JP6724406B2 - Judgment system and print fluid cartridge - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a determination system including a print fluid cartridge mounted in a cartridge mounting portion, and a print fluid cartridge.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image recording apparatus that records an image on a recording sheet using ink has been known. This image recording apparatus includes an inkjet recording head, and selectively ejects ink droplets from a nozzle of the recording head toward recording paper. When the ink droplets land on the recording paper, a desired image is recorded on the recording paper. This image recording apparatus is provided with an ink cartridge that stores ink to be supplied to the recording head. The ink cartridge can be attached to and detached from a mounting portion provided in the image recording apparatus.

In the ink cartridge, an IC chip that stores information about the ink cartridge such as ink color, material, remaining amount, and maintenance status is located in the housing, and an ink tank can be attached to and detached from the housing. There is (Patent Document 1).

JP, 2007-55138, A

In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when the ink in the ink tank is consumed, the ink tank is removed from the housing and replaced with a new ink tank. Then, the information stored in the IC chip located in the housing may not match the ink color in the replaced ink tank. Further, there is a possibility that the information itself stored in the IC chip may be wrong with respect to the actual type of ink cartridge. As a result, in the image recording apparatus, an ink cartridge may be erroneously mounted at a position where different ink colors are supplied, or an incompatible ink cartridge may be mounted in the image recording apparatus.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide means for surely determining the type of a printing fluid cartridge.

(1) The determination system according to the present invention has the first memory that stores the type information regarding the type of the printing fluid cartridge, and the identification unit having a different translucency is formed based on the type of the printing fluid cartridge. A printing fluid cartridge, a cartridge mounting portion to which the printing fluid cartridge can be mounted, and a cartridge mounting portion, which are arranged in the cartridge mounting portion, and detect the translucency of the identification unit to detect the translucency of the identification unit. An optical sensor that outputs different signals, a control unit, and a second memory that stores an instruction from the control unit are provided. The instruction from the control unit reads the type information regarding the type of the printing fluid cartridge from the first memory, and determines the type of the printing fluid cartridge based on the type information and the signal output from the optical sensor. Is.

The type of the print fluid cartridge is reliably determined based on the type information stored in the first memory and the translucency of the identification unit.

(2) Preferably, the instruction by the control unit is a type of printing fluid cartridge determined based on the type information, and a type of printing fluid cartridge determined based on a signal output from the optical sensor, , The print fluid cartridge type is determined to be inappropriate.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to reliably prevent an improper print fluid cartridge from being mounted and used in the cartridge mounting portion.

(3) Preferably, the determination system is formed in the cartridge mounting portion, an opening through which the print fluid cartridge is inserted and removed, a closed position for closing the opening, and the opening. And a cover sensor that outputs a different signal depending on whether the cover is in the closed position. The instruction by the unit reads the type information regarding the type of ink from the first memory when it is determined that the cover is in the closed position based on the signal output by the cover sensor, and the type information and the optical sensor are read. The type of print fluid cartridge is determined based on the signal output from the printer.

According to the above configuration, since the type of the print fluid cartridge is determined at the timing when the user is not operating the print fluid cartridge, stable determination with few errors can be realized.

(4) Preferably, the instruction from the control unit is based on a signal output from the cover sensor, from when it is determined that the cover is not in the closed position to when the cover is determined to be in the closed position. Up to this point, the number of changes in the signal output by the optical sensor is counted, and the type of the printing fluid cartridge is determined to be inappropriate based on the counted number.

According to the above configuration, the type of the print fluid cartridge can be determined without depending on the operation of the print fluid cartridge by the user, that is, the operation of inserting and removing the print fluid cartridge with respect to the cartridge mounting portion.

(5) Preferably, the instruction from the control unit is such that the type information regarding the type of ink cannot be read from the first memory when it is determined that the cover is in the closed position based on the signal output by the cover sensor. It is determined that the print fluid cartridge is not mounted in the cartridge mounting portion on the condition that

According to the above configuration, it can be determined that the user operated the cover but did not operate the print fluid cartridge.

(6) Preferably, the optical sensor has a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, and when the print fluid cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion, the optical sensor is provided between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. The identification unit is located.

(7) Preferably, the different translucency of the identifying portion depends on whether or not the identifying portion has an opening.

(8) Preferably, the print fluid cartridge has an upper surface that faces upward when mounted in the cartridge mounting portion, and the first memory and the identification portion are located on the upper surface.

(9) A print fluid cartridge according to the present invention comprises a first memory that stores type information regarding the type of print fluid cartridge, and an identification unit that has different translucency based on the type of print fluid cartridge. The type of the print fluid cartridge is determined based on the type information regarding the type of the print fluid cartridge read from the first memory and the translucency of the identification unit.

The type of the print fluid cartridge is reliably determined based on the type information stored in the first memory and the translucency of the identification unit.

(10) Preferably, when the type of printing fluid cartridge determined based on the type information does not match the type of printing fluid cartridge determined based on the signal output from the optical sensor, It is determined that the type of print fluid cartridge is inappropriate.

(11) Preferably, the different translucency of the identification portion depends on whether the identification portion has an opening.

