored in the tank, the tank may be inflowing liquid from the cartridge. It is unlikely that the liquid will run out. Here, the print setting indicated by the recording instruction received in the past is likely to be used in the next and subsequent recording instructions. Then, if the print setting indicated by the received recording instruction is a setting that consumes a large amount of liquid, there is a high possibility that a large amount of liquid will be consumed in the future. On the contrary, when the liquid consumption is set to be small, it is highly possible that the liquid consumption in the future is small. According to the above configuration, since a different first threshold value is used for the determination according to the printing setting indicated by the received recording instruction, it is possible to determine the first value according to the prediction of the future consumption of the liquid. can.

(11) Preferably, the liquid drainer further comprises an interface. Based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, the controller reads and reads the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid chamber stored in the cartridge memory of the cartridge through the interface. Whether or not the first value has reached the first threshold value based on the determination that the amount of the liquid is equal to or greater than the second threshold value and the determination that the amount of the liquid is equal to or greater than the second threshold value. Is determined.

According to the above configuration, the first value is determined on condition that the amount of liquid read from the cartridge memory is equal to or greater than the second threshold value, so that a sufficient amount of liquid is stored in the mounted cartridge. In that case, the first notification can be canceled.

(12) Preferably, in the mounting case, one end communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside, and one end communicates with the first liquid chamber and the other end. Is mounted with a cartridge having a second flow path that communicates with the outside. The tank has a third flow path in which one end communicates with the outside and the other end communicates with the second liquid chamber, and one end located below the third liquid flow chamber communicates with the second liquid chamber. It has a fourth flow path and a fifth flow path in which one end communicates with the second liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside. The head communicates with the other end of the fourth flow path. At least one of the first flow path and the third flow path communicates with the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case.

(13) The liquid discharge device according to the present invention has a cartridge having a first liquid chamber in which liquid is stored, a mounting case in which the cartridge is mounted, and a tank having a second liquid chamber, one of which is the second liquid chamber. A flow path that communicates with the liquid chamber and the other communicates with the first liquid chamber of the cartridge mounted in the mounting case, a head that communicates with the second liquid chamber, a liquid level sensor, and the like. It includes an alarm and a controller. The controller causes the alarm to perform the first notification based on the reception of the first signal output by the liquid level sensor when the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is less than the predetermined position. , The amount of liquid stored in the second liquid chamber based on the amount of liquid instructed to be discharged by the discharge instruction received after receiving the discharge instruction to discharge the liquid through the head. The first value with respect to is determined, it is determined whether or not the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, and based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, the first value reaches the first threshold value. Based on the determination that the first value has not reached the first threshold value, the first notification is canceled, and the first value reaches the first threshold value. The first notification is sent based on the fact that the second signal output by the liquid level sensor is received when the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is equal to or higher than the predetermined position. unlock.

According to the above configuration, in the state where the first notification is performed, after the cartridge is replaced and before the liquid level in the second liquid chamber reaches a predetermined position or higher, the liquid stored in the second liquid chamber The first notification can be canceled on condition that the first value regarding the amount has not reached the first threshold value. The first value may be, for example, the amount of liquid itself stored in the second liquid chamber, or may be the amount of liquid specified to be discharged by the discharge instruction for calculating the amount of liquid. good.

According to the present invention, the operation of the alarm can be released after the cartridge is replaced and before the liquid level in the second liquid chamber reaches a predetermined position or higher.

1A and 1B are external perspective views of the printer 10. FIG. 1A shows a state in which the cover 87 is in the covering position, and FIG. 1B shows a state in which the cover 87 is in the exposed position. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer 10. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the mounting case 150. 4A and 4B are views showing the structure of the cartridge 200, where FIG. 4A shows a front perspective view and FIG. 4B shows a vertical sectional view. FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view showing a state in which the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the printer 10. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the image recording process. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the count process. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the Empty temporary release process. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the Empty formal cancellation process. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a part of the image recording process. 12A is a diagram showing a C_Empty notification screen, FIG. 12B is a diagram showing a printing screen, and FIG. 12C is a diagram showing an ink shortage notification screen. FIG. 13A is a diagram showing an ink inflowing screen, and FIG. 13B is a diagram showing an inflow error notification screen. FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the Empty temporary release process of Modification 1. FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the Empty temporary release process of the modification 2. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the Empty temporary release process of Modification 3. FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the Empty temporary release process of the modified example 4.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. It is needless to say that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. Further, the vertical direction 7 is defined based on the usage posture in which the printer 10 can be used and is installed on a horizontal plane, the front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface on which the opening 13 of the printer 10 is formed as the front surface, and the printer 10 is defined from the front surface. Looking, the horizontal direction 9 is defined. In the present embodiment, in the usage posture, the vertical direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the horizontal direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction. The front-back direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal to each other.

[Overview of Printer 10]
The printer 10 according to the present embodiment is an example of a liquid discharging device that records an image on a sheet by an inkjet recording method. The printer 10 has a housing 14 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Further, the printer 10 may be a so-called "multifunction device" having functions such as a facsimile function, a scan function, and a copy function.

Inside the housing 14, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the feed tray 15, the feed roller 23, the transport roller 25, the head 21 having a plurality of nozzles 29, and the head 21 face each other. A platen 26, a discharge roller 27, a discharge tray 16, a mounting case 150 to which the cartridge 200 is attached / detached, and a tube 32 for communicating the cartridge 200 mounted on the head 21 and the mounting case 150 are located.

The printer 10 drives the feed roller 23 and the transport roller 25 to transport the sheet supported by the feed tray 15 to the position of the platen 26. Next, the printer 10 ejects the ink supplied from the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150 through the tube 32 to the head 21 through the nozzle 29. As a result, the ink lands on the sheet supported by the platen 26, and an image is recorded on the sheet. Then, the printer 10 drives the discharge roller 27 to discharge the sheet on which the image is recorded to the discharge tray 16.

More specifically, the head 21 may be mounted on a carriage that reciprocates in the main scanning direction intersecting the sheet transport direction by the transport roller 25. Then, the printer 10 may eject ink to the head 21 through the nozzle 29 in the process of moving the carriage from one of the main scanning directions to the other. As a result, the image is recorded in a part of the area of the sheet facing the head 21 (hereinafter, referred to as "1 pass"). Next, the printer 10 may transfer the sheet to the transfer roller 25 so that the area where the image should be recorded next faces the head 21. Then, by repeatedly executing these processes alternately, an image is recorded on one sheet.

In the present embodiment, the ejection of ink from the nozzle 29 of the head 21 in image recording is referred to as "ejection", while the ejection of ink from the nozzle 29 of the head 21 in purging is not referred to as "ejection". However, "discharge" is a concept included in "discharge".

[Cover 87]
As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 85 is formed on the front surface 14A of the housing 14 and at the right end portion in the left-right direction 9. The housing 14 further includes a cover 87. The cover 87 is rotatable between a covering position that closes the opening 85 (the position shown in FIG. 1A) and an exposed position that opens the opening 85 (the position shown in FIG. 1B). be. The cover 87 is supported by the housing 14 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis along the left-right direction 9, for example, in the vicinity of the lower end of the housing 14 in the vertical direction 7. The mounting case 150 is located in the accommodation space 86 inside the housing 14 that extends to the back of the opening 85.

[Cover sensor 88]
The printer 10 has a cover sensor 88 (see FIG. 6). The cover sensor 88 may be, for example, a mechanical sensor such as a switch with which the cover 87 is brought in and out, or an optical sensor in which light is blocked or transmitted depending on the position of the cover 87. The cover sensor 88 outputs a signal corresponding to the position of the cover 87 to the controller 130. More specifically, the cover sensor 88 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 depending on whether the cover 87 is located at the covering position. On the other hand, the cover sensor 88 outputs a high-level signal having a higher signal strength than the low-level signal to the controller 130 depending on the position of the cover 87 different from the covering position. In other words, the cover sensor 88 outputs a high level signal to the controller 130 depending on the position of the cover 87 in the exposed position.

[Mounting case 150]
As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting case 150 includes a contact 152, a rod 153, a mounting sensor 154, a liquid level sensor 155, and a lock pin 156. The mounting case 150 can accommodate four cartridges 200 corresponding to each color of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. That is, the mounting case 150 is provided with four contacts 152, a rod 153, a mounting sensor 154, and a liquid level sensor 155 corresponding to each of the four cartridges 200. The number of cartridges 200 that can be accommodated in the mounting case 150 is not limited to four, and may be one or five or more. Cyan, magenta, and yellow inks are examples of color inks used in color printing. Black ink is an example of monochrome ink used for monochrome printing. The contact 152 is an example of an interface.

The mounting case 150 has a box shape having an internal space for accommodating the mounted cartridge 200. The internal space of the mounting case 150 is composed of a top wall defining the upper end, a bottom wall defining the lower end, a back wall defining the rear end of the front-rear direction 8, and a pair of side walls defining both ends in the left-right direction 9. Delimited. On the other hand, the position facing the back wall of the mounting case 150 is an opening 85. That is, the opening 85 exposes the internal space of the mounting case 150 to the outside of the printer 10 when the cover 87 is arranged at the exposed position.

Then, the cartridge 200 is inserted into the mounting case 150 through the opening 85 of the housing 14, and is removed from the mounting case 150. More specifically, the cartridge 200 passes through the opening 85 backward in the front-rear direction 8 and is mounted on the mounting case 150. The cartridge 200 pulled out from the mounting case 150 passes through the opening 85 forward in the front-rear direction 8.

The mounting case 150 is configured so that a plurality of types of cartridges 200 can be mounted. The plurality of types of cartridges 200 have different volumes of the liquid chambers 210 due to differences in the shape and cross-sectional area of the liquid chambers 210, and the ink amount Vc initially stored in each liquid chamber 210, that is, the initial ink amount Vc0 is different. be. In this embodiment, a standard cartridge 200 (an example of a first cartridge) described later and a large-capacity cartridge (an example of a second cartridge) having a larger initial ink amount than the cartridge 200 can be mounted in the mounting case 150. And. The standard large-capacity cartridge has a standard ink inflow rate from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 170 when the ink is mounted on the mounting case 150 with the maximum amount of ink that can be stored (that is, Vc0) stored in the liquid chamber 210. Larger than the cartridge 200.

[Contact 152]
The contact 152 is located on the top wall of the mounting case 150. The contact 152 projects downward from the top wall toward the internal space of the mounting case 150. The contact 152 is located at a position in contact with the electrode 248 described later of the cartridge 200 when the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. The contact 152 has conductivity and is elastically deformable along the vertical direction 7. The contact 152 is electrically connected to the controller 130.

[Rod 153]
The rod 153 projects forward from the back wall of the mounting case 150. The rod 153 is located on the back wall of the mounting case 150 above the joint 180 described later. The rod 153 enters the atmospheric valve chamber 214 through the atmospheric communication port 221 described later of the cartridge 200 in the process of mounting the cartridge 200 on the mounting case 150. When the rod 153 enters the atmospheric valve chamber 214, the atmospheric valve chamber 214, which will be described later, communicates with the atmosphere.

[Mounting sensor 154]
The mounting sensor 154 is located on the top wall of the mounting case 150. The mounting sensor 154 is a sensor for the controller 130 to detect whether or not the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. The mounting sensor 154 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit separated from each other in the left-right direction 9. When the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150, the light-shielding rib 245 described later of the cartridge 200 is located between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the mounting sensor 154. In other words, the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the mounting sensor 154 are located so as to face each other with the light shielding rib 245 of the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150 interposed therebetween.

The mounting sensor 154 outputs different signals (referred to as “mounting signal” in the figure) depending on whether or not the light emitted from the light emitting unit along the left-right direction 9 is received by the light receiving unit. .. The mounting sensor 154 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 130, for example, according to the light receiving intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit being less than the threshold value. On the other hand, the mounting sensor 154 outputs a high level signal having a signal intensity higher than that of the low level signal to the controller 130 according to the light receiving intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit being equal to or higher than the threshold value.

[Liquid level sensor 155]
The liquid level sensor 155 is a sensor for detecting whether or not the detected portion 194 of the actuator 190, which will be described later, is located at the detection position. The liquid level sensor 155 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit separated from each other in the left-right direction 9. In other words, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the liquid level sensor 155 are located so as to face each other with the detected unit 194 located at the detection position interposed therebetween. The liquid level sensor 155 outputs a different signal (referred to as “liquid level signal” in the figure) depending on whether or not the light output from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit. The liquid level sensor 155 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130, for example, according to the light receiving intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit being less than the threshold value. On the other hand, the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a high level signal having a signal intensity higher than that of the low level signal to the controller 130 according to the light receiving intensity of the light received by the light receiving unit being equal to or higher than the threshold value. The high level signal is an example of the first signal, and the low level signal is an example of the second signal.

