JP7326710B2 - Liquid supply device - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid supply device that includes a liquid storage body in which liquid is stored in a storage chamber, and that allows liquid to flow into the storage chamber through an inlet.

As an example of a liquid supply device that includes a liquid reservoir that stores liquid in a reservoir chamber, there is known a device that includes a sensor for detecting the remaining amount of liquid in the reservoir chamber (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). reference).

In the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the remaining amount of liquid in the reservoir is detected during printing. In the device disclosed in Patent Literature 2, a sensor moved by a stepping motor can detect the surface of the liquid that moves through the elongated remaining amount detection window as the liquid in the storage chamber is consumed.

JP 2007-152732 A JP-A-2000-108373

In the devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, when the remaining amount of liquid in the storage chamber of the liquid reservoir attached to the device becomes low, the liquid reservoir is replaced with a new liquid reservoir.

On the other hand, some liquid supply devices allow liquid to flow into a storage chamber through an inlet. In such a liquid supply device, when the amount of liquid remaining in the storage chamber is low, the storage chamber is replenished with liquid through the inlet. At this time, if the liquid is excessively replenished, the liquid overflows from the storage chamber.

In order to prevent this, most liquid reservoirs having inlets are provided with translucent walls having translucency. Thereby, the remaining amount of liquid in the storage chamber can be visually observed from the outside. However, if liquid adheres to a portion of the translucent wall above the current liquid level, it becomes difficult to see the liquid level from the outside. Therefore, it is conceivable to use a sensor to detect that the amount of liquid in the storage chamber has increased due to the replenishment of the liquid to the storage chamber, rather than visually.

However, the sensors in the devices disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 detect when the amount of liquid remaining in the storage chamber is low. Therefore, it cannot be detected that the amount of liquid remaining in the storage chamber is large.

Also, it is conceivable to provide a dedicated sensor for detecting that the amount of liquid remaining in the storage chamber is large, but adding an extra sensor leads to an increase in cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and an object of the present invention is to detect an increase in the amount of liquid in the storage chamber as the liquid flows into the storage chamber from the inflow port. An object of the present invention is to provide a supply device.

(1) A liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention comprises a liquid storage body having a storage chamber in which liquid that has flowed in through an inlet is stored, an outlet through which the liquid in the storage chamber flows out, and a liquid in the storage chamber. has reached a first liquid level position and a second liquid level position different from the first liquid level position. The amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the second liquid level position is greater than the amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position. The liquid reservoir and the sensor are in a first state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position, and the sensor is in a liquid level position at the second liquid level position. can be changed to a second state in which arrival of is detectable. The sensor detects that the liquid surface reaches the second liquid surface position as the liquid flows into the storage chamber from the inlet.

According to this configuration, by changing the state of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to the first state and the second state, the single sensor can detect at least two liquid level positions (the first liquid level position and the second liquid level position). surface position) can be detected. Specifically, a single sensor can detect that the amount of liquid in the reservoir chamber has increased by detecting the second liquid level position, and can detect that the liquid in the reservoir chamber has increased by detecting the first liquid level position. It is possible to detect that the

(2) The sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position and that the liquid level has reached the second liquid level position. second sensor position relative to the liquid reservoir.

According to this configuration, by moving the sensor with respect to the liquid reservoir or by moving the liquid reservoir with respect to the sensor, a single sensor can detect at least two liquid level positions (second 1 liquid level position and 2nd liquid level position) can be detected.

(3) The second sensor position is above the first sensor position. The sensor is movable between the first sensor position and the second sensor position.

Since the sensor is typically smaller than the liquid reservoir, it is easier to move.

(4) the position of the sensor relative to the liquid reservoir is fixed; The liquid reservoir takes a first posture in the first state, and takes a second posture different from the first posture in the second state. The sensor is capable of detecting that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position when the liquid reservoir is in the first posture, and can detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position when the liquid reservoir is in the second posture. It is possible to detect that the liquid surface has reached the second liquid surface position.

According to this configuration, the position of the sensor with respect to the liquid reservoir is changed by changing the posture of the liquid reservoir, and the single sensor can detect at least two liquid level positions (the first liquid level position and the second liquid level position). 2 liquid surface position) can be detected.

(5) The liquid supply device according to the present invention includes a cover movable between an open position exposing the inlet to the outside and a closed position closing the inlet to the outside. The liquid reservoir and the sensor are in the first state when the cover is in the closed position and are in the second state when the cover is in the open position.

According to this configuration, a situation in which liquid can flow from the inflow port to the storage chamber and a situation in which liquid cannot flow from the inflow port to the storage chamber can be distinguished by the position of the cover.

Further, according to this configuration, in a situation in which the liquid cannot flow into the storage chamber from the inflow port, for example, in a situation in which the liquid in the storage chamber is consumed by flowing out from the outflow port, the liquid storage body and the sensor are placed in the first position. state. Thus, the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position by consuming the liquid.

Further, according to this configuration, the liquid reservoir and the sensor are in the second state when the liquid can flow into the reservoir from the inlet. Thus, the sensor can detect that the liquid surface has reached the second liquid surface position due to the inflow of the liquid from the inlet.

(6) In the liquid supply device according to the present invention, the state of the liquid reservoir and the sensor is changed to the second state in conjunction with the movement of the cover from the closed position to the open position. An interlocking mechanism is provided for changing the state of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to the first state in interrelation with the movement from the open position to the closed position.

According to this configuration, the interlocking mechanism can change the state of the liquid reservoir and the sensor in conjunction with the movement of the cover. Therefore, there is no need for a motor for moving the liquid reservoir or the sensor, or a sensor for detecting the position of the cover.

(7) A liquid supply apparatus according to the present invention comprises a liquid storage body having a storage chamber in which liquid that has flowed in through an inlet is stored, an outlet through which the liquid in the storage chamber flows out, and a liquid in the storage chamber. a single sensor capable of detecting whether or not the liquid level has reached a first liquid level position and a second liquid level position different from the first liquid level position; A motor for applying a driving force for movement to at least one of them, and a controller. The amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the second liquid level position is greater than the amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position. The controller controls the motor to move at least one of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to different positions in response to a signal received from the outside, thereby moving the liquid reservoir and the sensor to at least the A first state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position, and a second state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the second liquid level position. Change state to state.

According to this configuration, the controller changes the states of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to the first state and the second state, so that the single sensor detects at least two liquid level positions (the first liquid level position and the second liquid level position). 2 liquid surface position) can be detected. Specifically, a single sensor can detect that the amount of liquid in the reservoir chamber has increased by detecting the second liquid level position, and can detect that the liquid in the reservoir chamber has increased by detecting the first liquid level position. It is possible to detect that the

(8) The controller determines the position of the sensor relative to the liquid reservoir based on the amount of rotation of the motor.

According to this configuration, the controller can grasp the position of the sensor.

(9) The liquid supply device according to the present invention includes an encoder that outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of rotation of the motor. The controller determines the amount of rotation of the motor based on signals received from the encoder.

According to this configuration, the amount of rotation of the motor can be determined with high accuracy.

(10) The sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position and that the liquid level has reached the second liquid level position. second sensor position relative to the liquid reservoir.

According to this configuration, by moving the sensor with respect to the liquid reservoir or by moving the liquid reservoir with respect to the sensor, a single sensor can detect at least two liquid level positions (second 1 liquid level position and 2nd liquid level position) can be detected.

(11) The second sensor position is above the first sensor position. The sensor is movable between the first sensor position and the second sensor position. The motor provides driving force for movement to the sensor.

Since the sensor is typically smaller than the liquid reservoir, it is easier to move.

(12) the position of the sensor relative to the liquid reservoir is fixed; The liquid reservoir takes a first posture in the first state, and takes a second posture different from the first posture in the second state. The sensor is capable of detecting that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position when the liquid reservoir is in the first posture, and can detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position when the liquid reservoir is in the second posture. It is possible to detect that the liquid surface has reached the second liquid surface position.

According to this configuration, the position of the sensor with respect to the liquid reservoir is changed by changing the posture of the liquid reservoir, and the single sensor can detect at least two liquid level positions (the first liquid level position and the second liquid level position). 2 liquid surface position) can be detected.

(13) For example, on condition that the controller receives a first signal from the outside, the controller changes the state of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to the first state, and changes the state of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to a second state different from the first signal from the outside. Conditioning the reception of the signal, the liquid reservoir and the sensor are changed to the second state.

(14) The controller moves the sensor to the first sensor position relative to the liquid reservoir on condition that a first signal is received from the outside. On the condition that a second signal different from the first signal is received from the outside, the sensor is moved between the second sensor position and a predetermined position closer to the first sensor position than the second sensor position. It is caused to reciprocate relative to the liquid reservoir.

According to this configuration, it is possible to detect at which position between the second sensor position and the predetermined position the liquid level is.

(15) The predetermined position is the first sensor position.

According to this configuration, it is possible to detect at which position between the second sensor position and the first sensor position the liquid surface of the liquid is present.

(16) The sensor outputs a third signal when liquid is detected in the storage chamber, and outputs a fourth signal when liquid is not detected in the storage chamber. The predetermined position is the position of the sensor when the signal output by the sensor is most recently switched from one of the third signal and the fourth signal to the other during the reciprocating motion.

According to this configuration, in a state where the amount of liquid stored in the storage chamber is increasing due to the inflow of liquid into the storage chamber, the reciprocating motion of the sensor with respect to the liquid storage body or the movement of the reciprocating motion of the liquid storage with respect to the sensor The liquid surface position can be detected while reducing the distance.

(17) The liquid supply device according to the present invention comprises a cover movable between an open position exposing the inlet to the outside and a closed position closing the inlet to the outside, and the cover moving to the closed position. and a cover sensor that outputs the first signal when the cover is in the open position and outputs the second signal when the cover is in the open position.

According to this configuration, in a situation in which the liquid cannot flow into the storage chamber from the inflow port, for example, in a situation in which the liquid in the storage chamber is consumed by flowing out from the outflow port, the controller causes the liquid storage body and the sensor to move to the first position. state. Thus, the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position by consuming the liquid.

Further, according to this configuration, the controller places the liquid reservoir and the sensor in the second state when the liquid can flow into the reservoir from the inlet. Thus, the sensor can detect that the liquid surface has reached the second liquid surface position due to the inflow of the liquid from the inlet.

(18) For example, the liquid supply device according to the present invention includes an operation unit that outputs the first signal in response to a first operation and outputs the second signal in response to a second operation that is different from the first operation. Prepare.

(19) The liquid supply device according to the present invention comprises a cover movable between an open position exposing the inlet to the outside and a closed position closing the inlet to the outside, the liquid reservoir and the The cover is moved from the closed position to the open position in conjunction with the state change of the sensor to the second state, and the cover is interlocked with the state change of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to the first state. from the open position to the closed position.

According to this configuration, the interlocking mechanism can move the cover according to the state change of the liquid reservoir and the sensor.

(20) A liquid supply device according to the present invention includes a notification section. The sensor outputs a third signal in response to detection of liquid in the storage chamber, and outputs a fourth signal in response to detection of no liquid in the storage chamber. When the signal output from the sensor switches from one of the third signal and the fourth signal to the other after the signal received from the cover sensor switches from the second signal to the first signal before the signal received from the cover sensor changes from the second signal to the first signal, the signal output by the sensor changes from one of the third signal or the fourth signal to the other On condition that it is below the position of the sensor at the time of switching, the notification unit is operated.

When the signal received from the cover sensor changes from the second signal to the first signal (the cover moves from the open position to the closed position), the controller determines that liquid has flowed from the inlet into the reservoir. be able to. In addition, before the signal received from the cover sensor changes from the second signal to the first signal (before the cover moves from the open position to the closed position), the liquid has completely flowed from the inlet into the storage chamber. It can be determined that they are not. According to this configuration, the liquid level of the liquid stored in the storage chamber when it is determined that the inflow of the liquid into the storage chamber is completed is the same as the level of the liquid stored in the storage chamber before the inflow of the liquid into the storage chamber is completed. When the liquid level is lower than the liquid level of the stored liquid, the controller determines that the liquid has been withdrawn from the storage chamber rather than flowed into the storage chamber, and activates the notification unit. Accordingly, it is possible to notify the user or the like that the liquid has been removed from the storage chamber.

(21) A liquid supply device according to the present invention includes a notification section. The sensor outputs a third signal in response to detecting liquid in the storage chamber. The controller operates the notification unit on condition that the third signal is received from the sensor in the second state.

According to this configuration, it is possible to notify the user or the like that the liquid level of the liquid stored in the storage chamber has reached the second liquid level position.

(22) A liquid supply device according to the present invention includes a memory. The sensor outputs a third signal in response to detection of liquid in the storage chamber, and outputs a fourth signal in response to detection of no liquid in the storage chamber. The controller calculates the amount of liquid stored in the storage chamber based on the position of the sensor when the signal output by the sensor switches from one of the third signal and the fourth signal to the other, The amount of liquid is stored in the memory.

According to this configuration, the amount of liquid in the storage chamber is calculated based on the position of the sensor, so the error between the calculated amount of liquid and the amount of liquid actually stored in the storage chamber can be reduced.

(23) A sampling time for detection by the sensor in states other than the first state is shorter than a sampling time for detection by the sensor in the first state.