(12) Preferably, the printing fluid cartridge is located on the front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, a printing fluid chamber that stores printing fluid between the front surface and the rear surface, and the front surface, A printing fluid supply unit for supplying a printing fluid from the printing fluid chamber to the outside, and the first memory and the identifying unit are located on the upper surface.

(13) Preferably, the identification section is located closer to the rear surface than the first memory.

According to the present invention, the type of printing fluid cartridge can be reliably determined.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of a printer 10 including a cartridge mounting section 110 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the cartridge mounting portion 110 in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the control unit 130. FIGS. 6A to 6C are schematic views of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a process in which the ink cartridge 30 having the identification rib 80 having the through hole 81 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. Yes, FIG. 6D is a diagram showing a change in the output signal of the optical sensor 115 in the insertion process of the ink cartridge 30. 7A to 7C are schematic views of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a process in which the ink cartridge 30 having the identification rib 80 in which the through hole 81 is not formed is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 7D is a diagram showing changes in the output signal of the optical sensor 115 during the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the type determination process of the ink cartridge 30 by the control unit 130. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the type determination process of the ink cartridge 30 by the control unit 130.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. It is needless to say that the embodiments described below are merely examples in which the present invention is embodied, and the embodiments can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention.

[Outline of Printer 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 records an image by selectively ejecting ink droplets onto a recording sheet based on an inkjet recording method. The printer 10 includes an ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 has an ink cartridge 30 and a cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 may be mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. An opening 112 is provided on one surface of the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into or removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the opening 112.

Ink that can be used in the printer 10 (an example of a printing fluid) is stored in the ink cartridge 30. The ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are connected by the ink tube 20 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110. The recording head 21 is provided with a sub tank 28. The sub tank 28 temporarily stores the ink supplied through the ink tube 20. The recording head 21 selectively ejects the ink supplied from the sub tank 28 from the nozzles 29 by an inkjet recording method.

The recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 15 to the conveyance path 24 by the paper feed roller 23 is conveyed to the platen 26 by the conveyance roller pair 25. The recording head 21 selectively ejects ink onto a recording sheet passing on the platen 26. As a result, the image is recorded on the recording sheet. The recording paper that has passed through the platen 26 is discharged by the discharge roller pair 22 to the paper discharge tray 16 provided on the most downstream side of the transport path 24.

[Ink supply device 100]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink supply device 100 is provided in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 supplies ink to the recording head 21 included in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge mounting portion 110 on which the ink cartridge 30 can be mounted. Note that FIG. 1 shows a state in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110. In this embodiment, the determination system is realized by the ink supply device 100 and the control unit 130 described later.

[Ink cartridge 30]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the ink cartridge 30 is a container that stores ink. A space formed inside the ink cartridge 30 is an ink chamber 36 that stores ink. A sensor arm 60 is provided in the ink chamber 36. The ink chamber 36 is formed by the housing of the main body 31 of the ink cartridge 30. For example, the ink chamber 36 is formed by an internal frame or the like that is a member different from the housing of the main body 31 forming the appearance of the ink cartridge 30. It may have been done. The ink cartridge 30 is an example of a printing fluid cartridge, and the ink chamber 36 is an example of a printing fluid chamber.

The ink cartridge 30 is in the upright state shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, that is, the lower surface of the figure is the lower surface and the upper surface of the figure is the upper surface, and the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the insertion direction. 57 and the removal direction 58. The insertion direction 57 and the extraction direction 58 are along the horizontal direction. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 while standing up. This standing state corresponds to the mounting posture. The direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110 is the insertion direction 57, and the direction in which it is taken out is the take-out direction 58. Further, the downward direction 52 in the standing state corresponds to the gravity direction.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the insertion direction 57 and the ejection direction 58 are along the horizontal direction, but the insertion direction 57 and the ejection direction 58 may be a gravity direction or a direction intersecting the horizontal direction and the gravity direction. .. If the insertion direction 57 and the extraction direction 58 are, for example, the gravity direction, the front surface of the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 57 faces downward.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ink cartridge 30 has a main body 31 having a three-dimensional shape formed of a substantially flat surface, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main body 31 as a whole is thin in the left direction 55 and the right direction 56, and has a flat shape in which the dimensions of the up direction 51 and the down direction 52, the front direction 53, and the back direction 54 are larger than the dimensions of the left direction 55 and the right direction 56. is there.

As shown in FIG. 2, the outer surface of the main body 31 that is the front side in the insertion direction 57 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110 is the front surface 40, and the outer surface of the main body 31 that is the rear side in the insertion direction 57. Is the rear surface 41. The front direction 53 and the rear direction 54 in this embodiment correspond to the directions in which the front surface 40 and the rear surface 41 face each other with the ink chamber 36 interposed therebetween. Further, the front surface 40 and the rear surface 41 face each other in the insertion direction 57 and the extraction direction 58. The front surface 40 and the rear surface 41 are connected to a pair of left and right side surfaces 37, 38 extending in the insertion direction 57 and the extraction direction 58. The upper surface 39 connects the side surfaces 37, 38 to the front surface 40 and the rear surface 41, and extends from the upper end of the front surface 40 to the upper end of the rear surface 41 along the inserting direction 57 and the ejecting direction 58. Further, the lower surface 42 extends from the lower end of the front surface 40 to the lower end of the rear surface 41 along the insertion direction 57 and the extraction direction 58. It is needless to say that the outer surface of the main body 31 does not necessarily have to be a flat surface and may have a curved surface or the like. In that case, the front surface 40 is an outer surface of the main body 31 that faces the front in the insertion direction 57, and is a surface that is arranged in front of half the dimension in the front direction 54 and the rear direction 54.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the remaining amount detection unit 33 is provided near the center of the upper surface 39 of the main body 31 in the front direction 53 and the rear direction 54. The remaining amount detecting portion 33 has a box shape whose lower portion is opened so as to communicate with the ink chamber 36, and extends above a top surface 39 on which an IC substrate 85 described later is provided.

