Detector unit and ink cartridge incorporated in recording apparatus, and method of judging presence of the ink cartridge using the detector unit

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6561611
  • Patent Number
    6,561,611
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, December 6, 2000
    23 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, May 13, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
Recording paper fed from a paper feed section comes in contact with a paper detection member of a detector unit and the paper detection member is rotated about a first fulcrum, shading the optical axis of an optical sensor. When the recording paper passes through and the paper detection member is brought out of contact with the recording paper, the paper detection member is restored to the former position and does not shade the optical axis. A carriage/cartridge detection member of the detector unit comes in contact with a carriage engagement part and a cartridge engagement part placed in a carriage and is rotated about a second fulcrum, shading the optical axis of the optical sensor. When the carriage/cartridge detection member is brought out of contact with the engagement parts, the carriage/cartridge detection member is restored to the former position and does not shade the optical axis.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates to a detector unit used with a recording apparatus such as a printer, a plotter, a facsimile, or a copier for detecting recording paper, a carriage, and an ink cartridge. The invention also relates to an ink cartridge preferably used with the above-mentioned recording apparatus and a method of detecting attachment state of the ink cartridge.




A recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer comprises a paper feed section for feeding recording paper into a record section and the record section for recording the fed recording paper, for example. The record section jets ink drops from a recording head attached to a carriage with reciprocating of the carriage and transports the recording paper in a subscanning direction. The ink drop jetting operation and the recording paper transport operation are performed in synchronization with each other, whereby recording (namely, printing) is executed on the recording paper.




Such a recording apparatus is provided with a paper detector for detecting the position of the recording paper sent from the paper feed section to the record section, the length of the recording paper, and the like. It is also provided with a standby position detector for detecting the position of the carriage in the main scanning direction, particularly the standby position, the reference position of the carriage in the main scanning direction (standby position). Further, the recording apparatus of the type wherein an ink cartridge is held detachably in the carriage is also provided with an ink cartridge detector for sensing whether or not an ink cartridge is held.




The related recording apparatus is provided with the paper detector, the standby position detector, and the ink cartridge detector separately. For example, the paper detector is placed on a paper feed passage from the paper feed section to the record section and the standby position detector is placed in the vicinity of the standby position of the carriage. The ink cartridge detector is placed in the carriage holding an ink cartridge.




Thus, the related recording apparatus is provided with the detectors in a one-to-one correspondence with the objects to be detected and thus the structure of the recording apparatus becomes complicated and the number of parts is increased; this is a problem. There are strong demands for decreasing costs and miniaturization for this kind of recording apparatus, and a decrease in the number of parts and simplification of the structure are demanded.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




It is therefore an object of the invention to simplify the structure of a detector unit and decrease the number of parts.




In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided a detector unit incorporated in a recording apparatus which comprises:




a carriage provided with a recording head and a cartridge holder in which an ink cartridge is detachably held;




a record section in which the carriage is reciprocately moved in a main scanning direction to record information onto recording paper; and




a paper feeding section for feeding the recording paper into the record section,




the detector unit comprising:




at least two of the following detection members:




a carriage detection member displaced by the main scanning movement of the carriage;




a cartridge detection member detectably displaced by the main scanning movement of the carriage when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder; and




a paper detection member displaced by the recording paper fed into the record section; and




a single detector for varying an output signal therefrom in accordance with the at least two detection members to recognize at least two of the carriage, the ink cartridge and the recording paper.




In this configuration, since the single detector is used to detect a plurality of detection objects, the structure of a recording apparatus can be simplified, the number of parts of the recording apparatus can be decreased, and the costs of the recording apparatus can be reduced.




Preferably, the paper detection member is placed on a transporting path of the recording paper in the record section so as to be movable between a first reference position and a first move position. The paper detection member is situated at the first reference position when the recording paper is not in contact therewith, and is situated at the first move position when the recording paper comes in contact therewith. A carriage engagement member is provided with the carriage. The carriage detection member is placed on a traveling path of the carriage engagement member so as to be movable between a second reference position and a second move position. The carriage detection member is situated at the second reference position when the carriage engagement member is not in contact therewith, and is situated at the second move position when the carriage engagement member comes in contact therewith. The detector detects at least one of the displacement of the paper detection member from the first reference position to the first move position and the displacement from the first move position to the first reference position. The detector also detects at least one of the displacement of the carriage detection member from the second reference position to the second move position and the displacement from the second move position to the second reference position.




Preferably, the carriage engagement member comes in contact with the carriage detection member when the carriage is situated at a standby position thereof.




In this configuration, the standby position, used as a reference position for the movement of the carriage, can be detected.




Preferably, the detector includes a photo emitter and a photo detector. The photo detector receives the light emitted from the photo emitter when the paper detection member is situated at the first reference position and the carriage detection member is situated at the second reference position. The light emitted from the photo emitter is shaded when the paper detection member is situated at the first move position and the carriage detection member is situated at the second move position.




In this configuration, the structure of the detector can be simplified, whereby the configuration of the detector unit and by extension the recording apparatus can be simplified and the manufacturing costs can also be reduced.




Preferably, the paper detection member is pivotable between the first reference position and the first move position about a first fulcrum which defines a first move end and a second move end opposed to the first move end through the first fulcrum in between. The recording paper comes in contact with a first contact portion provided on the first move end of the paper detection member. The light emitted from the photo emitter is shaded by a first shading plate formed on the second move end of the paper detection member.




Preferably, the carriage detection member is pivotable between the second reference position and the second move position about a second fulcrum which defines a first move end and a second move end opposed to the first move end through the second fulcrum in between. The carriage engagement member comes in contact with a second contact portion provided on the first move end of the carriage detection member. The light emitted from the photo emitter is shaded by a first shading plate formed on the second move end of the carriage detection member.




In the above configurations, since the paper detection member and the carriage detection member can be provided as simple shape members, manufacturing can be facilitated and the manufacturing costs can be reduced.




Preferably, a cartridge engagement member is provided with the carriage so as to be movable between an absence position and a presence position. The cartridge engagement member is situated at the absence position when the ink cartridge is not mounted in the cartridge holder, and is situated at the presence position when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder. The cartridge engagement member is arranged away from the carriage engagement member in the main scanning direction, and arranged such that either the absence position or the presence position is to be abutted against the carriage detection member in accordance with the main scanning movement of the carriage. Respective widths of the carriage engagement member and the cartridge engagement member are made different from each other in the main scanning direction. The carriage detection member is situated at the second move position when the cartridge engagement member comes in contact with the carriage detection member.




Preferably, a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted in the cartridge holder. A plurality of cartridge engagement members are provided in association with the plural ink cartridges. The plural cartridge engagement members are arranged away from each other in the main scanning direction, and arranged such that either the absence position or the presence position is to be subsequently abutted against the carriage detection member in accordance with the main scanning movement of the carriage. Respective widths of the carriage engagement member and the cartridge engagement members are made different from each other in the main scanning direction. The carriage detection member is situated at the second move position when one of the cartridge engagement members comes in contact with the carriage detection member.




In the above configurations, the output signal of the detector varies depending on the engagement members. Therefore, the carriage and the cartridge can be distinguished from each other according to the simple structure.




Alternatively, the paper detection member is placed on a transporting path of the recording paper in the record section so as to be movable between a first reference position and a first move position. The paper detection member is situated at the first reference position when the recording paper is not in contact therewith, and is situated at the first move position when the recording paper comes in contact therewith. A cartridge engagement member is provided with the carriage so as to be movable between an absence position and a presence position. The cartridge engagement member is situated at the absence position when the ink cartridge is not mounted in the cartridge holder, and is situated at the presence position when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder. The cartridge detection member is placed on a traveling path of the cartridge engagement member so as to be movable between a second reference position and a second move position. The cartridge detection member is situated at the second reference position when the cartridge engagement member is not in contact therewith, and is situated at the second move position when the cartridge engagement member comes in contact therewith. The detector detects at least one of the displacement of the paper detection member from the first reference position to the first move position and the displacement from the first move position to the first reference position. The detector also detects at least one of the displacement of the cartridge detection member from the second reference position to the second move position and the displacement from the second move position to the second reference position.




Preferably, a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted in the cartridge holder. A plurality of cartridge engagement members are provided in association with the plural ink cartridges. The plural cartridge engagement members are arranged away from each other in the main scanning direction, and arranged such that either the absence position or the presence position is to be subsequently abutted against the cartridge detection member in accordance with the main scanning movement of the carriage. The cartridge detection member is situated at the second move position when one of the cartridge engagement members comes in contact with the cartridge detection member. Respective widths of the cartridge engagement members are made different from each other in the main scanning direction.




Alternatively, a carriage engagement member is provided with the carriage. The carriage detection member is placed on a traveling path of the carriage engagement member so as to be movable between a first reference position and a first move position. The carriage detection member is situated at the first reference position when the carriage engagement member is not in contact therewith, and is situated at the first move position when the carriage engagement member comes in contact therewith. A cartridge engagement member is provided with the carriage so as to be movable between an absence position and a presence position. The cartridge engagement member is situated at the absence position when the ink cartridge is not mounted in the cartridge holder, and is situated at the presence position when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder. The cartridge engagement member is arranged away from the carriage engagement member in the main scanning direction, and arranged such that either the absence position or the presence position is to be abutted against the carriage detection member in accordance with the main scanning movement of the carriage. Respective widths of the carriage engagement member and the cartridge engagement member are made different from each other in the main scanning direction. The detector detects at least one of the displacement of the carriage detection member from the first reference position to the first move position and the displacement from the first move position to the first reference position.




