JP3764065B2 - Ink remaining amount detection device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ink remaining amount detection device that detects an ink remaining amount of an ink jet printer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Examples of conventional ink remaining amount detection devices include those shown in FIGS. 8 to 11. 8 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 52 provided with the ink remaining amount detecting device 51, FIG. 9 is a front view of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional configuration of a main part for explaining the function of the ink remaining amount detecting device 51. 11 and 11 are cross-sectional views taken along line YY in FIG.
[0003]
As shown in these drawings, a side surface of the ink cartridge 52 has a first ink remaining amount detecting portion 53 having a substantially V-shaped groove shape, and a first trapezoidal cross section formed to protrude into the ink cartridge 52. The two ink remaining amount detecting units 54 are provided at two locations apart from each other, and these ink remaining amount detecting units 53 and 54 are arranged with a distance x (see FIG. 9) shifted in the vertical direction.
[0004]
The first ink remaining amount detection unit (hereinafter referred to as the first detection unit) 53 and the second ink remaining amount detection unit (hereinafter referred to as the second detection unit) 54 include light emitting elements 531 and 541 and light receiving elements 532 and 542, respectively. Are fixed to a printer body (not shown). The other light emitting element 541 and light receiving element 542 are not shown.
[0005]
As shown in FIG. 10, the light emitted from the light emitting element 531 reflects the two inclined surfaces 533 and 534 of the first detection unit 53 and is incident on the light receiving element 532, and the light emitting element 531 and the light receiving element. 532 is positioned. Although not shown, the light emitting element 541 and the light receiving element 542 corresponding to the second detection unit 54 are also positioned and arranged in the same manner as the first detection unit 53.
[0006]
Next, a method for detecting the remaining amount of ink will be described using the first detection unit 53 as an example (note that the first detection unit 53 and the second detection unit 54 have different configurations, but the principle of detection of the remaining amount of ink is The same).
When detecting the remaining amount of ink, first, the ink cartridge 52 mounted on an ink carriage (not shown) or the like is moved to a predetermined position (in the main scanning direction), and as shown in FIG. The light emitted from the light emitting element 531 is irradiated toward the point a of the upper slope 533.
[0007]
The upper slope 533 is made of the same material as the ink cartridge 52, and the space 55 is located on the right side in the drawing and at the same height as the point a with respect to the upper slope 533. The refractive index is higher, and the light irradiated on the upper slope 533 is always reflected.
[0008]
The light reflected from the upper slope 533 is incident on the point b of the lower slope 534 formed of the same material as the ink cartridge 52. A region on the right side in the drawing with respect to the lower slope 534 and at the same height as the point b (that is, a hatched portion in the drawing) is an ink containing portion 56.
[0009]
When the upper surface of the ink is at a position higher than the light irradiation point b, since the refractive index of the ink is higher than the refractive index of the case of the ink cartridge 52, the light incident on the lower slope 534 is transmitted through the lower slope 534 without being reflected. The light is not detected by the light receiving element 532.
[0010]
On the other hand, when the ink upper surface is at a position lower than the light irradiation point b, the inside of the ink containing portion 56 at the same height as the point b is the air 55, so the refractive index of the case of the ink cartridge 52 is higher than the air, The light incident on the lower slope 534 reflects off the lower slope 534 and enters the light receiving element 532. When the light receiving element 532 detects the light, it issues a signal that prompts the user to replenish ink.
[0011]
In the above-described conventional technology, when the light receiving element 532 detects light in the first detection unit 53, the printer is controlled to stop after printing a predetermined number of sheets. When the light receiving element 542 detects light in the second detection unit 54, the printer issues a signal that prompts the user to replace the ink cartridge 52 or replenish ink.
With the configuration as described above, the user is freed from the trouble of working while checking the remaining amount of ink, and the work efficiency is improved.
[0012]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above prior art has the following problems.
[0013]
(1) Since two sets of light emitting elements 531 and 541 and light receiving elements 532 and 542 are required, a large space is required, which hinders downsizing.