[Lock pin 156]
The lock pin 156 is a rod-shaped member extending along the left-right direction 9 at the upper end of the internal space of the mounting case 150 and near the opening 85. Both ends of the lock pin 156 in the left-right direction 9 are fixed to a pair of side walls of the mounting case 150. The lock pin 156 extends in the left-right direction 9 over four spaces in which the four cartridges 200 can be stored. The lock pin 156 is for holding the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150 at the mounting position shown in FIG. The cartridge 200 is engaged with the lock pin 156 while being mounted on the mounting case 150.

[Tank 160]
The printer 10 includes four tanks 160 corresponding to each of the four cartridges 200. The tank 160 is located further behind the back wall of the mounting case 150. As shown in FIG. 3, the tank 160 is composed of an upper wall 161, a front wall 162, a lower wall 163, a rear wall 164, and a pair of side walls (not shown). The front wall 162 is composed of a plurality of walls, each of which is displaced in the front-rear direction 8. A liquid chamber 171 is formed inside the tank 160. The liquid chamber 171 is an example of the second liquid chamber.

Of the walls constituting the tank 160, at least the wall facing the liquid level sensor 155 has translucency. As a result, the light output by the liquid level sensor 155 can pass through the wall facing the liquid level sensor 155. At least a part of the rear wall 164 may be a film welded to the upper wall 161, the lower wall 163, and the end faces of the side wall. Further, the side wall of the tank 160 may be common to the mounting case 150 or may be independent of the mounting case 150. Further, the tanks 160 adjacent to each other in the left-right direction 9 are partitioned by a partition wall (not shown). The configurations of the four tanks 160 are generally the same.

The liquid chamber 171 communicates with an ink flow path (not shown) through the outlet 174. The lower end of the outlet 174 is defined by a lower wall 163 that defines the lower end of the liquid chamber 171. The outlet 174 is located below the joint 180 (more specifically, the lower end of the through hole 184) in the vertical direction 7. The ink flow path (not shown) communicating with the outlet 174 communicates with the tube 32 (see FIG. 2). As a result, the liquid chamber 171 communicates with the head 21 from the outlet 174 through the ink flow path and the tube 32. That is, the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is supplied to the head 21 from the outlet 174 through the ink flow path and the tube 32. The ink flow path and the tube 32 communicated with the outlet 174 are the fourth flow path in which one end (outlet 174) is communicated with the liquid chamber 171 and the other end 33 (see FIG. 2) is communicated with the head 21. This is just one example.

The liquid chamber 171 communicates with the atmosphere through the air communication chamber 175. More specifically, the atmospheric communication chamber 175 communicates with the liquid chamber 171 through a through hole 176 penetrating the front wall 162. Further, the atmospheric communication chamber 175 is communicated to the outside of the printer 10 through a tube (not shown) connected to the atmospheric communication port 177 and the atmospheric communication port 177. That is, the atmospheric communication chamber 175 is an example of a fifth flow path in which one end (through hole 176) is communicated with the liquid chamber 171 and the other end (atmospheric communication port 177) is communicated with the outside of the printer 10. The atmospheric communication chamber 175 communicates with the atmosphere through an atmospheric communication port 177 and a tube (not shown).

[Joint 180]
The joint 180 includes a needle 181 and a guide 182, as shown in FIG. The needle 181 is a tube having a flow path formed inside. The needle 181 projects forward from the anterior wall 162 defining the liquid chamber 171. An opening 183 is formed at the protruding tip of the needle 181. Further, the internal space of the needle 181 is communicated with the liquid chamber 171 through a through hole 184 penetrating the front wall 162. The needle 181 is an example of a third flow path in which one end (opening 183) is communicated with the outside of the tank 160 and the other end (through hole 184) is communicated with the liquid chamber 171. The guide 182 is a cylindrical member arranged around the needle 181. The guide 182 projects forward from the front wall 162, and the protruding end is open.

A valve 185 and a coil spring 186 are located in the internal space of the needle 181. The valve 185 is movable along the front-rear direction 8 between the closed position and the open position in the internal space of the needle 181. The valve 185 closes the opening 183 when located in the closed position. Further, the valve 185 opens the opening 183 when it is located at the open position. The coil spring 186 is urged in a direction that moves the valve 185 from the open position to the closed position, that is, forward.

[Actuator 190]
The actuator 190 is located in the liquid chamber 171. The actuator 190 is rotatably supported in the direction of arrows 198 and 199 by a support member (not shown) arranged in the liquid chamber 171. The actuator 190 can rotate between the position shown by the solid line and the position shown by the broken line in FIG. Further, the actuator 190 is restricted from rotating in the direction of arrow 198 from the position of the solid line by a stopper (for example, the inner wall of the liquid chamber 171) (not shown). The actuator 190 includes a float 191, a shaft 192, an arm 193, and a detected portion 194.

The float 191 is made of a material having a lower specific density than the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171. The shaft 192 projects in the left-right direction 9 from the right and left surfaces of the float 191. The shaft 192 is inserted into a hole (not shown) formed in the support member. As a result, the actuator 190 is rotatably supported by the support member about the shaft 192. The arm 193 extends substantially upward from the float 191. The detected portion 194 is located at the protruding tip portion of the arm 193. The detected portion 194 is a plate-shaped member extending in the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. The detected portion 194 is formed of a material or color that shields the light output from the light emitting portion of the liquid level sensor 155.

When the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the predetermined position P, the actuator 190 rotated in the direction of arrow 198 by buoyancy is held by the stopper at the detection position shown by the solid line in FIG. On the other hand, when the liquid level of the ink is less than the predetermined position P, the actuator 190 is rotated in the direction of arrow 199 following the drop of the liquid level. As a result, the detected unit 194 moves to a position deviating from the detected position. That is, the detected unit 194 moves to a position corresponding to the amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171.

The predetermined position P is at the same height as the axis center of the needle 181 and at the same height as the center of the ink supply port 234 described later in the vertical direction 7. However, the predetermined position P is not limited to the above-mentioned position as long as it is a position above the outlet 174 in the vertical direction 7. As another example, the predetermined position P may be the height of the upper end or the lower end of the internal space of the needle 181 or the height of the upper end or the lower end of the ink supply port 234.

When the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the predetermined position P, the light output from the light emitting unit of the liquid level sensor 155 is blocked by the detected unit 194. As a result, the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 because the light from the light emitting unit does not reach the light receiving unit. On the other hand, when the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 is less than the predetermined position P, the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a high level signal to the controller 130 because the light output from the light emitting part reaches the light receiving part. do. That is, the controller 130 can detect whether or not the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the predetermined position P by the signal output from the liquid level sensor 155.

[Cartridge 200]
The cartridge 200 is a container having a liquid chamber 210 (see FIG. 2) capable of storing ink, which is an example of a liquid, inside. The liquid chamber 210 is defined by, for example, a resin wall. As shown in FIG. 4A, the cartridge 200 has a flat shape in which the dimensions along the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 are larger than the dimensions along the left-right direction 9. The outer shapes of the cartridges 200 in which inks of different colors are stored may be the same or different. At least a part of the walls constituting the cartridge 200 is translucent. As a result, the user can visually recognize the liquid level of the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 from the outside of the cartridge 200. Since the above-mentioned large-capacity cartridge has the same configuration as the cartridge 200 except that the shape and cross-sectional area of the liquid chamber 210 are different, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The cartridge 200 includes a housing 201 and a supply pipe 230. The housing 201 is composed of a rear wall 202, a front wall 203, an upper wall 204, a lower wall 205, and a pair of side walls 206 and 207. The rear wall 202 is composed of a plurality of walls, each of which is displaced in the front-rear direction 8. Further, the upper wall 204 is composed of a plurality of walls, each of which is displaced in the vertical direction 7. Further, the lower wall 205 is composed of a plurality of walls, each of which is displaced in the vertical direction 7.

As shown in FIG. 4B, a liquid chamber 210, an ink valve chamber 213, and an atmospheric valve chamber 214 are formed in the internal space of the cartridge 200. The liquid chamber 210 has an upper liquid chamber 211 and a lower liquid chamber 212. The upper liquid chamber 211, the lower liquid chamber 212, and the atmospheric valve chamber 214 are internal spaces of the housing 201. On the other hand, the ink valve chamber 213 is an internal space of the supply pipe 230. The liquid chamber 210 stores ink. The atmosphere valve chamber 214 communicates the liquid chamber 210 with the outside of the cartridge 200. The liquid chamber 210 is an example of the first liquid chamber.

The upper liquid chamber 211 and the lower liquid chamber 212 of the liquid chamber 210 are separated in the vertical direction 7 by a partition wall 215 that partitions the internal space of the housing 201. The upper liquid chamber 211 and the lower liquid chamber 212 are communicated with each other by a through hole 216 formed in the partition wall 215. Further, the upper liquid chamber 211 and the atmospheric valve chamber 214 are separated in the vertical direction 7 by a partition wall 217 that partitions the internal space of the housing 201. The upper liquid chamber 211 and the atmospheric valve chamber 214 are communicated with each other by a through hole 218 formed in the partition wall 217. Further, the ink valve chamber 213 communicates with the lower end of the lower liquid chamber 212 through the through hole 219.

The atmospheric valve chamber 214 is communicated to the outside of the cartridge 200 at the upper part of the cartridge 200 through an atmospheric communication port 221 formed in the rear wall 202. That is, one end (through hole 218) of the atmospheric valve chamber 214 is communicated with the liquid chamber 210 (more specifically, the upper liquid chamber 211), and the other end (atmospheric communication port 221) is communicated with the outside of the cartridge 200. This is an example of the second flow path. The atmospheric valve chamber 214 communicates with the atmosphere through the atmospheric communication port 221. Further, a valve 222 and a coil spring 223 are located in the atmospheric valve chamber 214. The valve 222 can move between the closed position and the open position along the front-rear direction 8. When the valve 222 is located at the closed position, it closes the atmospheric communication port 221. Further, when the valve 222 is located at the open position, the atmospheric communication port 221 is opened. The coil spring 223 is urged in a direction that moves the valve 222 from the open position to the closed position, that is, backward.

In the process of mounting the cartridge 200 on the mounting case 150, the rod 153 enters the atmospheric valve chamber 214 through the atmospheric communication port 221. The rod 153 that has entered the atmosphere valve chamber 214 moves the valve 222 in the closed position forward against the urging force of the coil spring 223. Then, by moving the valve 222 to the open position, the upper liquid chamber 211 is communicated with the atmosphere. The configuration for opening the atmospheric communication port 221 is not limited to the above example. As another example, the rod 153 may be configured to break through the film that seals the atmospheric communication port 221.

The supply pipe 230 projects rearward from the rear wall 202 at the lower part of the housing 201. The protruding end (that is, the rear end) of the supply pipe 230 is open. That is, the ink valve chamber 213 communicates the liquid chamber 210 communicated through the through hole 219 with the outside of the cartridge 200. One end (through hole 219) of the ink valve chamber 213 communicates with the liquid chamber 210 (more specifically, the lower liquid chamber 212), and the other end (ink supply port 234 described later) communicates with the outside of the cartridge 200. This is an example of the first flow path. Further, the packing 231, the valve 232, and the coil spring 233 are located in the ink valve chamber 213.

An ink supply port 234 penetrating in the front-rear direction 8 is formed in the center of the packing 231. The inner diameter of the ink supply port 234 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the needle 181. The valve 232 can move between the closed position and the open position along the front-rear direction 8. When the valve 232 is located at the closed position, it comes into contact with the packing 231 and closes the ink supply port 234. Further, when the valve 232 is located at the open position, the valve 232 is separated from the packing 231 to open the ink supply port 234. The coil spring 233 is urged in a direction that moves the valve 232 from the open position to the closed position, that is, backward. Further, the urging force of the coil spring 233 is larger than that of the coil spring 186.

