WO2018180423A1

WO2018180423A1 - Accommodation unit and method for managing liquid amount in accommodation unit

Info

Publication number: WO2018180423A1
Application number: PCT/JP2018/009523
Authority: WO
Inventors: 聖真工藤; 尚己木村; 奥村　秀樹
Original assignee: セイコーエプソン株式会社
Priority date: 2017-03-27
Filing date: 2018-03-12
Publication date: 2018-10-04
Also published as: CN110461613A; CN110461613B; TW201834872A; JP2018161818A; JP6825445B2

Abstract

An accommodation unit for supplying a liquid to a liquid jetting part is provided with: a first accommodation part and a second accommodation part for accommodating the liquid; a first atmosphere communication part for allowing the first accommodation part to communicate with the atmosphere; a second atmosphere communication part for allowing the second accommodation part to communicate with the atmosphere; an injection part for injecting the liquid into the first accommodation part; a supply part for supplying the liquid to the liquid jetting part; a detection part for detecting the liquid accommodated in the second accommodation part; and a sealing member for sealing the second atmosphere communication part. The first accommodation part and the second accommodation part communicate with each other via a liquid communication part provided in a lower part in a vertical direction of the first accommodation part and the second accommodation part in an installed state.

Description

Storage unit and liquid management method for storage unit

Cross-reference of related applications

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-060599 filed on Mar. 27, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to a storage unit that stores a liquid such as ink and a liquid amount management method for the storage unit.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a liquid ejecting system including a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid ejecting unit that ejects ink or the like and a storage unit including a container that supplies liquid to the liquid ejecting unit is used. In this type of liquid ejecting system, the user is informed that the remaining amount of ink is low, and prompts the user to replace the storage unit or replenish ink. For example, in a liquid ejection system using a replaceable storage unit, the cumulative number of shots of ink ejected from the liquid ejection unit is stored in a memory chip provided in the storage unit, and the remaining ink level is determined based on the cumulative number of shots Then notify the near end or ink end.

In the liquid ejecting system (ink-jet printing system) described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-202900, the memory chip for storing the remaining amount of ink is not exchanged together with the containing unit (cartridge). It is attached to the chassis side. Therefore, it is necessary to reset the remaining amount of ink (ink level) stored in the memory chip when the storage unit is replaced. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-202900, the remaining amount of ink stored in a memory chip is rewritten to an appropriate value by operating a reset switch.

In the liquid ejecting system described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-202900, there is no detection unit capable of detecting the ink amount in the ink tank, and it is difficult to accurately grasp the ink amount.

In view of these points, an object of the present invention is to propose a storage unit capable of accurately detecting a liquid amount and a liquid amount management method for the storage unit.

In order to solve the above-described problems, according to one aspect of the present invention, a storage unit for supplying a liquid to a liquid ejecting unit is provided. The storage unit includes a first storage portion and a second storage portion for storing the liquid, a first atmospheric communication portion for communicating the first storage portion with the atmosphere, and the second storage portion as the atmosphere. A second atmospheric communication part for communicating, an injection part for injecting the liquid into the first accommodation part, a supply part for supplying the liquid to the liquid ejection part, and a second accommodation part A detection unit for detecting the stored liquid and a sealing member for sealing the second atmosphere communication unit, wherein the first storage unit and the second storage unit are installed; The first storage part and the second storage part in a state are communicated with each other via a liquid communication part provided in a lower part in the vertical direction.

According to the said aspect, since the detection part which detects the liquid of a 2nd accommodating part is provided in the accommodating unit, the liquid quantity of an accommodating unit can be detected correctly. In particular, in the above aspect, the second atmosphere communicating portion provided in the second housing portion can be sealed with the sealing member.
Therefore, when supplying the liquid from the storage unit, if the second atmosphere communication portion is sealed, the water level of the second storage portion decreases after the liquid level of the first storage portion becomes lower than the liquid communication portion. For the first time, the output of the detector changes. Therefore, it can be detected that the amount of liquid has decreased. On the other hand, when injecting (replenishing) liquid into the storage unit, if the second atmosphere communicating portion is opened and injection is performed, the detection unit is detected when the liquid level of the first storage unit rises to the detection position of the detection unit. Output changes. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a liquid amount different from that at the time of supplying the liquid. That is, a plurality of liquid amounts can be detected using the detection units at the same detection position (detection height).

In the above aspect, it is desirable that the detection unit is disposed above the second storage unit in the installation state in the vertical direction. In this way, it is possible to detect that the amount of liquid has decreased before the liquid level in the second storage portion has fallen extremely.

In the above aspect, it is desirable that the detection unit detects the liquid at a detection position that is set lower in the vertical direction than the reference position of the liquid level in the first storage unit in the installation state. In this way, since the liquid can be detected in a state where the liquid level is lower than the reference position, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection that the liquid is not detected even when the liquid is replenished to the reference position.

In the above aspect, it is desirable that the reference position is an upper limit position of the liquid level in the first accommodating portion. In this way, it can be detected that the liquid level has reached the upper limit position. Therefore, since it can be detected that the liquid amount has reached the upper limit amount, it is possible to detect that the filling of the liquid into the storage unit has been completed.