According to the above configuration, even if the increase in the amount of liquid in the storage chamber per unit time is large, it is possible to reliably detect that the amount of liquid in the storage chamber has increased and reached a position such as the second liquid surface position. can be done.

(24) A liquid supply device according to the present invention includes a plurality of liquid reservoirs. The sensors are provided one for each of the liquid reservoirs.

According to this configuration, it is possible to detect the liquid level of the liquid in the storage chamber for each of the plurality of liquid storage bodies.

(25) A liquid supply device according to the present invention comprises a plurality of liquid reservoirs arranged at different positions in the horizontal direction. The sensor can detect the liquid level of the liquid in each of the storage chambers of the plurality of liquid storage bodies by moving in the horizontal direction.

According to this configuration, it is possible to detect the liquid levels in the storage chambers of the plurality of liquid storage bodies with a single sensor.

(26) For example, the liquid reservoir includes a translucent wall that partitions at least part of the storage chamber and has translucency. The sensor includes a light-emitting section that emits light toward the translucent wall, and a light-receiving section that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting section.

(27) The light emitting section can irradiate a plurality of types of light with different wavelengths.

According to this configuration, the light source of the light-emitting portion emits white light, and the color of the substance inside the liquid reservoir can be detected by attaching a color filter in front of the light-receiving element of the light-receiving portion. In addition, the light emitting section can irradiate a plurality of types of light such as visible light and infrared light. In addition, it is possible to detect a liquid other than the predetermined liquid, thereby preventing malfunction of the device.

(28) The light emitting section can emit visible light.

According to this configuration, a liquid other than the predetermined liquid can be detected, and failure of the device can be prevented.

(29) A plurality of liquid reservoirs are provided. The sensors are provided one for each of the liquid reservoirs. Each of the sensors emits light of a different length wavelength to the corresponding liquid reservoir.

According to this configuration, the light emitting section of each sensor can irradiate light of a wavelength suitable for the color and type of the liquid stored in each corresponding liquid reservoir.

(30) The light-transmitting wall includes a blocking portion that blocks light emitted from the light-emitting portion at a position between the first liquid level position and the second liquid level position.

According to this configuration, based on the output signal of the sensor in the process of changing the states of the liquid reservoir and the sensor, the liquid level of the liquid in the reservoir chamber is on the first liquid level side or the second liquid level position relative to the blocking section. You can easily determine if it is on the side.

(31) The first liquid surface position is located above the outlet.

When the liquid level in the storage chamber becomes lower than the upper end of the outlet, air flows out from the outlet. According to this configuration, since the first liquid level position is located above the outflow port, the sensor detects the first liquid level position before the liquid level in the storage chamber becomes lower than the upper end of the outflow port. is possible.

(32) For example, the second liquid level position is the position of the liquid level when the maximum amount of liquid that is allowed to be stored is stored in the storage chamber.

(33) For example, the first liquid level position is the position of the liquid level when the liquid is stored in the storage chamber in an amount required to replenish the liquid in the storage chamber.

According to the present invention, it is possible to detect that the amount of liquid in the storage chamber has increased as the liquid flows into the storage chamber from the inflow port.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the multifunction device 10, in which (A) shows a state in which the cover 70 is in the closed position, and (B) shows a state in which the cover 70 is in the open position. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer section 11. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the carriage 23, the platen 42, the guide rails 43 and 44, and the ink tank 100. As shown in FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ink tank 100. FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of the ink tank 100B, and FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view of the ink tank 100B. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the printer section 11. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the procedure of movement processing of the liquid sensor 125 . 8A and 8B are right side views of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 in Modification 1, where (A) shows the first state and (B) shows the second state. 9A and 9B are right side views of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 in Modification 2, where (A) shows the first state and (B) shows the second state. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the VIII-VIII cross section of FIG. 1(A). FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the IX-IX section of FIG. 1(B). FIG. 12 is a right side view schematically showing the periphery of the projecting portion 167 of the ink tank 100 in Modification 5. As shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a right side view schematically showing the periphery of the projecting portion 167 of the ink tank 100 in Modification 5. As shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a right side view schematically showing the periphery of the projecting portion 167 of the ink tank 100 having the blocking portion 190. FIG. FIG. 15 is a graph showing the level of the output signal with respect to the position of the liquid sensor 125 when the liquid sensor 125 is moved from the first sensor position P1 to the second sensor position P2. is at position P6, and (B) shows the case where the liquid level is at position P8. 16A and 16B are rear views of the ink tank 100. FIG. 16A shows a configuration in which a liquid sensor 125 is provided for each of the four ink tanks 100. A configuration is shown in which one liquid sensor 125 movable in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9 is provided corresponding to the four ink tanks 100 . FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the ink tank 100 provided with the rotating member 150. As shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an ink tank 100 in a modified example.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. It should be noted that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. Further, in the following description, progress from the starting point to the end point of the arrow is expressed as direction, and movement on the line connecting the starting point and the end point of the arrow is expressed as direction. In other words, orientation is a component of direction. Further, the vertical direction 7 is defined with reference to a posture (usage posture) in which the multifunction device 10 and the ink tank 100 installed in the multifunction device 10 are installed on a horizontal plane so as to be usable, and an opening 13 of the multifunction device 10 is provided. A front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface on which the multi-function device 10 is located as the front surface, and a left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction device 10 is viewed from the front. The up-down direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal to each other. In this embodiment, in the usage posture, the up-down direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction.

[Embodiment 1]
Embodiment 1 is described below.

[Overall Configuration of MFP 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, a multi-function device 10 (an example of a liquid supply device) has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The multifunction machine 10 has a scanner section 30 for reading an image recorded on a document on the upper side, and a printer section 11 for recording an image on a sheet of paper 12 (see FIG. 2) by an inkjet recording method on the lower side. . The printer section 11 has a housing 14 with an opening 13 formed in a front wall 14A.

The MFP 10 has an operation section 16 above the printer section 11 . The operation unit 16 has a display panel 28 (an example of a notification unit) capable of displaying images, and input keys 17 for operation input. The display panel 28 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or a touch panel. If the display panel 28 is a touch panel, the input keys 17 may be touchable buttons displayed on the display panel 28 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the inside of the housing 14 includes a feeding section 15, a feeding tray 20, a discharge tray 21, a conveying roller section 54, a recording section 24, a discharge roller section 55, A platen 42, an ink tank 100, a liquid sensor 125 (see FIGS. 4 and 5B, an example of a sensor), and a controller 130 (see FIG. 6) are arranged. The MFP 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function.

[Feed tray 20, discharge tray 21]
As shown in FIG. 1 , the feed tray 20 is inserted into and removed from the multifunction device 10 along the front-rear direction 8 through the opening 13 . The opening 13 is located on the front surface of the multi-function device 10 and at the center in the left-right direction 9 . As shown in FIG. 2, the feed tray 20 can support a plurality of stacked sheets of paper 12 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the discharge tray 21 is arranged above the feed tray 20 . The ejection tray 21 supports the paper 12 ejected from between the recording section 24 and the platen 42 by the ejection roller section 55 .

[Feeding unit 15]
The feeding unit 15 feeds the paper 12 supported by the feeding tray 20 to the transport path 65 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the feeding section 15 includes a feeding roller 25 , a feeding arm 26 and a shaft 27 .

The feeding roller 25 is rotatably supported at the tip of the feeding arm 26 . The feeding arm 26 is rotatably supported by a shaft 27 supported by a frame (not shown) of the printer section 11 . The feed arm 26 is urged to rotate toward the feed tray 20 by its own weight or elastic force of a spring or the like. As a result, the feed roller 25 can contact and separate from the feed tray 20 or the paper 12 supported by the feed tray 20 .

The feeding roller 25 is rotated by the driving force of the feeding motor 172 (see FIG. 6). As a result, of the sheets 12 supported by the feed tray 20 , the uppermost sheet 12 in contact with the feed roller 25 is fed to the transport path 65 .

[Conveyance path 65]
As shown in FIG. 2, the conveying path 65 refers to a space partially formed inside the printer section 11 by the outer guide member 18 and the inner guide member 19 facing each other at a predetermined interval. The transport path 65 is a path extending rearward from the rear end of the feed tray 20 . The transport path 65 is a path that extends upward at the rear of the printer section 11 , makes a U-turn forward, passes through the space between the recording section 24 and the platen 42 , and reaches the discharge tray 21 . As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transport path 65 between the transport roller portion 54 and the discharge roller portion 55 is provided approximately in the center of the multifunction machine 10 in the left-right direction 9 and extends in the front-rear direction 8. extended. The conveying direction 29 of the paper 12 in the conveying path 65 is indicated by a chain-dotted arrow in FIG.

[Conveyance roller unit 54]
As shown in FIG. 2 , the transport roller section 54 is arranged on the transport path 65 . The transport roller section 54 has a transport roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 facing each other. The transport roller 60 is driven by a transport motor 171 (see FIG. 6). The pinch roller 61 rotates together with the rotation of the conveying roller 60 . The paper 12 is conveyed in the conveying direction 29 by being nipped between the conveying roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 that are driven by the conveying motor 171 to rotate.

[Discharge roller unit 55]
As shown in FIG. 2 , the discharge roller portion 55 is arranged downstream in the transport direction 29 from the transport roller portion 54 in the transport path 65 . The discharge roller portion 55 has a discharge roller 62 and a spur 63 facing each other. The discharge roller 62 is driven by a transport motor 171 (see FIG. 6). The spur 63 rotates with the rotation of the discharge roller 62 . The paper 12 is conveyed in the conveying direction 29 by being nipped between the discharge roller 62 and the spur 63 that are driven by the conveying motor 171 and rotated.

[Recording unit 24]
As shown in FIG. 2 , the recording section 24 is arranged between the transport roller section 54 and the discharge roller section 55 on the transport path 65 . The recording unit 24 is arranged to face the platen 42 in the vertical direction 7 with the transport path 65 interposed therebetween. The recording unit 24 has a carriage 23 and a recording head 39 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the carriage 23 is supported by guide rails 43 and 44 extending in the left-right direction 9 at positions spaced apart in the front-rear direction 8 . The guide rails 43 and 44 are supported by the frame of the printer section 11 . Carriage 23 is connected to a known belt mechanism provided on guide rails 44 . The belt mechanism is driven by a carriage drive motor 173 (see FIG. 6). The carriage 23 connected to the belt mechanism reciprocates along the left-right direction 9 by applying a driving force from the carriage driving motor 173 . The movement range of the carriage 23 extends to the right and left of the conveying path 65, as indicated by the dashed line in FIG.

An ink tube 32 and a flexible flat cable 33 extend from the carriage 23 .

The ink tube 32 connects the ink tank 100 and the recording head 39 . The ink tube 32 transfers ink (an example of liquid) stored in four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M (these may be collectively referred to as “ink tanks 100”) to the recording head 39 . supply to The ink tank 100 is an example of a liquid reservoir. More specifically, there are four ink tubes 32B, 32Y, 32C, and 32M through which inks of respective colors (black, magenta, cyan, and yellow) circulate (these are sometimes collectively referred to as "ink tubes 32"). ) extend from the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, respectively, and are connected to the carriage 23 in a bundled state.

The flexible flat cable 33 electrically connects the control board on which the controller 130 (see FIG. 6) is mounted and the recording head 39 . The flexible flat cable 33 transmits control signals output from the controller 130 to the recording head 39 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 23 has a recording head 39 mounted thereon. A plurality of nozzles 40 are arranged on the lower surface of the recording head 39 . Tips of the plurality of nozzles 40 are exposed from the bottom surface of the recording head 39 . The recording head 39 ejects ink from nozzles 40 as minute ink droplets. While the carriage 23 is moving, the recording head 39 ejects ink droplets onto the paper 12 supported by the platen 42 . An image is thus recorded on the paper 12 . Also, this consumes the ink stored in the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M.

[Platen 42]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the platen 42 is arranged between the transport roller portion 54 and the discharge roller portion 55 in the transport path 65 . The platen 42 is arranged to face the recording section 24 in the vertical direction 7 with the transport path 65 interposed therebetween. The platen 42 supports the paper 12 conveyed by the conveying roller section 54 from below.

[Cover 70]
As shown in FIG. 1B, an opening 22 is formed in the right portion of the front wall 14A of the housing 14. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1A, a cover 70 is attached to the housing 14 so as to cover the opening 22 . The cover 70 is rotatable between a closed position (the position shown in FIG. 1A) that closes the opening 22 and an open position that opens the opening 22 (the position shown in FIG. 1B). be. In this embodiment, the cover 70 is opened and closed by being gripped and rotated by a user or the like. That is, the cover 70 is manually opened and closed.

As shown in FIG. 1A, when the cover 70 is in the closed position, the inlet 112 (see FIG. 4) of the ink tank 100 is blocked from the outside. As shown in FIG. 1B, when the cover 70 is in the open position, the inlet 112 of the ink tank 100 is exposed from the outside. Note that in FIG. 1B, a cap 118 that closes the inlet 112 is attached to the inlet 112 . As shown in FIG. 1A, the cover 70 has an opening 97 formed therein. A space is expanded in a portion of the interior of the housing 14 located behind the opening 22 . The ink tank 100 is arranged in this space.