In the process of mounting the cartridge 200 on the mounting case 150, the supply pipe 230 enters the guide 182, and the needle 181 eventually enters the ink valve chamber 213 through the ink supply port 234. At this time, the needle 181 elastically deforms the packing 231 and comes into liquid-tight contact with the inner peripheral surface defining the ink supply port 234. When the cartridge 200 is further inserted into the mounting case 150, the needle 181 moves the valve 232 forward against the urging force of the coil spring 233. Further, the valve 232 moves the valve 185 protruding from the opening 183 of the needle 181 to the rear against the urging force of the coil spring 186.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the ink supply port 234 and the opening 183 are opened, and the ink valve chamber 213 of the supply pipe 230 and the internal space of the needle 181 are communicated with each other. That is, when the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150, the internal space of the ink valve chamber 213 and the needle 181 constitutes a flow path for communicating the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160.

Further, in a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150, a part of the liquid chamber 210 and a part of the liquid chamber 171 overlap each other when viewed from the horizontal direction. As a result, the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 moves to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 by the head difference through the connected supply pipe 230 and the joint 180.

As shown in FIG. 4, a protrusion 241 is formed on the upper wall 204. The protrusion 241 projects upward from the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and extends along the front-rear direction 8. The protrusion 241 has a lock surface 242 and an inclined surface 243. The lock surface 242 and the inclined surface 243 are located above the upper wall 204. The lock surface 242 faces forward in the front-rear direction 8 and extends in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9 (that is, substantially orthogonal to the upper wall 204). The inclined surface 243 is inclined with respect to the upper wall 204 so as to face upward and backward.

The lock surface 242 is a surface that comes into contact with the lock pin 156 when the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. The inclined surface 243 is a surface that guides the lock pin 156 to a position where it comes into contact with the lock surface 242 in the process of mounting the cartridge 200 on the mounting case 150. In a state where the lock surface 242 and the lock pin 156 are in contact with each other, the cartridge 200 is held in the mounting position shown in FIG. 5 against the urging force of the coil springs 186, 223, and 233.

A flat plate-shaped member is formed so as to extend upward from the upper wall 204 in front of the lock surface 242. The upper surface of the flat plate-shaped member is an operation unit 244 operated by the user when the cartridge 200 is removed from the mounting case 150. When the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150 and the cover 87 is located at the exposed position, the operation unit 244 can be operated by the user. When the operation unit 244 is pushed downward, the cartridge 200 rotates, so that the lock surface 242 moves downward from the lock pin 156. As a result, the cartridge 200 can be removed from the mounting case 150.

A light-shielding rib 245 is formed on the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and behind the protrusion 241. The light-shielding rib 245 projects upward from the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and extends along the front-rear direction 8. The light-shielding rib 245 is made of a material or color that blocks light output from the light emitting portion of the mounting sensor 154. The light-shielding rib 245 is located on the optical path from the light emitting portion to the light receiving portion of the mounting sensor 154 in a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. That is, the mounting sensor 154 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 according to the mounting of the cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150. On the other hand, the mounting sensor 154 outputs a high level signal to the controller 130 according to the fact that the cartridge 200 is not mounted on the mounting case 150. That is, the controller 130 can detect whether or not the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150 by the signal output from the mounting sensor 154.

The IC substrate 247 is located on the outer surface of the upper wall 204 and between the light-shielding rib 245 and the protrusion 241 in the front-rear direction 8. Electrodes 248 are formed on the IC substrate 247. Further, the IC board 247 includes a memory (not shown). The electrode 248 is electrically connected to the memory of the IC substrate 247. The electrode 248 is electrically exposed to the contact 152 on the upper surface of the IC substrate 247. That is, in a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150, the electrode 248 is electrically conductive with the contact 152. The controller 130 can read information from the memory of the IC board 247 through the contact 152 and the electrode 248, and can write the information to the memory of the IC board 247 through the contact 152 and the electrode 248.

The memory of the IC board 247 stores the ink amount Vc, the identification information for identifying the individual cartridge 200, the type information indicating the type of the cartridge 200, and the like. In the present embodiment, two types of cartridges 200, a standard cartridge 200 and a large-capacity cartridge, can be mounted on the mounting case 150, and the type information stored in the memory of the IC board 247 is "standard" for the cartridge. And "large capacity". The initial ink amount Vc0 is stored as the ink amount Vc in the memory of the IC board 247 in which the cartridge 200 is new. This initial ink amount Vc0 is an example of the maximum ink that can be stored, which indicates the maximum amount of ink that can be stored in the cartridge 200. In other words, the initial ink amount Vc0 indicates the amount of ink stored in the new cartridge 200. Hereinafter, the information stored in the memory of the IC board 247 may be collectively referred to as "CTG information" or "cartridge information". Further, "new" is a so-called unused product, and indicates a state in which the ink in the cartridge 200 has never flowed out from the cartridge 200 manufactured and sold. The memory of the IC board 247 is an example of a cartridge memory.

The storage area of the memory of the IC board 247 has, for example, an area in which the information is not overwritten by the controller 130 and an area in which the information can be overwritten by the controller 130. For example, the identification information and the type information are stored in a non-overwritten area, and the ink amount Vc is stored in an overwritable area.

[Controller 130]
As shown in FIG. 6, the controller 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, an EEPROM 134, and an ASIC 135. The ROM 132 stores a program or the like for the CPU 131 to control various operations. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals, etc. used by the CPU 131 when executing the program, or as a work area for data processing. The EEPROM 134 stores setting information to be retained even after the power is turned off. ROM 132, RAM 133, and EEPROM 134 are examples of memory.

The ASIC 135 is for operating the feeding roller 23, the transport roller 25, the discharging roller 27, and the head 21. The controller 130 rotates the feed roller 23, the transfer roller 25, and the discharge roller 27 by driving a motor (not shown) through the ASIC 135. Further, the controller 130 outputs a drive signal to the drive element of the head 21 through the ASIC 135, so that the head 21 ejects ink through the nozzle 29. The ASIC 135 can output a plurality of types of drive signals according to the amount of ink to be ejected through the nozzle 29.

Further, the display 17 and the operation panel 22 are connected to the ASIC 135. The display 17 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, and includes a display surface for displaying various information. The display 17 is an example of an alarm. However, the specific example of the alarm is not limited to the display 17, and a speaker, an LED lamp, or a combination thereof may be used. The operation panel 22 outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation by the user to the controller 130. The operation panel 22 may have, for example, a push button or a touch sensor superimposed on the display 17.

Further, the contact 152, the cover sensor 88, the mounting sensor 154, and the liquid level sensor 155 are electrically connected to the ASIC 135. The controller 130 accesses the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200 mounted on the mounting case 150 through the contact 152. The controller 130 detects the position of the cover 87 through the cover sensor 88. Further, the controller 130 detects the insertion / removal of the cartridge 200 through the mounting sensor 154. Further, the controller 130 detects whether or not the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 is equal to or higher than the predetermined position P through the liquid level sensor 155.

The ROM 132 has a predetermined amount of ink Vsc stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 and a predetermined amount of ink Vcc stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 when the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a high level signal. Is remembered. The predetermined amount of ink Vcc is zero in this embodiment. Further, predetermined values A1 and A2 are stored in the ROM 132. The predetermined values A1 and A2 are the count values SN1 when the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 170 of the tank 160 is located above the upper end of the outlet 174 and below the predetermined position P. The value corresponding to the value. The predetermined value A2 is larger than the predetermined value A1. The predetermined value A1 is an example of the first predetermined value and the third predetermined value. The predetermined value A2 is an example of the second predetermined value and the fourth predetermined value.

The EEPROM 134 stores various information in association with each of the four cartridges 200 mounted on the mounting case 150, in other words, in association with each of the tanks 160 communicating with the cartridge 200. The various information includes, for example, the ink amounts Vc and Vs, which are examples of the liquid amount, the function F, the C_Empty flag, the S_Empty flag, the temporary release flag, the prohibition flag, the count value SN1, and the count value SN2. , The count value TN, the threshold value Nt1, the threshold value Nt2, the threshold value Vmin, and the waiting time Tw. The threshold value Nt2 is an example of the first threshold value. The threshold value Vmin is an example of the second threshold value.

The ink amount Vc and the identification information are information read by the controller 130 from the memory of the IC board 247 through the contact 152 in a state where the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150. The function F may be stored in the ROM 132 instead of the EEPROM 134.

The ink amount Vc indicates the amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200. The ink amount Vs indicates the amount of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160. The ink amounts Vc and Vs are calculated by, for example, the function F. The function F is information indicating the correspondence between the total amount of ink Vt, the ink amount Vc, and the ink amount Vc. The ink in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the ink in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 are in equilibrium in a state where the positions of the liquid surfaces of the respective inks in the vertical direction 7 match. That is, the movement of ink between the liquid chamber 210 and the liquid chamber 171 is stopped. For example, the relationship between the total amount of ink Vt and the amount of ink Vs can be approximated by the function F. Therefore, when the total amount Vt of the ink is calculated, the ink amount Vs and the ink amount Vc are obtained. The ink amount Vs and the ink amount Vc are not limited to the format of the function F, and may be obtained by a table associated with each total amount Vt.

The count value SN1 is set to the ink discharge amount Dh (that is, the ink amount indicated by the drive signal) instructed to be discharged to the head 21 after the signal output from the liquid level sensor 155 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal. It is a corresponding value and is a value updated in the direction approaching the threshold value Nt1. The count value SN1 is a value that is counted up with the initial value set to "0". Further, the threshold value Nt1 corresponds to the volume of the liquid chamber 171 between the vicinity of the upper end of the outlet 174 and the predetermined position P. However, the count value SN1 may be a value that is counted down with a value corresponding to the volume as an initial value. In this case, the threshold value Nt1 becomes 0. The count value SN1 is an example of the first value and the first count value.

The count value SN2 is the ink instructing the head 21 to discharge when it is in the temporary release state, that is, when the C_Empty flag is “OFF” and the signal output from the liquid level sensor 155 is a high level signal. It is a value corresponding to the emission amount Dh (that is, the amount of ink indicated by the drive signal), and is a value updated in the direction approaching the threshold value Nt1. The count value SN2 is a value that is counted up with the initial value set to "0". However, the count value SN2 may be a value that is counted down with the value corresponding to the product as the initial value.

The count value TN corresponds to the ink discharge amount Dh (that is, the ink amount indicated by the drive signal) instructed to be discharged to the head 21 after the signal output from the mounting sensor 154 changes from the high level signal to the low level signal. It is a value to be counted up with the initial value set to "0". Further, the count value TN may be a value that is counted down with the initial value as a value corresponding to the total amount of ink Vt.

The C_Empty flag is information indicating whether or not the cartridge 200 is in the cartridge empty state. In the C_Empty flag, a value "ON" corresponding to the cartridge empty state or a value "OFF" corresponding to the non-cartridge empty state is set. The cartridge empty state is a state in which ink is not substantially stored in the cartridge 200 (more specifically, the liquid chamber 210). In other words, the cartridge empty state is a state in which ink does not move from the communicated liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171. In other words, the cartridge empty state is a state in which the liquid level of the tank 160 communicating with the cartridge 200 is less than the predetermined position P.

The S_Empty flag is information indicating whether or not the tank 160 is in the impedance state. The S_Empty flag is set to a value "ON" corresponding to the inkempty state or a value "OFF" corresponding to the non-inkempty state. The ink state is, for example, a state in which the liquid level of the ink stored in the tank 160 (more specifically, the liquid chamber 171) reaches a position near the upper end of the outlet 174. In other words, the inquency state is a state in which the count value SN1 is equal to or higher than the threshold value Nt1. If the head 21 continues to eject ink after the ink-filled state is reached, the liquid level of the ink in the tank 160 falls below the upper end of the outlet 174, and the ink flow path from the tank 160 to the head 21 or the head 21 There is a possibility that air will be mixed inside (so-called air-in). As a result, the inside of the nozzle 29 may not be filled with ink, and ink may not be ejected.

The temporary release flag indicates whether or not the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 has not changed from the high level signal after the cartridge 200 has been replaced and both the C_Empty flag and the S_Empty flag have been turned “OFF”. Information. The temporary release flag has a value "ON" corresponding to the state where the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 remains as a high level signal, or a value "OFF" corresponding to the state changed to a low level signal. "Is set. If the ink ejection by the head 21 continues in the state of temporary release and the state where the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 remains as a high level signal, the above-mentioned air-in may occur.

The prohibition flag is information indicating whether or not the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 has not changed from the high level signal after the cartridge 200 is replaced and it is determined that the count value SN1 has reached the threshold value Nt2. Is. The prohibition flag has a value "ON" corresponding to the state in which the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 remains as a high level signal, or a value "OFF" corresponding to the state in which the signal is changed to a low level signal. Is set.