In the above aspect, the detection position is used as a detection position for detecting that the lower limit amount of the liquid has been reached when the liquid is supplied from the supply unit, and when the liquid is injected into the injection unit, It is desirable to be used as a detection position for detecting that the upper limit amount of liquid has been reached. In this way, it is possible to detect that the upper limit amount and the lower limit amount have been reached using the detection units at the same detection position (detection height).
For example, as described above, when switching whether or not to open the second air communication portion by the sealing member during the supply and injection (replenishment) of the liquid, the lower limit amount was exceeded during the supply of the liquid. It is possible to detect that the upper limit amount has been reached when the liquid is injected.

In the above aspect, it is preferable that the detection unit includes a first electrode and a second electrode having different bottom positions in the vertical direction in the installation state. If the lower end positions of the plurality of electrodes in the vertical direction are the same, chattering in which detection and non-detection are repeatedly repeated may occur. In this aspect, since the lower end positions of the first electrode and the second electrode are different, chattering can be suppressed.

In the above aspect, the sealing member includes a first sealing portion for sealing the injection portion, and a second sealing portion for sealing the second atmosphere communication portion, and the installation state Preferably, the injection part is disposed above the first housing part in the vertical direction, and the second atmospheric communication part is disposed above the second housing part in the vertical direction. If it does in this way, two places of an injection | pouring part and a 2nd air | atmosphere communication part can be sealed by the same operation | movement using one sealing member.

In the above aspect, it is desirable that the sealing member is supported to be rotatable around one end in the installed state. In this way, the sealing member can be pressed using the lever principle with the support shaft provided at one end as a fulcrum, so that it can be surely sealed with a simple operation.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid amount management method for the storage unit. In this liquid amount management method, a value corresponding to the amount of liquid stored in the storage unit is counted by a soft counter, and the output of the detection unit indicates that the liquid is detected from an output indicating that the liquid is not detected. The count value of the soft counter is reset to an initial value based on switching to the output. In this way, if the detection unit detects the liquid and automatically resets the soft counter, there is no risk of forgetting to reset the soft counter due to forgetting to operate, so rewrite the count value of the soft counter to an appropriate value. Can do.

It is a top view of a liquid ejecting system provided with a storage unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the cross-sectional structure which cut | disconnected the accommodation unit by XZ surface. FIG. 3 is a transition diagram illustrating a change in ink amount in the storage unit of FIG. 2. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the cross-sectional structure which cut | disconnected the accommodation unit of the modification in the XZ plane. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the cross-sectional structure which cut | disconnected the accommodation unit of the reference example by the XZ surface. FIG. 10 is a plan view of a liquid ejection system according to a first modification. FIG. 10 is a plan view of a liquid ejection system according to a second modification.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a storage unit to which the present invention is applied and a liquid amount management method thereof will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Liquid injection system)
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a liquid ejecting system including a storage unit. The liquid ejecting system 1 in FIG. 1 includes an ink jet printer 2 and an ink containing unit 3. The liquid ejecting system 1 performs printing on a printing medium such as a printing paper with ink that is an example of a liquid. The ink jet printer 2 is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, and includes a housing 4 and a printing mechanism unit accommodated in the housing 4. The printing mechanism unit includes a medium conveying mechanism (not shown) that conveys a printing medium such as printing paper, a liquid ejecting unit 5 such as an ink jet head that ejects ink toward the printing medium, a liquid ejecting unit 5, and an ink containing unit 3. A supply tube or the like (not shown) is connected. The print medium is transported along a transport region 6 provided inside the housing 4 and discharged from a paper discharge unit 7 provided on the front surface of the housing 4.

XY directions shown in FIG. 1 are directions orthogonal to each other. One side of the X direction is shown as + X direction, and the other side is shown as -X direction. Also, one side of the Y direction is shown as + Y direction and the other side is shown as -Y direction. The liquid ejection system 1 is installed on a horizontal plane (XY plane) defined by the X direction and the Y direction in a state in which it is used. Further, the Z direction (see FIG. 2) orthogonal to the XY direction is the vertical direction. The −Z direction is below the vertical direction, and the + Z direction is above the vertical direction.

1, the Y direction is the front-rear direction of the inkjet printer 2, and the X direction is the width direction of the inkjet printer 2. The front surface of the inkjet printer 2 faces the + Y direction. The print medium is discharged from the paper discharge unit 7 in the + Y direction. A mounting portion 8 for mounting the ink containing unit 3 is provided on the side surface in the + X direction of the inkjet printer 2. In the example of FIG. 1, a plurality of ink storage units 3 are attached to the attachment portion 8 side by side in the front-rear direction (Y direction). The plurality of ink storage units 3 store different inks. Alternatively, the same ink may be stored in some or all of the plurality of ink storage units 3.

A part of the mounting portion 8 protrudes forward (+ Y direction) from the housing 4 of the inkjet printer 2. The ink containing unit 3 includes an ink containing unit 3A attached to an arrangement area protruding forward (+ Y direction) from the casing 4, and a plurality of arrangement areas attached to the side of the casing 4 (+ X direction). An ink containing unit 3B is provided. That is, the ink containing unit 3 A is disposed on the front surface of the inkjet printer 2.