Among the walls forming the remaining amount detection unit 33, at least the walls facing the left direction 55 and the right direction 56 have translucency. The inside of the remaining amount detection unit 33 is hollow. A part of the sensor arm 60 is arranged in the hollow space of the remaining amount detecting portion 33 so as to be movable in the front direction 53 and the rear direction 54. The sensor arm 60 is rotatably supported by a rotary shaft 62 extending in the left direction 55 and the right direction 56 in the ink chamber 36. The sensor arm 60 has a float 61 having a smaller specific gravity than the ink stored in the ink chamber 36. When the ink chamber 36 is filled with ink, the sensor arm 60 rotates clockwise in FIG. 4 due to the buoyancy of the float 61, and a part of the sensor arm 60 partitions the inside of the remaining amount detection unit 33. Abut the front of the wall.

When the ink in the ink chamber 36 becomes less than a predetermined amount, that is, when the liquid surface of the ink drops from a predetermined position of the float 61, the sensor arm 60 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. A part moves away from the front surface that partitions the inside of the remaining amount detection unit 33 and moves in the rear direction 54.

As shown in FIG. 4, in a state in which a part of the sensor arm 60 is in contact with the front surface of the remaining amount detecting portion 33, the remaining amount detecting portion 33 is emitted from the optical sensor 114 to the left direction 55 and the right direction 56. It is located at the position of the infrared light that passes along it (below the remaining amount detection unit 33) and blocks or attenuates the infrared light. When a part of the sensor arm 60 is located away from the front surface of the remaining amount detecting portion 33 in the rearward direction 54, a part of the sensor arm 60 is out of the position of the infrared light emitted from the optical sensor 114. The optical sensor 114 detects such a change in the light-transmitting state of the remaining amount detecting unit 33, and the control unit 130 determines that the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 36 is less than a predetermined amount.

An ink supply unit 34 (an example of a printing fluid supply unit) is provided below the front surface 40 of the main body 31. The ink supply portion 34 has a cylindrical outer shape, and projects from the front surface 40 in the insertion direction 57. An ink supply port 71 is formed at the protruding end of the ink supply unit 34.

In the internal space of the ink supply unit 34, an ink flow path 72 is formed that extends in the insertion direction 57 and the extraction direction 58 and connects the ink supply port 71 and the ink chamber 36. One end of the ink flow path 72 is opened to the outside of the body 31 at the ink supply port 71, and extends in the take-out direction 58 from the ink supply port 71 to the inside of the body 31. The ink supply port 71 can be opened and closed by the ink supply valve 70. The coil spring 73 biases the ink supply valve 70 toward the ink supply port 71. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink needle 117 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110 is inserted into the ink supply port 71, and the ink supply valve 70 is supplied with ink against the biasing force of the coil spring 73. Separated from the mouth 71. As a result, the ink in the ink chamber 36 flows out to the ink needle 117 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the ink flow path 72.

The ink supply port 71 is not limited to the structure that can be opened and closed by the ink supply valve 70. For example, the ink supply port 71 is closed with a film or the like, and the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110. Then, the ink supply port 71 may be opened by the ink needle 117 breaking through the film. Further, although not shown in the present embodiment, the main body 31 may be provided with an atmosphere communication port for making the atmospheric pressure of the ink chamber 36 maintained at a negative pressure to be the external atmospheric pressure.

As shown in FIG. 2, an IC substrate 85 (an example of an IC chip, a first memory) is provided on the upper surface 39 of the main body 31 in the front direction 53 from the remaining amount detection unit 33. Four electrodes 86 are formed on the upper surface of the IC substrate 85. Each of the electrodes 86 extends in the front direction 53 and the rear direction 54 on the upper surface of the IC substrate 85, and is provided in the left direction 55 and the right direction 56 so as to be separated from each other. Each electrode 86 is, for example, a HOT electrode, a GND electrode, a signal electrode, or the like. The IC substrate 85 is provided with an IC (not shown) electrically connected to each electrode 86. The IC is a semiconductor integrated circuit, and in addition to type information regarding the type of the ink cartridge 30, for example, data (type information) indicating information such as a lot number and a manufacturing date is readablely stored. The control unit 130 determines the type of the ink cartridge 30 based on the data read from the IC board 85.