[Operation of printer 10]
The operation of the printer 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 13. Each process shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 is executed by the CPU 131 of the controller 130. The following processes may be performed by the CPU 131 reading the program stored in the ROM 132 and executing the program, or may be realized by the hardware circuit mounted on the controller 130. In addition, the execution order of each of the following processes can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention.

[Image recording processing]
The controller 130 executes the image recording process shown in FIG. 7 in response to the input of the recording instruction to the printer 10. The recording instruction is an example of an ejection instruction for causing the printer 10 to execute a recording process for recording an image indicated by image data on a sheet. The method of acquiring the recording instruction is not particularly limited, and for example, the user operation corresponding to the recording instruction may be received through the operation panel 22 or may be received from an external device through a communication interface (not shown).

First, the controller 130 determines the set value of the S_Empty flag for each of the four cartridges 200 (S11). Then, the controller 130 determines that "ON" is set for at least one of the S_Empty flags of each of the four cartridges 200 (S11: ON), and performs a process described later (see FIG. 11). Run.

If all the S_Empty flags corresponding to all the cartridges 200 are not "ON", that is, all are "OFF" (S11: OFF), the controller 130 sets the C_Empty flags of each of the four cartridges 200. Judgment (S12). Then, the controller 130 causes the display 17 to display the C_Empty notification screen in response to the determination that "ON" is set for at least one of the four C_Empty flags (S12: ON) (S13). The C_Empty notification screen is a screen for notifying the user that the cartridge 200 corresponding to the C_Empty flag set to "ON" is in the cartridge empty state. The C_Empty notification screen may include, for example, information indicating the color of the ink stored in the cartridge 200 in the cartridge empty state and the ink amounts Vc and Vs. Displaying the S_Empty notification screen on the display 17 in S13 is an example of causing the alarm to perform the first notification.

FIG. 12A shows an example of the C_Empty notification screen. The C_Empty notification screen of the illustrated example has an object 251, an object 252, an object 253, and an object 254. The object 251 indicates that the cartridge 200 is to be replaced, and has the character string "Please replace the ink cartridge". Object 252 indicates the type of cartridge 200 to be replaced and, in the illustrated example, has the letter "M" indicating magenta. Object 253 represents an empty cartridge 200. The object 254 has a character string "You can continue printing with the ink in the main body", and makes the user recognize that printing can be continued.

The controller 130 executes the processes of S14 to S16 for each of the cartridges 200 corresponding to the C_Empty flag for which "ON" is set. That is, the processes of S14 to S16 are executed for each of the four cartridges 200 whose C_Empty is set to "ON". Since the processes of S14 to S16 for each cartridge 200 are common, only the processes of S14 to S16 corresponding to one cartridge 200 will be described.

First, the controller 130 determines whether the signal received from the mounting sensor 154 has changed from a low-level signal to a high-level signal (S14). The controller 130 determines that the signal received from the mounting sensor 154 has changed from the low level signal to the high level signal (S14: Yes), and then the signal output by the mounting sensor 154 is again high level. The processing of S15 is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals until the signal changes to a low level signal (S15: No). In other words, after the cartridge 200 is taken out from the mounting case 150, the controller 130 repeatedly executes the process of S15 until the cartridge 200 is newly mounted in the mounting case 150.

Then, in response to the reception of the low level signal after the high level signal is received from the mounting sensor 154 (S15: Yes), the controller 130 sets the current time as the start time of the elapsed time T1 in the RAM 133. It is stored and the measurement of the elapsed time T1 is started (S16).

Subsequently, the controller 130 executes the Empty temporary release process (S17). The Empty temporary release process is a process of erasing the C_Empty notification screen displayed on the display 17. The details of the Empty temporary release process will be described later with reference to FIG. Then, the controller 130 re-executes the processing after S11 in response to the completion of the Empty temporary release processing.

The controller 130 has a prohibition flag for each of the cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges 200 if all the C_Empty flags corresponding to all the cartridges 200 are not "ON", that is, all are "OFF" (S12: OFF). The set value of is determined (S18).

The controller 130 determines that "ON" is set for at least one of the prohibition flags of the cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges 200 (S18: ON), and the recording instruction received by the printer 10 is received. It is determined whether the instruction is monochrome printing or color printing (S19). The monochrome printing instruction is an instruction to eject black ink through the head 21 and record an image on the sheet. The color printing instruction is an instruction to eject cyan, magenta, and yellow inks through the head 21 and record an image on the sheet. The controller 130 does not execute the processing after S17 in response to the determination that the recording instruction received by the printer 10 is the color printing instruction (S19; Yes), and executes the processing after S11 again.

The controller 130 determines that all the prohibition flags corresponding to the cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges 200 are "OFF" (S18: OFF), or the recording instruction is a monochrome print instruction. According to the determination (S19: No), the setting value of the prohibition flag corresponding to the black cartridge 200 is determined (S20). The controller 130 does not execute the processing after S17 in response to the determination that the set value of the prohibition flag corresponding to the black cartridge 200 is “ON” (S20: ON), and performs the processing after S11 again. Run.

The controller 130 displays the printing screen on the display 17 (S21) in response to the determination that the set value of the prohibition flag corresponding to the black cartridge 200 is “OFF” (S20: OFF). The printing screen is a screen for notifying the user that an image is being recorded on the sheet. Displaying the printing screen on the display 17 in S21 is an example of causing the alarm to perform the third notification.

FIG. 12B shows an example of a printing screen. The printing screen of the illustrated example has an object 255. The object 255 is a bar graph showing the degree of progress of the recording process.

Next, the controller 130 receives signals output from each of the four liquid level sensors 155 at present (S22). Further, in S22, the controller 130 stores in the RAM 133 information indicating whether the signal received from the liquid level sensor 155 is a high level signal or a low level signal (S22).

Then, the controller 130 records the image indicated by the image data included in the recording instruction on one sheet (S23). More specifically, the controller 130 conveys the sheet on the feeding tray 15 to the feeding roller 23 and the conveying roller 25, ejects ink to the head 21, and ejects the sheet on which the image is recorded to the discharging roller 27. Discharge to 16.

That is, the controller 130 executes the process of S23 when "OFF" is set for all four S_Empty flags (S11: OFF). That is, the ink is allowed to be discharged through the head 21. On the other hand, when "ON" is set for at least one of the four S_Empty flags (S11: ON), the controller 130 does not execute the process of S23. That is, the ejection of ink through the head 21 is prohibited for all four tanks 160.

Further, the controller 130 executes the process of S23 when "OFF" is set for all four prohibition flags (S18: OFF & S20: OFF). That is, the ink is allowed to be discharged through the head 21. Further, in the controller 130, even when "ON" is set for at least one of the prohibition flags of the cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges 200 (S18: ON), the recording instruction is a monochrome printing instruction. When (S19: No) and the setting value of the prohibition flag corresponding to the black cartridge 200 is “OFF” (S20: OFF), the process of S23 is executed. That is, the ink is allowed to be discharged through the head 21.

On the other hand, when the controller 130 has "ON" set to at least one of the prohibition flags of the cyan, magenta, and yellow cartridges 200 (S18: ON) and the recording instruction is a color printing instruction (S19: No). ), The processing of S23 is not executed. That is, the ejection of ink through the head 21 is prohibited for all four tanks 160. Further, the controller 130 does not execute the process of S23 when the set value of the prohibition flag corresponding to the black cartridge 200 is “ON” (S20: ON). That is, the ejection of ink through the head 21 is prohibited for all four tanks 160.

Next, the controller 130 receives the signals output from each of the four liquid level sensors 155 at present in response to recording the image on one sheet according to the recording instruction (S24). Further, similarly to S22, the controller 130 stores information indicating whether the signal received from the liquid level sensor 155 is a high level signal or a low level signal in the RAM 133 (S24). Then, the controller 130 determines the temporary release flag and the prohibition flag stored in the EEPROM 134 (S25). If the temporary release flag and the prohibition flag are not "ON" (S25: No), the controller 130 executes the count process (S26). The count process is a process of updating the count values TN, SN1, SN2, the C_Empty flag, and the S_Empty flag based on the signals received from the liquid level sensor 155 in S22 and S24. The details of the counting process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Further, if the temporary release flag or the prohibition flag is "ON" (S25: Yes), the controller 130 executes the Empty formal release process (S27). The details of the Empty formal cancellation process will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, the controller 130 records all the images indicated by the recording instructions on the sheet, and repeatedly executes the processes of S11 to S28 until there is no next page (S28: Yes). Then, the controller 130 records all the images indicated by the recording instructions on the sheet, and depending on the state where there is no next page (S28: No), the set values of the four S_Empty flags and the four C_Empty are set. The set value of each flag is determined (S29, S30).

The controller 130 causes the display 17 to display the S_Empty notification screen according to the setting of "ON" to at least one of the four S_Empty flags (S29: ON) (S31). Further, in the controller 130, "OFF" is set for all four S_Empty flags, and "ON" is set for at least one of the four C_Empty flags (S29: OFF & S30: ON). ), The C_Empty notification screen is displayed on the display 17 (S32). The C_Empty notification screen displayed in S32 may be the same as in S13.

On the other hand, the controller 130 does not execute the processes of S31 and S32 in response to the fact that "OFF" is set in all of the four S_Empty flags and the four C_Empty flags (S30: OFF), and the image recording process is performed. To finish.

The S_Empty notification screen is a screen for notifying the user that the corresponding tank 160 is in the inkempty state and the ink cannot be discharged through the head 21. The S_Empty notification screen may include, for example, information indicating the color of the ink and the amount of ink Vc and Vs stored in the tank 160 in the inquent state.

The specific example of the discharge instruction is not limited to the recording instruction, and may be a maintenance instruction or the like instructing maintenance of the nozzle 29 such as purging. The controller 130 executes the same process as in FIG. 7 in response to the acquisition of the maintenance instruction through, for example, the operation panel 22. The differences from the above-mentioned processing when the maintenance instruction is acquired are as follows. First, the controller 130 drives a maintenance mechanism (not shown) in S23 to eject ink through the nozzle 29. Further, the controller 130 executes the processing after S29 without executing the processing of S28 after executing the counting processing.

[Count processing]
Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the details of the counting process executed by the controller 130 in S26 will be described. The controller 130 independently executes the counting process for each of the four cartridges 200. Since the counting process for each cartridge 200 is common, only the counting process corresponding to one cartridge 200 will be described.

First, the controller 130 compares the information indicating the signal of the liquid level sensor 155 stored in the RAM 133 in S22 and S24 (S36). That is, the controller 130 determines whether or not the signals of the four liquid level sensors 155 have changed before and after the processing of S23 immediately before the counting processing (S26) is executed.

The controller 130 responds to the fact that the information stored in the RAM 133 in S22 and S24 both indicates a low level signal (that is, the signal output of the liquid level sensor 155 does not change before and after the processing of S23) (S36: L → L), the count value TN is updated (S37). That is, the controller 130 counts up the count value TN with a value corresponding to the amount of ink instructed to be discharged in S23 immediately before.

Further, the controller 130 calculates the current total amount Vt (S38). First, the controller 130 calculates the total amount Vt after the cartridge replacement, which is the sum of the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs stored in the EEPROM 134 after the cartridge replacement. Then, the controller 130 calculates the current total amount Vt as a value obtained by subtracting the ink amount corresponding to the count value TN from the calculated total amount Vt (Vt = Vt-TN). Then, the controller 130 obtains the ink amounts Vc and Vs based on the calculated total amount Vt and the function F (S38).

Then, the controller 130 displays the obtained current total amount Vt and one of the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs on the display 17 (S39). Further, the controller 130 overwrites the obtained ink amount Vc with the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200 (S40).

Further, in the controller 130, the information stored in the RAM 133 in S22 indicates a low level signal, and the information stored in the RAM 133 in S24 indicates a high level signal (that is, the signal of the liquid level sensor 155 before and after the processing of S23). The C_Empty flag is set to "ON" according to the change in the output (S36: L → H) (S41). The output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal in S23. Corresponds to the fact that the liquid level of the liquid chamber 171 reaches the predetermined position P during the process of, and after that, the ink does not move between the cartridge 200 and the tank 160.