Preferably, the carriage engagement member comes in contact with the carriage detection member when the carriage is situated at a standby position thereof.




Preferably, a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted in the cartridge holder. A plurality of cartridge engagement members are provided in association with the plural ink cartridges. The plural cartridge engagement members are arranged away from each other in the main scanning direction, and arranged such that either the absence position or the presence position is to be subsequently abutted against the carriage detection member in accordance with the main scanning movement of the carriage. Respective widths of the carriage engagement member and the cartridge engagement members are made different from each other in the main scanning direction. The carriage detection member is situated at the first move position when one of the cartridge engagement members comes in contact with the carriage detection member.




Alternatively, at least the carriage detection member and the cartridge detection member are provided as the detection members. The cartridge detection member is situated on a traveling path of the carriage detection member only when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder. The detector is arranged within a region in which the carriage is movable in the main scanning direction to detect the carriage detection member and the cartridge detection member.




In this configuration, since the carriage detection member and the cartridge detection member are provided with the carriage and are detected directly by the detector, the configuration of the detector unit and by extension the recording apparatus can be simplified and the manufacturing costs can also be reduced.




Preferably, the cartridge detection member is integrally formed with the ink cartridge.




Preferably, the cartridge detection member is integrally formed with the cartridge holder.




Preferably, the detector includes a photo emitter and a photo detector for receiving light emitted from the photo emitter. The carriage detection member and the cartridge detection member are shading projections which are to be passed between the photo emitter and the photo detector.




Preferably, respective widths of the carriage detection member and the cartridge detection member are made different from each other in the main scanning direction.




Preferably, a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted in the cartridge holder. A plurality of cartridge detection members are provided in association with the plural ink cartridges. Respective widths of the cartridge detection members are made different from each other in the main scanning direction.




Preferably, a transparent part is formed on at least one of the carriage detection member and the cartridge detection member.




Preferably, a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted in the cartridge holder. A plurality of cartridge detection members are provided in association with the plural ink cartridges. A transparent part is formed on at least one of the cartridge detection members.




According to the present invention, there is also provided an ink cartridge incorporated in a recording apparatus which comprises:




a carriage reciprocately moved in a main scanning direction, and provided with a recording head, a carriage detection member and a cartridge holder in which the ink cartridge is detachably held; and




a detector arranged within a region in which the carriage is movable in the main scanning direction to detect the carriage detection member. The ink cartridge comprises a cartridge detection member situated on a traveling path of the carriage detection member to be detected by the detector.




Preferably, the detector includes a photo emitter and a photo detector for receiving light emitted from the photo emitter. The cartridge detection member is a shading projection which is to be passed between the photo emitter and the photo detector.




Preferably, a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted in the cartridge holder. A plurality of cartridge detection members are provided in association with the plural ink cartridges. Respective widths of the cartridge detection members are made different from each other in the main scanning direction.




Preferably, respective widths of the carriage detection member and the cartridge detection member are made different from each other.




Preferably, a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted in the cartridge holder. A plurality of cartridge detection members are provided in association with the plural ink cartridges. A transparent part is formed on at least one of the cartridge detection members.




According to the present invention, there is also provided an ink cartridge incorporated in a recording apparatus which comprises:




a carriage reciprocately moved in a main scanning direction, and provided with a recording head, a carriage detection member and a cartridge holder in which the ink cartridge is detachably held; and




a detector arranged within a region in which the carriage is movable in the main scanning direction to detect the carriage detection member. The ink cartridge comprises a cartridge detection member to be detected by the detector when the carriage is moved.




Preferably, the detector includes a photo emitter and a photo detector for receiving light emitted from the photo emitter. The cartridge detection member is a shading projection which is to be passed between the photo emitter and the photo detector.




Preferably, the cartridge detection member also serves as the carriage detection member.




Preferably, a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted in the cartridge holder. A plurality of cartridge detection members are provided in association with the plural ink cartridges. Respective widths of the cartridge detection members are made different from each other in the main scanning direction.




According to the present invention, there is also provided a method of judging presence of an ink cartridge, comprising the steps of:




preparing a recording apparatus which comprises:




a carriage provided with a recording head, a carriage detection member and a cartridge holder in which the ink cartridge is detachably held;




a record section in which the carriage is reciprocately moved in a main scanning direction to record information onto recording paper;




a paper feeding section for feeding the recording paper into the record section; and




a detector arranged within a region in which the cartridge is movable in the main scanning direction to detect the carriage detection member;




preparing an ink cartridge provided with a cartridge detection member situated on a traveling path of the carriage detection member to be detected by the detector, only when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder; displaced by the main scanning movement of the carriage is provided;




moving the carriage to a first position where the carriage detection member is detected by the detector;




moving the carriage from the first position to a second position where the cartridge detection member is detected by the detector; and




determining whether the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder with reference to an output signal of the detector.




Preferably, the carriage is moved by a pulse motor which is operated in accordance with the number of input pulse. The distance between the first position and the second position is managed by the number of pulses to be input into the pulse motor.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




In the accompanying drawings:





FIG. 1

is a perspective view to show a schematic structure of the inside of a printer;





FIG. 2

is a right schematic side view, partly in cross section, of the printer;





FIG. 3A

is a right side view of a detector unit,

FIG. 3B

is a left side view of the detector unit, and

FIG. 3C

is a plan view (top view) of the detector unit;





FIG. 4A

is a front view of the detector unit and

FIG. 4B

is a rear view of the detector unit;





FIG. 5

is a drawing to show the state before the tip of recording paper comes in contact with a paper detection member;





FIG. 6

is a drawing to show the state in which the recording paper is in contact with the paper detection member;





FIG. 7

is a drawing to show the state after the recording paper passes through the paper detection member;





FIG. 8

is a perspective view to show the general configuration of a carriage;





FIG. 9

is a right side view of the carriage;





FIG. 10

is a plan view to show the carriage and the detector unit;





FIG. 11

is a schematic representation to show detection of an ink cartridge and detection of the standby position of a carriage;





FIG. 12

is a schematic representation to show detection of an ink cartridge and detection of the standby position of a carriage;





FIG. 13

is a schematic representation to show detection of an ink cartridge and detection of the standby position of a carriage;





FIG. 14

is a flowchart to show a flow of general processing of detection of the ink cartridge and detection of the standby position of the carriage;





FIG. 15

is a flowchart to show a detailed flow of the carriage/ink cartridge detection processing;





FIG. 16

is a flowchart to show a detailed flow of the carriage/ink cartridge detection processing;





FIG. 17

is a flowchart to show a detailed flow of the carriage/ink cartridge detection processing;





FIGS. 18A and 18B

are drawings to describe a second embodiment wherein a carriage detection member and cartridge detection members are placed in a carriage;

FIG. 18A

is a plan view and

FIG. 18B

is a sectional view;





FIGS. 19A

to


19


C are drawings to describe a third embodiment wherein a carriage detection member and cartridge detection members are placed in a carriage;

FIG. 19A

is a plan view,

FIG. 19B

is a sectional view, and

FIG. 19C

is a sectional view to show a state in which no ink cartridge is placed; and





FIGS. 20A

to


20


F are drawings to describe embodiments wherein light transmission sections are provided for detection members.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS




Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there are shown preferred embodiments of the invention. In the description that follows, as “recording apparatus” according to the invention, ink jet printers (simply, printers) are taken as examples.




First, the general configuration of the printer will be discussed.

FIG. 1

is a perspective view to show a schematic structure of the inside of a printer


1


and

FIG. 2

is a right schematic side view, partly in cross section, of the printer


1


. As shown in the figures, the printer


1


comprises a paper feed section


3


for feeding recording paper


2


, a kind of print record medium, a record section


4


for recording the fed recording paper


2


, and a paper discharge section


5


for transporting the recorded recording paper


2


in a discharge direction.




The paper feed section


3


comprises a support plate


6


being placed in the rear part of the printer


1


for guidably supporting the recording paper


2


, a paper feed roller


7


for coming in contact with the recording paper


2


and feeding the recording paper


2


to the side of the record section


4


, a detector unit


8


, and a guide plate


9


for guiding the recording paper


2


fed by the paper feed roller


7


to the record section


4


. A paper feed motor (not shown) operated under the control of a controller


10


is joined to the paper feed roller


7


and the paper feed roller


7


is rotated by the drive force of the paper feed motor.




The detector unit


8


is attached to a frame


11


of the printer


1


. The detector unit


8


comprises a paper detection member


12


for detecting the recording paper


2


, a carriage/cartridge detection member


15


for detecting a standby position (standby position) at which a carriage


13


stands by and detecting the presence or absence of an ink cartridge


14


held in the carriage


13


, and an optical sensor


16


of transmission type, a kind of detector of the invention (see FIG.


3


). Output of the optical sensor


16


(namely, electric signal) is given to the controller


10


. The detailed configuration and function of the detector unit


8


will be discussed later.




The record section


4


comprises the carriage


13


provided with a cartridge holder section


20


for detachably holding an ink cartridge


14


, the carriage


13


to which a recording head is attached, a carriage guide shaft


22


for guiding the carriage


13


along the main scanning direction (paper width direction), a paper transport roller


23


for transporting the recording paper


2


, a platen


24


for guiding the recording paper


2


, and a carriage scan mechanism for moving the carriage


13


along the carriage guide shaft


22


.