[Cover sensor 126]
As shown in FIG. 6, the multi-function device 10 has a cover sensor 126 . The cover sensor 126 is arranged, for example, on the periphery of the opening 22 of the housing 14 . A cover sensor 126 detects the position of the cover 70 . In this embodiment, cover sensor 126 is a mechanical switch. The cover sensor 126 is turned on by coming into contact with the cover 70 in the closed position, and outputs a high level signal (an example of the first signal) to the controller 130 . That is, at this time, the cover sensor 126 detects that the cover 70 is in the closed position. On the other hand, the cover sensor 126 turns OFF when the cover 70 rotates away from the closed position, and outputs a low level signal (an example of the second signal) to the controller 130 . That is, at this time, the cover sensor 126 detects that the cover 70 is in the open position.

Note that the cover sensor 126 may output a low level signal in the ON state and output a high level signal in the OFF state. Also, as the cover sensor 126, various known sensors (proximity sensor, optical sensor, etc.) can be employed in addition to the mechanical switch.

[Ink tank 100]
The ink tank 100 shown in FIG. 4 is provided in the printer section 11 . The ink tank 100 supplies ink to the recording section 24 provided in the printer section 11 . The ink tank 100 includes four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C and 100M.

Each ink tank 100 stores ink of a different color. Specifically, black ink is stored in the ink tank 100B, yellow ink is stored in the ink tank 100Y, cyan ink is stored in the ink tank 100C, and magenta ink is stored in the ink tank 100M. However, the number of ink tanks 100 and the color of ink are not limited to the above examples.

The configuration of each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M is such that the length of the ink tank 100B in the left-right direction 9 is longer than the length of each of the other three ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M in the left-right direction. Except for, it is almost the same configuration. Therefore, the configuration of the ink tank 100B will be described below, and the description of the configurations of the other ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ink tank 100B includes a frame 141 and films 142, 143 and 139. As shown in FIG.

The frame 141 has a front wall 101 , a rear wall 110 , a top wall 104 , a bottom wall 105 and an inner wall 107 .

Film 142 is attached to an opening formed on the right side of frame 141 . A film 143 is attached to an opening formed on the left side of the frame 141 . The film 139 is attached to an opening formed in a projecting portion 167, which will be described later. Thus, an ink chamber 111 (an example of a storage chamber) partitioned by the frame 141 and the films 142, 143, 139 is formed. Ink is stored in the ink chamber 111 .

The presence or absence of the films 142, 143, and 139 and the attachment positions are not limited to the positions shown in FIG. For example, in FIG. 5, the film 142 is attached to the rear portion of the right end of the ink tank 100B, and the front portion of the right end of the ink tank 100B is constituted by the right wall that is part of the frame 141. As shown in FIG. However, contrary to FIG. 5, the film 142 is adhered to the front portion of the right end of the ink tank 100B, and the rear portion of the right end of the ink tank 100B is constituted by the right wall which is part of the frame 141. good too. Also, for example, the ink tank 100B may not have the film 143 . In this case, the frame 141 has a left wall defining the left end of the ink chamber 111 instead of the film 143 .

The frame 141 is integrally formed of a translucent resin such that the ink in the ink chamber 111 is visible from the outside of the ink tank 100 . Note that only a part of the frame 141 (for example, the front wall 101 exposed to the outside of the multifunction machine 10 and a projecting portion 167 through which light from the liquid sensor 125 described later passes) is made of translucent resin. may be

The frame 141 is made of polypropylene, for example. The frame 141 is integrally formed by, for example, injection molding of a resin material. The rigidity of the frame 141 is higher than the rigidity of the films 142,143. Note that the frame 141 may be made of a material other than resin. Also, the frame 141 may have a configuration in which a plurality of members are combined.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the front wall 101 of the frame 141 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 through the opening 97 of the cover 70 and the opening 22 of the housing 14 . The front wall 101 of the frame 141 is visible from the front of the MFP 10, and the user can check the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the front wall 101 is composed of an upright wall 102 and an inclined wall 106 . The vertical wall 102 extends in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9 . The inclined wall 106 is a wall that connects the upper end of the standing wall 102 and the front end of the upper wall 104 . The inclined wall 106 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 .

The ink tank 100B has an inlet 112 for injecting ink into the ink chamber 111 . An inlet 112 is formed in the inclined wall 106 . The inlet 112 penetrates the inclined wall 106 in the thickness direction and communicates the ink chamber 111 with the outside of the ink tank 100B. A bottle (not shown) containing ink is inserted into the ink chamber 111 through the inlet 112 in a state where the inlet 112 is exposed from the outside by opening the cover 70 . As a result, the ink stored in the bottle is injected into the ink chamber 111 . On the other hand, when the cover 70 is in the closed position, the inflow port 112 is blocked from the outside, so the injection of ink from the inflow port 112 is restricted.

A cap 118 (see FIG. 1B) is attached to the upper wall 104 . Cap 118 is attachable to and detachable from inlet 112 . By attaching the cap 118 to the inflow port 112 , the inflow port 112 is closed and the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is prevented from leaking out from the inflow port 112 . Ink can be injected from the inlet 112 into the ink chamber 111 by removing the cap 118 from the inlet 112 .

The ink tank 100B has a first line 146 and a second line 147. As shown in FIG. A first line 146 and a second line 147 are formed on the standing wall 102 .

The first line 146 extends in the left-right direction 9 . The position of the first line 146 in the vertical direction 7 is the same height as the liquid surface of the ink when the ink chamber 111 stores the maximum amount of ink that is allowed to be stored. Here, the maximum amount of ink that is allowed to be stored is such that when the maximum amount of ink is stored in the ink chamber 111, the liquid surface of the ink is higher than the inflow port 112, the atmospheric communication hole 113, and the semipermeable membrane 114, which will be described later. It is the amount that will be lower. In this embodiment, the first line 146 is positioned slightly below the inlet 112 .

The second line 147 extends in the left-right direction 9 . The second line 147 is positioned below the first line 146 . The position of the second line 147 in the vertical direction 7 is the same height as the liquid surface of the ink when the amount of ink smaller than the maximum amount is stored in the ink chamber 111 . In this embodiment, the position of the second line 147 in the vertical direction 7 is the same height as the liquid level of the ink when the minimum amount of ink required to be replenished is stored in the ink chamber 111. . In this embodiment, the second line 147 is positioned slightly above the outflow port 117, which will be described later.

The ink tank 100B has an air communication hole 113. As shown in FIG. An air communication hole 113 is formed in the upper wall 104 . The atmosphere communication hole 113 is a hole that communicates the atmosphere outside the ink tank 100B with the atmosphere communication passage 145 inside the ink tank 100B. The atmospheric communication path 145 is a space defined by the upper wall 104, the inner wall 107, and the like. One end of the atmosphere communication path 145 communicates with the atmosphere communication hole 113 . The other end of the air communication passage 145 communicates with the ink chamber 111 . That is, the ink chamber 111 communicates with the atmosphere through the atmosphere communication passage 145 and the atmosphere communication hole 113 . A semipermeable membrane 114 is attached to the air communication path 145 . The semipermeable membrane 114 is a porous membrane having minute pores that block passage of ink and allow passage of gas.

The ink tank 100B has an outflow port 117 through which the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 flows out. The outflow port 117 is an opening formed in the inner wall 107 of the right rear end portion of the ink chamber 111 . Outlet 117 is below second line 147 .

The ink chamber 111 communicates with the supply port 115 from the outlet 117 through the ink outlet path 116 . The ink outflow path 116 is a space defined by the rear wall 110, the inner wall 107, and the like. The supply port 115 is an opening formed at the tip of a hollow projecting portion 157 projecting rearward from the rear wall 110 . An ink tube 32 is connected to the tip of the protrusion 157 (see FIG. 3). The ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is supplied to the recording head 39 via the outlet 117 , the ink outlet path 116 , the internal space of the protrusion 157 , the supply port 115 and the ink tube 32 .

The frame 141 of the ink tank 100B has a protruding portion 167 that protrudes rearward from the rear wall 110. As shown in FIG. The projecting portion 167 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The projecting portion 167 extends in the vertical direction 7 from the lower end portion to the upper end portion of the rear wall 110 . At least the right wall 167A and the left wall 167B facing each other in the left-right direction 9 of the projecting portion 167 have translucency. The right wall 167A and the left wall 167B are examples of translucent walls. The right wall 167A and the left wall 167B define the inner space of the protrusion 167. As shown in FIG. An opening is formed at the rear end (tip) of the projecting portion 167 . A film 139 is attached to the opening. Thereby, the internal space of the projecting portion 167 is closed by the film 139 . The internal space of the projecting portion 167 constitutes a part of the ink chamber 111 . In other words, ink can flow between the internal space of the protruding portion 167 and other portions of the ink chamber 111 . In this embodiment, the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M do not have the projecting portion 167, but the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M may have the projecting portion 167.

[Liquid sensor 125]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5B, the printer section 11 has a liquid sensor 125 . The printer section 11 has a single liquid sensor 125 corresponding to a single ink tank 100 .

In this embodiment, the printer section 11 has a single liquid sensor 125 corresponding to the ink tank 100B, but does not have liquid sensors 125 corresponding to the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M.

Whether or not the liquid sensor 125 is provided for each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M is not limited to the configuration of this embodiment. For example, the printer section 11 may include the liquid sensor 125 corresponding only to the ink tank 100 (for example, the ink tank 100Y) other than the ink tank 100B. Further, for example, the printer section 11 may have a single liquid sensor 125 corresponding to each of all the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M (see FIG. 16A). A liquid sensor 125 may be provided corresponding to each ink tank 100 (for example, the ink tanks 100Y and 100C).

In the configuration of FIG. 16A, the liquid level of ink in the ink chamber 111 can be detected for each of the plurality of ink tanks 100 .

The liquid sensor 125 has a light emitting portion 125A and a light receiving portion 125B. The light-emitting portion 125A and the light-receiving portion 125B are arranged with the projecting portion 167 interposed therebetween in the left-right direction 9 . In this embodiment, the light emitting portion 125A is positioned to the right of the projecting portion 167, and the light receiving portion 125B is positioned to the left of the projecting portion 167. As shown in FIG. That is, the light emitting portion 125A faces the right wall 167A, and the light receiving portion 125B faces the left wall 167B. Contrary to this embodiment, the light emitting portion 125A may be positioned to the left of the projecting portion 167, and the light receiving portion 125B may be positioned to the right of the projecting portion 167. FIG.

The light emitting section 125A emits light toward the light receiving section 125B. The light receiving section 125B receives light emitted from the light emitting section 125A.

125 A of light emission parts can irradiate multiple types of light with different wavelength lengths. A known configuration is adopted as the configuration that allows the light emitting unit 125A to emit a plurality of types of light. For example, by changing the voltage applied from the controller 130 to the light emitting section 125A, the light emitting section 125A can irradiate multiple types of light. Visible light may be included in the plurality of types of light. Also, the light emitting unit 125A may emit only one type of light with a wavelength of a specific length. Also, in this case, the one kind of light may be visible light.

When the light emitting section 125A can irradiate a plurality of types of light with different wavelength lengths, the light source of the light emitting section 125A emits white light, and by attaching a color filter in front of the light receiving element of the light receiving section 125B, the ink tank The color of matter inside 100 can be detected. In addition, the light emitting section 125A can irradiate a plurality of types of light such as visible light and infrared light. In addition, it is possible to detect a liquid other than the predetermined liquid (ink), thereby preventing malfunction of the apparatus.

Further, when the printer unit 11 is provided with liquid sensors 125 corresponding to each of two or more ink tanks 100 out of the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, the light emitting unit 125A of each liquid sensor 125 may emit light of different wavelengths. For example, when the printer unit 11 includes liquid sensors 125 corresponding to the ink tanks 100B and 100Y, the wavelength of the light emitted by the light emitting unit 125A of the liquid sensor 125 provided corresponding to the ink tank 100B is , may be different from the wavelength of the light emitted by the light emitting section 125A of the liquid sensor 125 provided corresponding to the ink tank 100Y. In this case, the light emitting portion 125A of the liquid sensor 125 provided corresponding to the ink tank 100B preferably emits light having a wavelength suitable for black ink. The light emitting portion 125A of 125 preferably emits light of a wavelength suitable for yellow ink.

The liquid sensor 125 outputs to the controller 130 (see FIG. 6) a signal whose level corresponds to the amount of light received by the light receiving section 125B. In this embodiment, the liquid sensor 125 sends a higher level signal to the controller 130 as the amount of light received by the light receiving section 125B increases, and a lower level signal as the amount of light received by the light receiving section 125B decreases. to controller 130 .

The light emitted by the light emitting portion 125A passes through the right wall 167A of the projection 167 and enters the internal space of the projection 167. As shown in FIG. The light-transmitting state of the projecting portion 167 changes depending on whether or not ink is stored in the internal space of the projecting portion 167 .

For example, when ink is stored at the same height position (position 7 in the vertical direction) as the light emitting portion 125A and the light receiving portion 125B in the inner space of the projecting portion 167, the light emitted from the light emitting portion 125A reaches the projecting portion. Either the light is blocked by the ink stored in the internal space of 167 and does not reach the light receiving section 125B, or the light intensity is greatly attenuated by the ink and reaches the light receiving section 125B. At this time, a low level signal (an example of a third signal) is sent from the liquid sensor 125 to the controller 130 . That is, the liquid sensor 125 outputs a low-level signal in response to detecting the ink stored at the same height position as the light-emitting portion 125A and the light-receiving portion 125B in the internal space of the projecting portion 167 .