Further, the controller 130 reads a predetermined ink amount Vcc (= 0) from the ROM 132, and sets the ink amount Vc as the predetermined ink amount Vcc (S42). Similarly, the controller 130 reads a predetermined ink amount Vsc (corresponding to the volume of the liquid chamber 171 less than the predetermined position P) from the ROM 132, and sets the ink amount Vs as the predetermined ink amount Vsc (S42). Since the ink amounts Vc and Vs calculated in the remaining amount update process include an error, the controller 130 sets the ink amount Vc to the predetermined ink amount at the timing when the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal. The accumulated error is reset by setting Vcc and the ink amount Vs as a predetermined ink amount Vsc. Further, the controller 130 calculates the current total amount Vt as the same value (Vt = Vsc) as the ink amount Vs (S42). When the ink amount Vc becomes zero, the total amount Vt becomes the same value as the ink amount Vs.

Then, the controller 130 displays the current total amount Vt and one of the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs on the display 17 (S43). Further, the controller 130 overwrites the above-mentioned ink amount Vc with the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200 (S44).

Since the signal output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes during the processing of S23, the predetermined ink amount Vsc read out in S42 accurately changes the signal output of the liquid level sensor 155. It indicates the amount of ink immediately before the signal output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes, not the amount of ink stored in the tank 160 at the moment. However, since the difference between these ink amounts is small, the ink amount Vsc read out in S42 is approximately treated as the ink amount Vs at the time when the signal output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes.

Further, the controller 130 updates the count value SN1 stored in the EEPROM 134 with a value corresponding to the amount of ink instructed to be discharged in S23 immediately before (S45). In other words, the controller 130 starts updating the count value SN1 and counts up in response to the change in the output of the liquid level sensor 155 from the low level signal to the high level signal. Further, the controller 130 counts up the count value TN stored in the EEPROM 134 with a value corresponding to the amount of ink instructed to be discharged in S23 immediately before.

Then, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vs (S46). The calculated ink amount Vs is a value obtained by subtracting the ink amount corresponding to the count value SN1 from the ink amount Vsc stored in the ROM 132. As described above, after the output of the liquid level sensor 155 becomes a high level signal, the ink amount Vs is the same value as the current total amount Vt. Further, the amount of ink Vc is zero.

Then, the controller 130 displays either the current total amount Vt or the ink amount Vs on the display 17 (S47). Since the ink amount Vc is zero after the output of the liquid level sensor 155 becomes a high level signal, the controller 130 does not need to overwrite the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200. ..

Next, the controller 130 compares the count value SN1 updated in S45 with the threshold value Nt1 (S48). Then, the controller 130 ends the counting process according to the determination that the count value SN1 updated in S45 is less than the threshold value Nt1 (S48: No). On the other hand, the controller 130 sets the S_Empty flag to "ON" according to the determination that the count value SN1 updated in S45 is equal to or higher than the threshold value Nt1 (S48: Yes) (S49). Then, the controller 130 prohibits the ejection of ink through the head 21 according to the setting of "ON" in the S_Empty flag, and ends the counting process.

Further, the controller 130 reads out the count value SN1 stored in the EEPROM 134 according to the information stored in the RAM 133 in S22 and S24 both indicating a high level signal (S36: H → H) (S45). Then, the controller 130 counts up the read count value SN1 with a value corresponding to the amount of ink instructed to be discharged in S23 immediately before, and stores the read count value SN1 in the EEPROM 134 again. That is, the controller 130 updates the count value SN1 (S45). The controller 130 also updates the count value TN. Next, the controller 130 executes the above-mentioned processes S46 to S49 using the count value SN1 updated in S45.

[Empty temporary release process]
Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the details of the Empty temporary release process executed by the controller 130 in S17 will be described. The controller 130 independently executes the Empty temporary release process for each of the four cartridges 200. Since the Empty temporary release process for each cartridge 200 is common, only the Empty temporary release process corresponding to one cartridge 200 will be described.

First, a situation in which the Empty temporary release process is executed will be described. In the counting process of FIG. 8, the controller 130 sets “ON” for the C_Empty flag in response to the determination that the signal of the liquid level sensor 155 has changed from the low level signal to the high level signal (S36: L → H). Set (S41). In the image recording process, the controller 130 causes the display 17 to display the C_Empty notification screen in response to the determination that "ON" is set in the C_Empty flag (S12: ON) (S13).

In the above-mentioned state (that is, the state in which the controller 130 displays the C_Empty notification screen on the display 17), the cartridge 200 is in a state in which ink does not flow out to the tank 160, that is, the ink amount Vc is zero (Vc = 0). Is. Further, in the tank 160, the liquid level of the ink is below the predetermined position P. Therefore, it is desirable for the user to replace the empty cartridge 200 with a new cartridge 200 or a cartridge 200 in which sufficient ink is stored before the ink state is reached.

In the process of the user exchanging the cartridge 200, the controller 130 receives a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154, then a high level signal from the mounting sensor 154 (S14: Yes), and then the mounting sensor. A low level signal is received from 154 (S15: Yes). Specifically, in the process of removing the cartridge 200 from the mounting case 150, the controller 130 receives a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154 and then a high level signal from the mounting sensor 154. Next, in the process of inserting the cartridge 200 into the mounting case 150, a high level signal is received from the mounting sensor 154, and then a low level signal is received from the mounting sensor 154.

Next, the details of the Empty temporary release process will be described. In the Empty temporary release process of FIG. 9, the controller 130 reads the CTG information from the memory of the IC board 247 through the contact 152 and stores it in the EEPROM 134 (S51). Specifically, the controller 130 reads at least the identification information, the type information, and the ink amount Vc from the memory of the IC board 247 through the contact 152 and stores them in the EEPROM 134 (S51).

The controller 130 compares the identification information read from the memory of the IC board 247 with the identification information read from the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200 before replacement (S52). The identification information read from the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200 before replacement is stored in the EEPROM 134. For example, if the cartridge 200 is replaced with a new one, the two identification information compared will be different. As the identification information, for example, the serial number of the cartridge 200 is used.

Further, the controller 130 ends the Empty temporary release process according to the determination that the two compared identification informations are the same (S52: No). Even if the cartridge 200 in which the ink amount Vc of the liquid chamber 210 is consumed and the ink amount Vc becomes zero is mounted again in the mounting case 150, the ink does not move from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160. , C_Empty does not need to be temporarily released.

The controller 130 determines whether or not the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC board 247 is larger than the threshold value Vmin according to the determination that the two compared identification information are different (S52: Yes) (S53). .. The threshold value Vmin is an amount sufficient for the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 to be equal to or higher than the predetermined position P by moving the ink from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160. It is a value larger than the predetermined ink amount Vsc.

The controller 130 displays the ink shortage notification screen on the display 17 (S54) in response to the determination in S51 that the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC board 247 is equal to or less than the threshold value Vmin (S53: No). The Tempty temporary release process is terminated. The ink shortage notification screen is a screen for notifying the user that the amount of ink stored in the mounted cartridge 200 is insufficient and the cartridge 200 needs to be replaced.

FIG. 12C shows an example of an ink shortage notification screen. The ink shortage notification screen of the illustrated example has an object 251 and an object 252, and an object 253, and further has an object 256, like the C_Empty notification screen of FIG. 12 (A). The object 256 has a character string "insufficient ink in the replaced cartridge", and makes the user recognize that the amount of ink stored in the replaced cartridge 200 is insufficient.

The controller 130 determines that the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC board 247 in S51 is larger than the threshold value Vmin (S53: Yes), and the cartridge indicated by the type information read from the memory of the IC board 247 in S51. It is determined whether the type of 200 is "standard" or "large capacity" (S55).

The controller 130 reads a predetermined value A1 from the ROM 132 in response to the determination in S51 that the type of the cartridge 200 indicated by the type information read from the memory of the IC board 247 is "standard" (S55: standard). The threshold value Nt2 is determined to be a predetermined value A1 read out, and the determined threshold value Nt2 is stored in the EEPROM 134 (S56).

The controller 130 reads a predetermined value A2 from the ROM 132 in response to the determination in S51 that the type of the cartridge 200 indicated by the type information read from the memory of the IC board 247 is "large capacity" (S55: large capacity). Then, the threshold value Nt2 is determined to be the predetermined value A2 read out, and the determined threshold value Nt2 is stored in the EEPROM 134 (S57).

That is, the controller 130 determines the predetermined value A2 larger than the predetermined value A1 as the threshold value Nt2 when a large-capacity cartridge having a higher inflow speed than the standard cartridge 200 is mounted. When the inflow rate is low, it takes a relatively long time for the ink to flow from the cartridge 200 to the tank 160. Therefore, it is preferable that the amount of ink stored in the tank 160 at the time of temporary release of Empty is relatively large. Therefore, it is preferable that the threshold value Nt2 is small. On the contrary, when the inflow rate is high, the amount of ink stored in the tank 160 at the time of temporary release of Empty may be relatively small. Therefore, it is preferable that the threshold value Nt2 is large because the possibility that the empty temporary release is performed is high.

Subsequently, the controller 130 compares the count value SN1 updated in S45 with the threshold value Nt2 determined in S56 or S57 (S58). The controller 130 determines that the count value SN1 is smaller than the threshold value Nt2, that is, that the upcounted count value SN1 has not reached the threshold value Nt2 (S58: Yes). , The count values TN, SN1, ink amount Vc, and ink amount Vs stored in the EEPROM 134 are stored in another storage area of the EEPROM134 (S59). The count values TN, SN1, ink amount Vc, and ink amount Vs stored in another storage area of the EEPROM 134 are used when C_Empty is not officially released after C_Empty is temporarily released, as will be described later.

Then, the controller 130 sets the temporary release flag to "ON" (S60), and erases the C_Empty notification screen from the display 17 (S61).

Next, the controller 130 calculates the total amount Vt after the cartridge is replaced (S62). Specifically, the controller 130 determines the Vs (equal to the total amount Vt) before the cartridge replacement based on the count value SN1 before the cartridge replacement stored in the EEPROM 134 and the ink amount Vsc stored in the ROM 132. Calculate and store in EEPROM 134. Then, the total amount Vt after the cartridge replacement is calculated based on the calculated ink amount Vs and the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200 after the replacement. That is, the amount of ink Vc stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the new cartridge 200 is added to the amount of ink Vs stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 immediately before the cartridge 200 is replaced. Therefore, the controller 130 calculates the sum of the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC board 247 of the replaced cartridge 200 and the ink amount Vs before the cartridge replacement stored in the EEPROM 134 as a total amount (Vt =). Vs + Vc).

Then, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs when the ink transfer from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 is completed based on the calculated total amount Vt and the function F read from the EEPROM 134. (S62). When the cartridge 200 is replaced, the ink stored in the liquid chamber 210 of the new cartridge 200 flows into the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 through the needle 181. As a result, the ink amount Vc of the liquid chamber 210 decreases, and the ink amount Vs of the liquid chamber 171 increases. Then, the ink in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the ink in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 are in equilibrium in a state where the positions of the liquid surfaces of the respective inks in the vertical direction 7 match.

After executing S62, the controller 130 resets the count values TN and SN1 stored in the EEPROM 134 (S63). As a result, the count values TN and SN1 become initial values (here, zero), respectively.

Then, the controller 130 displays the total amount Vt of the obtained ink and one of the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs on the display 17 (S64). Further, the controller 130 stores the calculated ink amount Vc in the memory of the IC board 247 through the contact 152 (S65). If the initial ink amount Vc0 is stored in the memory of the IC board 247, the controller 130 overwrites the initial ink amount Vc0 with the calculated ink amount Vc. By overwriting the initial ink amount Vc0 from the memory of the IC board 247 with another ink amount Vc, it is possible to determine that the cartridge 200 is not new. At the manufacturing stage, a flag indicating that the cartridge 200 is new is set to "ON" in the memory of the IC board 247, and when the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150 even once, the controller 130 sets the flag as the flag. By setting "OFF", the controller 130 may determine whether the cartridge 200 is new based on the value of the flag.

Then, the controller 130 sets the C_Empty flag to "OFF" (S66), sets the prohibition flag to "OFF" (S67), and ends the Empty temporary release process.

The controller 130 determines that the count value SN1 is equal to or higher than the threshold value Nt2, that is, determines that the count value SN1 to be up-counted has reached the threshold value Nt2 (S58: No). , S59, the count values TN, SN1, ink amount Vc, and ink amount Vs stored in the EEPROM 134 are stored in another storage area of the EEPROM134 (S68). Next, the controller 130 sets the prohibition flag to “ON” (S69), and displays the ink inflow screen on the display 17 (S70). The ink inflow screen is a screen for notifying the user that the ink stored in the mounted cartridge 200 is flowing into the tank 160. Displaying the ink inflow screen on the display 17 in S70 is an example of causing the alarm to perform the second notification.