The paper transport roller


23


is made up of a large-diameter drive roller at a lower position and a small-diameter driven roller at an upper position. A paper feed motor


25


controlled by the controller


10


is joined to the drive roller and the drive roller is rotated by the drive force of the paper feed motor


25


. The driven roller is rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the drive roller.




As shown in

FIG. 1

, the carriage scan mechanism is made up of a carriage motor


26


placed on one end side of the left and right of the frame


11


, a drive pulley


27


connected to the rotation shaft of the carriage motor


26


, a driven pulley


28


placed on an opposite end side of the left and right of the frame


11


, a timing belt


29


placed on the drive pulley


27


and the driven pulley


28


and connected to the carriage


13


, the controller


10


for controlling rotation drive of the carriage motor


26


, and the like. In the embodiment, the carriage motor


26


is implemented as a pulse motor rotated as much as the amount responsive to the number of supplied pulse signals. In the carriage scan mechanism, the move distance of the carriage


13


per pulse is defined and thus the carriage


13


can be moved by any desired distance by setting the number of pulses supplied to the pulse motor. The detailed configuration and function of the carriage


13


will be discussed later.




The paper discharge section


5


comprises a paper discharge roller


30


consisting of a large-diameter drive roller at a lower position and a small-diameter driven roller at an upper position. A paper discharge motor (not shown) controlled by the controller


10


is joined to the drive roller and the drive roller is rotated by the drive force of the paper discharge motor and the driven roller is rotated in conjunction with the rotation of the drive roller.




In the described printer


1


, recording (printing) is executed on the recording paper


2


as follows: The paper feed roller


7


is rotated clockwise in

FIG. 2

, whereby the recording paper


2


is fed into the paper transport roller


23


. At this time, the detector unit


8


detects the recording paper


2


. The recording paper


2


fed from the paper feed roller


7


is sandwiched and transported between the drive roller and the driven roller making up the paper transport roller


23


in the subscanning direction and is sent onto the platen


24


. On the platen


24


, while the carriage


13


is reciprocated in the main scanning direction, ink drops are jetted from the recording head


21


, thereby recording on the recording paper


2


. The recorded recording paper


2


is sandwiched and transported between the drive roller and the driven roller of the paper discharge roller


30


and is discharged to the outside of the printer


1


.




Next, the main parts of the printer


1


will be discussed.




First, the detector unit


8


will be discussed.

FIGS. 3 and 4

show the structure of the detector unit


8


.

FIG. 3A

is a right side view of the detector unit


8


,

FIG. 3B

is a left side view of the detector unit


8


, and

FIG. 3C

is a plan view (top view) of the detector unit


8


.

FIG. 4A

is a front view of the detector unit


8


and

FIG. 4B

is a rear view of the detector unit


8


.




The detector unit


8


comprises the above-mentioned paper detection member


12


, the above-mentioned carriage/cartridge detection member


15


serving not only as a carriage detection member of the invention, but also as a cartridge detection member, the above-mentioned optical sensor


16


, a kind of detector of the invention, and a terminal


34


to which a signal line


34




a


for sending a signal of the optical sensor


16


to the controller


10


is connected.




The paper detection member


12


is at a first reference position as indicated by the solid line in

FIG. 3A

in a state in which the paper detection member


12


is not in contact with the recording paper


2


fed into the record section


4


. The paper detection member


12


is at a first move position as indicated by the phantom line in

FIG. 3A

in a state in which the paper detection member


12


is in contact with the recording paper


2


. Likewise, the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


is at a second reference position (also a third reference position; this also applies in the description to follow) as indicated by the solid line in

FIG. 3A

in a state in which the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


is in contact with neither the carriage


13


nor the ink cartridge


14


. The carriage/cartridge detection member


15


is at a second move position (also a third move position; this also applies in the description to follow) as indicated by the phantom line in

FIG. 3A

in a state in which the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


is in contact with either the carriage


13


or the ink cartridge


14


.




The optical sensor


16


comprises a photo emitter


16




a


and a photo detector


16




b


being placed facing the photo emitter


16




a


for receiving light therefrom. In the embodiment, the photo detector


16




b


is placed with a gap


16




c


(see

FIGS. 4A

,


4


B) opened below the photo emitter


16




a.


Therefore, the optical sensor


16


has an optical axis formed in a vertical direction from the photo emitter


16




a


at the upper position to the photo detector


16




b


at the lower position in the gap


16




c.






At a center portion of the paper detection member


12


, a first fulcrum


35


which becomes the center of rotation is provided. A rotation shaft


36


is formed integrally with the first fulcrum


35


and is extended from left to right (namely, in the main scanning direction) and is attached to the frame


11


for rotation. The paper detection member


12


is rotated about the rotation shaft


36


and thus is displaced between the first reference position and the first move position. An spring


37


(torsion coil spring) is attached surrounding the rotation shaft


36


. The spring


37


is retained at one end part on the frame


11


and at an opposite end part on a retention piece


38


formed integrally with the paper detection member


12


. The urging force of the spring


37


acts so as to place the paper detection member


12


at the first reference position. The urging force of the spring


37


is set to such an extent that when the recording paper


2


comes in contact with a first contact part


39


, the paper detection member


12


can rotate clockwise without obstructing feed of the recording paper


2


.




The first contact part


39


is formed integrally at the tip of the lower side (one side) below the first fulcrum


35


in the paper detection member


12


and a first shading part


40


is formed integrally at the tip of the upper side (opposite side) above the first fulcrum


35


. The first contact part


39


is placed so that it is disposed at the paper feed passage of the recording paper


2


from the upstream portion of the paper feed passage to the downstream side in the paper feed direction and that when the recording paper


2


passes through the paper feed passage, the tip comes in contact with the recording paper


2


. A first shading plate


41


projected to one side is formed integrally at the tip of the first shading part


40


(upper end part). At the first reference position, the first shading plate


41


is placed at a position not shading the optical axis of the optical sensor


16


; at the first move position, the first shading plate


41


is displaced to a position shading the optical axis of the optical sensor


16


.




At a center portion of the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


, a second fulcrum


43


which becomes the center of rotation is provided. A rotation shaft


44


is formed integrally with the second fulcrum


43


and is extended from side to side and is attached to the frame


11


for rotation. The carriage/cartridge detection member


15


is rotated about the rotation shaft


44


and thus is displaced between the second reference position and the second move position. A spring


45


(torsion coil spring) is attached surrounding the rotation shaft


44


. The spring


45


is retained at one end part on the frame


11


and at an opposite end part on a retention piece


46


formed integrally with the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


. The urging force of the spring


45


acts so as to place the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


at the second reference position.




A second contact part


47


is formed integrally at the tip of the upper side (one side) above the second fulcrum


43


in the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


and a second shading part


48


is formed integrally at the tip of the lower side (opposite side) below the second fulcrum


43


. A contact end part


49


having a sharp tip is projected in the perpendicular direction from the main body of the second contact part


43


. The contact end part


49


projects into the reciprocating path of the carriage


13


at the second reference position and enters a state in which it can come in contact with a carriage engagement part


50


(see

FIG. 8

) serving as a carriage engagement member of the invention and a first cartridge engagement part


51


and a second cartridge engagement part


52


(see

FIG. 8

) serving as cartridge engagement members.




When the engagement part


50


,


51


,


52


and the contact end part


49


come in contact with each other, the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


is displaced to the second move position accordingly. The contact end part


49


is placed so as to come in contact with the carriage engagement part


50


in a state in which the carriage


13


is at the standby position. The urging force of the spring


45


is set to such an extent that the carriage engagement part


50


, the first cartridge engagement part


51


, or the second cartridge engagement part


52


and the contact end part


49


come in contact with each other, the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


can be displaced to the second move position, and movement of the carriage


13


is not obstructed.




A second shading plate


53


projected to one side is formed integrally at the tip of the second shading part


48


(lower end part). At the second reference position, the second shading plate


53


is placed at a position not shading the optical axis of the optical sensor


16


; at the second move position, the second shading plate


53


is displaced to a position shading the optical axis of the optical sensor


16


.




Next, the detection operation of the recording paper


2


by the described detector unit


8


will be discussed.

FIGS. 5

to


7


are drawings to show how the detector unit


8


detects the recording paper


2


when the recording paper


2


is fed from the paper feed section


3


to the record position. That is,

FIG. 5

shows the state before the tip of the recording paper


2


comes in contact with the paper detection member


12


,

FIG. 6

shows the state in which the recording paper


2


is in contact with the paper detection member


12


, and

FIG. 7

shows the state after the recording paper


2


passes through the paper detection member


12


.




When the recording paper


2


is detected, the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


is placed at the second reference position to retreat the second shading plate


53


from the optical axis of the optical sensor


16


and change output of the optical sensor


16


as the paper detection member


12


is displaced. Therefore, before the recording paper


2


is detected, the controller


10


controls the position of the carriage


13


so that the carriage engagement part


50


, the first cartridge engagement part


51


, and the second cartridge engagement part


52


and the contact end part


49


do not come in contact with each other.