Each of the ink storage units 3 (3A, 3B) is provided with one injection portion 11 for injecting ink. The attachment portion 8 is provided with a visual recognition window 9 for visually confirming the amount of ink in the

ink containing units

3A and 3B. The viewing window 9 includes a viewing window 9A for confirming the ink amount in the ink containing unit 3A and a viewing window 9B for confirming the ink amount in the ink containing unit 3B. The visual recognition window 9B is provided on the side surface in the + X direction of the mounting portion 8 and faces the + X direction. On the other hand, the viewing window 9 A is provided at a corner portion extending over the side surface in the + X direction and the front surface (surface in the + Y direction) of the mounting portion 8. The viewing window 9A faces the two directions of + X direction and + Y direction.

In this specification, the state attached to the attachment portion 8 is the installation state of the ink containing unit 3 (3A, 3B). The

ink storage units

3A and 3B are provided with an upper limit mark 10 indicating an upper limit position H (see FIG. 2) of the ink amount at a portion facing the

viewing windows

9A and 9B in the installed state. That is, the upper limit mark 10 is provided on the side surface facing the + X direction in the ink containing unit 3B. Further, the upper limit mark 10 is provided on the two surfaces of the ink containing unit 3A, that is, the side surface facing the + X direction and the front surface (the surface facing the + Y direction).

As described above, in the liquid ejecting system 1 according to the present embodiment, the ink storage unit 3A disposed on the front surface of the ink jet printer 2 is different from the other ink storage units 3B from both the front surface and the side surface of the ink jet printer 2. It faces the visible viewing window 9A. The upper limit mark 10 is provided on both the surface visible from the front (+ Y direction) of the inkjet printer 2 and the surface visible from the side (+ X direction). Accordingly, the ink amount can be confirmed from either the front surface or the side surface of the inkjet printer 2.

Further, the injection portion 11 of the ink containing unit 3A is disposed at a corner portion where the front surface (the surface in the + Y direction) and the side surface in the + X direction intersect. This is a position where ink can be injected from either the front (+ Y direction) or the side (+ X direction) of the inkjet printer 2. Therefore, the ink containing unit 3 A can perform the ink replenishment work from either the front surface or the side surface of the inkjet printer 2.

(Ink storage unit)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a cross-sectional configuration of the ink containing unit 3 (3A, 3B) cut along the XZ plane, and shows the installation state described above. The ink containing unit 3 includes a sealing member 20 for sealing the injection portion 11 and a second atmospheric communication portion 33 described later. The “open state” shown in FIG. 2 is a state where the sealing member 20 does not seal the injection part 11, and the “sealing state” indicates a state where the sealing member 20 seals the injection part 11. The ink containing unit 3 (3A, 3B) includes a case 30 whose side in the + Y direction or −Y direction is open, a film member fixed to the case 30 by welding or the like so as to close the opening, and a vertical direction of the case 30 The sealing member 20 arrange | positioned above (+ Z direction) is provided.

1st accommodating part 40 and 2nd accommodating part 50 which are divided by the partition 31 are formed in the inside of the case 30. The ink storage unit 3 (3A, 3B) includes a first atmospheric communication unit 32 for communicating the first storage unit 40 with the atmosphere, and a second atmospheric communication unit 33 for communicating the second storage unit 50 with the atmosphere. The injection unit 11 for injecting ink into the first storage unit 40 and the supply unit 12 for supplying ink to the liquid ejecting unit 5 are provided. The supply unit 12 is provided at the lower end in the vertical direction of the case 30 in the installed state. In the example of FIG. 2, the supply unit 12 is provided at the lower end of the second storage unit 50 in the vertical direction. The supply unit 12 may be provided at the lower end of the first storage unit 40 in the vertical direction.

The case 30 includes a bottom wall 34 and an upper wall 35. In the installed state, the bottom wall 34 is a surface of the case 30 in the −Z direction (downward in the vertical direction), and the upper wall 35 is a surface of the case 30 in the + Z direction (upward in the vertical direction). The case 30 includes a side wall 36 in the + X direction and a side wall 37 in the −X direction. In the case 30, the side wall 36 in the + X direction is a part facing the viewing window 9 A or the viewing window 9 B. Therefore, the above-described upper limit mark 10 indicating the upper limit position H of the ink amount is formed on the side wall 36. FIG. 2 shows an initial state in which ink has been put into the ink containing unit 3 up to the upper limit position H indicated by the upper limit mark 10.

The partition wall 31 that partitions the first storage unit 40 and the second storage unit 50 extends in the vertical direction from the top wall 35 toward the bottom wall 34. The first storage unit 40 and the second storage unit 50 communicate with each other via the liquid communication unit 38. The liquid communication part 38 is a gap provided between the vertical lower end (end in the −Z direction) of the partition wall 31 and the bottom wall 34. That is, the liquid communication part 38 is provided in the lower part of the vertical direction of the 1st accommodating part 40 and the 2nd accommodating part 50 in an installation state. In other words, the liquid communication portion 38 is provided at the bottom of the first storage portion 40 and the second storage portion 50 in the installed state, that is, at a position closer to the bottom wall 34 than the top wall 35.