As shown in FIG. 2, an identification rib 80 (an example of an identification portion) is provided on the upper surface 39 of the main body 31 at a position rearward of the IC substrate 85, that is, at a position closer to the rear surface 41. The identification rib 80 is an example of a configuration in which the light transmittance from the optical sensor 115 described later differs depending on the type of the ink cartridge 30, and is located behind the ink supply unit 34 and in front of the remaining amount detection unit 33. 1, 2, and 4, an identification rib 80 having a light shielding portion 82 and a through hole 81 is shown as an identification portion. The identification rib 80 projects from the upper surface 39 in the upward direction 51, has a thin dimension along the left direction 55 and the right direction 56, and has a thin plate shape extending along the front direction 53 and the rear direction 54. In the identification rib 80, a through hole 81 (an example of an opening) that penetrates the identification rib 80 in the left direction 55 and the right direction 56 is formed near the center of the front direction 53 and the rear direction 54.

The identification rib 80 penetrates between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 115 in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110, and emits infrared light emitted from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 115. Shade or attenuate. As shown in FIG. 4, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the through hole 81 of the identification rib 80 is located between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the optical sensor 115. The infrared light emitted from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 115 reaches the light receiving portion through the through hole 81 without being blocked or attenuated by the identification rib 80. In the identification rib 80, the through hole 81 may or may not be formed depending on the type of the ink cartridge 30. When the ink cartridge 30 having the identification rib 80 in which the through hole 81 is not formed, that is, the light shielding portion 82 is formed in the insertion direction 57, is attached to the cartridge attaching portion 110, the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 115 is generated. The light shielding part 82 of the identification rib 80 is located between the light receiving part and the infrared light emitted from the light emitting part is shielded or attenuated by the light shielding part 82 of the identification rib 80. The optical sensor 115 detects the presence or absence of the through hole 81 in the identification rib 80, and the control unit 130 determines the type of the ink cartridge 30.

[Cartridge mounting part 110]
As shown in FIG. 3, the case 101 forming the housing of the cartridge mounting portion 110 has an opening 112 on the front side of the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the case 101 through the opening 112. The case 101 can accommodate four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In FIG. 3, a space of the case 101 that can accommodate one ink cartridge 30 is shown. ing.

The opening 112 of the case 101 can be opened and closed by the cover 111. The cover 111 is attached to a rotating shaft 113 extending along the left direction 55 and the right direction 56 near the lower end of the opening 112 of the case 101. As a result, the cover 111 is rotated so that the upper end of the cover 111 moves toward the front direction 53 from the closed position (see FIG. 4) that closes the opening 112, and then the cover 111 is rotated to the open position shown in FIG. It is possible to move. When the cover 111 is in the open position, the user can insert and remove the ink cartridge 30 into and from the case 101 through the opening 112 of the case 101. When the cover 111 is in the closed position, the user cannot insert or remove the ink cartridge 30 into or from the case 101, and the user cannot access the ink cartridge 30 inserted in the case 101.

A cover sensor 118 is provided near the upper end of the opening 112 of the case 101. The cover sensor 118 can detect whether it is in contact with the cover 111. When the cover 111 is in the closed position, the cover sensor 118 contacts the vicinity of the upper end of the cover 111, and a detection signal is output from the cover sensor 118 to the control unit 130. If the cover 111 is not in the closed position, the cover 111 separates from the cover sensor 118, and the cover sensor 118 does not output a detection signal.

As shown in FIG. 3, the case 101 has an opening 112 and an end surface 102 that faces the opening 112 in the insertion direction 57 and the ejection direction 58. A connecting portion 103 is provided below the end surface 102. The connection portion 103 is arranged on the end surface 102 at a position corresponding to the ink supply portion 34 of each ink cartridge 30 mounted in the case 101.

The connecting portion 103 has an ink needle 117 and a holding portion 116. The ink needle 117 is made of a tubular resin needle. The ink needle 117 is connected to the ink tube 20 on the outer surface side that makes up the front surface and the back surface of the case 101. The ink tubes 20 connected from the respective ink needles 117 to the outer surface of the case 101, which is the front and back surfaces, are pulled up along the outer surface of the case 101, and then the ink is transferred to the recording head 21 of the printer 10. Has been extended for distribution. The ink tube 20 is omitted in FIGS.

The holding portion 116 is a cylindrical member that projects from the end surface 102 in the take-out direction 58. An ink needle 117 is arranged at the center of the holding portion 116. As shown in FIG. 4, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink supply portion 34 is inserted into the holding portion 116. At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical ink supply unit 34 contacts the inner peripheral surface of the holding unit 116. When the ink supply unit 34 is inserted into the holding unit 116, the ink needle 117 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply unit 34. As a result, the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 can flow out. The ink flowing out from the ink chamber 36 is supplied to the recording head 21 through the ink needle 117 and the ink tube 20.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the end surface 102 of the case 101, optical sensors 114 and 115 are provided above the connecting portion 103, respectively. Each of the optical sensors 114 and 115 is composed of a light emitting element provided at one end of the horseshoe-shaped casing and a light receiving element provided at the other end. The light emitting element is, for example, an LED or the like, and emits light in a horizontal direction (left direction 55 and right direction 56) perpendicular to the insertion direction 57 and the extraction direction 58. The light receiving element is, for example, a phototransistor, and receives the light emitted from the light emitting element.

The remaining amount detection unit 33 of the ink cartridge 30 can enter the space between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the optical sensor 114. When the remaining amount detector 33 enters the optical path of the optical sensor 114, the optical sensor 114 can detect a change in the amount of transmitted light by the remaining amount detector 33. The optical sensor 114 outputs the detection signal to the control unit 130.