As shown in

FIG. 5

, the paper detection member


12


is placed at the first reference position by the urging force of the spring


45


in a state in which the recording paper


2


is fed from the paper feed section


3


to the record section


4


and the tip of the recording paper is not yet in contact with the paper detection member


12


. At the first reference position, the first shading plate


41


of the paper detection member


12


does not shade the optical axis of the optical sensor


16


. Therefore, light from the photo emitter


16




a


is received at the photo detector


16




b


(hereinafter, this light reception state will be also referred to as OFF state of the optical sensor


16


). Consequently, an electric signal corresponding to the light reception state is output from the photo detector


16




b.


The output from the photo detector


16




b


is sent to the controller


10


via the signal line


34




a.


The controller


10


senses based on the output from the photo detector


16




b


that the recording paper


2


is not yet fed.




Then, when the recording paper


2


is further fed and the recording paper


2


and the first contact part


39


come in contact with each other, the first contact part


39


is pushed out by the fed recording paper


2


as shown in

FIG. 6

, whereby the paper detection member


12


is rotated about the first fulcrum


35


clockwise against the urging force of the spring


45


and is displaced from the first reference position (indicated by the phantom line) to the first move position (indicated by the solid line). Therefore, the first shading plate


41


shades the optical axis and it becomes impossible for the photo detector


16




b


to receive light from the photo emitter


16




a


(hereinafter, this no light reception state will be also referred to as ON state of the optical sensor


16


). Consequently, output from the photo detector


16




b


changes. The output from the photo detector


16




b


is sent to the controller


10


via the signal line


34




a.


The controller


10


senses based on the output change that the tip of the recording paper


2


reaches the paper detection member


12


.




Subsequently, when the recording paper


2


is further fed and the rear end of the recording paper


2


leaves the first contact part


39


of the paper detection member


12


(namely, when the recording paper


2


and the paper detection member


12


are brought out of contact with each other), the paper detection member


12


is restored from the first move position (indicated by the phantom line) to the first reference position (indicated by the solid line) by the urging force of the spring


45


as shown in FIG.


7


. Since the first shading plate


41


is retreated from the optical axis of the optical sensor


16


as the paper detection member


12


is restored, the photo detector


16




b


again receives light from the photo emitter


16




a.


Consequently, output from the photo detector


16




b


changes to the OFF state. This state change is sent to the controller


10


via the signal line


34




a.


The controller


10


senses that the rear end of the recording paper


2


leaves the paper detection member


12


.




The controller


10


uses the tip position and the rear end position of the recording paper


2


thus sensed to control recording.




Next, the configuration of the described carriage


13


will be discussed.

FIG. 8

is a perspective view to show the general configuration of the carriage


13


.

FIG. 9

is a right side view of the carriage


13


.

FIG. 10

is a plan view (top view) to show the carriage


13


and the detector unit


8


.




As shown in

FIG. 8

, the carriage


13


is a box-like body comprising a main body


57


formed of a synthetic resin material and a lid member


58


formed of a synthetic resin material. The cartridge comprises a storage chamber for detachably holding the ink cartridge


14


, namely, the above-mentioned cartridge holder section


20


.




A bearing part


59


is placed at the lower end part behind the carriage main body


57


. A through hole


60


is made in the bearing part


59


and a carriage guide shaft


22


is inserted into the through hole


60


. Therefore, the carriage


13


is guided in the main scanning direction as the bearing part


59


slides along the carriage guide shaft


22


.




The above-mentioned carriage engagement part


50


used to detect the position of the carriage


13


is projected backward at the left part of the upper end part behind the carriage main body


57


. When the carriage


13


is at the standby position, the carriage engagement part


50


comes in contact with the contact end part


49


of the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


and displaces the paper detection member


12


to the second move position.




The lid member


58


is attached to the carriage main body


57


for rotation via a fulcrum shaft. The lid member


58


is rotated about the fulcrum shaft, whereby it can be displaced to a closed state indicated by solid lines in FIG.


8


and an open state indicated by phantom lines in FIG.


8


. When a first lid member


58




a


is opened, a cartridge hold member


20




a


for a black ink cartridge


14




a


storing black ink appears; when a second lid member


58




b


is opened, a cartridge hold member


20




b


for a color ink cartridge


14




b


storing color ink (for example, cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink) appears. Therefore, the lid members


58




a


and


58




b


are opened, whereby the black ink cartridge


14




a


and the color ink cartridge


14




b


can be stored and held in the carriage


13


. To record on the recording paper


2


, the lid members


58




a


and


58




b


are closed.




In an absence state in which the black ink cartridge


14




a


is not held in the cartridge hold member


20




a


, the first lid member


58




a


is closed, whereby it abuts a rear wall


61


of the carriage main body


57


and stops at an absence position indicated by the phantom line in FIG.


9


. On the other hand, in a presence state in which the black ink cartridge


14




a


is held in the cartridge hold member


20




a


, the first lid member


58




a


is closed, whereby it abuts the top of a rear wall


61


of the black ink cartridge


14




a


and stops at a presence position lifted up above the absence position. This also applies to the second lid member


58




b.






The above-mentioned first cartridge engagement part


51


is projected backward at the rear end part of the lid member


58


and the above-mentioned second cartridge engagement part


52


is projected backward at the rear end part of the other lid member


58


. The first cartridge engagement part


51


and the second cartridge engagement part


52


are spaced from each other in the main scanning direction and are also spaced from the carriage engagement part


50


. The first cartridge engagement part


51


and the second cartridge engagement part


52


are positioned on the traveling path of the carriage engagement part


50


in the main scanning direction at the absence position, and are placed at positions where they come in contact with the contact end part


49


of the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


with a movement of the carriage


13


. On the other hand, at the presence position, the first cartridge engagement part


51


and the second cartridge engagement part


52


are displaced to positions above the absence position and thus if the carriage


13


is moved, they do not come in contact with the contact end part


49


of the detector unit


8


.




The width of the first cartridge engagement part


51


in the main scanning direction and that of the second cartridge engagement part


52


in the main scanning direction are set to different widths. In the embodiment, the first cartridge engagement part


51


has the width almost twice that of the second cartridge engagement part


52


. The width of the carriage engagement part


50


in the main scanning direction is also set to a width different from the widths of the first cartridge engagement part


51


and the second cartridge engagement part


52


. In the embodiment, it is set to a width twice or more that of the first cartridge engagement part


51


.




Next, detection of the carriage


13


and the ink cartridge


14


will be discussed.

FIGS. 10

to


13


are schematic representations to show detection of the ink cartridge


14


by the cartridge engagement parts


51


and


52


and the detector unit


8


and detection of the standby position of the carriage


13


by the carriage engagement part


50


and the detector unit


8


. In

FIG. 13

, the standby position of the carriage


13


is the position where the carriage


13


further moves in the arrow A direction (right in

FIG. 13

) and the tip of the contact end part


49


arrives almost at the center of the carriage engagement part


50


indicated by letter B.

FIG. 14

is a flowchart to show a flow of general processing of detection of the ink cartridge


14


and detection of the standby position of the carriage


13


.

FIGS. 15

to


17


are flowcharts to show a detailed flow of the carriage/cartridge detection processing shown in FIG.


14


. The processing shown in the flowcharts of

FIGS. 14

to


17


is executed by the controller


10


.




After power of the printer


1


is turned on, the processing shown in the flowchart of

FIG. 14

is executed before print starts. First, before the ink cartridge


14


and the standby position of the carriage


13


are detected, the carriage


13


is moved to the outside of the detection range of the detector unit


8


and is placed at a position shown in

FIG. 10

by the controller


10


(step S


1


).




The term “the outside of the detection range of the detector unit


8


” mentioned here refers to the state in which the second cartridge engagement part


52


is positioned at the left of the contact end part


49


in FIG.


10


. To move the carriage


13


to the outside of the detection range of the detector unit


8


, the carriage


13


is moved in an opposite direction to the arrow A (left). The move distance is a distance at which the carriage


13


is reliably placed outside the detection range of the detector unit


8


after it is moved even if the carriage


13


is at the standby position before it is moved, and the distance is previously stored in a memory unit (not shown) of the controller


10


.




Subsequently, whether the optical sensor


16


is in ON or OFF state is determined (step S


2


). If the optical sensor


16


is in the ON state (ON at step S


2


), it means that the recording paper


2


is in contact with the paper detection member


12


(namely, the recording paper


2


remains in the printer


1


). Thus, processing of discharging the recording paper


2


into the paper discharge section


5


is performed. That is, the paper transport roller


23


is forward rotated step by step at step S


3


and whether the optical sensor


16


is in ON or OFF state is determined for each one-step rotation at step S


4


. The term “one step” mentioned here refers to the minimum rotation unit of the paper transport roller


23


, for example, the rotation amount applied when one pulse signal is supplied to the paper feed motor


25


.




When the recording paper


2


and the paper detection member


12


are brought out of contact with each other as the paper transport roller


23


is forward rotated, the optical sensor


16


changes to the OFF state (OFF at step S


4


). If the optical sensor


16


changes to the OFF state, the paper transport roller


23


is further rotated by a predetermined amount in the paper discharge direction for completely discharging the recording paper


2


into the outside from the paper discharge section


5


of the printer


1


at step S


5


. Then, processing of detection of the ink cartridge


14


and detection of the standby position of the carriage


13


is performed at step S


6


.