The first atmosphere communication part 32 and the injection part 11 are formed on the upper wall 35 of the case 30 and communicate the first storage part 40 and the atmosphere. The second atmosphere communicating portion 33 is formed on the upper wall 35 of the case 30 and communicates the second housing portion 50 with the atmosphere. On the other hand, the supply unit 12 is formed at the lower end portion in the vertical direction of the side wall 37 of the case 30 and communicates with the bottom of the second storage unit 50. The injection part 11, the first atmosphere communication part 32, and the second atmosphere communication part 33 are cylindrical parts that protrude from the upper wall 35 upward in the vertical direction (+ Z direction). The injection unit 11, the first atmospheric communication unit 32, and the second atmospheric communication unit 33 all open in the same direction (upward in the vertical direction: + Z direction).

(Detection unit)
The ink storage unit 3 includes a detection unit 60 that detects ink stored in the second storage unit 50. The detection unit 60 includes a detection substrate 61, two contact points 62 provided on the detection substrate 61, a first electrode 63 A connected to one contact 62, and a first contact connected to the other contact 62. Two electrodes 63B are provided. For example, SUS electrodes are used as the first electrode 63A and the second electrode 63B. Other conductive members may be used. The detection circuit 61 is mounted with a detection circuit that switches between energization depending on whether the first electrode 63A and the second electrode 63B are in contact with the ink. When the water level in the second container 50 changes and the presence / absence of contact between the first electrode 63A and the second electrode 63B and the ink is switched, the detection unit 60 switches the presence / absence of energization of the detection circuit. Detect the amount.

In the detection unit 60, the ink detection position H1 by the first electrode 63A has a height corresponding to the upper limit position H of the ink amount. Specifically, the ink detection position H1 by the first electrode 63A is located below the upper limit position H by a certain dimension below the vertical direction (−Z direction). The ink detection position H1 by the first electrode 63A is the lower end position of the first electrode 63A. Accordingly, the lower end of the first electrode 63A is positioned below the upper limit position H by a certain dimension in the vertical direction (−Z direction). In other words, the length of the first electrode 63A is such that when the water level of the second storage portion 50 is the upper limit position H, the first electrode 63A is in reliable contact with the ink.

Further, in the detection unit 60, the lengths of the first electrode 63A and the second electrode 63B are different. Specifically, the lower end of the second electrode 63B is positioned below the vertical direction (−Z direction) by a certain dimension from the lower end of the first electrode 63A. Since the first electrode 63A and the second electrode 63B have different dimensions, chattering can be prevented from occurring in the detection unit 60.

In this embodiment, the output of the detection unit 60 when both the first electrode 63A and the second electrode 63B are in contact with the ink is an output indicating that the ink is detected at the detection position H1, and this output is It is an output indicating “remaining ink”. Further, the output of the detection unit 60 when the first electrode 63A is not in contact with the ink and the second electrode 63B is in contact with the ink is an output indicating that no ink is detected at the detection position H1, and this output Is an output indicating “no remaining amount” of ink.

(Sealing member)
The sealing member 20 is rotatably supported by the support shaft 21. Although not shown in FIG. 2, the support shaft 21 is supported by the case 30. The sealing member 20 includes a rotation support portion 22 attached to the support shaft 21, an arm portion 23 extending from the rotation support portion 22 in the vertical direction (+ Z direction) of the case 30, and the arm portion 23 to the case 30 side. The 1st sealing part 24 and the 2nd sealing part 25 which protrude to are provided. The first sealing portion 24 has a shape that can seal the injection portion 11. The second sealing portion 25 has a shape that can seal the second atmospheric communication portion 33.

As shown in FIG. 2, in an open state where the injection part 11 and the second atmosphere communication part 33 are not sealed, the sealing member 20 has the arm part 23 in the vertical direction (+ Z direction) with the support shaft 21 as the center. It has moved to the rotated open position 20A. Accordingly, the first sealing portion 24 is separated from the injection portion 11, and the second sealing portion 25 is separated from the second atmospheric communication portion 33. Accordingly, it is possible to inject supplementary ink into the injection unit 11 in this state.

On the other hand, in the sealing state in which the injection portion 11 and the second atmosphere communication portion 33 are sealed, the sealing member 20 has the arm portion 23 rotated downward about the support shaft 21 in the vertical direction (−Z direction). It is in a state. When the sealing member 20 is rotated to the sealing position 20B where the arm portion 23 is substantially parallel to the upper wall 35 of the case 30, the first sealing portion 24 seals the injection portion 11 from above in the vertical direction, At the same time, the second sealing portion 25 seals the second atmospheric communication portion 33 from above in the vertical direction. That is, the sealing member 20 can seal the injection portion 11 and the second atmosphere communication portion 33 in the same operation.

The sealing operation of the injection part 11 and the second atmospheric communication part 33 by the sealing member 20 is an operation of rotating the arm part 23 with the rotation support part 22 as a fulcrum. Therefore, the first sealing part 24 and the second sealing part 25 can be pressed against the injection part 11 and the second atmospheric communication part 33 by the lever principle by pressing the tip of the arm part 23. Therefore, the sealed state can be reliably formed with a simple operation.