[0014]
(2) Since a total of four optical elements are required, the number of parts is large and the cost is high.
[0015]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ink remaining amount detection device that is compact and reduces costs.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the present invention, means for solving the above-described problems are configured as follows.
[0017]
(1) An ink cartridge mounted on the ink carriage is provided so as to protrude inward from the side surface of the ink containing portion, and has an upper first inclined surface and a lower second inclined surface, and these inclined surfaces have an angle. Ink remaining amount detection where n0 <n1 <n2 where n1 is the refractive index of the light-transmitting member facing each other, n0 is the refractive index of air, and n2 is the refractive index of the stored ink. And
A light emitting unit that emits light in a horizontal direction toward the first slope of the ink remaining amount detection unit in a state of being opposed to a side surface of the ink storage unit;
When the first slope is in contact with air, the ink remaining amount detection unit reflects light emitted from the light emitting means as first reflected light on the first slope, and the first slope is ink. The angle of the first slope is set so that the light emitted from the light emitting means is transmitted through the ink containing portion when in contact with the air, and the second slope is in contact with air when the second slope is in contact with air. The first reflected light reflected by one inclined surface is reflected as second reflected light by the second inclined surface, and when the second inclined surface is in contact with ink, the first reflected light is reflected in the ink containing portion. The angle of the second slope is set so as to pass through
First light receiving means for receiving the second reflected light;
A second light receiving means for receiving the first reflected light when the first reflected light is not reflected by the second slope and is transmitted through the ink containing portion;
And detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink containing portion based on signals transmitted from the first light receiving means and the second light receiving means .
[0018]
According to this configuration, when there is a sufficient amount of ink in the ink storage unit, in the case of warning signal display, in the case of a stop signal display, the remaining ink in three stages is divided into one light emitting means, first light receiving means, and second light receiving means. Since detection can be performed with a small number of components called light receiving means, the space for providing the light emitting means and the light receiving means can be reduced.
[0019]
(2) The normal lines of the first slope and the second slope of the ink remaining amount detection unit are set to form a right angle.
[0020]
According to this configuration, since the normal lines of the first slope and the second slope are formed at right angles, the position adjustment of the light emitting means, the first light receiving means, and the second light receiving means is easy.
[0021]
( 3 ) The light emitting means, the first light receiving means, and the second light receiving means are arranged outside the paper transport area of the printer.
[0022]
According to this configuration, since the remaining ink amount is detected in a region where the moving speed of the ink carriage on which the ink cartridge is mounted is low, the detection accuracy can be improved. In addition, since the remaining ink amount detection operation is not hindered by the conveyed paper, the remaining ink amount can be accurately detected even during printing.
[0023]
More specifically, the light emitting means, the first light receiving means, and the second light receiving means are outside the paper transport area of the printer and outside the image forming area within the movement range of the ink carriage. It is preferable to arrange at the position of the deceleration region.
[0024]
( 4 ) The apparatus further includes a reflection member provided in the ink remaining amount detection unit, which reflects all of the light emitted from the light emitting unit and makes it incident on the first light receiving unit, and is used for detecting the presence or absence of the ink cartridge. It is characterized by.
[0025]
According to this configuration, since the first light receiving unit can obtain a larger amount of light than the amount of light that is incident when detecting the remaining amount of ink, the presence or absence of the ink cartridge can be detected more reliably than before, and the first light receiving unit can be moved by a predetermined distance. It is possible to control to detect the remaining amount of ink later.
[0026]
( 5 ) The light emitting means is a light emitting element that emits infrared light.
[0027]
According to this configuration, since the light emitting element that emits infrared light is used as the light emitting means, the infrared light is transmitted without being absorbed when passing through the black ink. can do.
[0028]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an ink remaining amount detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0029]
(Description of configuration)
1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a main part of an ink jet printer 1, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge 2 that is a target of ink remaining amount detection, FIG. 3 is a front view of FIG. 2, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the remaining ink amount detection process.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 1, cyan C, magenta M, yellow Y, and black B ink cartridges 2 are mounted on an ink carriage 3. The ink carriage 3 is provided with a bearing portion 5 through which the slide shaft 4 is slidably inserted, and a part of the endless belt 6 is fixed.