If the optical sensor


16


is in the OFF state at step S


2


(OFF at step S


2


), the recording paper


2


is not in contact with the detector unit


8


. However, the recording paper


2


may exist at a position out of contact with the detector unit


8


in the printer


1


. Thus, also in this case, the paper transport roller


23


is forward rotated for discharging the recording paper


2


at step S


5


.




On the other hand, if the optical sensor


16


is in the ON state at step S


2


and does not change to the OFF state although the paper transport roller


23


is forward rotated M steps (Yes at step S


7


), it is possible that an abnormal condition of a paper jam, etc., may occur. Thus, error handling is performed at step S


8


. The term “M steps” mentioned here refers to the number of steps (paper feed amount) for reliably making it possible to bring the recording paper


2


and the detector unit


8


out of contact with each other if the recording paper


2


is in contact with the detector unit


8


(paper detection member


12


). The value of M is previously found and is stored in the memory unit of the controller


10


.




The optical sensor


16


is thus placed in the OFF state by performing the position control of the carriage


13


(step S


1


) and discharge processing of the recording paper


2


(step S


5


) before processing of detection of the ink cartridge


14


and detection of the standby position of the carriage


13


is performed.




The carriage/ink cartridge detection processing will be discussed in detail. In the processing, the carriage


13


is moved step by step by the controller


10


in the arrow A direction from the position shown in

FIG. 10

(step S


11


in FIG.


15


). Whether the optical sensor


16


is in ON or OFF state is determined each time the carriage


13


is moved one step (step S


12


). Since the optical sensor


16


is preset to the OFF state as described above, if the optical sensor


16


changes from the OFF state to the ON state, it is possible that any of the second cartridge engagement part


52


, the first cartridge engagement part


51


, or the carriage engagement part


50


may come in contact with the contact end part


49


.




On the other hand, if the optical sensor


16


is still held in the OFF state although the carriage


13


is advanced N1 steps, it is determined that some error occurs (Yes at step S


13


), and error handling is executed at step S


14


. The term “N1 steps” means the number of steps equal to or greater than the number of steps for the carriage


13


to return to the standby position from the position outside the detection range.




Here, assume that the color ink cartridge


14




b


is not mounted in the carriage main body


57


. That is, assume that the second cartridge engagement part


52


is at the absence position and comes in contact with the contact end part


49


as shown in FIG.


11


. In this case, the second cartridge engagement part


52


comes in contact with the contact end part


49


, thereby pushing out the contact end part


49


backward (upward in FIG.


11


). As a result, the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


is displaced to the second move position against the urging force of the spring


45


and the second shading plate


53


shades the optical axis of the optical sensor


16


(ON at step S


12


).




Subsequently, the carriage


13


is further advanced k steps in the arrow A direction at step S


15


. The term “k steps” refers to the number of steps corresponding to the distance slightly larger than the width of the second cartridge engagement part


52


in the main scanning direction and smaller than the width of the first cartridge engagement part


51


in the main scanning direction. Therefore, the width of the second cartridge engagement part


52


in the main scanning direction is set so as to become slightly smaller than the k-step move distance. k is an integer of one or more and is set to 10, for example.




Subsequently, whether the optical sensor


16


is in ON or OFF state is determined at step S


16


. Since the width of the second cartridge engagement part


52


in the main scanning direction is set slightly smaller than the k steps, the carriage


13


is moved k steps, whereby the second cartridge engagement part


52


and the contact end part


49


are brought out of contact with each other. Thus, the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


is restored to the second reference position by the urging force of the spring


45


and the optical sensor


16


is placed in the OFF state (OFF at step S


16


), whereby the controller


10


determines that the color ink cartridge


14




b


is not mounted (step S


21


in FIG.


16


).




Further, the carriage


13


is moved step by step at step S


22


and whether the optical sensor


16


is in ON or OFF state is determined each time the carriage


13


is moved one step (step S


23


). At this time, if the optical sensor


16


changes from the OFF state to the ON state, it is possible that the first cartridge engagement part


51


or the carriage engagement part


50


may come in contact with the contact end part


49


. On the other hand, if the optical sensor


16


is still held in the OFF state although the carriage


13


is advanced N2 steps, it is determined that some error occurs (Yes at step S


24


) and error handling is executed at step S


25


. The term “N2 steps” means the number of steps equal to or greater than the number of steps required for the carriage


13


to return to the standby position from the current position.




Here, assume that the black ink cartridge


14




a


is not mounted in the carriage main body


57


. That is, assume that the first cartridge engagement part


51


is at the absence position and comes in contact with the contact end part


49


as shown in FIG.


12


. In this case, the first cartridge engagement part


51


comes in contact with the contact end part


49


, thereby pushing out the contact end part


49


backward (upward in FIG.


12


). As a result, the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


is displaced to the second move position and the second shading plate


53


shades the optical axis (ON at step S


23


).




Subsequently, control returns to step S


15


in FIG.


15


and the carriage


13


is further advanced k steps in the arrow A direction. Since the width of the first cartridge engagement part


51


in the main scanning direction is almost twice that of the second cartridge engagement part


52


, the optical sensor


16


does not change to the OFF state as the carriage


13


is moved k steps (ON at step S


16


).




Then, the carriage


13


is further advanced k steps in the arrow A direction at step S


17


and whether the optical sensor


16


is in ON or OFF state is determined. That is, the carriage


13


is advanced a total of 2 k steps (k steps at step S


15


plus k steps at step S


17


). The width of the first cartridge engagement part


51


in the main scanning direction is set so that the first cartridge engagement part


51


can be brought out of contact as the carriage


13


is moved 2 k steps. Thus, the optical sensor


16


again changes to the OFF state (OFF at step S


18


). As a result, the controller


10


determines that the black ink cartridge


14




a


is not mounted at step S


31


in FIG.


17


.




Further, the carriage


13


is moved step by step at step S


32


and whether the optical sensor


16


is in ON or OFF state is determined each time the carriage


13


is moved one step (step S


33


). At this time, if the optical sensor


16


changes from the OFF state to the ON state, it is possible that the carriage engagement part


50


may come in contact with the contact end part


49


. On the other hand, if the optical sensor


16


is still held in the OFF state although the carriage


13


is advanced N3 steps, it is determined that some error occurs (Yes at step S


34


) and error handling is executed at step S


35


. The term “N3 steps” means the number of steps equal to or greater than the number of steps for the carriage


13


to return to the standby position from the current position.




If the optical sensor


16


changes to the ON state at step S


33


, it means that as shown in

FIG. 13

, the carriage engagement part


50


comes in contact with the contact end part


49


and pushes out the contact end part


49


backward (upward in

FIG. 13

) and consequently the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


is displaced to the second move position and the second shading plate


53


shades the optical axis. In this case, control returns to step S


15


in FIG.


15


and the carriage


13


is advanced k steps. The width of the carriage engagement part


50


in the main scanning direction is set to twice or more that of the first cartridge engagement part


51


. Therefore, the optical sensor


16


is in the ON state at step S


16


and is still held in the ON state at step S


18


after the carriage


13


is moved k steps at step S


17


.




If the optical sensor


16


is held in the ON state at step S


18


, the controller


10


determines the position of the carriage


13


to be the standby position and stores the position as the standby position at step S


19


. The standby position is used as the reference position of the carriage


13


in the later record operation.




On the other hand, if both the black ink cartridge


14




a


and the color ink cartridge


14




b


are mounted in the carriage


13


, both the second cartridge engagement part


52


and the first cartridge engagement part


51


are at the presence position and thus do not come in contact with the contact end part


49


. Therefore, in this case, the direct transition is made from the state shown in

FIG. 10

to the state shown in FIG.


13


. That is, in

FIG. 15

, the detection processing is started at step S


11


, then the optical sensor


16


is placed in the ON state at steps S


16


and S


18


and control goes to step S


19


. In this case, it is determined that both the ink cartridges


14




a


and


14




b


are mounted, and the standby position of the carriage


13


is stored.




If the color ink cartridge


14




b


is mounted and the black ink cartridge


14




a


is not mounted, the second cartridge engagement part


52


is at the presence position and the first cartridge engagement part


51


is at the absence position. Therefore, the second cartridge engagement part


52


does not come in contact with the contact end part


49


and the first cartridge engagement part


51


comes in contact with the contact end part


49


. In this case, the direct transition is made from the state shown in

FIG. 10

to the state shown in FIG.


12


. That is, in

FIG. 15

, the detection processing is started at step S


11


, then the optical sensor


16


is placed in the ON state at step S


16


and is placed in the OFF state at step S


18


. Consequently, control goes to step S


31


. In this case, it is determined that the color ink cartridge


14




b


is mounted and the black ink cartridge


14




a


is not mounted. In addition, the standby position of the carriage


13


is also stored.




In contrast, if the black ink cartridge


14




a


is mounted and the color ink cartridge


14




b


is not mounted, the first cartridge engagement part


51


is at the presence position and the second cartridge engagement part


52


is at the absence position. Therefore, the first cartridge engagement part


51


does not come in contact with the contact end part


49


and the second cartridge engagement part


52


comes in contact with the contact end part


49


. In this case, the transition from the state shown in

FIG. 10

to the state shown in

FIG. 11

is made, then the transition to the state shown in

FIG. 13

is made. That is, in

FIG. 15

, the detection processing is started at step S


11


, then the optical sensor


16


is once placed in the OFF state at step S


16


and then is placed in the ON state at step S


18


and control goes to step S


19


. In this case, it is determined that the black ink cartridge


14




a


is mounted and the color ink cartridge


14




b


is not mounted, and the standby position of the carriage


13


is stored.