On the other hand, if ink is not stored in the internal space of the projecting portion 167 at the same height as the light emitting portion 125A and the light receiving portion 125B, the light emitted from the light emitting portion 125A is stored in the internal space of the projecting portion 167. The light reaches the light-receiving section 125B without being blocked by the ink, or reaches the light-receiving section 125B with the intensity of the light attenuated to a small extent. At this time, a high level signal (an example of the fourth signal) is sent from the liquid sensor 125 to the controller 130 . That is, the liquid sensor 125 outputs a high-level signal in response to detecting no ink stored at the same height position as the light-emitting portion 125A and the light-receiving portion 125B in the internal space of the protruding portion 167 .

As described above, the liquid sensor 125 determines whether or not there is ink at a position in the internal space of the projecting portion 167 at the same height as the light emitting portion 125A and the light receiving portion 125B, based on the amount of light received by the light receiving portion 125B. detect whether

The liquid sensor 125 is vertically movably supported by a frame (not shown) of the printer section 11 or the like. As for the structure in which the liquid sensor 125 is supported so as to be vertically movable, a known structure such as a structure using a belt is adopted. As a result, the liquid sensor 125 can move between the first sensor position indicated by solid lines in FIGS. 4 and 5B and the second sensor position indicated by broken lines in FIGS. 4 and 5B. . The first state is the state of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 when the liquid sensor 125 is at the first sensor position. The second state is the state of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 when the liquid sensor 125 is at the second sensor position. In other words, the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 can change state between the first state and the second state.

When the liquid sensor 125 is at the first sensor position (first state), the positions of the light emitting section 125A and the light receiving section 125B in the vertical direction 7 are substantially the same as the position of the second line 147 in the vertical direction 7 (in this embodiment, , slightly below the position of the second line 147 in the vertical direction 7). As a result, the liquid sensor 125 at the first sensor position can detect the presence or absence of ink at the first liquid surface position, which is the liquid surface at the same position as the second line 147 in the vertical direction 7 . That is, the liquid sensor 125 can detect that the liquid surface of the ink has reached the first liquid surface position. The first liquid surface position is above the outflow port 117 .

The second sensor position is a position above the first sensor position. In the state where the liquid sensor 125 is at the second sensor position (second state), the positions of the light emitting section 125A and the light receiving section 125B in the vertical direction 7 are substantially the same as the position of the first line 146 in the vertical direction 7 (in this embodiment, , slightly below the vertical position 7 of the first line 146). As a result, the liquid sensor 125 at the second sensor position detects the presence or absence of ink at the second liquid level position, which is the liquid level at the same position as the first line 146 in the vertical direction 7 (that is, above the first liquid level position). It is possible. That is, the liquid sensor 125 can detect that the liquid surface of the ink has reached the second liquid surface position. The amount of ink in the ink chamber 111 when the liquid surface is at the second liquid level position is greater than the amount of ink in the ink chamber 111 when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position.

The second liquid level position may be at a height different from that of the second line 147 , and the first liquid level position may be at a height different from that of the first line 146 . Also, the positions of the first sensor position and the second sensor position are not limited to the positions described above.

Liquid sensor 125 is connected to a known belt mechanism. The belt mechanism is driven by a sensor drive motor 174 (an example of a motor, see FIG. 6). The liquid sensor 125 connected to the belt mechanism moves along the up-and-down direction 7 by applying driving force from the sensor drive motor 174 .

Note that the liquid sensor 125 is connected not only to the belt mechanism, but also to a gear, for example. The liquid sensor 125 may be moved by driving the gear by the sensor drive motor 174 .

[Rotary encoder 120]
As shown in FIG. 6 , the sensor drive motor 174 is provided with a rotary encoder 120 (an example of an encoder) that detects the amount of rotation of the sensor drive motor 174 . The rotary encoder 129 includes an encoder disk (not shown) that is provided on the shaft of the sensor drive motor 174 and rotates together with the shaft, and an optical sensor (not shown). The encoder disk is formed with a pattern in which transmissive portions through which light is transmitted and non-transmissive portions through which light is not transmitted are alternately arranged at equal pitches in the circumferential direction. As the encoder disk rotates, a pulse signal is generated each time a transmissive and non-transmissive portion is detected by the optical sensor. The generated pulse signal is output to the controller 130 (see FIG. 6). That is, the rotary encoder 120 outputs a pulse signal having a larger number of pulses as the amount of rotation of the sensor driving motor 174 increases. That is, the rotary encoder 120 outputs a signal corresponding to the amount of rotation of the sensor drive motor 174 .

[Controller 130 and Memory 140]
The configuration of the controller 130 and the memory 140 will be described with reference to FIG. The controller 130 controls the overall operation of the MFP 10 . The controller 130 has a CPU 71 and an ASIC 76 . The memory 140 includes ROM 72 , RAM 73 and EEPROM 74 . The CPU 71 , ASIC 76 , ROM 72 , RAM 73 and EEPROM 74 are connected by an internal bus 75 .

The ROM 72 stores programs and the like for the CPU 71 to control various operations. The RAM 73 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals, etc. used when the CPU 71 executes the above programs, or as a work area for data processing. The EEPROM 74 is a non-volatile memory, and stores settings, flags, and the like that should be retained even after the power is turned off.

A conveying motor 171 , a feeding motor 172 , a carriage driving motor 173 , and a sensor driving motor 174 are connected to the ASIC 76 . The ASIC 76 also incorporates a drive circuit (not shown) that controls each motor. When a drive signal for rotating each motor is input from the CPU 71 to a drive circuit corresponding to a predetermined motor, a drive current corresponding to the drive signal is output from the drive circuit to the corresponding motor. This causes the corresponding motor to rotate. That is, the controller 130 controls each motor 171 , 172 , 173 , 174 .

ASIC 76 sends a predetermined PWM signal to liquid sensor 125 . The amount of light based on the PWM signal received by the liquid sensor 125 is emitted from the light emitting section 125A. The light receiving section 125B receives light emitted from the light emitting section 125A and transmits a signal corresponding to the amount of light received to the ASIC 76 . The controller 130 determines whether or not ink is stored in the internal space of the projecting portion 167 at the same height as the light emitting portion 125A and the light receiving portion 125B, according to the level of the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 .

Specifically, when the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 is a low level signal (specifically, a signal at a level lower than the threshold value stored in the ROM 72 or the like), the controller 130 controls the internal space of the projecting portion 167 to It is determined that ink is stored at the same height position as the light emitting portion 125A and the light receiving portion 125B. On the other hand, when the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 is a high-level signal (specifically, a signal with a level higher than the threshold), the controller 130 controls the light-emitting portion 125A and the light-receiving portion 125B in the internal space of the projecting portion 167. It is determined that ink is not stored at the same height position.

A rotary encoder 120 is connected to the ASIC 76 . The controller 130 determines the amount of rotation of the sensor drive motor 174 based on the pulse signal received from the rotary encoder 120 . Controller 130 determines the position of liquid sensor 125 after movement based on the position of liquid sensor 125 before movement and the calculated amount of rotation of sensor drive motor 174 . Accordingly, the controller 130 can grasp the position of the liquid sensor 125 regardless of the movable position of the liquid sensor 125 . The position of liquid sensor 125 before movement is stored in RAM 73 or the like, and controller 130 replaces the determined position of liquid sensor 125 after movement with the position of liquid sensor 125 before movement and stores it in RAM 73 or the like. Remember.

In the present embodiment, the moving range of the liquid sensor 125 has the first sensor position as the lower limit and the second sensor position as the upper limit by a stopper (not shown) or the like. The coordinates of the first sensor position and the second sensor position are stored in the ROM 72 or EEPROM 74 as reference positions.

Note that if the sensor drive motor 174 is a stepping motor, the controller 130 can determine the amount of rotation of the sensor drive motor 174 even if the rotary encoder 120 is not provided. In other words, the presence or absence of the rotary encoder 120 is optional.

A high level signal or a low level signal output from the cover sensor 126 is input to the ASIC 76 . Controller 130 determines that cover 70 is in the closed position when the signal input from cover sensor 126 is at a high level. Controller 130 determines that cover 70 is in the open position when the signal input from cover sensor 126 is at a low level.

A display panel 28 is connected to the ASIC 76 . The controller 130 causes the display panel 28 to display various information.

For example, the controller 130 outputs information about the determined remaining amount of ink from the ASIC 76 to the operation unit 16 . The operation unit 16 displays a message based on the information, such as a message indicating that the remaining amount of ink is low, on the display panel 28 .

A recording head 39 is connected to the ASIC 76 . The recording head 39 operates by receiving power from the controller 130 via a drive circuit (not shown). The controller 130 controls power supply to the recording head 39 and selectively ejects ink droplets from the plurality of nozzles 40 .

Various signals are input to the ASIC 76 from the input keys 17 . Controller 130 executes processing based on the type of signal input from input key 17 . For example, if the signal input from the input key 17 is a print instruction for the paper 12, the controller 130 first drives the paper feed motor 172 to feed the paper 12 to the paper feed roller 25. After that, the paper 12 is conveyed by driving the conveying motor 171 and ink droplets are ejected onto the paper 12 by controlling the recording head 39 .

[Movement processing of liquid sensor 125]
The process of moving the liquid sensor 125 will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the initial state, the ink tank 100 and liquid sensor 125 are in the first state. That is, the liquid sensor 125 is at the first sensor position (the position indicated by solid lines in FIGS. 4 and 5B). Also, the cover 70 is in the closed position (the position shown in FIG. 1(A)).

The controller 130 determines whether or not the cover 70 has been opened (whether or not it has moved from the closed position to the open position) based on the level of the signal received from the cover sensor 126 (S10).

In step S10, when the signal received from the cover sensor 126 is high level, the controller 130 determines that the cover 70 is not opened (closed position) (S10: No).

At this time, the controller 130 determines whether it is necessary to refill the ink chamber 111 of the ink tank 100 with ink due to consumption of ink by the recording head 39 . Specifically, the controller 130 refers to the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 (S110).

When the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 is at a high level, the controller 130 moves the liquid sensor 125 at the first sensor position at the same height as the light emitting part 125A and the light receiving part 125B (at the same height as the second line 147). position) (S110: Yes). That is, the controller 130 determines that the liquid level has reached a position below the height of the second line 147 due to the decrease in the liquid level due to the consumption of ink by the recording head 39 . At this time, the controller 130 notifies that the ink chamber 111 needs to be replenished with ink (S120). As a notification method, for example, a message to that effect is displayed on the display panel 28 . However, what executes the notification, that is, the notification unit is not limited to the display panel 28, and may be, for example, a speaker, an LED lamp, or a combination thereof. After step S120, controller 130 executes the process of step S10 again.

If the signal received from liquid sensor 125 is low, controller 130 determines that there is ink at the same height as second line 147 . In other words, the controller 130 determines that the liquid level has not reached the height of the second line 147 due to the decrease in the liquid level due to the consumption of the ink by the recording head 39 . At this time, the controller 130 determines that it is not necessary to refill the ink chamber 111 with ink (S110: No). Therefore, the controller 130 executes the process of step S10 again without executing the notification.

The reference to the signal output by the liquid sensor 125 at the first sensor position in step S110 is performed at each predetermined sampling time (first sampling time). For example, the first sampling time may be set to the time from the completion of printing on the paper 12 based on a certain print instruction to the completion of printing on the paper 12 based on the next print instruction of the certain print instruction. Also, for example, the first sampling time may be set to the time from the completion of printing on a certain sheet of paper 12 based on a certain print instruction to the completion of printing on the next sheet of paper 12 of the certain sheet of paper 12 . Note that in the present embodiment, the reference is not executed when printing is not executed.

In step S10, when the signal received from the cover sensor 126 is low level, the controller 130 determines that the cover 70 has been opened (moved from the closed position to the open position) (S10: Yes).

At this time, the controller 130 drives the sensor drive motor 174 to move the liquid sensor 125 from the first sensor position to the second sensor position. That is, the controller 130 changes the state of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 from the first state to the second state (S20).

The controller 130 refers to the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 every predetermined sampling time (second sampling time) while the liquid sensor 125 is moving from the first sensor position to the second sensor position. The second sampling time is set shorter than the first sampling time.

The controller 130 controls the vertical direction 7 of the liquid sensor 125 when the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 changes from low level to high level during movement of the liquid sensor 125 from the first sensor position to the second sensor position. The positions (specifically, the positions of the light emitting portion 125A and the light receiving portion 125B of the liquid sensor 125 in the vertical direction 7) are stored in the RAM 73 or the like. The controller 130 determines that the position of the liquid sensor 125 in the vertical direction 7 is the position of the liquid surface of the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 in the vertical direction 7 . The position of the liquid sensor 125 is determined based on the amount of rotation of the sensor driving motor 174 from the first sensor position. Here, the amount of rotation of the sensor drive motor 174 is determined based on the pulse signal received from the rotary encoder 120 .