FIG. 13A shows an example of an ink inflow screen. The ink inflow screen of the illustrated example has an object 257 and an object 258. The object 257 indicates that ink is flowing from the cartridge 200 to the tank 160, and has a character string "The ink of the cartridge (1) is transferred to the inside of the main body (2)". Object 258 shows a simplified cartridge 200 and tank 160 within the printer 10.

Subsequently, the controller 130 calculates the total amount Vt after the cartridge replacement, and calculates the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs when the ink transfer from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 is completed, as in S62. S71). Next, the controller 130 resets the count values TN and SN1 stored in the EEPROM 134, as in S63 (S72). Then, similarly to S65, the controller 130 stores the calculated ink amount Vc in the memory of the IC board 247 through the contact 152 (S73), and ends the Empty temporary release process.

[Empty official cancellation process]
Next, with reference to FIG. 10, the details of the Empty formal cancellation process executed by the controller 130 in S27 will be described. The controller 130 independently executes the Empty formal release process for each of the four cartridges 200. Since the Empty formal release process for each cartridge 200 is common, only the Empty release process corresponding to one cartridge 200 will be described.

When the temporary release flag or the prohibition flag is "ON", the ink is moving from the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 to the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160, and the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 is less than the predetermined position P. Is. In this state, when the processing of S23 is executed, the controller 130 counts up the count value SN2 stored in the EEPROM 134 with a value corresponding to the amount of ink instructed to be discharged in the immediately preceding S23 (S80). In other words, the controller 130 starts updating the count value SN2 in response to the provisional release flag or the prohibition flag being set to "ON". Further, the controller 130 counts up the count value TN stored in the EEPROM 134 with a value corresponding to the amount of ink instructed to be discharged in S23 immediately before.

Then, the controller 130 calculates the current total amount Vt (S81). The current total amount Vt is a value obtained by subtracting the amount of ink corresponding to the count value TN from the sum of the amount of ink Vc and the amount of ink Vs stored in the EEPROM 134. Further, the controller 130 obtains the ink amounts Vc and Vs based on the calculated current total amount Vt and the function F (S81).

Then, the controller 130 displays the obtained total amount Vt and one of the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs on the display 17 (S82). Further, the controller 130 overwrites the obtained ink amount Vc with the ink amount Vc stored in the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200 (S83).

Next, the controller 130 determines whether the output of the liquid level sensor 155 is a low level signal (S84). The controller 130 sets “OFF” for the temporary release flag, the S_Empty flag, and the prohibition flag in response to the determination that the output of the liquid level sensor 155 is a low level signal (S84: Yes) (S85, S86, S87), the screen during ink inflow is erased from the display 17 (S88), and the official release process of Empty is completed.

The controller 130 saves to another area of the count values SN2 and EEPROM 134 updated in S80 in response to the determination that the output of the liquid level sensor 155 is not a low level signal, that is, a high level signal (S84: No). The sum of the counted value SN1 and the threshold value Nt1 is compared (S89).

Then, in response to the determination that the sum of the count value SN2 and the count value SN1 updated in S80 is less than the threshold value Nt1 (S89: No), the controller 130 starts the elapsed time T stored in the RAM 133 in S16. The elapsed time T is calculated from the time and the current time, and the calculated elapsed time T and the waiting time Tw are compared (S90). The controller 130 ends the Empty formal cancellation process according to the determination that the calculated elapsed time T does not exceed the waiting time Tw, that is, the elapsed time T is equal to or less than the waiting time Tw (S90: No).

Further, the controller 130 sets the C_Empty flag to "ON" according to the determination that the calculated elapsed time T exceeds the waiting time Tw, that is, the elapsed time T is larger than the waiting time Tw (S90: Yes). (S91). Then, the controller 130 displays the inflow error notification screen on the display 17 in response to the setting of “ON” in the C_Empty flag (S92). The inflow error notification screen is a screen for notifying the user that the ink stored in the replaced cartridge 200 did not flow into the tank 160 and the liquid level in the tank 160 did not reach the predetermined position P or higher.

FIG. 13B shows an example of an inflow error notification screen. The inflow error notification screen of the illustrated example has an object 251 and an object 252, and an object 253, and further has an object 259, like the C_Empty notification screen of FIG. 12 (A). The object 259 has a character string "Ink cannot flow from the replaced cartridge", the ink stored in the replaced cartridge 200 does not flow into the tank 160, and the liquid level of the tank 160 is equal to or higher than the predetermined position P. Make the user aware that it did not.

Then, the controller 130 reads out the count values TN, SN1, the ink amount Vc, and the ink amount Vs stored in another area of the EEPROM 134 in S59 (S93), and these values are currently stored in the EEPROM 134. The count values TN, SN1, ink amount Vc, and ink amount Vs are updated (S94). That is, the count value SN2 is added to the count values TN and SN1 stored in another area of the EEPROM 134, and the count values TN and SN1 stored in the EEPROM 134 are updated. Further, the ink amount Vs is updated by subtracting the value corresponding to the updated count value SN1 from the ink amount Vsc stored in the ROM 132. Further, the controller 130 updates the ink amount Vc to zero. Then, the controller 130 sets the temporary release flag to "OFF" (S95), and ends the Empty formal release process. As a result, the state of temporary release of Empty ends, and the state of cartridge empty is reached.

Further, the controller 130 sets "ON" in the S_Empty flag according to the determination that the sum of the count value SN2 and the count value SN1 updated in S80 is equal to or higher than the threshold value Nt1 (S89: Yes) (S96). ). When the sum of the count value SN2 and the count value SN1 is equal to or higher than the threshold value Nt1, it means that the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 has reached the vicinity directly above the outlet 174.

Then, the controller 130 causes the display 17 to display an ink inflow screen notifying that ink is flowing from the cartridge 200 to the tank 160 (S97). The ink inflow screen displayed in S97 may be the same as in S70. Further, the controller 130 calculates the elapsed time T from the start time and the current time of the elapsed time T stored in the RAM 133 in S16, and compares the calculated elapsed time T with the standby time Tw (S98). The controller 130 determines that the calculated elapsed time T does not exceed the waiting time Tw, that is, the elapsed time T is equal to or less than the waiting time Tw (S98: No), and the ink is flowing in as displayed in S97. Continue to display the screen on the display 17.

The controller 130 determines that the calculated elapsed time T exceeds the standby time Tw, that is, the elapsed time T is larger than the standby time Tw (S98: Yes), and the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 is low. It is determined whether it is a level signal (S99). The controller 130 executes the above-mentioned processes of S85 and S86 in response to the determination that the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 is a low level signal (S99: Yes), and ends the Empty official release process. ..

On the other hand, in response to the determination that the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 is not a low level signal, that is, a high level signal (S99: No), the controller 130 replaces the ink inflow screen with the S_Empty notification screen. Is displayed on the display 17 (S100). Then, the processes of S93 to S95 described above are executed to end the Empty formal release process. As a result, the state of temporary release of Empty ends, and the state of impedance is reached.

Further, the controller 130 executes the process shown in FIG. 11 in response to the determination that the S_Empty flag is “ON” in S11 of the image recording process (S11: Yes). First, the controller 130 displays the S_Empty notification screen on the display 17 (S101). Then, the controller 130 determines whether the signal output by the mounting sensor 154 has changed from the low level signal to the high level signal and has changed from the high level signal to the low level signal again (S102). Then, the controller 130 repeatedly executes the processing of S102 at predetermined time intervals until the signal output by the mounting sensor 154 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal and then changes from the high level signal to the low level signal again. (S102: No). In other words, the controller 130 repeatedly executes the process of S102 until the cartridge 200 is taken out from the mounting case 150 and the cartridge 200 is newly mounted in the mounting case 150.

Then, the controller 130 determines that the signal output by the mounting sensor 154 has changed from the low level signal to the high level signal and has changed from the high level signal to the low level signal again (S102: Yes). CTG information is read from the memory of the IC board 247 through the contact 152 and stored in the EEPROM 134 (S103), and the ink inflow screen is displayed on the display 17 (S104).

Then, the controller 130 determines whether the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 is a low level signal (S105). The controller 130 determines that the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 is not a low level signal, that is, a high level signal (S105: No), until the output of the liquid level sensor 155 becomes a low level signal. , S105 is repeated.

The controller 130 stores the count value SN1 before cartridge replacement stored in the EEPROM 134 and the count value SN1 stored in the ROM 132 in the ROM 132 in response to the determination that the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155 is a low level signal (S105: Yes). Based on the ink amount Vsc, Vs (equal to the total amount Vt) before the cartridge replacement is calculated and stored in the EEPROM 134. Then, the total amount Vt after the cartridge replacement is calculated based on the calculated ink amount Vs and the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC board 247 of the cartridge 200 after the replacement (S106: Vt = Vs + Vc).

Then, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs when the ink transfer from the liquid chamber 210 to the liquid chamber 171 is completed based on the calculated total amount Vt and the function F read from the EEPROM 134. (S106).

Further, the controller 130 resets the count values TN, SN1 and SN2 stored in the EEPROM 134 (S107). As a result, the count values TN, SN1 and SN2 become initial values (here, zero).

Then, the controller 130 displays the total amount Vt of the obtained ink and one of the ink amount Vc and the ink amount Vs on the display 17 (S108). Further, the controller 130 stores the calculated ink amount Vc in the memory of the IC board 247 through the contact 152 (S109).

Then, the controller 130 sets "OFF" in the temporary release flag, the S_Empty flag, and the C_Empty flag, respectively (S110, S111, S112). The controller 130 erases the ink inflow screen from the display 17 (S113) in response to the setting of “OFF” in the S_Empty flag, and returns to the process of S18.

[Action effect]
According to the above embodiment, in the cartridge empty state in which the C_Empty notification screen is displayed on the display 17, the count value SN1 is the threshold value Nt2 after the cartridge 200 is replaced and before the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a low level signal. Is not reached, the C_Empty notification screen is erased from the display 17. Further, after the C_Empty notification screen is erased from the display 17, when the elapsed time T from the replacement of the cartridge 200 reaches the standby time Tw, the C_Empty notification screen is displayed on the display 17, so that the cartridge 200 is replaced. After that, it is possible to notify the user that the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 is not equal to or higher than the predetermined position P and the cartridge 200 needs to be replaced again.

[Modification 1]
In the above embodiment, the controller 130 determines the threshold value Nt2 to be either a predetermined value A1 or a predetermined value A2 depending on whether the mounted cartridge 200 is "standard" or "large capacity". Was explained. In this modification, an example in which the threshold value Nt2 is determined according to the print setting indicated by the print setting information stored in the EEPROM 134 will be described.

In this modification, the EEPROM 134 stores print setting information. The print setting information is information indicating the default print setting used in the recording process. For example, the standard setting for recording an image on a sheet with standard image quality and the standard setting for recording an image on a sheet with higher image quality than the standard setting. This is information indicating one of the high image quality settings for image recording. In the high image quality setting, the amount of ink discharged from the head 21 per unit time is larger than that in the standard setting. The high image quality setting is an example of the first print setting. The standard setting is an example of the second print setting.

In this modification, the controller 130 executes the Empty temporary release process shown in FIG. 14 instead of the Empty temporary release process shown in FIG. The processing other than the processing described below is the same as the processing described in the above embodiment. In the process shown in FIG. 14, the same process as that of the embodiment is designated by the same reference numeral and the description thereof will be omitted.

The controller 130 of the printer 10 according to this modification executes the process of S53 as in the embodiment. The controller 130 determines that the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC board 247 in S51 is larger than the threshold value Vmin (S53: Yes), and the print setting indicated by the print setting information stored in the EEPROM 134 is set. It is determined whether the setting is the standard setting or the high image quality setting (S121).

The controller 130 reads the predetermined value A1 from the ROM 132 and reads the threshold value Nt2 in response to the determination that the print setting indicated by the print setting information stored in the EEPROM 134 is the high image quality setting (S121: high image quality). The predetermined value A1 is determined, and the determined threshold value Nt2 is stored in the EEPROM 134 (S56). The predetermined value A1 is an example of the fifth predetermined value.

The controller 130 reads the predetermined value A2 from the ROM 132 and reads the threshold value Nt2 in response to the determination that the print setting indicated by the print setting information stored in the EEPROM 134 is the standard setting (S121: standard). The value A2 is determined, and the determined threshold value Nt2 is stored in the EEPROM 134 (S57). The predetermined value A2 is an example of the sixth predetermined value.