The identification rib 80 of the ink cartridge 30 can enter the space between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the optical sensor 115. When the identification rib 80 enters the optical path of the optical sensor 115, the optical sensor 115 can detect a change in the amount of transmitted light by the identification rib 80. The optical sensor 115 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 130.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the top surface 104, four contacts 124 are provided side by side in the left direction 55 and the right direction 56 at positions facing the respective electrodes 86 provided on the upper surface of the IC substrate 85. .. The IC substrate 85 is electrically connected to the control unit 130 via each contact 124. By the conduction between the contact 124 and each electrode 86, electric power is supplied to the IC on the IC substrate 85, and it becomes possible to access the data stored in the IC. The output from the IC board 85 is input to the control unit 130.

[Control unit 130]
The printer 10 has a control unit 130 shown in FIG. The control unit 130 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM (an example of a second memory), a RAM, and the like, and may be disposed as a control board inside the apparatus housing as a control unit of the printer 10 or may be provided in the printer 10. It may be provided in the case 101 or the like as a separate control board independent of the control unit. The control unit 130 is connected to the IC substrate 85, the optical sensors 114 and 115, and the cover sensor 118 so that electric signals can be transmitted and received. The control unit 130 is also connected to other members such as a motor and a touch panel so as to be able to transmit and receive electric signals, but other members are omitted in the figure. A program for the control unit 130 to execute each process is stored in the ROM. The CPU performs an operation for executing each process based on the program stored in the ROM, and gives an instruction to each member. The RAM functions as a memory that temporarily stores various information.

[Mounting operation of ink cartridge 30]
Hereinafter, the operation of mounting the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 shows a process in which the ink cartridge 30 in which the through hole 81 is formed in the identification rib 80 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110 and a detection signal of the optical sensor 115. FIG. 7 shows a process in which the ink cartridge 30 in which the through hole 81 is not formed in the identification rib 80 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110 and a detection signal of the optical sensor 115. The presence or absence of the through hole 81 is set according to the type of the ink cartridge 30. The cover 111 is omitted in FIGS.

When the cover 111 is in the open position, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 7A, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 101 in the insertion direction 57 through the opening 112 of the case 101. At this time, since the identification rib 80 has not entered the optical path of the optical sensor 115, the optical sensor 115 outputs a Low level signal to the control unit 130 as shown in FIGS. 6D and 7D. To do.

As shown in FIGS. 6B and 7B, in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30, the front end portion of the identification rib 80, that is, the light shielding portion 82 enters the optical path of the optical sensor 115. As a result, the intensity of the infrared light received by the light receiving unit of the optical sensor 115 is weakened to less than the threshold value, and the optical sensor 115 controls the High level signal to the control unit as illustrated in FIGS. 6D and 7D. Output to 130.

As shown in FIGS. 6C and 7C, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted to the end surface 102 of the case 101, that is, to the mounting position, identification is performed as shown in FIG. 6C. When the through hole 81 is formed in the rib 80, the through hole 81 enters the optical path of the optical sensor 115. As a result, the infrared light of the optical sensor 115 is not blocked or attenuated, so that the optical sensor 115 outputs a Low level signal to the control unit 130, as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7C, if the through hole 81 is not formed in the identification rib 80, the light shielding portion 82 of the identification rib 80 is located in the optical path of the optical sensor 115. As a result, the intensity of the infrared light received by the light receiving section of the optical sensor 115 is weakened to less than the threshold value, and the optical sensor 115 outputs a high level signal to the control section 130, as shown in FIG.

Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 101 to the mounting position, the ink supply unit 34 fits into the holding unit 116 and the ink needle 117 as shown in FIGS. 6C and 7C. Is inserted into the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply unit 34. The ink supply valve 70 pushed by the ink needle 117 separates from the ink supply port 71 against the biasing force of the coil spring 73.

In addition, the IC substrate 85 pushes the contacts 124 upward and moves in the insertion direction 57. As a result, the electrodes 86 and the contacts 124 are brought into contact with each other, and the IC on the IC substrate 85 and the control unit 130 on the printer 10 side are electrically connected. Further, the remaining amount detection unit 33 enters the optical path of the optical sensor 114.

After the ink cartridge 30 is inserted to the mounting position of the case 101, the user rotates the cover 111 in the open position to the closed position. When the cover 111 in the closed position contacts the cover sensor 118, the cover sensor 118 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 130.

[Type determination process of ink cartridge 30]
Hereinafter, the type determination process of the ink cartridge 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. When the user uses the printer 10 for the first time, the ink cartridge 30 is mounted for the first time in the cartridge mounting portion 110 where the ink cartridge 30 is not mounted yet. The control unit 130 can store four types of modes (1 to 4) in the RAM, but this mode is initially set to the mode 1 (step S11).

Mode 1 indicates that the ink cartridge 30 is not attached. Mode 2 indicates that the normal ink cartridge 30 is mounted immediately before. Mode 3 indicates that the improper ink cartridge 30 having no identification rib 80 is mounted immediately before. The mode 4 has the identification rib 80 immediately before, but the ink cartridge 30 in which the type of the ink cartridge 30 indicated by the identification rib 80 does not match the type of the ink cartridge 30 stored in the IC substrate 85 is attached. It is shown that.