Next, the controller 130 determines the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 based on the determined position of the liquid sensor 125 in the vertical direction 7 (S30). Determination of the amount of ink is performed by known means. For example, the ROM 72 and the EEPROM 74 store table data including each position of the liquid sensor 125 in the vertical direction 7 and the amount of ink corresponding to each position, and the controller 130 refers to the table data. Thus, the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 may be determined based on the position of the liquid sensor 125 in the vertical direction 7 . Further, for example, the dimensions of each part of the ink chamber 111 are stored in the ROM 72 and the EEPROM 74, and the controller 130 controls the ink chamber 111 based on the position of the liquid sensor 125 in the vertical direction 7 and the dimensions of each part of the ink chamber 111. The amount of ink stored may be calculated. The controller 130 stores the determined amount of ink in the RAM 73 or the like.

Next, the controller 130 determines whether or not the ink chamber 111 of the ink tank 100 contains the maximum amount of ink that is allowed to be stored (whether or not the ink chamber 111 is full of ink). Specifically, the controller 130 refers to the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 at the second sensor position every predetermined sampling time (third sampling time) (S40). Note that the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 increases as new ink is injected from the inlet 112 . Also, the third sampling time is set to be shorter than the first sampling time.

When the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 at the second sensor position is high level, the controller 130 controls the position (first line 146 (S40: No). That is, the controller 130 determines that the liquid level has not reached the height of the first line 146 due to the rise in the liquid level due to the injection of ink from the inlet 112 . At this time, the controller 130 executes the process of step S60 without executing the notification (S50) described below.

On the other hand, when the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 at the second sensor position is low level, the controller 130 determines that there is ink at the same height as the first line 146, that is, the ink is full (S40: Yes). That is, the controller 130 determines that the liquid level has reached a position equal to or higher than the height of the first line 146 due to the rise in the liquid level due to the injection of ink from the inlet 112 . In this case, the controller 130 notifies that the maximum amount of ink that is allowed to be stored in the ink chamber 111 should be stopped (S50). The notification method is the same as the notification in step S120 described above (notification that the ink chamber 111 needs to be replenished with ink). After that, the controller 130 executes the process of step S60.

Next, the controller 130 determines whether the cover 70 has been closed (whether it has moved from the open position to the closed position) based on the level of the signal received from the cover sensor 126 (S60).

In step S60, when the signal received from the cover sensor 126 is low level, the controller 130 determines that the cover 70 is not closed (open position) (S60: No). At this time, the processing of step S40 (the processing of steps S40 and S50 depending on the case) is repeated until the cover 70 is closed (S60: Yes).

On the other hand, in step S60, when the signal received from the cover sensor 126 is high level, the controller 130 determines that the cover 70 has been closed (moved from the open position to the closed position) (S60: Yes).

At this time, the controller 130 drives the sensor drive motor 174 to move the liquid sensor 125 from the second sensor position to the first sensor position. That is, the controller 130 changes the state of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 from the second state to the first state (S70).

The controller 130 refers to the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 every predetermined sampling time (fourth sampling time) while the liquid sensor 125 is moving from the second sensor position to the first sensor position. Note that the fourth sampling time is set to a time shorter than the first sampling time. In this embodiment, the fourth sampling time is set to the same time as the second sampling time.

The controller 130 controls the vertical direction 7 of the liquid sensor 125 when the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 changes from high level to low level during movement of the liquid sensor 125 from the second sensor position to the first sensor position. The positions (specifically, the positions of the light emitting portion 125A and the light receiving portion 125B of the liquid sensor 125 in the vertical direction 7) are stored in the RAM 73 or the like.

Note that if the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 remains at a low level during the movement of the liquid sensor 125 from the second sensor position to the first sensor position, the controller 130 stores the second sensor position in the RAM 73 or the like, If the signal received from liquid sensor 125 remains high, controller 130 stores the first sensor position in RAM 73 or the like.

The controller 130 determines that the vertical position 7 of the liquid sensor 125 stored in the RAM 73 or the like is the vertical position 7 of the liquid surface of the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 . The position of the liquid sensor 125 is determined based on the amount of rotation of the sensor drive motor 174 from the second sensor position.

Next, the controller 130 determines the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 based on the determined position of the liquid sensor 125 in the vertical direction 7 (S80). The amount of ink is determined by means similar to step S30. The controller 130 stores the determined amount of ink in the RAM 73 or the like.

Next, controller 130 compares the amount of ink determined in step S30 with the amount of ink determined in step S80 (S90).

If the amount of ink determined in step S80 is greater than the amount of ink determined in step S30 (S90: No), the controller 130 causes the ink to be injected from the inlet 112 into the ink chamber 111 while the cover 70 is in the open position. It is determined that it has been done, and the series of processing ends.

On the other hand, if the amount of ink determined in step S80 is less than the amount of ink determined in step S30 (S90: Yes), the controller 130 determines that the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is It is determined that it has been extracted from the inflow port 112 . In this case, the controller 130 notifies that the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 has been removed from the inlet 112 while the cover 70 is in the open position (S100). The notification method is the same as the notification in step S120 described above (notification that the ink chamber 111 needs to be replenished with ink).

That is, after the signal received from the cover sensor 126 changes from low level to high level, that is, when the liquid sensor 125 is moved in step S70 after step S60, the controller 130 detects that the signal output by the liquid sensor 125 is high. The position of the liquid sensor 125 in the vertical direction 7 when the level is switched to the low level is before the signal received from the cover sensor 126 switches from the low level to the high level, that is, before the step S60. is below the position of the liquid sensor 125 when the signal output by the liquid sensor 125 switches from low level to high level (S90: Yes), the above notification is performed (S100). .

After step S100, controller 130 terminates a series of processes.

[Action and effect of the embodiment]
According to this embodiment, the single liquid sensor 125 detects at least two liquid level positions (first liquid level position and second liquid surface position) can be detected. Specifically, the single liquid sensor 125 can detect that the amount of ink in the ink chamber 111 has increased by detecting the second liquid level position, and can detect the amount of ink in the ink chamber 111 by detecting the first liquid level position. It is possible to detect that the ink in the ink chamber 111 has run out.

Further, according to this embodiment, the liquid sensor 125 moves. Since the liquid sensor 125 is usually smaller than the ink tank 100, it is easy to move.

Further, according to the present embodiment, a situation in which ink can flow from the inlet 112 to the ink chamber 111 and a situation in which ink cannot flow from the inlet 112 to the ink chamber 111 are distinguished by the position of the cover 70. be able to.

Further, according to the present embodiment, in a situation in which ink cannot flow into the ink chamber 111 from the inlet 112, for example, in a situation in which the ink in the ink chamber 111 is consumed by flowing out from the outlet 117, the ink tank 100 and liquid sensor 125 are in the first state. As a result, the liquid sensor 125 can detect that the ink has been consumed and the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position.

Further, according to this embodiment, when ink can flow into the ink chamber 111 from the inlet 112, the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 are in the second state. As a result, the liquid sensor 125 can detect that the liquid surface has reached the second liquid surface position due to the inflow of the ink from the inlet 112 .

Further, according to this embodiment, the controller 130 can grasp the position of the liquid sensor 125 based on the amount of rotation of the sensor drive motor 174 .

Further, according to this embodiment, the rotation amount of the sensor drive motor 174 can be accurately determined by the rotary encoder 73 .

Further, the controller 130 detects that the inflow of ink from the inlet 112 to the ink chamber 111 is stopped when the signal received from the cover sensor 126 changes from low level to high level (the cover 70 moves from the open position to the closed position). can be determined to be complete. In addition, the controller 130 controls the flow of ink from the inlet 112 to the ink chamber 111 before the signal received from the cover sensor 126 changes from low level to high level (before the cover moves from the open position to the closed position). is not completed. According to the present embodiment, when it is determined that the inflow of ink into the ink chamber 111 is complete, the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is before the inflow of ink into the ink chamber 111 is completed. (S90: Yes), the controller 130 determines that the ink has not flowed into the ink chamber 111 but that the ink has been drawn out of the ink chamber 111. , the notification by the liquid crystal panel is executed (S100). Accordingly, the user or the like can be notified that the ink has been removed from the ink chamber 111 .

Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to notify the user or the like that the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 has reached the second liquid level position (S50).

Further, according to this embodiment, the amount of ink in the ink chamber 111 is calculated based on the position of the liquid sensor 125 (S30, S80). It is possible to reduce the error with the amount of ink that is present.

Further, according to the present embodiment, each of the second sampling time, the third sampling time, and the fourth sampling time (sampling time during ink injection) is shorter than the first sampling time (sampling time during ink consumption). . Therefore, even when the amount of ink in the ink chamber 111 increases per unit time, such as when ink is injected, the amount of ink in the ink chamber 111 increases and reaches a position such as the second liquid surface position. It is possible to reliably detect what has been done.

Further, when the liquid surface of the ink in the ink chamber 111 becomes lower than the upper end of the outlet 117 , air flows out from the outlet 117 . According to this embodiment, since the first liquid level position is located above the outflow port 117 , the liquid sensor is detected before the liquid level of the ink in the ink chamber 111 becomes lower than the upper end of the outflow port 117 . Detection of the first liquid surface position by 125 is possible.

[Modification 1]
In the above embodiment, the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 change state between the first state and the second state when the liquid sensor 125 moves and the liquid sensor 125 moves relative to the ink tank 100. did. However, when the ink tank 100 moves, the liquid sensor 125 moves relative to the ink tank. The state may change to the second state shown in (B).

In this case, for example, the liquid sensor 125 is fixed to a frame (not shown) of the printer section 11 or the like, and the ink tank 100 is supported by the frame or the like so as to be vertically movable. As for the structure for supporting the ink tank 100 so as to be vertically movable, a known structure such as a structure using a belt is adopted. Further, the ink tank 100 is moved by applying a driving force from a motor or the like. As a result, the ink tank 100 can move between the first position shown in FIG. 8A and the second position shown in FIG. 8B. The ink tank 100 at the second position is located below the ink tank 100 at the first position. As a result, the position of the liquid sensor 125 with respect to the ink tank 100 in FIG. 8A is lower than the position of the liquid sensor 125 with respect to the ink tank 100 in FIG. 8B.

Here, the position of the liquid sensor 125 with respect to the ink tank 100 in FIG. 8A is the same position as the first sensor position in the above embodiment, and the position of the liquid sensor 125 with respect to the ink tank 100 in FIG. is the same position as the second sensor position in the above embodiment. Therefore, in Modification 1, the liquid sensor 125 is movable relative to the ink tank 100 between the first sensor position and the second sensor position.

According to Modification 1, by moving the ink tank 100 with respect to the liquid sensor 125, the single liquid sensor 125 detects at least two liquid level positions (the first liquid level position and the second liquid level position). ) can be detected.

[Modification 2]
In the above-described embodiment and modification 1, the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 change state to the first state and the second state by moving one of them relative to the other. However, the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 move without changing their relative positions, so that the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 are in the first state shown in FIG. The state may change to the second state shown in (B).

In this case, for example, the liquid sensor 125 is fixed to the ink tank 100, and the ink tank 100 is rotatably supported by a frame (not shown) of the printer section 11 or the like. As for the structure in which the ink tank 100 is rotatably supported by the frame or the like, a known structure such as a structure using a hinge is adopted. Further, the ink tank 100 is moved by applying a driving force from a motor or the like. As a result, the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 move along the direction of the arrow 121 to the first rotational position shown in FIG. 9(A) and the second rotational position shown in FIG. 9(B). It is rotatable.

The posture (first posture) of the ink tank 100 when the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 are in the first rotation position is the posture (use posture) shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in the above embodiment. The posture (second posture) of the ink tank 100 when the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 are in the second rotational position is a posture in which the rear portion is positioned higher than in the first posture. As described above, the ink tank 100 takes the first posture in the first state, and takes the second posture in the second state.

As shown in FIG. 9A, when the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 are in the first rotation position, and ink is injected from the inlet 112 into the ink tank 100 in which ink is not stored, When the liquid level of the ink reaches the liquid level position LS1, the signal output from the liquid sensor 125 changes from high level to low level, and the liquid level is detected.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9B, when the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 are in the second rotation position, ink is injected from the inlet 112 into the ink tank 100 in which ink is not stored. In this case, when the liquid level of the ink reaches the liquid level position LS2, the signal output from the liquid sensor 125 changes from high level to low level, and the liquid level is detected. The liquid level position LS2 is higher than the liquid level position LS1.

Here, the shape of the ink tank 100 and By determining the mounting position of the liquid sensor 125 to the ink tank 100, the liquid sensor 125 can detect that the ink level has reached the first liquid level position when the ink tank 100 is in the first posture. Thus, it is possible to detect that the ink surface has reached the second surface position when the ink tank 100 is in the second posture.

Note that the liquid sensor 125 does not have to be fixed to the ink tank 100 . In this case, for example, the liquid sensor 125 is movably supported by a frame (not shown) of the printer section 11 or the like. As the ink tank 100 rotates, the liquid sensor 125 moves without changing its position relative to the ink tank 100 .

According to Modified Example 2, a single liquid sensor 125 detects at least two liquid surface positions (first liquid level position and second liquid level position) can be detected. That is, according to the above-described embodiment, modified example 1, and modified example 2, if at least one of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 can move, the single liquid sensor 125 can detect the liquid level at at least two locations. (first liquid level position and second liquid level position) can be detected.