[Modification 2]
In the above embodiment, the controller 130 determines the threshold value Nt2 to be either a predetermined value A1 or a predetermined value A2 depending on whether the mounted cartridge 200 is "standard" or "large capacity". In the first modification, an example in which the threshold value Nt2 is determined according to the print setting indicated by the print setting information stored in the EEPROM 134 has been described. In this modification, an example in which the threshold value Nt2 is determined according to the print setting indicated by the recording instruction received by the printer 10 will be described.

In this modification, the recording instruction received by the printer 10 specifies the print setting, which is the setting of the image quality of the image recording on the sheet. The print setting is, for example, one of a standard setting for recording an image on a sheet with a standard image quality and a high image quality setting for recording an image on a sheet with a higher image quality than the standard setting. In the high image quality setting, the amount of ink discharged from the head 21 per unit time is larger than that in the standard setting. The high image quality setting is an example of the third print setting. The standard setting is an example of the fourth print setting.

In this modification, the controller 130 executes the Empty temporary release process shown in FIG. 15 instead of the Empty temporary release process shown in FIG. The processing other than the processing described below is the same as the processing described in the above embodiment. In the process shown in FIG. 15, the same process as that of the embodiment is designated by the same reference numeral and the description thereof will be omitted.

The controller 130 of the printer 10 according to this modification executes the process of S53 as in the embodiment. The controller 130 determines that the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC board 247 in S51 is larger than the threshold value Vmin (S53: Yes), and the print setting specified by the last received recording instruction is set. It is determined whether the setting is the standard setting or the high image quality setting (S131). The last received recording instruction is a recording instruction related to the image recording process currently being executed. If, for example, the controller 130 executes the same process as in FIG. 7 and executes the Empty temporary release process in response to the acquisition of the maintenance instruction regardless of the record instruction, the controller 130 executes the previous process. The processing of S131 may be performed as the print setting that was last received for the recording instruction related to the image recording processing.

The controller 130 reads the predetermined value A1 from the ROM 132 and reads the threshold value Nt2 in response to the determination that the print setting specified by the last received recording instruction is the high image quality setting (S131: high image quality). The predetermined value A1 is determined, and the determined threshold value Nt2 is stored in the EEPROM 134 (S56). The predetermined value A1 is an example of the seventh predetermined value.

The controller 130 reads the predetermined value A2 from the ROM 132 and reads the threshold value Nt2 in response to the determination that the print setting specified by the last received recording instruction is the standard setting (S131: standard). The value A2 is determined, and the determined threshold value Nt2 is stored in the EEPROM 134 (S57). The predetermined value A2 is an example of the eighth predetermined value.

[Modification 3]
In the above embodiment, the controller 130 determines the threshold value Nt2 to be either a predetermined value A1 or a predetermined value A2 depending on whether the mounted cartridge 200 is "standard" or "large capacity". Was explained. In this modification, an example in which the threshold value Nt2 is determined according to the ink amount Vc of the mounted cartridge 200 will be described.

In this modification, the EEPROM 134 stores the function F'. The function F'is information indicating the correspondence between the ink amount Vc and the threshold value Nt2. The threshold Nt2 is calculated by the function F'. Here, the larger the amount of ink stored in the cartridge 200, the higher the height of the liquid level in the liquid chamber 210, and the ink from the cartridge 200 to the tank 160 when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. Inflow rate increases. As described above, it is preferable that the threshold value Nt2 is larger as the inflow rate is higher. In this modification, the function F'is set so that the threshold value Nt2 increases as the amount of ink Vc increases.

In this modification, the controller 130 executes the Empty temporary release process shown in FIG. 16 instead of the Empty temporary release process shown in FIG. The processing other than the processing described below is the same as the processing described in the above embodiment. In the process shown in FIG. 16, the same process as that of the embodiment is designated by the same reference numeral and the description thereof will be omitted.

The controller 130 of the printer 10 according to this modification executes the process of S53 as in the embodiment. The controller 130 determines that the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC board 247 in S51 is larger than the threshold Vmin (S53: Yes), and the ink amount Vc read from the memory of the IC board 247 in S51. The threshold value Nt2 is determined based on the function F'stored in the EEPROM 134 and stored in the EEPROM 134 (S141). Then, the controller 130 compares the count value SN1 updated in S45 with the threshold value Nt2 determined in S141 (S58).

The threshold value Nt2 is not limited to the format of the function F', and may be determined by a table associated with each ink amount Vc. Further, the threshold value Nt2 may be determined based on the liquid level height Hc of the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200. The liquid level height Hc can be calculated based on the ink amount Vc. For example, the liquid level height Hc is determined based on a function or a table showing the correspondence between the ink amount Vc and the liquid level height Hc.

[Modification 4]
In the above embodiment, an example in which the controller 130 compares the count value SN1 and the threshold value Nt2 in S58 of the Empty temporary release process has been described. In this modification, an example in which the controller 130 compares the ink amount Vs of the tank 160 with the threshold value Vth will be described.

In this modification, the predetermined value Vs1 and the predetermined value Vs2 are stored in the ROM 132. It is a value corresponding to the amount of ink when the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 170 of the tank 160 is located above the upper end of the outlet 174 and below the predetermined position P. The predetermined value Vs2 is smaller than the predetermined value Vs1. The predetermined value Vs1 is an example of the first predetermined value and the third predetermined value. The predetermined value Vs2 is an example of the second predetermined value and the fourth predetermined value. Further, the EEPROM 134 stores the threshold value Vth.

In this modification, the controller 130 executes the Empty temporary release process shown in FIG. 17 instead of the Empty temporary release process shown in FIG. The processing other than the processing described below is the same as the processing described in the above embodiment. In the process shown in FIG. 17, the same process as that of the embodiment is designated by the same reference numeral and the description thereof will be omitted.

The controller 130 of the printer 10 according to this modification executes the process of S55 as in the embodiment. The controller 130 reads a predetermined value Vs1 from the ROM 132 in response to the determination in S51 that the type of the cartridge 200 indicated by the type information read from the memory of the IC board 247 is "standard" (S55: standard). The threshold value Vth is determined to be a predetermined value Vs1 read out, and the determined threshold value Vth is stored in the EEPROM 134 (S151).

The controller 130 reads a predetermined value Vs2 from the ROM 132 in response to the determination in S51 that the type of the cartridge 200 indicated by the type information read from the memory of the IC board 247 is "large capacity" (S55: large capacity). Then, the threshold value Vth is determined to be a predetermined value Vs2 read out, and the determined threshold value Vth is stored in the EEPROM 134 (S153).

Subsequently, the controller 130 calculates the ink amount Vs in the same manner as in S62 described above (S153). Then, the controller 130 compares the ink amount Vs calculated in S153 with the threshold value Vth determined in S151 or S152 (S154). The controller 130 determines that the ink amount Vs is larger than the threshold value Nt2, that is, the ink amount Vs that decreases with ejection from the head 21 has not reached the threshold value Vth. (S154: Yes), the processing after S59 is executed. The controller 130 determines that the ink amount Vs is equal to or less than the threshold value Nt2, that is, the ink amount Vs that decreases with ejection from the head 21 has reached the threshold value Vth. (S154: No), the processing after S69 is executed. The ink amount Vs is an example of the first value. The threshold value Vth is an example of the first threshold value.

[Other variants]
In the above embodiment, an example in which a standard cartridge 200 and a large-capacity cartridge can be mounted on the mounting case 150 has been described, but the type and viscosity of the ink, the shape of the liquid chamber and the flow path, and the flow of the flow path have been described. A plurality of types of cartridges having different inflow speeds due to different road resistances and the like may be mounted on the mounting case 150.

In the above embodiment, in the Empty temporary release process, it is determined whether the identification information of the mounted cartridge 200 is different from the identification information of the cartridge 200 before replacement (S52), and from the memory of the IC board 247 of the mounted cartridge 200. The determination (S53) as to whether the read ink amount Vc is larger than the threshold value Vmin is executed, but S52 and S53 do not necessarily have to be executed. That is, the controller 130 may temporarily release the cartridge empty state according to the fact that the cartridge 200 of the mounting case 150 is mounted. Further, only one of S52 and S53 may be selectively executed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the C_Empty flag is set to "ON" according to the change of the output of the liquid level sensor 155 from the low level signal to the high level signal, and the C_Empty notification screen is displayed on the display 17. Instead of this, after the output of the liquid level sensor 155 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal, "ON" is set in the C_Empty flag according to the fact that the count value SN1 reaches a predetermined threshold value. The C_Empty notification screen may be displayed on the display 17.

Further, in the above embodiment, in the cartridge empty state, the cartridge empty state is temporarily released in response to the replacement of the cartridge 200 and the reception of the low level signal from the mounting sensor 154, but instead of the cartridge empty state. , The inquency state may be temporarily released in response to the reception of the low level signal from the mounting sensor 154. That is, when the S_Empty flag is "ON", the controller 130 executes the Empty temporary release process in response to receiving the low level signal from the mounting sensor 154, and sets the S_Empty flag to "OFF". .. As a result, the S_Empty notification screen is erased from the display 17 after the cartridge is replaced and before the liquid level sensor 155 outputs a low level signal.

Further, when the S_Empty flag is "ON", the controller 130 receives a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154, or the identification information of the mounted cartridge 200 is different from the identification information of the cartridge 200 before replacement. The S_Empty flag may be set to "OFF" and the S_Empty notification screen may be erased from the display 17 based on the determination or the determination that the ink amount Vc of the mounted cartridge 200 is larger than the threshold value Vmin. Further, when the S_Empty flag is "ON", the controller 130 may prohibit ink ejection instead of notification, and may cancel the ink ejection prohibition when the S_Empty flag is "OFF". Further, the controller 130 may perform both notification and ejection prohibition.

Further, in the above embodiment, the controller 130 stores the total amount Vt after the cartridge 200 is replaced in the EEPROM 134, and subtracts the ink amount corresponding to the count value TN from the total amount Vt to obtain the current total amount Vt. Instead of this, every time the ink is ejected through the head 21, the total amount Vt is updated and stored in the EEPROM 134, and when the next ink ejection through the head 21 is executed, the executed ink ejection is performed. The ink amount for a minute may be calculated based on the count value TN and subtracted from the total amount Vt stored in the EEPROM 134 to update the total amount Vt.

In the above embodiment, the controller 130 receives a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154, then a high level signal from the mounting sensor 154, and then a low level signal from the mounting sensor 154. (S14: Yes), the process shown in S15 was executed. The controller 130 executes the process shown in S15 when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 in which the cartridge 200 does not exist in the mounting case 150. That is, the controller 130 may execute the process shown in S15 in response to the determination that the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. The controller 130 received the low level signal from the mounting sensor 154, then received the high level signal from the mounting sensor 154, and then received the low level signal from the mounting sensor 154. This is an example of determining that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case 150. Another example in which the controller 130 determines that the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 will be described below.

For example, the controller 130 receives the low level signal after receiving the high level signal from the cover sensor 88. Then, the controller 130 reads the identification information from the memory of the IC board 247 and compares it with the identification information of the cartridge 200 before replacement stored in the EEPROM 134. Depending on the determination that the identification information read from the memory of the IC board 247 and the identification information stored in the EEPROM 134 are different, the controller 130 may execute the process shown in S15. That is, "the controller 130 reads the identification information from the memory of the IC board 247 and compares it with the identification information of the cartridge 200 before replacement stored in the EEPROM 134. As a result, the identification information read from the memory of the IC board 247 and the identification information. , It is determined that the identification information stored in the EEPROM 134 is different. ”Is an example of the controller 130 determining that the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150.

Further, for example, the controller 130 receives the low level signal after receiving the high level signal from the cover sensor 88. Then, the controller 130 causes the user to display a confirmation screen indicating whether or not a new cartridge 200 has been mounted in the mounting case 150 through the display 17. While the controller 130 displays the confirmation screen on the display 17, the controller 130 receives the input corresponding to the confirmation screen through the operation panel 22. The controller 130 executes the process shown in S15 according to the received input corresponding to the mounting of the new cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150. That is, "the controller 130 receives the low level signal after receiving the high level signal from the cover sensor 88. Then, the controller 130 mounts the new cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150 to the user through the display 17. The controller 130 displays the confirmation screen on the display 17, while the controller 130 receives the input corresponding to the confirmation screen through the operation panel 22. "It corresponds to the fact that the new cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150" is an example of the controller 130 determining that the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150.