When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted, the user rotates the cover 111 closing the opening 112 of the case 101 of the cartridge mounting portion 110 from the closed position to the open position. The output signal of the cover sensor 118 changes as the cover 111 moves from the closed position. In response to the change in the output signal of the cover sensor 118, the control unit 130 determines that the cover 111 is not in the closed position. The control unit 130 counts the number of times the signal output by the optical sensor 115 has changed while the cover 111 is not in the closed position, and stores the number of times (step S12).

For example, when the ink cartridge 30 having the identification rib 80 in which the through hole 81 is not formed is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the signal output from the optical sensor 115 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal at least once. Change. At this time, the control unit 130 counts once. When the ink cartridge 30 having the identification rib 80 having the through hole 81 formed therein is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the signal output from the optical sensor 115 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal at least once. Changes, and further changes from the high level signal to the low level signal at least once. At this time, the control unit 130 counts twice.

When the user mounts the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the user rotates the cover 111 from the open position to the closed position. When the cover 111 is in the closed position, the output signal of the cover sensor 118 changes. Upon receiving the output signal of the cover sensor 118, the control unit 130 determines that the cover 111 is in the closed position (step S13: Yes). If the output signal of the cover sensor 118 does not change, the control unit 130 determines that the cover 111 is in the open position (step S13: No).

After determining that the cover 111 is in the closed position, the control unit 130 attempts to read data from the IC board 85. When the data cannot be read from the IC board 85 (step S14: No), the control unit 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 is not mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110, and displays the data on the display provided in the printer 10, for example. A message indicating that the ink cartridge 30 will be mounted is displayed (step S15). Then, the control unit 130 stores the mode 1 and resets the number of times the output signal of the optical sensor 115 has changed to zero (step S16).

When the data can be read from the IC substrate 85 (step S14: Yes), the control unit 130 reads the number of times the output signal of the optical sensor 115 has changed. If the number of times the output signal of the optical sensor 115 has changed is zero (step S17), the control unit 130 determines that an improper ink cartridge 30 having no identification rib 80 is mounted and, for example, the printer. A message indicating that the (normal) ink cartridge 30 is to be mounted is displayed on the display or the like provided in FIG. 10 (step S18). Then, the control unit 130 stores the mode 3 and resets the number of times the output signal of the optical sensor 115 has changed to zero (step S19).

If the number of times the output signal of the optical sensor 115 has changed is one or more (step S17), the control unit 130 subsequently determines the presence or absence of the through hole 81 based on the current output signal of the optical sensor 115. When the output signal of the optical sensor 115 is a high level signal (step S20: Yes), the control unit 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 is the type 1 ink cartridge 30 (step S21) and stores the type of the ink cartridge 30. If the output signal of the optical sensor 115 is a Low level signal (step S20: No), the control unit 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 is the type 2 ink cartridge (step S22) and stores the type of the ink cartridge 30.

The control unit 130 reads the information regarding the type of the ink cartridge 30 from the IC substrate 85 and determines whether it matches the stored type of the ink cartridge 30. If the types of the ink cartridges 30 match (step S23: Yes), the control unit 130 stores the mode 2 and resets the number of times the output signal of the optical sensor 115 has changed to zero (step S24).

If the types of the ink cartridges 30 do not match (step S23: No), the control unit 130 determines that an improper ink cartridge 30 is installed and, for example, displays on the display provided on the printer 10 (normal A message indicating that the ink cartridge 30 is mounted is displayed (step S25). Then, mode 4 is stored, and the number of times the output signal of the optical sensor 115 has changed is reset to zero (step S26).

If the number of times the ink cartridge 30 has been mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110 is the second or later, any one of modes 1 to 4 is stored in the control unit 130.

When the number of times the ink cartridge 30 is mounted is the second or later, the control unit 130 determines the type of the ink cartridge 30 in the same manner as described above in any of modes 1 and 3 (steps S11 to S26). That is, it is a case where the ink cartridge 30 is not mounted or an improper ink cartridge 30 having no identification rib 80 is mounted immediately before. After the second time, the user removes the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110 until the cover 111 is moved from the closed position to the open position and then to the closed position again by the user. Is assumed to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. In modes 1 and 3, the user does not remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting section 110, or the user removes the ink cartridge 30 having no identification rib 80 from the cartridge mounting section 110. Therefore, the output signal of the optical sensor 115 does not change before the new ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. Therefore, the type of the ink cartridge 30 can be determined as described above (steps S11 to S26).

When the number of times the ink cartridge 30 is mounted is the second or later, the control unit 130 determines the type of the ink cartridge 30 based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 in any of modes 2 and 4. That is, when the normal ink cartridge 30 is mounted immediately before, or immediately before, the inappropriate ink cartridge 30 in which the type indicated by the identification rib 80 and the type read from the IC substrate 85 are different is attached. That is the case. In modes 2 and 4, the output signal of the optical sensor 115 changes even when the user removes the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110. The control unit 130 counts the number of times that the output signal of the optical sensor 115 changes after the cover 111 is in the open position until it is in the closed position (step S27).