[0031]
The endless belt 6 is wound around a pulley 8 fixed to the output shaft of the stepping motor 7, and the driving force from the stepping motor 7 is transmitted to the ink carriage 3 via the endless belt 6, so that the ink carriage 3 slides. It is configured to move in the main scanning direction along the axis 4.
[0032]
A timing sensor 11 is provided on the side surface of the ink carriage 3 to control the stepping motor 7 by detecting the bar of the timing fence 12 inserted in the gap between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the timing sensor 11. The signal to do is obtained.
[0033]
A method for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 2 of the ink jet printer 1 configured as above will be described below. Since the ink cartridges 2 of the respective colors have a common configuration, the configuration of one ink cartridge 2 and the ink remaining amount detection method will be described.
[0034]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the ink cartridge 2 is provided with a substantially V-shaped groove 13 on its side surface. The groove 13 has a substantially trapezoidal cross section for detecting the remaining amount of ink. An ink remaining amount detection unit (hereinafter referred to as a detection unit) 14 is provided in the ink storage unit 16 (see FIG. 11).
[0035]
The upper inclined surface 141 as the first inclined surface and the lower inclined surface 142 as the second inclined surface of the detection unit 14 are inclined by rotating around the axis along the main scanning direction in a state where the ink cartridge 2 is mounted on the ink carriage 3. The normal lines of the upper slope 141 and the lower slope 142 are set to be orthogonal to each other.
[0036]
On the upper slope 141 and the lower slope 142, a reflective tape 15 is attached as a reflective member that totally reflects light from the widthwise end of the ink cartridge 2 to the center. This is provided to detect the position of the ink cartridge 2 by reflecting light from a light emitting element 143 described later and entering the light receiving element 144.
[0037]
The detection unit 14 is provided with one light emitting element 143 serving as a light emitting unit and two light receiving elements 144 and 145 serving as first and second light receiving units. As the light-emitting element 143, an element that emits infrared light is used, and an LED is particularly preferable. The light receiving elements 144 and 145 are preferably phototransistors. These elements are preferably arranged outside the paper conveyance area of the printer main body and outside the image forming area within the movement range of the ink carriage 3, particularly at a position near the maintenance unit (maintenance position). Is preferred.
[0038]
With such an arrangement of elements, the remaining amount of ink can be detected in a region (acceleration / deceleration region) where the movement speed of the ink carriage 3 on which the ink cartridge 2 is mounted is low, so that high detection accuracy can be obtained. Further, in this area, since the detection accuracy by the conveyed paper is not affected, the remaining amount of ink can always be accurately detected even during printing.
[0039]
The mutual positional relationship between the light emitting element 143 and the first and second light receiving elements 144 and 145 is as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, and the light emitted from the light emitting element 143 is reflected on the two inclined surfaces of the detection unit 14. The corresponding position states of the light emitting element 143, the first light receiving element 144, and the two inclined surfaces 141, 142 are set so as to reflect the light 141, 142 and enter the first light receiving element 144. Specifically, the optical axes of the light emitting element 143 and the first light receiving element 144 are set to be parallel to each other.
[0040]
Further, the corresponding positional relationship between the light emitting element 143 and the second light receiving element 145 is such that the light emitted from the light emitting element 143 reflects the upper slope 141 of the detection unit 14 and then passes through the lower slope 142 and passes through the second light receiving element 145. And the light axes of the light emitting element 143 and the second light receiving element 145 are set to make a right angle.
[0041]
(Detect ink level)
(1) Initial Setting When detecting the remaining amount of ink, the rotation of the stepping motor 7 is controlled while the position of the ink carriage 3 is detected by the timing sensor 11 (see FIG. 1), and the ink carriage 3 on which the ink cartridge 2 is mounted. Are moved in the main scanning direction so that the light from the light emitting element 143 first comes on the reflective tape 15 on the upper slope 141.