(Detection of ink amount by detector)
FIG. 3 is a transition diagram showing fluctuations in the ink amount in the storage unit (ink storage unit 3) of FIG. As described above, FIG. 2 shows an initial state in which ink is put in the ink containing unit 3 up to the upper limit position H indicated by the upper limit mark 10. The initial filling of ink into the ink containing unit 3 and the replenishment of ink described later are performed by moving the sealing member 20 to the open position 20A. When the sealing member 20 is opened, the ink storage unit 3 has the same water level (level of liquid level) in the first storage unit 40 and the second storage unit 50. Accordingly, in the initial state before the start of ink use, the water levels of the ink in the first storage unit 40 and the second storage unit 50 are the same, and the water levels of both storage units are both at the upper limit position H. Since the lower ends of the first electrode 63A and the second electrode 63B are both in contact with ink when the water level of the second container 50 is the upper limit position H, the detection unit 60 outputs “ The output is “remaining”.

When the ink containing unit 3 supplies ink from the supply unit 12 to the liquid ejecting unit 5, as shown in the “sealed state” of FIG. 2, the sealing member 20 causes the injection unit 11 and the second atmospheric communication unit 33 to be connected. Sealing is performed, and the first air communication part 32 is opened. When ink is supplied in a state where the second atmosphere communication portion 33 is sealed, the water level of the second storage portion 50 does not change, and only the water level of the first storage portion 40 decreases. As shown in the “ink supply” diagram of FIG. 3, while the water level of the first storage unit 40 is higher than the height of the liquid communication unit 38, only the water level of the first storage unit 40 decreases and the second storage unit 40 The water level of the part 50 does not change. Accordingly, the lower ends of the first electrode 63A and the second electrode 63B remain in contact with ink, and the output of the detection unit 60 remains “remaining”.

When the water level of the first storage unit 40 decreases to the height of the liquid communication unit 38, the water level of the second storage unit 50 decreases thereafter. As shown in “no remaining amount detection” in FIG. 3, when the water level of the second container 50 falls below the detection position H1 of the first electrode 63A, the first electrode 63A does not come into contact with ink. Therefore, the output of the detection unit 60 is switched from the output indicating “remaining amount” to the output indicating “no remaining amount”. That is, if the ink amount when the water level of the second storage unit 50 is lowered from the detection position H1 of the first electrode 63A is set as the lower limit amount, the ink amount of the ink storage unit 3 is set to the lower limit amount based on the output of the detection unit 60. Can be detected.

The liquid ejecting system 1 monitors the output of the detection unit 60 by the control unit of the inkjet printer 2 and performs a predetermined notification process according to the output of the detection unit 60. For example, when it is detected that the ink amount in the ink containing unit 3 has fallen below the lower limit amount, notification operations such as lamp lighting, display on a liquid crystal display unit, notification by a buzzer, and the like are performed. Also, processing such as suspension of execution or acceptance of a print job may be performed.

When the user knows that the ink amount has fallen below the lower limit amount, the ink is supplied to the ink containing unit 3. In this case, the user rotates the sealing member 20 to open the injection unit 11 and the second atmosphere communication unit 33 and injects ink into the injection unit 11. As shown in “ink replenishment” in FIG. 3, as a result of opening the second atmosphere communicating portion 33 by rotating the sealing member 20 upward for ink replenishment, the ink containing unit 3 has the first containing portion. 40 and the water level of the 2nd accommodating part 50 become the same. That is, since the ink in the second storage unit 50 moves to the first storage unit 40 via the liquid communication unit 38, the water levels of both storage units are the same. When ink is injected into the injection unit 11 in this state, the amount of ink in both storage units increases while the water levels of the first storage unit 40 and the second storage unit 50 are the same.

The user replenishes ink while confirming the ink amount in the ink containing unit 3 from the viewing window 9A or the viewing window 9B. The user confirms that the ink level has reached the upper limit position H based on the upper limit mark 10 and stops the replenishment. In this embodiment, the detection position H1 by the first electrode 63A of the detection unit 60 is below the upper limit position H in the vertical direction. Accordingly, as shown in “ink replenishment completion” in FIG. 3, when the water levels of the first container 40 and the second container 50 reach the upper limit position H, the lower end of the first electrode 63 A is lower than the ink level. The first electrode 63A is in contact with the ink reliably. That is, when the ink is replenished to the upper limit position H, the output of the detection unit 60 switches from “no remaining amount” to “with remaining amount”.

The liquid ejecting system 1 includes a soft counter for managing the amount of ink in the ink containing unit 3. The soft counter counts a value corresponding to the ink amount for each of the plurality of ink containing units 3. The control unit of the ink jet printer 2 adds or subtracts the count value of the soft counter based on the amount of ink ejected from the liquid ejecting unit 5. For example, when ink is ejected, the number of ejection shots is added to or subtracted from the count value of the soft counter. The control unit of the inkjet printer 2 resets the count value of the soft counter to the initial value based on the output of the detection unit 60 when the ink supply to the ink containing unit 3 is completed. That is, the count value of the soft counter is reset to the initial value when the output of the detection unit 60 is switched from “no remaining amount” indicating no ink detection to “with remaining amount” indicating ink detection. Control.