For example, when the ink cartridge 30 having the identification rib 80 in which the through hole 81 is not formed is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the signal output by the optical sensor 115 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal at least once. To do. At this time, the control unit 130 counts once. When the ink cartridge 30 having the identification rib 80 having the through hole 81 formed therein is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the signal output from the optical sensor 115 changes from the low level signal to the high level signal at least once. Then, the High level signal is changed to the Low level signal at least once. At this time, the control unit 130 counts twice. Subsequently, also when the new ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the signal output by the optical sensor 115 changes in the same manner as described above. Also at this time, the control unit 130 counts the number of times that the output signal of the optical sensor 115 changes after the cover 111 reaches the open position until it reaches the closed position (step S27).

When the user mounts the new ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the user rotates the cover 111 from the open position to the closed position. When the cover 111 is in the closed position, the output signal of the cover sensor 118 changes. Upon receiving the output signal of the cover sensor 118, the control unit 130 determines that the cover 111 is in the closed position (step S28: Yes). If the output signal of the cover sensor 118 does not change, the control unit 130 determines that the cover 111 is in the open position (step S28: No).

After determining that the cover 111 is in the closed position, the control unit 130 attempts to read data from the IC board 85. When the data cannot be read from the IC board 85 (step S29: No), the control unit 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 is not mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110, and displays the data on the display provided in the printer 10, for example. A message indicating that the ink cartridge 30 is to be mounted is displayed (step S30). Then, the control unit 130 stores the mode 1 and resets the number of times the output signal of the optical sensor 115 has changed to zero (step S31).

When the data can be read from the IC substrate 85 (step S29: Yes), the control unit 130 reads the number of times the output signal of the optical sensor 115 has changed. If the output signal of the optical sensor 115 has changed 0 times (step S32), the control unit 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 mounted immediately before has not been removed, and outputs the output of the optical sensor 115. The number of times the signal has changed is reset to zero (step S33).

If the output signal of the optical sensor 115 has changed once (step S32), the control unit 130 determines that an improper ink cartridge 30 having no identification rib 80 is attached, and for example, the printer. A message indicating that the (normal) ink cartridge 30 is to be mounted is displayed on the display or the like provided in FIG. 10 (step S34). Then, the control unit 130 stores the mode 3 and resets the number of times the output signal of the optical sensor 115 has changed to zero (step S35).

If the number of times the output signal of the optical sensor 115 has changed is two or more (step S32), the control unit 130 subsequently determines the presence or absence of the through hole 81 based on the current output signal of the optical sensor 115. If the output signal of the optical sensor 115 is a high level signal (step S36: Yes), the control unit 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 is the type 1 ink cartridge 30 (step S37), and stores the type of the ink cartridge 30. When the output signal of the optical sensor 115 is a Low level signal (step S36: No), the control unit 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 is the type 2 ink cartridge 30 (step S38), and stores the type of the ink cartridge 30.

The control unit 130 reads information regarding the type of the ink cartridge 30 from the IC board 85 and determines whether the information matches the stored type of the ink cartridge 30. When the types of the ink cartridges 30 match (step S39: Yes), the controller 130 stores the mode 2 and resets the number of times the output signal of the optical sensor 115 has changed to zero (step S40).

If the types of the ink cartridges 30 do not match (step S39: No), the control unit 130 determines that an improper ink cartridge 30 is installed and, for example, displays on a display or the like provided in the printer 10 (normal. A message indicating that the ink cartridge 30 is mounted is displayed (step S41). Then, mode 4 is stored, and the number of times the output signal of the optical sensor 115 has changed is reset to zero (step S42).

As described above, the information regarding the type of the ink cartridge 30 is determined. The control unit 130 performs processing according to the read information regarding the type of the ink cartridge 30. For example, when the information on the type of the ink cartridge 30 is the information on the ink capacity of the ink cartridge 30, the control unit 130 sets the printable number according to the ink capacity.

[Operation and effect of this embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, the control unit 130 reads data (type information) regarding the type of the ink cartridge 30 from the IC substrate 85, and the data and the type of the identification rib 80 based on the signal output from the optical sensor 115. Since the type of the ink cartridge 30 is determined based on the above, the type of the ink cartridge 30 is reliably determined.

The control unit 130 also determines the type of the ink cartridge 30 determined based on the data read from the IC substrate 85 and the type of the ink cartridge 0 determined based on the signal output from the optical sensor 115 in the mounted state. , The ink cartridge 30 is determined to be improper, and thus the improper ink cartridge 30 is reliably prevented from being mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110 and used.

In addition, when the control unit 130 determines that the cover 111 is in the closed position based on the signal output from the cover sensor 118, the control unit 130 reads data regarding the type of ink from the IC substrate 85, and the data and the optical sensor 115. Since the type of the ink cartridge 30 is determined based on the type of the identification rib 80 based on the output signal, the type of the ink cartridge 30 is determined at the timing when the user does not operate the ink cartridge 30. As a result, stable determination with few errors is realized.