[0042]
When the ink carriage 3 is moved while the light emitting element 143 emits light, the light hits the reflective tape 15 on the upper inclined surface 141 and is reflected. The reflected light is applied to the reflecting tape 15 on the lower slope 142 and further reflected. This reflected light is incident on the first light receiving element 144, whereby the presence of the ink cartridge 2 is detected.
[0043]
After this signal is detected, the stepping motor 7 that drives the ink carriage 3 is controlled by the control device 10 as the detection means shown in FIG. 7, and the light emitting element 143 receives the detection unit 14 to which the reflective tape 15 is not attached. The ink carriage 3 holding the ink cartridge 2 is moved in the main scanning direction so as to be exposed to light. When the movement of the ink carriage 3 is finished, the light emitted from the light emitting element 143 is received by the second light receiving element 145.
[0044]
(2) When Ink is Sufficient As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, when ink 17 is sufficient in the ink container 16, the light irradiated to the point c that is the first reflection point of the upper slope 141. Passes through the upper slope 141 and proceeds into the ink containing portion 16. The upper slope 141 is made of the same resin material as the ink cartridge 2, and the refractive index of the ink 17 in the ink containing portion 16 at the same height as the point c is higher than that of the ink cartridge 2. Therefore, the light passes through the upper slope 141 without being reflected. As a result, the light from the light emitting element 143 is not incident on the first light receiving element 144 and the second light receiving element 145, and the control device 10 detects that there is sufficient ink.
[0045]
(3) When warning signal is displayed As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, when the upper plane of the ink 17 is at a position lower than the point c, the point where the upper plane of the ink is the point c and the second reflection point is described in detail. If it is between d, the light applied to the upper slope 141 is reflected by the upper slope 141, and then the reflected light passes through the lower slope 142 and travels through the ink containing portion 16. Thereafter, the transmitted light is incident on the second light receiving element 145 provided outside the ink cartridge 2.
[0046]
This is because air is present in the ink containing portion 16 at the same height as the point c on the upper slope 141, and the air has a lower refractive index than the material of the ink cartridge 2. Reflects when incident. Next, the ink 17 is present in the ink containing portion 16 at the same height as the point d, and the ink 17 has a higher refractive index than the material of the ink cartridge 2. When the light reflected from the light enters, the light passes through the lower slope 142 and is emitted to the outside of the ink cartridge 2.
[0047]
Thus, the light emitted from the ink cartridge 2 enters the second light receiving element 145, and the control device 10 detects that the ink cartridge 2 is in the ink cartridge replacement time or the ink replenishment time. In response to this detection signal, the control device 10 instructs the display device 12 to display a message prompting the user to replace the ink cartridge 2 or prompting the user to fill the ink 17, and displays the display to the user.
[0048]
(4) When a stop signal is displayed As shown in FIGS. 6 and 5, when the upper surface of the ink is at a position lower than the point c, the light applied to the upper inclined surface 141 is reflected by the upper inclined surface 141, and the reflected light thereafter The light is reflected by the lower slope 142 and enters the first light receiving element 144.
[0049]
This is because air is present in the ink containing portion 16 at the same height as the point c on the upper slope 141, and since air has a lower refractive index than the material of the ink cartridge 2, light is incident on this point. Then it reflects. Next, air also exists in the ink containing portion 16 at the same height as the point d. Since the air has a lower refractive index than the material of the ink cartridge 2, the air is reflected from the upper slope 141 at this point. When the incident light is incident, the lower slope 142 is also reflected.
[0050]
As a result, the light reflected from the lower inclined surface 142 enters the first light receiving element 144, and the control device 10 detects that there is almost no ink 17 in the ink cartridge 2. In response to this detection signal, the control device 10 instructs the printer 12 to stop printing when the ink head 9 ejects a predetermined number of dots, and instructs the display device 12 to display that the ink 17 is not in the ink cartridge 2. And display it to the user.