[Modification 3]
In the above embodiment and modified examples 1 and 2, the controller 130 causes the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 to change states to the first state and the second state based on the signal received from the cover sensor 126 (S10: Yes, S20, S60: Yes, S70). That is, the signal received from the cover sensor 126 corresponded to the signal received from the outside. However, the controller 130 may change the states of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 based on signals other than the signal received from the cover sensor 126 .

For example, the controller 130 may change the states of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 based on signals received from the input keys 17 of the operation unit 16 . That is, the signal received from the operation unit 16 may correspond to the signal received from the outside.

Details are given below. Various signals corresponding to each of the plurality of input keys 17 operated are sent to the ASIC 76 .

One of these various signals is signal S1 (an example of a first signal). The signal S1 is output to the controller 130 by operating a predetermined input key 17 among the plurality of input keys 17 (an example of a first operation). The signal S1 is a signal requesting the controller 130 to change the state of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 to the first state. Upon receiving the signal S1, the controller 130 moves at least one of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 to change the state of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 to the first state.

Another of the various signals is signal S2 (an example of a second signal). The signal S2 is output to the controller 130 by operating an input key 17 other than the predetermined input key 17 among the plurality of input keys 17 (an example of a second operation). The signal S2 is a signal requesting the controller 130 to change the state of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 to the second state. Upon receiving the signal S1, the controller 130 moves at least one of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 to change the state of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 to the second state.

In Modified Example 3, processes different from those in the above-described embodiment are executed in steps S10 and S60 of the flowchart of FIG. That is, in step S10, the controller 130 refers to the signal received from the input key 17 of the operation unit 16. FIG. Then, step S20 is executed when the signal is the signal S2, and step S110 is executed when the signal is other than the signal S2. Also, in step S60, the controller 130 refers to the signal received from the input key 17 of the operation unit 16. FIG. Then, step S70 is executed when the signal is the signal S1, and step S40 is executed when the signal is other than the signal S1.

Also, for example, a sensor may be provided that outputs a different signal depending on whether the cap 118 is attached to the inlet 112 or not. In this case, when the controller 130 receives a signal from the sensor indicating that the cap 118 has been removed from the inlet 112, the controller 130 changes the state of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 to the second state, and the cap 118 is removed from the inlet. The state of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 may be changed to the first state when a signal indicating that the liquid sensor 112 is attached is received from the sensor.

[Modification 4]
In the embodiment and Modifications 1 to 3 described above, the cover 70 is manually opened and closed. However, the cover 70 may be automatically opened and closed.

For example, in the embodiment and Modifications 1 to 3 described above, the multi-function device 10 may include a cover driving motor (not shown) that applies a driving force to the cover 70 . In this case, the cover 70 moves to the open position and the closed position by applying the driving force from the cover driving force motor. The driving of the cover driving force motor is executed by means similar to the movement of the liquid sensor 125 in the above embodiment, for example. That is, the driving of the cover driving force motor is executed by the controller 130 when the controller 130 receives a predetermined signal from the input keys 17 of the operation section 16 .

Further, for example, the multi-function device 10 may include an interlocking mechanism 180 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. The interlocking mechanism 180 interlocks the movement of the liquid sensor 125 from the first sensor position to the second sensor position and the movement of the cover 70 from the closed position to the open position, so that the liquid sensor 125 moves from the second sensor position to the first sensor position. The movement to the position and the movement of the cover 70 from the open position to the closed position are interlocked.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the interlocking mechanism 180 includes gears 181 and 182, pulleys 183, 184, 185 and 186, and belts 187 and 188. As shown in FIGS. Note that the specific configuration of the interlocking mechanism 180 is not limited to that described below, and various known configurations can be adopted.

The pulley 183 is positioned behind and below the liquid sensor 125 at the first sensor position. The pulley 184 is positioned behind and above the liquid sensor 125 at the second sensor position. The belt 187 has an endless annular shape and is stretched over pulleys 183 and 184 . Belt 187 is connected to liquid sensor 125 . The gear 181 is coaxial with the pulley 183 and rotates together with the pulley 183 . The gear 181 is directly or indirectly connected to the sensor drive motor 174 and is rotated by the drive of the sensor drive motor 174 .

Gear 182 meshes with gear 181 . The pulley 185 is coaxial with the gear 182 and rotates together with the gear 182 . The pulley 186 is positioned below the cover 70 . The pulley 186 is coaxial with the pivot shaft (not shown) of the cover 70 . As the pulley 186 rotates, the cover 70 rotates. The belt 188 has an endless annular shape and is stretched over pulleys 185 and 186 .

In the state shown in FIG. 8, in step S20 (see FIG. 7), the controller 130 drives the sensor drive motor 174 to move the liquid sensor 125 to the second sensor position. Rotate clockwise in As a result, the pulley 183 rotates clockwise in FIG. 8, and the belt 187 moves clockwise in FIG. As a result, liquid sensor 125 moves upward from the first sensor position to the second sensor position. At this time, the pulley 184 is rotating clockwise in FIG. 8 similarly to the pulley 183 .

Further, the clockwise rotation of the gear 181 in FIG. 8 causes the gear 182 to rotate counterclockwise in FIG. As a result, the pulley 185 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 8, and the belt 188 moves counterclockwise in FIG. As a result, since the pulley 186 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 8, the cover 70 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 8 from the closed position to the open position. As described above, the interlocking mechanism 180 moves the cover 70 from the closed position to the open position in conjunction with the movement of the liquid sensor 125 from the first sensor position to the second sensor position. As a result, the state shown in FIG. 8 is changed to the state shown in FIG.

When the controller 130 drives the sensor drive motor 174 to move the liquid sensor 125 to the first sensor position in step S70 (see FIG. 7) in the state shown in FIG. counterclockwise rotation in . As a result, the pulley 183 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 9, and the belt 187 moves counterclockwise in FIG. As a result, the liquid sensor 125 moves downward from the second sensor position to the first sensor position. At this time, the pulley 184 is rotating counterclockwise in FIG. 9 similarly to the pulley 183 .

Further, the counterclockwise rotation of the gear 181 in FIG. 9 causes the gear 182 to rotate clockwise in FIG. As a result, the pulley 185 rotates clockwise in FIG. 9, and the belt 188 moves clockwise in FIG. As a result, since the pulley 186 rotates clockwise in FIG. 9, the cover 70 rotates clockwise in FIG. 9 from the open position to the closed position. As described above, the interlocking mechanism 180 moves the cover 70 from the open position to the closed position in conjunction with the movement of the liquid sensor 125 from the second sensor position to the first sensor position. As a result, the state transitions from the state shown in FIG. 9 to the state shown in FIG.

Although the interlocking mechanism 180 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 interlocks the movement of the liquid sensor 125 and the movement of the cover 70 , the interlocking mechanism 180 does not move the ink tank 100 and the cover 70 . and may be linked. In other words, the interlocking mechanism 180 can also be applied to the first modification and the second modification. That is, the interlocking mechanism 180 interlocks the state changes of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 with the movement of the cover 70 .

According to Modification 4, the interlocking mechanism 180 can move the cover 70 according to the state changes of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 .

[Modification 5]
In the above embodiment and modification 1, when the signal received from the cover sensor 126 is low level, the controller 130 determines that the cover 70 is opened (S10: Yes), and moves the liquid sensor 125 from the first sensor position. It was moved relative to the ink tank 100 to the second sensor position (S20).

However, when the controller 130 determines that the cover 70 is opened (S10: Yes), the liquid sensor 125 is positioned between the first sensor position (an example of the predetermined position) and the second sensor position. You may reciprocate relative to.

When ink is injected from the inlet 112 into the ink chamber 111 while the liquid sensor 125 is reciprocating relative to the ink tank 100 between the first sensor position and the second sensor position, the controller 130 can determine that the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is rising step by step.

The operation of the configuration in which the ink tank 100 is fixed to the printer section 11 and the liquid sensor 125 is movable up and down (the configuration of the above embodiment) will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. . As shown in FIG. 12(A), the controller 130 changes the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 from low level to high level while the liquid sensor 125 is moving from the first sensor position P1 to the second sensor position P2. The position P3 in the vertical direction 7 of the liquid sensor 125 when the level is changed is determined to be the liquid surface position of the ink at that time (first time).

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 12B, the controller 130 controls the liquid sensor 125 to reach the second sensor position and move from the second sensor position P2 to the first sensor position P1. The position P4 in the vertical direction 7 of the liquid sensor 125 when the signal received from 125 changes from high level to low level is determined to be the ink level position at that time (second time). When the ink is injected into the ink chamber 111, the liquid level position P4 at the second time point is higher than the liquid level position P3 at the first time point.

After that, as shown in FIG. 12(C), the controller 130 controls the liquid sensor 125 to reach the first sensor position P1 and while it is moving again from the first sensor position P1 to the second sensor position P2. , the position P5 in the vertical direction 7 of the liquid sensor 125 when the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 changes from low level to high level is determined to be the ink level position at that time (third time). . When the ink is injected into the ink chamber 111, the liquid level position P5 at the third time point is higher than the liquid level position P4 at the second time point.

Thereafter, in the same manner as described above, the controller 130 can determine the liquid surface position of the ink at the point in time when the level of the signal received from the reciprocating liquid sensor 125 changes.

According to the above, it is possible to detect at which position between the second sensor position and the first sensor position the ink surface is present.

The reciprocating motion of the liquid sensor 125 is not limited to between the first sensor position and the second sensor position. For example, when the liquid sensor 125 determines that the cover 70 is opened (S10: Yes), the liquid sensor 125 reciprocates between a predetermined position between the first sensor position and the second sensor position and the second sensor position. good too. In this case, the liquid sensor 125 moves from the first sensor position to the second sensor position only during the first movement, and after reaching the second sensor position, the liquid sensor 125 moves between the second sensor position and the predetermined position. to reciprocate.

According to the above, it is possible to detect at which position between the second sensor position and the predetermined position the ink surface is present.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 12, the liquid sensor 125 reciprocates within a certain range. That is, the predetermined position was constant. However, the predetermined position may not be constant. For example, the predetermined position may be the position of the liquid sensor 125 when the level of the signal output from the liquid sensor 125 changes most recently during the reciprocation of the liquid sensor 125 .

A detailed description will be given below with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13(A), the controller 130 changes the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 from low level to high level while the liquid sensor 125 is moving from the first sensor position P1 to the second sensor position P2. The position P3 in the vertical direction 7 of the liquid sensor 125 when the level is changed is determined to be the liquid surface position of the ink at that time.

After that, as shown in FIG. 13B, the liquid sensor 125 that has reached the second sensor position P2 turns around at the position P3 without moving to the first sensor position P1. The controller 130 also detects the liquid sensor when the signal received from the liquid sensor 125 changes from a low level to a high level while the liquid sensor 125 is moving upward from position P3 back to the second sensor position P2. A position P4 in the vertical direction 7 of 125 is determined to be the ink surface position at that time. In this example, since the ink is injected into the ink chamber 111, the position P4 is higher than the position P3.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13C, the liquid sensor 125, which has returned to the second sensor position P2, does not move to the position P3 and turns back at the position P4. Controller 130 also detects liquid sensor 125 when the signal received from liquid sensor 125 changes from a low level to a high level while liquid sensor 125 is moving upward from position P4 back to the second sensor position P2. A position P5 in the vertical direction 7 of 125 is determined to be the ink surface position at that time. In this example, since the ink is injected into the ink chamber 111, the position P5 is higher than the position P4.

Thereafter, since the liquid sensor 125 reciprocates in the same manner as described above, the reciprocating range of the liquid sensor 125 becomes shorter.

According to the above, when the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is increasing due to the inflow of ink into the ink chamber 111, the reciprocating movement of the liquid sensor 125 with respect to the ink tank 100 or the movement of the liquid sensor 125 of the ink tank 100 It is possible to detect the liquid level position while reducing the moving distance of the reciprocating motion with respect to.

[Modification 6]
In the above-described embodiment and modified examples 1 to 5, the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 are moved by applying a driving force from a motor or the like when moving. However, the means for moving the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 is not limited to motors.

For example, the multi-function device 10 does not include the sensor drive motor 174, but instead includes the interlocking mechanism 180 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) described in Modification 4, thereby interlocking with the rotation of the cover 70. liquid sensor 125 may move. It should be noted that the specific configuration of the interlocking mechanism 180 is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, and that various known configurations can be employed, as in the fourth modification.

In the sixth modification, when the user of the MFP 10 manually rotates the cover 70 from the closed position to the open position in the state shown in FIG. 10, the pulley 186 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. . 10, the pulley 185 and gear 182 rotate counterclockwise in FIG. When gear 182 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 10, gear 181 and pulley 183 rotate clockwise in FIG. Rotation of pulley 183 clockwise in FIG. 10 causes belt 187 to move clockwise in FIG. As a result, liquid sensor 125 moves upward from the first sensor position to the second sensor position. At this time, the pulley 184 is rotating clockwise in FIG. 10 similarly to the pulley 183 .

As described above, the interlocking mechanism 180 moves the liquid sensor 125 from the first sensor position to the second sensor position in conjunction with the movement of the cover 70 from the closed position to the open position. As a result, the state changes from the state shown in FIG. 10 to the state shown in FIG.