The processing is performed while the carriage


13


is moved consecutively.




If it is determined that at least either of the ink cartridges


14




a


and


14




b


is not mounted, a message for prompting the user to place the ink cartridge


14




a


,


14




b


can be displayed on a display of the printer


1


, a display of a host computer (not shown), etc. If an error occurs, it can also be displayed on the displays.




By the way, in the above-described embodiment, the carriage


13


mounts the two ink cartridges


14




a


and


14




b


, but the invention can also be applied to the carriage


13


of the type wherein one ink cartridge


14


is mounted; whether or not one ink cartridge


14


is mounted can be sensed. That is, in this case, the carriage


13


is provided with only one first cartridge engagement part


51


and the first cartridge engagement part


51


and the carriage engagement part


50


are used to sense whether or not the ink cartridge


14


is mounted and detect the standby position of the carriage


13


.




The invention can also be applied to the carriage


13


of the type wherein three or more ink cartridges


14


are mounted; whether or not each of the three ink cartridges


14


is mounted can be sensed. That is, in this case, three or more cartridge engagement parts are provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the ink cartridges


14


. The cartridge engagement parts are spaced from each other in the main scanning direction so that the optical sensor


16


can be switched between the ON state and the OFF state. The widths in the main scanning direction are made different so that the difference in the distance (namely, the time) to place the optical sensor


16


in the ON state can be detected.




Further, in the above-described embodiment, one detector unit


8


executes detection of the recording paper


2


, detection of the standby position of the carriage


13


, and detection of the presence or absence of the ink cartridge


14




a


,


14




b


, but can execute any desired two of the three detections, needless to say. That is, the cartridge engagement parts


51


and


52


are not provided, whereby the detector unit


8


executes detection of the recording paper


2


and detection of the standby position of the carriage


13


. The carriage engagement part


50


is not provided, whereby the detector unit


8


executes detection of the recording paper


2


and detection of the ink cartridge


14


. The paper detection member


12


is not provided, whereby the detector unit


8


executes detection of the standby position of the carriage


13


and detection of the ink cartridge


14


.




Further, detection of only the presence or absence of the ink cartridge


14


can also be executed. That is, the paper detection member


12


and the carriage engagement part


50


are not provided, whereby the detector unit


8


executes only detection of the presence or absence of the ink cartridge


14


. In this case, two or more ink cartridges


14


may exist and the presence or absence of each ink cartridge


14


can be detected, needless to say.




By the way, in the above-described embodiments, the engagement members of the carriage engagement part


50


and the cartridge engagement parts


51


and


52


are provided and the carriage


13


is moved in the main scanning direction, whereby the engagement members and the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


are brought into contact with each other and the shading part of the carriage/cartridge detection member


15


controls the operation of the optical sensor


16


, but the invention is not limited to the configuration. For example, a carriage detection member and cartridge detection members may be placed on the side of a carriage


13


and be detected directly by a detector. A second embodiment adopting such a configuration will be discussed.




As shown in

FIGS. 18A and 18B

, a carriage detection member


65


is a plate-like piece having a shading property projected backward at the upper end on the driven pulley


28


side in a carriage


13


and the width of the carriage detection member


65


in the main scanning direction is determined a proper width W


1


. A first cartridge detection member


66


is a plate-like piece having a shading property placed on a color ink cartridge


14




c


and is projected backward at the upper end of the color ink cartridge


14




c.


The width of the first cartridge detection member


66


in the main scanning direction is determined a proper width of the cartridge


14




c


, W


2


. A second cartridge detection member


67


is a plate-like piece having a shading property placed on a black ink cartridge


14




d


and is projected backward at the upper end of the black ink cartridge


14




d


. The width of the second cartridge detection member


67


in the main scanning direction is also determined a proper width of the cartridge


14




d


, W


3


. In short, the three detection members


65


,


66


, and


67


are formed as different widths. The cartridge detection members


66


and


67


are set to different widths corresponding to the cartridge types.




An optical sensor


68


is a kind of detector of the invention and comprises a photo emitter and a photo detector facing each other with a gap between as in the above-described embodiment. When the carriage


13


is guided by a carriage guide shaft


22


and is moved, the carriage detection member


65


is placed so as to pass through the gap in the optical sensor


68


. Therefore, when the carriage


13


passes through the front of the optical sensor


68


, the carriage detection member


65


shades the optical axis of the optical sensor


68


only for the time corresponding to the width W


1


. The cartridge detection member


66


,


67


is positioned at the same height as the carriage detection member


65


with attachment of the ink cartridge


14


(


14




c


,


14




d


) in a cartridge holder section


20


and the projection amount from the rear end of the carriage


13


is also set to the same amount as the carriage detection member


65


. In other words, the ink cartridge


14


is placed in the carriage


13


, the cartridge detection member


66


,


67


is positioned on the traveling path of the carriage detection member


65


at the main scanning time. Therefore, when the carriage


13


is moved in the main scanning direction, the cartridge detection members


66


and


67


trace the same path as the carriage detection member


65


and can be detected by the optical sensor


68


.




Consequently, when the carriage


13


passes through the front of the optical sensor


68


, the first cartridge detection member


66


shades light only for the time corresponding to the width W


2


and the second cartridge detection member


67


shades light only for the time corresponding to the width W


3


. Thus, the cartridge detection members


66


and


67


are also detected by the optical sensor


68


. The widths of the carriage detection member


65


and the cartridge detection members


66


and


67


in the main scanning direction are set to different proper widths and thus differ in the amount of time light is shaded in the optical sensor


68


. Therefore, the detection members


65


,


66


, and


67


can be detected separately. In the embodiment, the carriage detection member


65


is positioned at the end part on the driven pulley


28


side in the carriage


13


, the second cartridge detection member


67


is positioned at the end part on the drive pulley


27


side, and the first cartridge detection member


66


is positioned between the carriage detection member


65


and the second cartridge detection member


67


.




The optical sensor


68


is disposed at a place corresponding to the standby position of the carriage


13


. That is, when the carriage


13


is at the standby position, the carriage detection member


65


enters the gap and shades the optical axis. Therefore, the carriage


13


can be placed at the standby position by detecting the ON state of the optical sensor


68


(light shield state) with the carriage detection member


65


.




Next, the operation of this embodiment will be discussed.




When the power of the printer


1


is turned on, first the necessary initialization operation is executed. In the initialization operation, the position recognition operation of the carriage


13


is performed. Then, the mount check operation of the ink cartridge


14


in the carriage


13


is performed.




In the position recognition operation of the carriage


13


, first the carriage


13


is placed at a preparation position. That is, a controller


10


drives a carriage motor


26


for moving the carriage


13


to the driven pulley


28


side by a predetermined distance, for example, almost the same distance as the width of the carriage


13


, whereby if the carriage


13


is at the standby position before the power is turned on, the second cartridge detection member


67


is positioned on the driven pulley


28


side from the optical sensor


68


, namely, on the side away from the standby position.




If the carriage


13


is moved to the driven pulley


28


side, the carriage


13


is placed at a carriage detection position. That is, the controller


10


(carriage position controller) supplies pulses, thereby driving the carriage motor


26


for moving the carriage


13


toward the standby position at a constant speed. At the same time, the controller


10


monitors a detection signal from the optical sensor


68


and stops the operation of the carriage motor


26


provided that the carriage detection member


65


is detected (passes through). The carriage detection member


65


, the first cartridge detection member


66


, and the second cartridge detection member


67


are plate-like pieces having the proper width W


1


, the proper width W


2


, and the proper width W


3


respectively as described above. Thus, if the carriage


13


is moved at the constant speed, the ON duration of the optical sensor


16


varies from one detection member passing through to another. Therefore, the controller


10


can identify the detection member


65


,


66


, or


67


passing through the optical sensor


68


based on a detection signal from the optical sensor


68


.




If the carriage


13


is placed at the carriage detection position, whether or not the ink cartridge


14


is placed in the carriage


13


is determined. To do this, first the carriage


13


is placed at the first cartridge detection position, the detection position of the color ink cartridge


14




c.


That is, the controller


10


supplies a predetermined number of pulse signals corresponding to the distance between the carriage detection member


65


and the first cartridge detection member


66


to the carriage motor


26


, thereby placing the carriage


13


at the carriage detection position at the first cartridge detection position. If positioning control of the carriage


13


is thus performed based on the number of pulses supplied to the carriage motor


26


, the positioning control is simplified and the positioning accuracy is high.




If the carriage


13


is placed at the first cartridge detection position, whether or not the ink cartridge


14




c


is placed is determined. This determination is also made based on a detection signal from the optical sensor


68


. If the detection signal from the optical sensor


68


is ON, it is determined that the ink cartridge


14




c


is placed. On the other hand, if the detection signal from the optical sensor


68


is OFF, it is determined that the ink cartridge


14




c


is not placed.




If whether or not the color ink cartridge


14




c


is placed has been determined, then whether or not the black ink cartridge


14




d


is placed in the carriage


13


is determined. This determination as to whether or not the black ink cartridge


14




d


is placed is also made in a similar manner to that of the determination as to whether or not the color ink cartridge


14




c


is placed. That is, first a predetermined number of pulse signals corresponding to the distance between the first cartridge detection member


66


and the second cartridge detection member


67


are supplied to the carriage motor


26


for moving the carriage


13


at the first cartridge detection position to the second cartridge detection position, the detection position of the black ink cartridge


14




d.