[0051]
According to the above configuration, when the ink 17 is sufficient, when the warning signal is displayed, and when the stop signal is displayed, the remaining ink in three stages is divided into one light emitting element 143, two light receiving elements 144, 145, and ink. Since it is possible to detect with a small number of constituent elements such as one detection unit 14 in the cartridge 2, the space for providing the light emitting element 143 and the light receiving elements 144 and 145 can be reduced. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a light emitting element, a light receiving element, and a detection unit corresponding to each of the warning signal display and the stop signal display as in the prior art, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention , when there is a sufficient amount of ink in the ink containing portion, in the case of a warning signal display, in the case of a stop signal display, three levels of ink remaining are displayed in one light emitting means, first light receiving means, and second Since detection can be performed with a small number of components called light receiving means, the space for providing the light emitting means and the light receiving means can be reduced.
[0053]
Further, since the normal lines of the first slope and the second slope are formed at right angles, the position adjustment of the light emitting means, the first light receiving means, and the second light receiving means is facilitated.
[0054]
In addition , since the first light receiving means can obtain a light amount larger than the incident light amount at the time of ink remaining amount detection, it can surely detect the presence or absence of the ink cartridge, and further detect the ink remaining amount after moving a predetermined distance. Control becomes possible.
[0055]
Further , since the light emitting element that emits infrared light is used as the light emitting means, when the infrared light passes through the black ink, it is transmitted without being absorbed, so that it can be reliably received by the light receiving element. .
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main configuration of an ink jet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge.
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cutaway configuration diagram for explaining the function of the ink remaining amount detection device when the ink is sufficient.
FIG. 5 is a main part fracture configuration diagram at the time when the ink becomes a predetermined amount or less.
FIG. 6 is a main part fracture configuration diagram when the ink is further reduced.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the same ink remaining amount detection processing.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a conventional ink cartridge.
FIG. 9 is a front view of the ink cartridge.
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cutaway configuration diagram for explaining the function of the ink remaining amount detection device.
11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
2-Ink cartridge 10-Detection means 14-Ink remaining amount detection part 15-Reflective member 16-Ink storage part 17-Ink 141-First slope 142-Second slope 143-Light emitting means 144-First light receiving means 145-First 2 light receiving means c-first reflection point d-second reflection point

Claims (5)

An ink cartridge mounted on the ink carriage and projecting inward from the side surface of the ink container, and has an upper first slope and a lower second slope, and these slopes face each other at an angle; An ink remaining amount detection unit where n0 <n1 <n2, where n1 is a refractive index of a light-transmitting member constituting each slope, n0 is a refractive index of air, and n2 is a refractive index of stored ink;
A light emitting unit that emits light in a horizontal direction toward the first slope of the ink remaining amount detection unit in a state of being opposed to a side surface of the ink storage unit;
When the first slope is in contact with air, the ink remaining amount detection unit reflects light emitted from the light emitting means as first reflected light on the first slope, and the first slope is ink. The angle of the first slope is set so that the light emitted from the light emitting means is transmitted through the ink containing portion when in contact with the air, and the second slope is in contact with air when the second slope is in contact with air. The first reflected light reflected by one inclined surface is reflected as second reflected light by the second inclined surface, and when the second inclined surface is in contact with ink, the first reflected light is reflected in the ink containing portion. The angle of the second slope is set so as to pass through
First light receiving means for receiving the second reflected light;
A second light receiving means for receiving the first reflected light when the first reflected light is not reflected by the second slope and is transmitted through the ink containing portion;
An ink remaining amount detecting apparatus comprising: a detecting unit configured to detect an ink remaining amount in the ink containing portion based on signals transmitted from the first light receiving unit and the second light receiving unit. The ink remaining amount detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the normal lines of the first slope and the second slope of the ink remaining amount detection unit are set to form a right angle. The ink remaining amount detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit, the first light receiving unit, and the second light receiving unit are disposed outside a paper conveyance area of a printer. A reflection member that is provided in the ink remaining amount detection unit and reflects all the light emitted from the light emitting unit to be incident on the first light receiving unit and is used for detecting the presence or absence of an ink cartridge; The ink remaining amount detection device according to claim 1. The ink remaining amount detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit is a light emitting element that emits infrared light.

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