11, when the user of the MFP 10 manually rotates the cover 70 from the open position to the closed position, the pulley 186 rotates clockwise in FIG. do. This causes the belt 188 to move clockwise in FIG. 11, causing the pulley 182 and gear 185 to rotate clockwise in FIG. When gear 185 rotates clockwise in FIG. 11, gear 183 and pulley 183 rotate counterclockwise in FIG. Counterclockwise rotation of pulley 183 in FIG. 11 causes belt 187 to move counterclockwise in FIG. As a result, liquid sensor 125 moves downward from the second sensor position to the first sensor position. At this time, the pulley 184 is rotating counterclockwise in FIG. 11, similarly to the pulley 183.

As described above, the interlocking mechanism 180 moves the liquid sensor 125 from the second sensor position to the first sensor position in conjunction with the movement of the cover 70 from the open position to the closed position. As a result, the state changes from the state shown in FIG. 11 to the state shown in FIG.

As in the fourth modification, the interlocking mechanism 180 may interlock the movement of the ink tank 100 and the movement of the cover 70 .

According to the sixth modification, the interlocking mechanism 180 can change the state of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 in interlocking with the rotation of the cover 70 . Therefore, the motor for moving the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125, the cover sensor 126 for detecting the position of the cover 70, and the like are not required.

[Modification 7]
As shown in FIG. 14, the ink tank 100 emits light from the light emitting portion 125A of the liquid sensor 125 to a position above the first sensor position P1 and below the second sensor position P2 on the projecting portion 167. A blocking unit 190 for blocking may be provided. For example, the blocking portion 190 may be a black sticker attached to the outer surface of the projecting portion 167 . Further, for example, the projecting portion 167 is made of a resin having translucency and a resin having no translucency, and the blocking portion 190 is made of the resin having no translucency among the projecting portions 167. It may be a configured part.

In Modification 6, the MFP 10 does not have a motor or the like for moving the ink tank 100 or the liquid sensor 125, so the position of the liquid sensor 125 cannot be determined by the rotary encoder 120 or the like. Therefore, it is difficult to determine the position of the liquid surface of the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 based on the position of the liquid sensor 125 as in the above embodiment and Modifications 1 to 5. However, by providing the blocking portion 190 , it becomes possible to determine whether the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is above or below the blocking portion 190 .

14, the liquid surface of the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is located at a position P6 above the first sensor position P1 and below the blocker 190. , when the liquid sensor 125 is moved from the first sensor position P1 to the second sensor position P2, as shown in FIG. It rises from low level to high level at two points of P7.

On the other hand, in the configuration provided with the blocking portion 190 as shown in FIG. 14, the position of the liquid surface of the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is a position P8 above the blocking portion 190 and below the second sensor position P2. In this case, when the liquid sensor 125 is moved from the first sensor position P1 to the second sensor position P2, as shown in FIG. Rise from low level to high level.

As described above, in the process in which the liquid sensor 125 moves from the first sensor position P1 to the second sensor position P2, the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 depends on the number of times the level of the signal output by the liquid sensor 125 rises from the low level to the high level. It is possible to determine whether the position of the ink surface is above or below the blocking portion 190 . It should be noted that the configuration including the cut-off portion 190 of Modification 7 can be applied not only to Modification 6, but also to the above-described embodiment and Modifications 1 to 5.

According to Modified Example 7, based on the output signal of the liquid sensor 125 in the process of state change of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125, the liquid level of the ink in the ink chamber 111 is moved to the first liquid level position side from the cutoff portion 190. It can be easily determined whether it is on the side or on the side of the second liquid level.

[Modification 8]
The liquid sensor 125 may be configured to be movable in the left-right direction 9 . For example, as shown in FIG. 16B, only one liquid sensor 125 is provided corresponding to the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. The liquid sensor 125 is supported by a frame (not shown) of the printer section 11 so as to be movable not only in the vertical direction 7 but also in the horizontal direction 9 . A known configuration is adopted for the configuration in which the liquid sensor 125 is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9 .

By moving the liquid sensor 125 in the horizontal direction 9, the position behind the ink tank 100B (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 16B) and the position behind the ink tank 100Y (the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 16B). 16B), the rear position of the ink tank 100C (the position shown by the broken line in FIG. 16B), and the rear position of the ink tank 100M (the position shown by the broken line in FIG. 16B). move to one position.

Further, the liquid sensor 125 moves in the vertical direction 7 to the upper part of the projecting portion 167 of each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M (the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 16B). . The position of the liquid sensor 125 indicated by the solid and broken lines in FIG. 16B is the first sensor position, and the position of the liquid sensor 125 indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 16B is the second sensor position. .

In the configuration shown in FIG. 16B, the projecting portion 167 of each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M has a portion corresponding to the first sensor position and a portion corresponding to the second sensor position. It is installed in two places. Further, the light emitting portion 125A and the light receiving portion 125B of the liquid sensor 125 sandwich the projecting portion 167 from above and below. Furthermore, the liquid sensor 125 moves in the vertical direction 7 at a position where the projecting portion 167 does not exist in the horizontal direction 9 . Accordingly, the liquid sensor 125 can move in the left-right direction 9 and the up-down direction 7 without being hindered by the projecting portion 167 .

With the above configuration, one liquid sensor 125 can detect the presence or absence of ink at the first and second liquid level positions of the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. .

[Modification 9]
Although the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 move up and down in the above-described embodiment and Modification 1, the movement directions of the ink tank 100 and the liquid sensor 125 are not limited to up and down. In the above-described embodiment and Modifications 1 to 8, the liquid sensor 125 detects the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 depending on whether the light emitted from the light emitting portion 125A is blocked by the ink in the ink chamber 111. Was. That is, the liquid sensor 125 directly detects ink. However, the liquid sensor 125 may indirectly detect ink.

For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the ink tank 100 may have a rotating member 150 in the ink chamber 111 . The rotating member 150 includes a float 151 , a shaft 152 , an arm 153 and a detected portion 154 . The float 151 is positioned below the rotating member 50 . The float 151 is made of a material having a lower specific gravity than the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 . The shaft 52 extends in the left-right direction 9 and is rotatably supported by the frame 141 of the ink tank 100 . Arm 153 extends upward from shaft 52 . The detected part 154 is provided at the tip of the arm 153 and is a plate-shaped member made of a light-shielding material.

When the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is larger than a predetermined amount (in other words, when the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is at the second liquid level position higher than the predetermined position), the rotating member 150 Due to the buoyancy of the float 151, it is in the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. When the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 becomes less than a predetermined amount (in other words, when the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 reaches the first liquid level position lower than the predetermined position), the rotary member 150 moves the liquid Following the surface, it rotates in the direction of arrow 155 to the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 17, the liquid sensor 125 is supported by the frame (not shown) of the printer section 11 or the like so as to be movable in the direction of movement of the detected section 154 (the direction along the arrow 155). That is, the liquid sensor 125 moves in directions other than up and down. In FIG. 17, the position of the liquid sensor 125 indicated by solid lines is the second sensor position, and the position of the liquid sensor 125 indicated by broken lines is the first sensor position.

When the detected portion 154 is between the light emitting portion 125A and the light receiving portion 125B, the light emitted from the light emitting portion 125A is blocked by the detected portion 154 and does not reach the light receiving portion 125B. At this time, a low level signal (an example of a third signal) is sent from the liquid sensor 125 to the controller 130 . On the other hand, when there is no detected portion 154 between the light emitting portion 125A and the light receiving portion 125B, the light emitted from the light emitting portion 125A reaches the light receiving portion 125B without being blocked by the detected portion 154. At this time, a high level signal (an example of the fourth signal) is sent from the liquid sensor 125 to the controller 130 . As described above, the liquid sensor 125 indirectly detects the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 via the detected portion 154 .

[Other Modifications]
In the above embodiment and Modifications 1 to 9, the second liquid level position is above the first liquid level position. However, on the condition that the amount of ink in the ink chamber 111 when the liquid surface is at the second liquid level position is greater than the amount of ink in the ink chamber 111 when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position, The second liquid level position may be lower than the first liquid level position.

For example, the ink tank 100 may be configured as shown in FIG. In the configuration shown in FIG. 18, the ink tank 100 has a first ink chamber 211 and a second ink chamber 212 located below the first ink chamber 211 . The first ink chamber 211 and the second ink chamber 212 communicate with each other through a channel 213 . The first ink chamber 211 communicates with the recording section 24 via the ink tube 32 . The second ink chamber 212 is open to the atmosphere through an air communication port 214 . When the air in the first ink chamber 211 expands due to changes in atmospheric pressure or temperature, the ink in the first ink chamber 211 is pushed out to the second ink chamber 212 (see FIG. 18A). In the state shown in FIG. 18A, when the ink in the ink tank 100 flows out from the ink tube 32 and is consumed by the recording section 24, first the ink in the second ink chamber 212 is consumed, and then the ink in the first ink chamber 212 is consumed. The ink in the ink chamber 211 is consumed.

In this case, the second liquid level position LS2 in the state shown in FIG. 18A (the state in which ink is stored in both the first ink chamber 211 and the second ink chamber 212) is shown in FIG. 18B. is below the first liquid level position LS1 in the state where ink is stored only in the first ink chamber 211, but when the liquid level is at the second liquid level position LS2 (shown in FIG. 18A) The amount of ink in the ink tank 100 when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position LS1 (the state shown in FIG. 18B) is greater than the amount of ink in the ink tank 100 when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position LS1.

A device to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the multifunction device 10 as shown in FIG. The device may include a liquid reservoir having an ink chamber in which ink that has flowed in through an inlet is stored, an outlet through which the ink in the ink chamber flows out, and a single liquid sensor. For example, a device having a configuration that can keep the liquid level of ink in the tank constant by sequentially supplying ink from the cartridge to the tank each time the ink stored in the tank is consumed (a so-called chicken feed method). The present invention may be applied to a device having a configuration in which ink is supplied from a cartridge to a tank). In this case, the tank corresponds to the liquid reservoir, and the inlet to the tank of ink supplied from the cartridge to the tank corresponds to the inflow port.

In the case of the chicken feed method, when the ink level in the tank reaches a predetermined height, the supply of ink from the cartridge is automatically stopped. However, it is difficult for the user to know whether the ink supply has stopped. When the present invention is applied to an apparatus employing the chicken feed method, the sensor is configured to be movable to a predetermined height. When the sensor that has moved to the predetermined height detects that the ink surface in the tank has reached the predetermined height, the user can be notified that the ink supply has stopped.

In the above embodiment and Modifications 1 to 9, the MFP 10 is an example of a cover that can move between an open position exposing the inlet 112 to the outside and a closed position closing the inlet 112 to the outside. A cover 70 (see FIG. 1) that exposes and closes the front surface of the tank 100 was provided. However, the cover that can move between the open position and the closed position is not limited to the cover 70 .

For example, the scanner section 30 may correspond to the cover. In this case, the scanner unit 30 has an open position (the position indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 1A) that opens the upper part of the printer unit 11, and a closed position that closes the upper part of the printer unit 11 (FIG. 1A). It is supported by the printer section 11 so as to be rotatable to and from the position indicated by the solid line. In this case, although not shown in FIG. 1, the scanner unit 30 in the closed position closes the inlet 112 by covering the inlet 112 from above, and the scanner unit 30 in the open position closes the inlet 112 . exposing.

Although the liquid sensor 125 is an optical sensor including the light-emitting portion 125A and the light-receiving portion 125B in the above embodiment and Modifications 1 to 9, it may be a non-optical sensor. For example, liquid sensor 125 may be a mechanical sensor. In this case, for example, the detected portion 154 of the rotating member 150 (see FIG. 16) protrudes outside the ink tank 100, and the state of the liquid sensor 125 changes depending on whether or not it contacts the detected portion 154. Different signals may be output depending on.

In the above embodiment and Modifications 1 to 9, ink is used as an example of liquid, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, in place of the ink, a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto the paper prior to the ink during printing, water that is sprayed near the nozzles 40 of the recording head 39 to prevent the nozzles 40 of the recording head 39 from drying, or the like. , may be an example of a liquid.