If the carriage


13


is placed at the second cartridge detection position, whether or not the ink cartridge


14




d


is placed is determined based on a detection signal from the optical sensor


68


. That is, if the detection signal from the optical sensor


68


is ON, it is determined that the ink cartridge


14




d


is placed; if the detection signal is OFF, it is determined that the ink cartridge


14




d


is not placed.




If the initialization operation terminates and both the ink cartridges


14




c


and


14




d


are mounted, the carriage


13


is made to stand by at the standby position. Upon reception of print data within a predetermined time, the controller


10


starts scan control and moves the recording head


21


from the standby position to the record area. On the other hand, if at least either of the ink cartridges


14




c


and


14




d


is not placed, the controller


10


provides error information and places the carriage


13


at the preparation position (position in FIG.


1


), for example, then prompts the user to place the ink cartridge


14




c


or


14




d


which is not placed.




Thus, in the embodiment, the recording head


21


is mounted on the carriage


13


, two types of ink cartridges


14




c


and


14




d


are held detachably, the detection members


65


,


66


, and


67


detected by the optical sensor


68


are provided not only in the carriage


13


, but also on the side of the ink cartridge


14


, and the widths W


1


, W


2


, and W


3


of the detection members


65


,


66


, and


67


are set to different proper widths. Thus, the carriage detection member


65


and the cartridge detection members


66


and


67


can be detected separately by the single optical sensor


68


, and whether or not the ink cartridge


14




c


,


14




d


is placed can be determined based on the detection result.




Therefore, in the embodiment, the detector unit (optical sensor


68


) for detecting the position of the carriage


13


can also be used for detecting the attachment state of the ink cartridge


14


, so that the configuration of the detector unit


8


can be simplified and costs can be reduced.




In the embodiment, the detection members


65


,


66


, and


67


are formed of plate-like pieces having a shading property, but may be formed of shade-like or bar-like members having a shading property. In short, the detection members


65


,


66


, and


67


may be projection parts having a shading property. The detector is implemented as the optical sensor


16


and the detection members


65


,


66


, and


67


shade the optical axis of the optical sensor


16


, but the invention is not limited to the combination. For example, the following combination may be adopted: The detection members


65


,


66


, and


67


are reflection markers and light reflected on the detection member is detected by the photo detector of the optical sensor


68


. A configuration of using no light can also be adopted; a contact that can be electrically connected may be provided in the detector as a sensing mechanism and a contact member for controlling connection of the contact may be used as a detection member. Further, a sensing mechanism using a magnetic coupling and a detection member for shading it can also be used in combination.




By the way, in the above-described embodiment, the cartridge detection members


66


and


67


are formed integrally with the ink cartridges


14




c


and


14




d


respectively as an example, but the invention is not limited to the configuration. For example, a cartridge detection member may be formed integrally with a member for holding the ink cartridge


14


in the carriage main body. A third embodiment adopting such a configuration will be discussed.




As shown in

FIGS. 19A and 19B

, a lid member


70


(


70


A,


70


B) of a carriage


13


is a member provided by bending a plate roughly like L and is formed in the front end part with a hook part


71


for engaging an ink cartridge


14


and a cartridge detection member


72


(


72


A,


72


B) is projected backward at the rear end part of the lid member. The cartridge detection members


72


A and


72


B are formed like the cartridge detection members


66


and


67


of the above-described embodiment. That is, the cartridge detection member


72


A is a plate-like piece having a shading property placed in the lid member


70


A for a color ink cartridge


14




b


and the width of the cartridge detection member


72


A in the main scanning direction is set to a proper width, W


2


. The cartridge detection member


72


B is a plate-like piece having a shading property placed in the lid member


70


B for a black ink cartridge


14




a


and the width of the cartridge detection member


72


B in the main scanning direction is set to a proper width, W


3


.




When the ink cartridge


14


(


14




a


,


14




b


) is not placed, for example, at the ink cartridge replacement time, the rear end part of the corresponding lid member


70


(


70


A,


70


B) is lifted up in a direction away from a cartridge holder section


20


with the engagement part at the front margin part of the carriage


13


as a fulcrum, as shown in FIG.


19


C. In the no cartridge attachment state, the cartridge detection member


72


is moved to a position off the path of a carriage detection member


65


. When the ink cartridge


14


is placed, the rear end part is retained in a carriage main body


57


and the ink cartridge


14


is held in the cartridge holder section


20


as shown in FIG.


19


B. In the attachment state, a stopper placed on the lid member


70


abuts the ink cartridge


14


and thus the cartridge detection member


72


is positioned on the path of the carriage detection member


65


.




Therefore, if the carriage


13


passes through the front of the optical sensor


68


in the state in which the ink cartridge


14


is placed, the carriage detection member


65


and the cartridge detection member


72


are detected by the optical sensor


68


. On the other hand, if at least either of the ink cartridges


14




a


and


14




b


is not mounted, when the carriage


13


passes through the front of the optical sensor


68


, the carriage detection member


65


is detected, but the cartridge detection member


72


A or


72


B corresponding to the ink cartridge


14




a


or


14




b


which is not placed does not pass through the detection area of the ink cartridge


14




a


or


14




b


(gap between photo emitter and photo detector) and thus is not detected.




If the lid member


70


is closed by mistake with the ink cartridge


14


not mounted, the stopper is not locked and thus the cartridge detection member


72


is placed off the path of the carriage detection member


65


. Therefore, in the embodiment, a function similar to that in the above-described embodiment is also provided and the attachment state of the ink cartridge


14


can be detected by the optical sensor


68


that can detect the carriage detection member


65


. Since the attachment state of the ink cartridge


14


can be thus detected by the sensing mechanism (detector) to detect the position of the carriage


13


, the number of sensing mechanisms can be decreased. Consequently, the apparatus configuration can be simplified and is also advantageous for costs.




By the way, in the above-described embodiment, the widths of the detection members


65


,


66


, and


67


are made different, so that the detection members are detected separately, but the invention is not limited to the configuration. For example, the carriage detection member


65


and at least either of the cartridge detection members


66


and


67


may be formed with a light transmission section for allowing light from the photo emitter of the optical sensor


68


to pass through, and the detection pattern at the photo detector of the optical sensor


68


for the carriage detection member


65


may be made different from that for the cartridge detection member


66


,


67


. Further, the detection pattern for the cartridge detection member


66


corresponding to one cartridge type may be made different from that for the cartridge detection member


67


corresponding to another cartridge type.




The light transmission section can be made up of a plurality of slits


73


formed side by side in the main scanning direction, for example, as shown in

FIGS. 20A and 20B

, a plurality of pin holes


74


formed side by side in the main scanning direction as shown in

FIGS. 20C and 20D

, or a plurality of light transmission window parts


75


formed side by side in the main scanning direction as shown in

FIGS. 20E and 20F

. The slits


73


and the pin holes


74


are formed by piercing the detection members


65


,


66


, and


67


formed of light shield material in the thickness direction. The light transmission window parts


75


are formed by putting a masking pattern


76


having a shading property on the surface of each detection member


65


,


66


,


67


formed of light transparent material.




To separately detect the detection members


65


,


66


, and


67


by the light transmission sections, the number of pin holes (light transmission window parts) of one light transmission section in the main scanning direction is made different from that of another light transmission section, as shown in

FIGS. 20C

to


20


F. In doing so, when the detection members


65


,


66


, and


67


pass through the optical sensor


68


, they differ in the number of pulse signals generated by the photo detector. Thus, the detection member passing through the optical sensor


68


can be identified based on the detection signal from the photo detector of the optical sensor


68


. The spacing between the slits of one light transmission section in the main scanning direction is made different from that of another light transmission section, as shown in

FIGS. 20A and 20B

. That is, the scan speed of the carriage


13


when each detection member


65


,


66


,


67


is detected is constant and thus if the spacing between the slits of one light transmission section in the main scanning direction is made different from that of another light transmission section, the generation period of a pulse signal output from the photo detector of the optical sensor


68


varies depending on the detection member


65


,


66


, or


67


. Thus, the detection member


65


,


66


, or


67


passing through the optical sensor


68


can be identified based on the detection signal from the photo detector.




The invention is not limited to the specific embodiments and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as claimed. For example, the recording head


21


mounted on the carriage


13


may be any type of recording head


21


if it jets ink drops. The print record medium printed by the printer


1


is not limited to the recording paper


2


and may be a sheet-like film, for example. Further, there may be adopted a configuration in which the cartridge detection member also serves as the carriage detection member.