(Main effects of this embodiment)
As described above, the ink storage unit 3 of this embodiment includes the detection unit 60 that automatically detects the ink amount, and the ink storage unit 3 includes the second storage unit 50 for arranging the detection unit 60. Is provided. And the 1st accommodating part 40 in which the injection | pouring part 11 was formed, and the 2nd accommodating part 50 in which the detection part 60 was arrange | positioned communicated via the liquid communication part 38 provided in the lower end of the perpendicular direction of both accommodating parts. It has a structure. In addition, the second atmospheric communication portion 33 provided in the second housing portion 50 can be sealed with the sealing member 20.

Therefore, if ink is supplied in a state where the second atmosphere communication portion 33 provided in the second storage portion 50 is sealed with the sealing member 20, the water level of the first storage portion 40 is lowered to the height of the liquid communication portion 38. After that, the water level of the second storage unit 50 is lowered to the detection position H1 of the detection unit 60, and the output of the detection unit 60 is switched to “no remaining amount”. Therefore, it can be detected that the ink amount is less than the lower limit amount. On the other hand, when ink is replenished to the ink storage unit 3, the water level of the first storage portion 40 and the second storage portion 50 can be detected by opening the second atmosphere communication portion 33 and injecting ink into the injection portion 11. After rising to the detection position H1 of the part 60, the output of the detection part 60 switches to “remaining”. Therefore, it is possible to detect an ink amount different from that at the time of ink supply, and it is possible to detect that the ink amount has reached the upper limit amount. Accordingly, it can be detected that the ink filling into the ink containing unit 3 is completed.

Further, the liquid ejecting system 1 of the present embodiment can automatically reset the ink amount count value based on the output of the detection unit 60. In the present embodiment, the control unit of the inkjet printer 2 counts and manages a value corresponding to the ink amount of the ink containing unit 3 with a soft counter. When the output of the detection unit 60 is switched from “no remaining amount” to “with remaining amount”, the control unit of the inkjet printer 2 resets the count value of the soft counter to the initial value. Thus, if the count value of the soft counter is automatically reset, a situation such as the count value of the soft counter not being reset due to forgetting operation does not occur. Therefore, the count value of the soft counter can be rewritten to an appropriate value.

The detection unit 60 of this embodiment is disposed above the second storage unit 50 in the installed state of the ink storage unit 3 in the vertical direction. In other words, the detection unit 60 is provided on the upper wall 35 side of the second storage unit 50 in the installed state. Specifically, the detection substrate 61 of the detection unit 60 and the two contact points 62 are arranged above the second storage unit 50 in the vertical direction, and are respectively directed downward from the two contact points 62 in the vertical direction. The first electrode 63A and the second electrode 63B are extended. Accordingly, the liquid level of the ink can be detected by the first electrode 63A and the second electrode 63B, and it is detected whether or not the liquid level has fallen below the detection position H1 by the presence or absence of contact between the first electrode 63A and the ink. be able to.

In the installed state of the ink storage unit 3, the detection unit 60 of the present embodiment detects ink at a detection position H1 that is lower in the vertical direction than the upper limit position H that is the reference position of the liquid level in the first storage unit 40. Accordingly, since the ink can be detected in a state where the liquid level is lower than the upper limit position H, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection that the ink is not detected even if the ink is replenished to the upper limit position H.

The detection unit 60 of the present embodiment can detect that the upper limit amount and the lower limit amount of the ink amount have been reached by the common detection position H1 in the installed state of the ink containing unit 3. That is, by switching whether or not the second atmospheric communication portion 33 is opened by the sealing member 20, it is possible to detect that the ink amount has fallen below the lower limit amount when supplying ink, and the ink amount is the upper limit amount when ink is injected. Can be detected. That is, since it can be detected that the upper limit amount and the lower limit amount have been reached by the two first electrodes 63A and the second electrode 63B, the number of electrodes can be reduced. Further, it is not necessary to extend the lower ends of the first electrode 63A and the second electrode 63B to the bottom of the ink containing unit 3 in order to detect that the lower limit amount has been reached, and the lengths of the first electrode 63A and the second electrode 63B are increased. Can be shortened. Therefore, it is advantageous for cost reduction.

The detection unit 60 of the present embodiment can suppress chattering since the lower end positions in the vertical direction of the first electrode 63A and the second electrode 63B are different in the installed state of the ink containing unit 3. In addition, since the second storage unit 50 is partitioned from the first storage unit 40, it is possible to suppress the influence of the ripple of ink due to vibration or the like, and to detect the ink amount with high accuracy.