10... compound machine (liquid supply device)
16 Operation unit 28 Display panel (notification unit)
70... Cover 100... Ink tank (liquid reservoir)
111... Ink chamber (storage chamber)
112... inlet 117... outlet 120... rotary encoder (encoder)
125... Liquid sensor 125A... Light emitting unit 125B... Light receiving unit 126... Cover sensor 130... Controller 140... Memory 167A... Right wall (translucent wall)
167B... left wall (translucent wall)
174... Sensor drive motor (motor)
180... Interlocking mechanism 190... Blocking unit

Claims (27)

a liquid storage body having a storage chamber in which the liquid that has flowed in through the inflow port is stored, and an outflow port from which the liquid in the storage chamber flows out;
It is provided corresponding to the single liquid storage body, and the liquid level of the liquid in the storage chamber reaches a first liquid level position and a second liquid level position different from the first liquid level position. a single sensor capable of detecting whether
a cover movable between an open position exposing the inlet to the outside and a closed position closing the inlet to the outside;
The amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the second liquid level position is greater than the amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position,
At least one of the liquid reservoir and the sensor is in a first state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position, and the sensor is in the second liquid level position. can be changed to a second state in which it can be detected that the liquid surface has reached the
the liquid reservoir and the sensor are in the first state when the cover is in the closed position and are in the second state when the cover is in the open position;
The sensor detects that the liquid surface reaches the second liquid surface position as the liquid flows into the storage chamber from the inflow port. a plurality of liquid storage bodies arranged at different positions in the horizontal direction, each having a storage chamber in which the liquid that has flowed in through the inflow port is stored, and an outflow port from which the liquid in the storage chamber flows out;
a single sensor capable of detecting whether or not the liquid level of the liquid in the plurality of storage chambers has reached a first liquid level position and a second liquid level position different from the first liquid level position; equipped with
The amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the second liquid level position is greater than the amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position,
At least one of the plurality of liquid reservoirs and the sensor is in a first state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position, and the sensor is in the second liquid state. The state can be changed to a second state in which it is possible to detect that the liquid surface has reached the surface position,
The sensor detects that the liquid surface reaches the second liquid surface position as the liquid flows into the storage chamber from the inflow port,
The liquid supply device, wherein the sensor is capable of detecting the liquid level of the liquid in the storage chamber of each of the plurality of liquid storage bodies by moving in the horizontal direction. a liquid storage body having a storage chamber in which the liquid that has flowed in through the inflow port is stored, and an outflow port from which the liquid in the storage chamber flows out;
It is provided corresponding to the single liquid storage body, and the liquid level of the liquid in the storage chamber reaches a first liquid level position and a second liquid level position different from the first liquid level position. and a single sensor capable of detecting whether or not
The amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the second liquid level position is greater than the amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position,
At least one of the liquid reservoir and the sensor is in a first state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position, and the sensor is in the second liquid level position. can be changed to a second state in which it can be detected that the liquid surface has reached the
the liquid reservoir comprises a translucent wall that partitions at least a portion of the storage chamber and has translucency;
The sensor includes a light-emitting portion that emits light toward the transparent wall and a light-receiving portion that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting portion. Detecting that the liquid surface reaches the second liquid surface position with the inflow,
The liquid supply device, wherein the light-transmitting wall has a blocking portion that blocks the light emitted from the light emitting portion at a position between the first liquid level position and the second liquid level position. The sensor has a first sensor position that can detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position, and a second sensor position that can detect that the liquid level has reached the second liquid level position. 4. The liquid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the liquid supply device is movable between sensor positions relative to the liquid reservoir. The second sensor position is a position above the first sensor position,
5. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said sensor is movable between said first sensor position and said second sensor position. In conjunction with the movement of the cover from the closed position to the open position, the state of the liquid reservoir and the sensor is changed to the second state, and in association with the movement of the cover from the open position to the closed position. 2. The liquid supply device according to claim 1, further comprising an interlocking mechanism for changing the states of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to the first state. a liquid storage body having a storage chamber in which the liquid that has flowed in through the inflow port is stored, and an outflow port from which the liquid in the storage chamber flows out;
It is provided corresponding to the single liquid storage body, and the liquid level of the liquid in the storage chamber reaches a first liquid level position and a second liquid level position different from the first liquid level position. a single sensor capable of detecting whether
a motor for applying a driving force for movement to the liquid reservoir;
a controller;
The position of the above sensor is fixed,
The amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the second liquid level position is greater than the amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position,
The controller controls the motor to move the liquid reservoir to different positions according to signals received from the outside, thereby moving the liquid reservoir and the sensor to at least the first liquid. changing the state to a first state in which it is possible to detect that the liquid surface has reached the surface position and a second state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid surface has reached the second liquid surface position;
The liquid reservoir is movable between a first position that is in the first state and a second position that is in the second state. The sensor is positioned at a first sensor position that can detect that the liquid surface has reached the second position, and a second sensor that can detect that the liquid surface has reached the second liquid surface position at the second position. A liquid supply device that positions the sensor in position. a liquid storage body having a storage chamber in which the liquid that has flowed in through the inflow port is stored, and an outflow port from which the liquid in the storage chamber flows out;
It is provided corresponding to the single liquid storage body, and the liquid level of the liquid in the storage chamber reaches a first liquid level position and a second liquid level position different from the first liquid level position. a single sensor capable of detecting whether
a motor that applies driving force for movement to at least one of the liquid reservoir and the sensor;
a controller;
The amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the second liquid level position is greater than the amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position,
The sensor has a first sensor position that can detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position, and a second sensor position that can detect that the liquid level has reached the second liquid level position. is movable relative to the liquid reservoir between a sensor position and
The above controller is
By controlling the motor to move at least one of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to different positions in response to signals received from the outside, the liquid reservoir and the sensor move at least to the second position. State change to a first state in which it is possible to detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position, and a second state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the second liquid level position. and
moving the sensor to the first sensor position relative to the liquid reservoir on the condition that a first signal is received from the outside;
On the condition that a second signal different from the first signal is received from the outside, the sensor is moved between the second sensor position and a predetermined position closer to the first sensor position than the second sensor position. A liquid supply device that reciprocates relative to the liquid reservoir. 9. The liquid supply device according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined position is the first sensor position. The sensor outputs a third signal in response to detection of liquid in the storage chamber, and outputs a fourth signal in response to detection of no liquid in the storage chamber,
9. The predetermined position according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined position is the position of the sensor when the signal output from the sensor is most recently switched from one of the third signal and the fourth signal to the other during the reciprocating motion. Liquid feeder. a liquid storage body having a storage chamber in which the liquid that has flowed in through the inflow port is stored, and an outflow port from which the liquid in the storage chamber flows out;
It is provided corresponding to the single liquid storage body, and the liquid level of the liquid in the storage chamber reaches a first liquid level position and a second liquid level position different from the first liquid level position. a single sensor capable of detecting whether
a motor that applies driving force for movement to at least one of the liquid reservoir and the sensor;
a cover movable between an open position exposing the inlet to the outside and a closed position closing the inlet to the outside;
a cover sensor that outputs a first signal when the cover is in the closed position and outputs a second signal different from the first signal when the cover is in the open position;
a controller;
The amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the second liquid level position is greater than the amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position,
The above controller is
By controlling the motor to move at least one of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to different positions in response to signals received from the outside, the liquid reservoir and the sensor move at least to the second position. State change to a first state in which it is possible to detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position, and a second state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the second liquid level position. and
changing the states of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to the first state on the condition that the first signal is received from the cover sensor;
A liquid supply device for changing the states of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to the second state on the condition that the second signal is received from the cover sensor. a liquid storage body having a storage chamber in which the liquid that has flowed in through the inflow port is stored, and an outflow port from which the liquid in the storage chamber flows out;
It is provided corresponding to the single liquid storage body, and the liquid level of the liquid in the storage chamber reaches a first liquid level position and a second liquid level position different from the first liquid level position. a single sensor capable of detecting whether
a motor that applies driving force for movement to at least one of the liquid reservoir and the sensor;
an operation unit that outputs a first signal in response to a first operation and outputs a second signal that is different from the first signal in response to a second operation that is different from the first operation;
a controller;
The amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the second liquid level position is greater than the amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position,
The above controller is
By controlling the motor to move at least one of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to different positions in response to signals received from the outside, the liquid reservoir and the sensor move at least to the second position. State change to a first state in which it is possible to detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position, and a second state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the second liquid level position. and
changing the state of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to the first state on the condition that the first signal is received from the operation unit;
A liquid supply device that changes the states of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to the second state on condition that the second signal is received from the operation unit. a cover movable between an open position exposing the inlet to the outside and a closed position closing the inlet to the outside;
The cover is moved from the closed position to the open position in conjunction with the state change of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to the second state, and the state of the liquid reservoir and the sensor is changed to the first state. 13. The liquid supply device according to claim 12, further comprising an interlocking mechanism for moving the cover from the open position to the closed position in interrelation with. Equipped with a notification unit,
The sensor outputs a third signal in response to detection of liquid in the storage chamber, and outputs a fourth signal in response to detection of no liquid in the storage chamber,
When the signal output from the sensor switches from one of the third signal and the fourth signal to the other after the signal received from the cover sensor switches from the second signal to the first signal before the signal received from the cover sensor changes from the second signal to the first signal, the signal output by the sensor changes from one of the third signal or the fourth signal to the other 12. The liquid supply device according to claim 11, wherein the notification unit is operated on condition that the position of the sensor is below the position of the sensor at the time of switching. Equipped with a notification unit,
The sensor outputs a third signal in response to detection of liquid in the storage chamber,
15. The liquid supply device according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the controller operates the notification section on condition that the third signal is received from the sensor in the second state. a liquid storage body having a storage chamber in which the liquid that has flowed in through the inflow port is stored, and an outflow port from which the liquid in the storage chamber flows out;
It is provided corresponding to the single liquid storage body, and the liquid level of the liquid in the storage chamber reaches a first liquid level position and a second liquid level position different from the first liquid level position. a single sensor capable of detecting whether
a motor that applies driving force for movement to at least one of the liquid reservoir and the sensor;
memory;
a controller;
The amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the second liquid level position is greater than the amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position,
The sensor outputs a third signal in response to detection of liquid in the storage chamber, and outputs a fourth signal in response to detection of no liquid in the storage chamber,
The above controller is
By controlling the motor to move at least one of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to different positions in response to signals received from the outside, the liquid reservoir and the sensor move at least to the second position. State change to a first state in which it is possible to detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position, and a second state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the second liquid level position. and
The amount of liquid stored in the storage chamber is calculated based on the position of the sensor when the signal output by the sensor switches from one of the third signal and the fourth signal to the other, and the amount of liquid is calculated. A liquid supply device stored in the memory. a liquid storage body having a storage chamber in which the liquid that has flowed in through the inflow port is stored, and an outflow port from which the liquid in the storage chamber flows out;
It is provided corresponding to the single liquid storage body, and the liquid level of the liquid in the storage chamber reaches a first liquid level position and a second liquid level position different from the first liquid level position. a single sensor capable of detecting whether
a motor that applies driving force for movement to at least one of the liquid reservoir and the sensor;
a controller;
The amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the second liquid level position is greater than the amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position,
The controller controls the motor to move at least one of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to different positions in response to a signal received from the outside, thereby moving the liquid reservoir and the sensor to at least the A first state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position, and a second state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the second liquid level position. It is the one that changes the state to the state,
A sampling time for detection by the sensor in states other than the first state is shorter than a sampling time for detection by the sensor in the first state. comprising a plurality of the liquid reservoirs,
18. A liquid supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 3 to 17, wherein one sensor is provided for each of the liquid reservoirs. 19. The liquid supply apparatus of claim 18, wherein each of said sensors illuminates a different length of wavelength of light to the corresponding liquid reservoir. a plurality of liquid storage bodies arranged at different positions in the horizontal direction, each having a storage chamber in which the liquid that has flowed in through the inflow port is stored, and an outflow port from which the liquid in the storage chamber flows out;
a single sensor capable of detecting whether or not the liquid level of the liquid in the plurality of storage chambers has reached a first liquid level position and a second liquid level position different from the first liquid level position;
a motor that applies a driving force for movement to at least one of the plurality of liquid reservoirs or the sensors;
a controller;
The amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the second liquid level position is greater than the amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position,
The controller controls the motor to move at least one of the plurality of liquid reservoirs or the sensors to different positions in response to a signal received from the outside, thereby at least moving the liquid reservoirs and the sensors. , a first state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid surface has reached the first liquid level position; and a first state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the second liquid level position. It changes the state to the second state,
The liquid supply device, wherein the sensor is capable of detecting the liquid level of the liquid in the storage chamber of each of the plurality of liquid storage bodies by moving in the horizontal direction. the liquid reservoir comprises a translucent wall that partitions at least a portion of the storage chamber and has translucency;
21. The liquid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the sensor includes a light emitting section that emits light toward the transparent wall, and a light receiving section that receives the light emitted from the light emitting section. . 22. The liquid supply device according to claim 21, wherein the light emitting section can irradiate a plurality of types of light having different wavelengths. 23. The liquid supply device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the light emitting section can irradiate visible light. a liquid storage body having a storage chamber in which the liquid that has flowed in through the inflow port is stored, and an outflow port from which the liquid in the storage chamber flows out;
a single sensor capable of detecting whether or not the liquid level of the liquid in the storage chamber has reached a first liquid level position and a second liquid level position different from the first liquid level position;
a motor that applies driving force for movement to at least one of the liquid reservoir and the sensor;
a controller;
The amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the second liquid level position is greater than the amount of liquid in the storage chamber when the liquid level is at the first liquid level position,
The controller controls the motor to move at least one of the liquid reservoir and the sensor to different positions in response to a signal received from the outside, thereby moving the liquid reservoir and the sensor to at least the A first state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the first liquid level position, and a second state in which the sensor can detect that the liquid level has reached the second liquid level position. It is the one that changes the state to the state,
the liquid reservoir comprises a translucent wall that partitions at least a portion of the storage chamber and has translucency;
The sensor includes a light-emitting portion that emits light toward the translucent wall, and a light-receiving portion that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting portion,
The liquid supply device, wherein the light-transmitting wall has a blocking portion that blocks the light emitted from the light emitting portion at a position between the first liquid level position and the second liquid level position. 25. The liquid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the first liquid level position is located above the outlet. 26. The liquid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the second liquid level position is a position of the liquid level when the maximum amount of liquid that is allowed to be stored is stored in the storage chamber. 27. The liquid level position according to any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the first liquid level position is a position of the liquid level in a state in which an amount of liquid required to replenish the liquid in the storage chamber is stored in the storage chamber. liquid supply device.

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