Further, the control unit 130 outputs the optical sensor 115 from the time when it is determined that the cover 111 is not in the closed position to the time when it is determined that the cover 111 is in the closed position based on the signal output from the cover sensor 118. The number of changes in the signal is counted, and it is determined that the type of the ink cartridge 30 is inappropriate based on the counted number. Therefore, the user operates the ink cartridge 30, that is, the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110. The type of the ink cartridge 30 can be determined without depending on the insertion and removal operations of the ink cartridge 30.

Further, when the control unit 130 determines that the cover 111 is at the closed position based on the signal output from the cover sensor 118, the cartridge 130 is conditioned that the data regarding the type of ink cannot be read from the IC substrate 85. Since it is determined that the ink cartridge 30 is not attached to the attachment portion 110, it can be determined that the user has operated the cover 111 but not the ink cartridge 30.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 130 stores any one of the modes 1 to 4, but such a mode setting may not be performed. For example, in the printer 10, in the initial state in which the ink cartridge 30 is not mounted, for example, a dummy ink cartridge that shields the optical sensor 115 is mounted, or an initial member that shields the optical sensor 115 is mounted. However, when the user uses the printer 10 for the first time, it is assumed that the dummy cartridge and the initial member are removed. When the user opens the cover 111 and removes the dummy cartridge and the initial member, the signal output from the optical sensor 115 changes at least once. According to such an embodiment, the control unit 130 may execute the process other than the mode setting process in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 without executing the flowchart shown in FIG. The effect of is produced.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the IC substrate 85 and the identification rib 80 are provided on the upper surface 39 of the main body 31 is given, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the IC substrate 85 may be provided on the front surface 40 of the main body 31. Further, the identification rib 80 may be provided on the side surfaces 37, 38 and the lower surface 42 of the main body 31. Further, the relative positional relationship between the IC substrate 85 and the identification rib 80 is not limited.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the output signal of the optical sensor 115 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110 differs depending on whether the through hole 81 is formed in the identification rib 80. Instead of the hole 81, for example, a window or the like that transmits or attenuates infrared light may be provided in the identification rib 80.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the through hole 81 is formed in the identification rib 80, but for example, two types of ink cartridges 30 having the light shielding portions 82 having different sizes in the front direction 53 and the rear direction 54 are provided. May be done. That is, the identification unit of the present invention may be provided by the identification rib 80 and the space provided behind the identification rib 80 (between the remaining amount detection unit 33 and the identification rib 80 in the present embodiment).

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 130 is provided in the printer 10, but the control unit 130 may be provided in an external information device connected to the printer 10 so as to be able to communicate information.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ink is described as an example of the printing fluid, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, instead of the liquid such as ink, powder such as toner may be used as the printing fluid. Further, it goes without saying that the structure such as the recording system of the printer 10 may be appropriately changed depending on the printing fluid.

30... Ink cartridge (printing fluid cartridge)
34... Ink supply unit (printing fluid supply unit)
36... Ink chamber (printing fluid chamber)
39... Top surface 40... Front surface 41... Rear surface 85... IC substrate (first memory)
80... Identification rib (identification part)
81... Through hole (opening)
110... Cartridge mounting unit 115... Optical sensor 130... Control unit (ROM, second memory)
112... Opening 111... Cover 118... Cover sensor

Claims (7)

A print fluid cartridge having a first memory for storing type information relating to the type of print fluid cartridge, and having an identification portion having different translucency based on the type of print fluid cartridge;
A cartridge mounting portion to which the printing fluid cartridge can be mounted,
An optical sensor that is disposed in the cartridge mounting portion, detects the translucency of the identification portion, and outputs a different signal depending on the translucency of the identification portion,
An opening formed in the cartridge mounting portion, through which the print fluid cartridge is inserted and removed;
A closed position that closes the opening, and a cover that is movable to an open position that allows the printing fluid cartridge to pass through the opening.
A cover sensor that outputs a different signal depending on whether the cover is in the closed position,
A control unit,
A second memory for storing instructions from the control unit,
The instruction from the control unit reads the type information regarding the type of ink from the first memory when it is determined that the cover is in the closed position based on the signal output by the cover sensor. A determination system for determining the type of print fluid cartridge based on a signal output from an optical sensor. The instruction by the control unit, when the type of printing fluid cartridge determined based on the type information and the type of printing fluid cartridge determined based on the signal output from the optical sensor do not match, The determination system according to claim 1, wherein the determination system determines that the type of print fluid cartridge is inappropriate. The instruction from the control unit is based on the signal output from the cover sensor, from the time when it is determined that the cover is not in the closed position to the time when it is determined that the cover is in the closed position. The determination system according to claim 1 or 2 , which counts the number of changes in the signal output by the printer, and determines that the type of the printing fluid cartridge is inappropriate based on the counted number. The instruction from the control unit is on condition that the type information regarding the type of ink cannot be read from the first memory when it is determined that the cover is in the closed position based on the signal output from the cover sensor. , the determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which it is determined that the printing fluid cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion is not mounted. The optical sensor has a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion,
When the printing fluid cartridge is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion, the determination system according to any of claims 1 to 4, the identification unit is positioned between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. The determination system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the different translucency of the discriminating portion depends on whether or not the discriminating portion has an opening. The printing fluid cartridge has an upper surface that faces upward when mounted in the cartridge mounting portion,
The first memory and the identification section, the determination system according to any one of claims 1 located above the upper surface 6 of.

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