In the ink storage unit 3 of the present embodiment, in the installed state, the injection part 11 and the second atmosphere communication part 33 that are sealed by the sealing member 20 are both provided on the upper surface of the ink storage unit 3. Therefore, it is possible to seal the two portions of the injection portion 11 and the second atmosphere communication portion 33 by using the single sealing member 20 and the same operation. In addition, the sealing member 20 is configured to rotate around the support shaft 21 provided in the case 30 provided with the first storage portion 40 and the second storage portion 50. Accordingly, since the sealing member 20 can be pressed using the lever principle with the support shaft 21 serving as a rotation shaft as a fulcrum, the injection portion 11 and the second atmosphere communication portion 33 can be surely performed with simple operation. Can be sealed. Instead of using the rotating sealing member 20, a configuration using a sliding sealing member that slides along the upper surface of the case 30 may be employed.

In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the user manually injects ink into the ink storage unit 3. However, the ink is automatically injected into the ink storage unit 3 based on the output of the detection unit 60. You can also. In this case, the upper limit position H in the above embodiment can be set as an automatic stop position for stopping the ink injection.

(Modification)
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a cross-sectional configuration of the modified ink storage unit 103 taken along the XZ plane. Hereinafter, the same configurations as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and different configurations will be described with different symbols. In the ink storage unit 103 of the modified example, the shape of the second storage portion 150 is different from the above form. The ink storage unit 103 includes a case 130 and a sealing member (not shown). The case 130 is provided with a partition wall 131 that partitions the first storage part 140 and the second storage part 150. The partition wall 131 includes a vertical portion 131A extending in the vertical direction from the upper wall 35, a horizontal portion 131B extending horizontally from the lower end of the vertical portion 131A toward the side wall 37, and a vertical portion extending from the end of the horizontal portion 131B on the side wall 37 side. A lower end portion 131C extending downward is provided. The liquid communication portion 138 is provided in the gap between the lower end portion 131 C of the partition wall 131 and the bottom wall 34.

In the ink containing unit 103, a partition wall 139 is provided between the partition wall 131 and the side wall 37. The partition wall 139 is connected to the upper wall 35 of the case 130. The supply unit 112 is formed on the upper wall 35 of the case 130, and supplies ink from the bottom of the second storage unit 150 through the partition 131 and the partition 139. When ink is supplied from the supply unit 112 to the liquid ejecting unit 5, if the injection unit 11 and the second atmospheric communication unit 33 are sealed by a sealing member (not shown), the second storage unit is formed in the same manner as in the above embodiment. The water level of 150 does not change, and only the water level of the first accommodating portion 140 is lowered. When the water level of the first storage unit 140 is lowered to the height of the liquid communication unit 138, the water level of the second storage unit 50 is reduced in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and the output of the detection unit 60 is switched to a signal indicating “no remaining amount”. Change.

Since the ink storage unit 103 of the modified example extends the first storage 140 to the lower side of the second storage 150, the volume of the second storage 150 can be reduced. Further, the height of the liquid communication portion 138 in the vertical direction is the same as that in the above embodiment. Therefore, the remaining amount of ink in the second storage unit 150 when “no remaining amount” is detected can be reduced.

(Reference example)
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a cross-sectional configuration of the ink containing unit 203 of the reference example cut along the XZ plane. The ink storage unit 203 of the reference example includes a storage unit 240 that stores ink, and a detection unit 260 that detects the ink stored in the storage unit 240. The accommodating part 240 is formed in the case 230. The detection unit 260 differs from the above configuration in the number of electrodes. That is, the detection unit 260 includes a detection substrate 61, three contact points 62 provided on the detection substrate 61, and three first electrodes 63A, second electrodes 63B, and third electrodes connected to the contact points 62. 63C is provided. The first electrode 63A, the second electrode 63B, and the third electrode 63C have different lengths. Specifically, the lower end of the first electrode 63A is positioned at a detection position H1 vertically below the upper limit position H indicating the upper limit amount of the ink amount by a certain dimension, and the lower end of the second electrode 63B is the ink amount. It is located at the lower limit position L indicating the lower limit amount. In addition, the lower end of the third electrode 63C is located below the lower end of the second electrode 63B by a certain dimension in the vertical direction.

5, the detection position H1 of the ink by the first electrode 63A has a height corresponding to the upper limit amount of the ink amount. The ink detection position by the second electrode 63B is a lower limit position L corresponding to the lower limit amount of the ink amount. Therefore, even if the case 230 is not provided with a detection chamber such as the second container 50 in the above-described form, it is possible to detect that the ink amount has reached two stages of the upper limit amount and the lower limit amount. Further, the length of the portion of the second electrode 63B that contacts the ink changes while the ink amount changes from the upper limit amount to the lower limit amount. For this reason, the resistance value of the detection circuit to which the second electrode 63B is connected changes in accordance with the change in the length of the portion in contact with the ink. Therefore, in the form of FIG. 5, while the ink amount changes from the upper limit amount to the lower limit amount, the output of the detection unit 260 changes in proportion to the ink amount. Therefore, the ink amount can be obtained based on the output value of the detection unit 260.

(Modified example of liquid injection system)
FIG. 6 is a plan view of the liquid ejection system 301 according to the first modification, and FIG. 7 is a plan view of the liquid ejection system 401 according to the second modification. Hereinafter, the same configurations as those of the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted, and different configurations will be described with different symbols. The

liquid ejecting systems

301 and 401 in FIGS. 6 and 7 can check the ink amount from the front side of the ink jet printer 2, as in the liquid ejecting system 1 in FIG. 1. In addition, ink can be injected from the front side of the inkjet printer 2 into the injection unit 11. Therefore, as in the above embodiment, it is easy to check the ink amount and replenish the ink.