In the above embodiment, the ink supply port 234 provided in the supply pipe 230 and the opening 183 of the needle 181 are opened so that the ink valve chamber 213 of the supply pipe 230 and the internal space of the needle 181 are communicated with each other. Was explained. The ink supply port 234 may be provided on the rear wall 202 of the cartridge 200. For example, as the ink supply port 234, a through hole that penetrates the rear wall 202 in the thickness direction may be formed in the rear wall 202. The internal space of the ink supply port 234 is an example of the first flow path. In this modification, in the process of mounting the cartridge 200 on the mounting case 150, the needle 181 enters the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 through the ink supply port 234, and one end (opening 183) of the needle 181 is the liquid of the cartridge 200. It will be located inside the chamber 210. As a result, the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the internal space of the needle 181 are communicated with each other. That is, when the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150, the internal space of the needle 181 forms a flow path for communicating the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160.

Further, the opening 183 may be provided in the front wall 162 of the tank 160. For example, as the opening 183, a through hole that penetrates the front wall 162 in the thickness direction may be formed in the front wall 162. The internal space of the opening 183 is an example of the first flow path. In this modification, in the process of mounting the cartridge 200 on the mounting case 150, the supply pipe 230 enters the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160 through the opening 183, and the other end of the supply pipe 230 (ink supply port 234) is the tank. It is in a state of being located inside the liquid chamber 171 of 160. As a result, the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the internal space of the needle 181 are communicated with each other. That is, when the cartridge 200 is mounted on the mounting case 150, the ink valve chamber 213 forms a flow path for communicating the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160.

Further, in the above embodiment, the controller 130 detects whether or not the detected portion 194 of the actuator 190 is located at the detection position based on the signal output by the liquid level sensor 155. As long as the liquid level of the ink in 171 can be detected, the configuration of the liquid level sensor 155 is not particularly limited. For example, it is a sensor for optically detecting the liquid level of ink in the liquid chamber 171 by using a prism having different reflectance depending on whether or not the ink is in contact with the rear wall 164 of the liquid chamber 171. Alternatively, the liquid level of the ink in the liquid chamber 171 may be detected by the electrode. Further, the liquid level sensor 155 may output a different signal depending on the liquid level of the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 instead of outputting a different signal depending on the liquid level of the liquid chamber 171 of the tank 160.

Further, in the above embodiment, when "ON" is set for at least one of the four S_Empty flags (S11: ON), there is an example in which ink ejection through the head 21 is prohibited for all four tanks 160. Explained. Ink ejection through the head 21 may be prohibited only for the tank 160 in which the S_Empty flag is set to “ON”. Further, when "ON" is set for at least one of the S_Empty flags related to magenta, cyan, and yellow, and "OFF" is set for the S_Empty flag related to black, magenta, cyan, and yellow inks are used. Ejection may be prohibited and black ink may be allowed to be ejected.

Further, in the above embodiment, if the S_Empty flag is "ON", the controller 130 prohibits the ejection of ink through the head 21, but the ejection of ink through the head 21 does not necessarily have to be prohibited, and the controller If the S_Empty flag is "ON", the 130 may only display the S_Empty notification screen on the display 17.

Further, the IC board 247 comes into contact with the contact 152 to conduct conduction, but instead, data is read / written in a non-contact manner using radio waves such as NFC (near field communication) and RFID (radio frequency identification). Information media and interfaces may be adopted.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ink is described as an example of a liquid, but the liquid may be, for example, a pretreatment liquid that is ejected to paper or the like prior to the ink at the time of image recording, or the head 21 is washed. It may be water for cleaning.

10 ... Printer (liquid discharge device)
17 ... Display (alarm)
21 ... Head 32 ... Tube (4th flow path)
130 ... Controller 132 ... ROM (memory)
133 ... RAM (memory)
134 ... EEPROM (memory)
150 ... Mounting case 152 ... Contact (interface)
154 ... Mounting sensor 155 ... Liquid level sensor 160 ... Tank 171 ... Liquid chamber (second liquid chamber)
175 ... Atmospheric communication room (fifth flow path)
181 ... Needle (third flow path)
200 ... Cartridge 210 ... Liquid chamber (first liquid chamber)
213 ... Ink valve chamber (first flow path)
214 ... Atmospheric valve chamber (second flow path)

Claims (13)

A mounting case in which a cartridge having a first liquid chamber in which liquid is stored is mounted, and
A tank with a second liquid chamber and
One is communicated with the second liquid chamber, and the other is a flow path communicating with the first liquid chamber of the cartridge mounted on the mounting case.
The head that communicates with the second liquid chamber and
Liquid level sensor and
With an alarm
With a controller,
The above controller
Based on the reception of the first signal output by the liquid level sensor when the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is less than the predetermined position, the alarm is made to perform the first notification.
Accepting the discharge instruction to discharge the liquid through the above head,
Based on the amount of liquid indicated to be discharged by the discharge instruction received after receiving the first signal, the first value regarding the amount of liquid stored in the second liquid chamber is determined.
It is determined whether the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, and it is determined.
Based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, it is determined whether or not the first value has reached the first threshold value.
Based on the determination that the first value has not reached the first threshold value, the first notification is canceled.
When it is determined that the first value has reached the first threshold value and the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is equal to or higher than the predetermined position, the second signal output by the liquid level sensor is output. A liquid discharge device that cancels the first notification based on the reception. The above controller
Based on the determination that the first value has reached the first threshold value, the discharge of the liquid from the head is prohibited.
The liquid discharge device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is discharged from the head based on the reception of the second signal from the liquid level sensor. The above controller
The liquid discharge device according to claim 2, wherein the discharge of the liquid from the head is permitted based on the reception of the second signal from the liquid level sensor after prohibiting the discharge of the liquid from the head. The above controller
Based on the determination that the first value has reached the first threshold value, the alarm is made to execute a second notification different from the first notification.
2. 3. The liquid discharge device according to 3. In the above mounting case,
Both the cartridge having the first liquid chamber in which the color ink used for color printing is stored and the cartridge having the first liquid chamber in which the monochrome ink used for monochrome printing are stored are mounted.
The above controller
As the above discharge instruction, we accept a recording instruction to record an image on the sheet,
It is determined whether the received recording instruction is a monochrome printing instruction for ejecting monochrome ink through the head or a color printing instruction for ejecting color ink through the head.
It is determined that the first value regarding the amount of the color ink stored in the second liquid chamber communicating with the first liquid chamber in which the color ink is stored has reached the first threshold value, and Based on the determination that the recording instruction is a color printing instruction, the discharge of liquid from the head is prohibited.
It is determined that the first value regarding the amount of the color ink stored in the second liquid chamber communicating with the first liquid chamber in which the color ink is stored has reached the first threshold value, and The liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which permits the discharge of liquid from the head based on the determination that the recording instruction is a monochrome printing instruction. With more interfaces
The above controller
Based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, the cartridge information stored in the cartridge memory of the cartridge is read out through the interface.
When the mounted cartridge is the first cartridge based on the read-out cartridge information, or when the mounted case is mounted in a state where the maximum amount of liquid that can be stored is stored in the first liquid chamber. It is determined whether the inflow rate of the liquid from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber is a second cartridge different from that of the first cartridge.
Based on the determination that the mounted cartridge is the first cartridge, the first predetermined value is determined as the first threshold value, and the first value reaches the determined first threshold value. Judge whether or not,
Based on the determination that the mounted cartridge is the second cartridge, a second predetermined value different from the first predetermined value is determined as the first threshold value, and the first value is determined. The liquid discharging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which determines whether or not the first threshold value has been reached. With more interfaces
The above controller
The first count value as the first value is determined by the value corresponding to the amount of the liquid instructed to be discharged by the discharge instruction received after receiving the first signal.
Based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, the cartridge information stored in the cartridge memory of the cartridge is read out through the interface.
When the mounted cartridge is the first cartridge based on the read-out cartridge information, or when the mounted case is mounted in a state where the maximum amount of liquid that can be stored is stored in the first liquid chamber. It is determined whether the second cartridge has a liquid inflow rate from the first liquid chamber to the second liquid chamber higher than that of the first cartridge.
Based on the determination that the mounted cartridge is the first cartridge, the third predetermined value is determined as the first threshold value, and the first count value reaches the determined first threshold value. Judge whether or not it is
Based on the determination that the mounted cartridge is the second cartridge, a fourth predetermined value larger than the third predetermined value is determined as the first threshold value, and the first count value is determined. The liquid discharging device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which determines whether or not the first threshold value has been reached. With more interfaces
The above controller
Based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, the liquid level height or the liquid amount of the first liquid chamber stored in the cartridge memory of the cartridge is read out through the interface.
The first threshold value is determined based on the read-out liquid level height or the liquid amount.
The liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein it is determined whether or not the first value has reached the determined first threshold value. With more memory
The above memory stores print setting information.
The print setting information indicates either the first print setting or the second print setting in which the amount of liquid discharged from the head per unit time is different from the first print setting.
The above controller
It is determined whether the print setting information indicates the first print setting or the second print setting.
Based on the determination that the print setting information indicates the first print setting, the fifth predetermined value is determined as the first threshold value, and whether the first value reaches the determined first threshold value. Judge whether or not,
Based on the determination that the print setting information indicates the second print setting, a sixth predetermined value different from the fifth predetermined value is determined as the first threshold value, and the first value is the determined first. The liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which determines whether or not one threshold value has been reached. The above controller
As the above discharge instruction, we accept a recording instruction to record an image on the sheet,
The recording instruction specifies either the third printing setting or the fourth printing setting in which the amount of liquid discharged from the head per unit time is different from the third printing setting.
The above controller
It is determined whether the received record instruction specifies either the third print setting or the fourth print setting.
Based on the determination that the recording instruction specifies the third print setting, the seventh predetermined value is determined as the first threshold value, and the first value reaches the determined first threshold value. Judge whether or not it is
Based on the determination that the recording instruction specifies the fourth print setting, an eighth predetermined value different from the seventh predetermined value is determined as the first threshold value, and the first value is determined. The liquid discharge device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which determines whether or not the first threshold value has been reached. With more interfaces
The above controller
Based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid chamber stored in the cartridge memory of the cartridge is read out through the interface.
It is determined whether the read-out amount of the liquid is equal to or greater than the second threshold value.
The liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein it is determined whether or not the first value has reached the first threshold value based on the determination that the liquid amount is equal to or higher than the second threshold value. Discharge device. In the mounting case, one end is in communication with the first liquid chamber and the other end is in communication with the outside, and one end is in communication with the first liquid chamber and the other end is in communication with the outside. A cartridge with a second flow path is attached
The above tank is
A third flow path in which one end communicates with the outside and the other end communicates with the second liquid chamber.
A fourth flow path in which one end located below the third flow path communicates with the second liquid chamber, and
A fifth flow path in which one end communicates with the second liquid chamber and the other end communicates with the outside.
Have,
The head is communicated with the other end of the fourth flow path, and the head is communicated with the other end of the fourth flow path.
Any one of claims 1 to 11 that allows at least one of the first flow path and the third flow path to communicate with the first liquid chamber and the second liquid chamber when the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case. The liquid discharge device described in Crab. A cartridge having a first liquid chamber in which liquid is stored,
The mounting case to which the above cartridge is mounted and the mounting case
A tank with a second liquid chamber and
One is communicated with the second liquid chamber, and the other is a flow path communicating with the first liquid chamber of the cartridge mounted on the mounting case.
The head that communicates with the second liquid chamber and
Liquid level sensor and
With an alarm
With a controller,
The above controller
Based on the reception of the first signal output by the liquid level sensor when the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is less than the predetermined position, the alarm is made to perform the first notification.
Accepting the discharge instruction to discharge the liquid through the above head,
Based on the amount of liquid indicated to be discharged by the discharge instruction received after receiving the first signal, the first value regarding the amount of liquid stored in the second liquid chamber is determined.
It is determined whether the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, and it is determined.
Based on the determination that the cartridge is mounted in the mounting case, it is determined whether or not the first value has reached the first threshold value.
Based on the determination that the first value has not reached the first threshold value, the first notification is canceled.
When it is determined that the first value has reached the first threshold value and the position of the liquid level in the second liquid chamber is equal to or higher than the predetermined position, the second signal output by the liquid level sensor is output. A liquid discharge device that cancels the first notification based on the reception.

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