6, the rear end of the ink containing unit 303 A wraps around the side of the casing 4 of the inkjet printer 2. For this reason, the capacity of the ink storage unit 303 A is increased by the amount of the ink storage unit 303 A that wraps around the side of the housing 4 of the inkjet printer 2, and can store a large amount of ink. In addition, the ink containing unit 303A in FIG. 6 is provided with the injection part 11 at the corner where the front surface and the side surface in the + X direction intersect, similarly to the ink containing unit 3A in FIG. Accordingly, ink can be injected from either the front or side direction. Further, the visual recognition window 9A is provided at a position where the ink amount can be confirmed from either the front surface or the side surface of the inkjet printer 2.

On the other hand, in the ink containing unit 403A of FIG. 7, the injection unit 11 is disposed at a position near the paper discharge unit 7 (−X direction side) of the inkjet printer 2. This is a position where ink can be injected from the front surface of the inkjet printer 2. Further, the viewing window 9A is formed on the front surface of the mounting portion 8. Accordingly, ink can be injected from the front surface of the inkjet printer 2. Therefore, it is easy to check the ink amount and replenish the ink.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid ejecting system, 2 ... Inkjet printer, 3, 3A, 3B ... Ink storage unit, 4 ... Housing, 5 ... Liquid ejecting part, 6 ... Conveying area, 7 ... Paper discharge part, 8 ... Mounting part, 9, 9A, 9B ... visual recognition window, 10 ... upper limit mark, 11 ... injection part, 12 ... supply part, 20 ... sealing member, 20A ... open position, 20B ... sealing position, 21 ... support shaft, 22 ... rotation support part, 23 ... Arm part, 24 ... First sealing part, 25 ... Second sealing part, 30 ... Case, 31 ... Bulkhead, 32 ... First atmospheric communication part, 33 ... Second atmospheric communication part, 34 ... Bottom wall, 35 ... Upper wall, 36, 37 ... Side wall, 38 ... Liquid communication portion, 40 ... First housing portion, 50 ... Second housing portion, 60 ... Detection portion, 61 ... Detection substrate, 62 ... Contact, 63A ... First Electrode, 63B, second electrode, 63C, third electrode, 103, ink storage unit, 112, supply unit, 130 Case 131 131 partition wall 131 A vertical portion 131 B horizontal portion 131 C lower end portion 138 liquid communication portion 139 partition wall 140 first storage portion 150 second storage portion 203 ink storage unit , 230 ... case, 240 ... accommodating section, 260 ... detecting section, 301 ... liquid ejecting system, 303A ... ink accommodating unit, 401 ... liquid ejecting system, 403A ... ink accommodating unit, H ... upper limit position, H1 ... detecting position, L ... Lower limit position.

Claims

A storage unit for supplying liquid to the liquid ejecting unit,
A first storage portion and a second storage portion for storing the liquid;
A first atmosphere communicating portion for communicating the first accommodating portion with the atmosphere;
A second atmosphere communicating portion for communicating the second accommodating portion with the atmosphere;
An injection part for injecting the liquid into the first housing part;
A supply unit for supplying the liquid to the liquid ejection unit;
A detection unit for detecting the liquid stored in the second storage unit;
A sealing member for sealing the second atmospheric communication portion,
The first storage portion and the second storage portion are in communication with each other via a liquid communication portion provided in a lower portion in the vertical direction of the first storage portion and the second storage portion in the installed state. Containment unit characterized by.
The accommodation unit according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is arranged above the second accommodation unit in the vertical direction in the installed state.
The detection unit according to claim 1, wherein, in the installation state, the detection unit detects the liquid at a detection position set lower than a reference position of a liquid level in the first storage unit in a vertical direction. The containment unit described.
The accommodation unit according to claim 3, wherein the reference position is an upper limit position of the liquid level in the first accommodation unit.
The detection position is used as a detection position for detecting that the lower limit amount of the liquid has been reached when the liquid is supplied from the supply unit, and the upper limit amount of the liquid when the liquid is injected into the injection unit. 5. The storage unit according to claim 3, wherein the storage unit is used as a detection position for detecting that it has reached.
The accommodation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the detection unit includes a first electrode and a second electrode having different vertical lower end positions in the installation state.
The sealing member includes a first sealing part for sealing the injection part, and a second sealing part for sealing the second atmospheric communication part,
In the installation state, the injection part is disposed above the first housing part in the vertical direction, and the second air communication part is disposed above the second housing part in the vertical direction. Item 7. The accommodation unit according to any one of Items 1 to 6.
The housing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the sealing member is rotatably supported around one end in the installed state.
A liquid amount management method for a storage unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Count the value corresponding to the amount of liquid stored in the storage unit with a soft counter,
The count of the soft counter is reset to an initial value based on the output of the detection unit being switched from an output indicating no detection of the liquid to an output indicating the detection of the liquid. Unit liquid volume control method.