Claims
  • 1. A detector unit incorporated in a recording apparatus which comprises:a carriage provided with a recording head and a cartridge holder in which an ink cartridge is detachably held; a record section in which the carriage is reciprocately moved in a main scanning direction to record information onto recording paper; and a paper feeding section for feeding the recording paper into the record section, the detector unit comprising: a paper detection member that detects the recording paper fed into the record section; and at least one of the following detection members: a carriage detection member displaced by the main scanning movement of the carriage; and a cartridge detection member detectably displaced by the main scanning movement of the carriage when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder; and a single detector for varying an output signal therefrom in accordance with at least one of the carriage and cartridge detection members and in accordance with the paper detection member to recognize the recording paper and at least one of the carriage, and the ink cartridge.
  • 2. A detector unit incorporated in a recording apparatus which comprises:a carriage provided with a recording head and a cartridge holder in which an ink cartridge is detachably held; a record section in which the carriage is reciprocately moved in a main scanning direction to record information onto recording paper; and a paper feeding section for feeding the recording paper into the record section, the detector unit comprising: at least two of the following detection members: a carriage detection member displaced by the main scanning movement of the carriage; a cartridge detection member detectably displaced by the main scanning movement of the carriage when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder; and a paper detection member displaced by the recording paper fed into the record section; and a single detector for varying an output signal therefrom in accordance with the at least two detection members to recognize at least two of the carriage, the ink cartridge and the recording paper, wherein the paper detection member is placed on a transporting path of the recording paper in the record section so as to be movable between a first reference position and a first move position; wherein the paper detection member is situated at the first reference position when the recording paper is not in contact therewith, and is situated at the first move position when the recording paper comes in contact therewith; wherein a carriage engagement member is provided with the carriage; wherein the carriage detection member is placed on a traveling path of the carriage engagement member so as to be movable between a second reference position and a second move position; wherein the carriage detection member is situated at the second reference position when the carriage engagement member is not in contact therewith, and is situated at the second move position when the carriage engagement member comes in contact therewith; wherein the detector detects at least one of the displacement of the paper detection member from the first reference position to the first move position and the displacement from the first move position to the first reference position; and wherein the detector also detects at least one of the displacement of the carriage detection member from the second reference position to the second move position and the displacement from the second move position to the second reference position.
  • 3. The detector unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein the carriage engagement member comes in contact with the carriage detection member when the carriage is situated at a standby position thereof.
  • 4. The detector unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein the detector includes a photo emitter and a photo detector;wherein the photo detector receives the light emitted from the photo emitter when the paper detection member is situated at the first reference position and the carriage detection member is situated at the second reference position; and wherein the light emitted from the photo emitter is shaded when the paper detection member is situated at the first move position and the carriage detection member is situated at the second move position.
  • 5. The detector unit as set forth in claim 4, wherein the paper detection member is pivotable between the first reference position and the first move position about a first fulcrum which defines a first move end and a second move end opposed to the first move end through the first fulcrum in between;wherein the recording paper comes in contact with a first contact portion provided on the first move end of the paper detection member; and wherein the light emitted from the photo emitter is shaded by a first shading plate formed on the second move end of the paper detection member.
  • 6. The detector unit as set forth in claim 4, wherein the carriage detection member is pivotable between the second reference position and the second move position about a second fulcrum which defines a first move end and a second move end opposed to the first move end through the second fulcrum in between;wherein the carriage engagement member comes in contact with a second contact portion provided on the first move end of the carriage detection member; and wherein the light emitted from the photo emitter is shaded by a first shading plate formed on the second move end of the carriage detection member.
  • 7. The detector unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein a cartridge engagement member is provided with the carriage so as to be movable between an absence position and a presence position;wherein the cartridge engagement member is situated at the absence position when the ink cartridge is not mounted in the cartridge holder, and is situated at the presence position when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder; wherein the cartridge engagement member is arranged away from the carriage engagement member in the main scanning direction, and arranged such that either the absence position or the presence position is to be abutted against the carriage detection member in accordance with the main scanning movement of the carriage; wherein respective widths of the carriage engagement member and the cartridge engagement member are made different from each other in the main scanning direction; and wherein the carriage detection member is situated at the second move position when the cartridge engagement member comes in contact with the carriage detection member.
  • 8. The detector unit as set forth in claim 7, wherein a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted in the cartridge holder;wherein a plurality of cartridge engagement members are provided in association with the plural ink cartridges; wherein the plural cartridge engagement members are arranged away from each other in the main scanning direction, and arranged such that either the absence position or the presence position is to be subsequently abutted against the carriage detection member in accordance with the main scanning movement of the carriage; wherein respective widths of the carriage engagement member and the cartridge engagement members are made different from each other in the main scanning direction; and wherein the carriage detection member is situated at the second move position when one of the cartridge engagement members comes in contact with the carriage detection member.
  • 9. A detector unit incorporated in a recording apparatus which comprises:a carriage provided with a recording head and a cartridge holder in which an ink cartridge is detachably held; a record section in which the carriage is reciprocately moved in a main scanning direction to record information onto recording paper; and a paper feeding section for feeding the recording paper into the record section, the detector unit comprising: at least two of the following detection members: a carriage detection member displaced by the main scanning movement of the carriage; a cartridge detection member detectably displaced by the main scanning movement of the carriage when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder; and a paper detection member displaced by the recording paper fed into the record section; and a single detector for varying an output signal therefrom in accordance with the at least two detection members to recognize at least two of the carriage, the ink cartridge and the recording paper, wherein the paper detection member is placed on a transporting path of the recording paper in the record section so as to be movable between a first reference position and a first move position; wherein the paper detection member is situated at the first reference position when the recording paper is not in contact therewith, and is situated at the first move position when the recording paper comes in contact therewith; wherein a cartridge engagement member is provided with the carriage so as to be movable between an absence position and a presence position; wherein the cartridge engagement member is situated at the absence position when the ink cartridge is not mounted in the cartridge holder, and is situated at the presence position when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder; wherein the cartridge detection member is placed on a traveling path of the cartridge engagement member so as to be movable between a second reference position and a second move position; wherein the cartridge detection member is situated at the second reference position when the cartridge engagement member is not in contact therewith, and is situated at the second move position when the cartridge engagement member comes in contact therewith; wherein the detector detects at least one of the displacement of the paper detection member from the first reference position to the first move position and the displacement from the first move position to the first reference position; and wherein the detector also detects at least one of the displacement of the cartridge detection member from the second reference position to the second move position and the displacement from the second move position to the second reference position.
  • 10. The detector unit as set forth in claim 9, wherein a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted in the cartridge holder;wherein a plurality of cartridge engagement members are provided in association with the plural ink cartridges; wherein the plural cartridge engagement members are arranged away from each other in the main scanning direction, and arranged such that either the absence position or the presence position is to be subsequently abutted against the cartridge detection member in accordance with the main scanning movement of the carriage; wherein the cartridge detection member is situated at the second move position when one of the cartridge engagement members comes in contact with the cartridge detection member; and wherein respective widths of the cartridge engagement members are made different from each other in the main scanning direction.
  • 11. A detector unit incorporated in a recording apparatus which comprises:a carriage provided with a recording head and a cartridge holder in which an ink cartridge is detachably held; and a record section in which the carriage is reciprocately moved in a main scanning direction to record information onto recording paper, the detector unit comprising: a carriage engagement member displaced by the main scanning movement of the carriage; a cartridge engagement member, provided with the carriage so as to be moveable between an absence position and a presence position; a detector member placed on a travelling path of the carriage engagement member so as to be moveable between a first reference position and a first move position displace by the main scanning movement of the carriage; a detector for varying an output signal therefrom in accordance with positions of the detection member; wherein the cartridge engagement member is situated at the absence position when the ink cartridge is not mounted in the cartridge holder, and is situated at the presence position when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder; wherein the cartridge engagement member is arranged away from the carriage engagement member in the main scanning direction, and arranged such that the absence position is to be abutted against the carriage detection member in accordance with the main scanning movement of the carriage; wherein respective widths of the carriage engagement member and the cartridge engagement member are made different from each other in the main scanning direction; wherein the detection member is moved from the first reference position to the first move position when at least one of the carriage engagement member and the cartridge engagement member comes in contact therewith; and wherein the detector detects the displacement of the detection member from the first reference position to the first move position.
  • 12. The detector unit as set forth in claim 11, wherein the carriage engagement member comes in contact with the carriage detection member when the carriage is situated at a standby position thereof.
  • 13. The detector unit as set forth in claim 11, wherein a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted in the cartridge holder;wherein a plurality of cartridge engagement members are provided in association with the plural ink cartridges; wherein the plural cartridge engagement members are arranged away from each other in the main scanning direction, and arranged such that either the absence position or the presence position is to be subsequently abutted against the carriage detection member in accordance with the main scanning movement of the carriage; wherein respective widths of the carriage engagement member and the cartridge engagement members are made different from each other in the main scanning direction; and wherein the carriage detection member is situated at the first move position when one of the cartridge engagement members comes in contact with the carriage detection member.
  • 14. A detector unit incorporated in a recording apparatus which comprises:a carriage provided with a recording head, a cartridge holder in which an ink cartridge is detachably held and a lid member which covers the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder; and a record section in which the carriage is reciprocately moved in a main scanning direction to record information onto recording paper, wherein the detector unit comprises: a carriage engagement member displaced by the main scanning movement of the carriage; a detection member placed on a traveling path of the carriage engagement member so as to be movable between a first reference position and a first move position displaced by the main scanning movement of the carriage; a cartridge engagement member disposed at the lid member and displaced by the main scanning movement of the carriage when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge holder; and a detector for varying an output signal therefrom in accordance with positions of the detection member, wherein the cartridge engagement member is situated on a traveling path of the carriage engagement member only when the ink cartridge is not mounted in the cartridge holder; and wherein the detector is arranged within a region in which the carriage is movable in the main scanning direction to detect the carriage engagement member and the cartridge engagement member.
  • 15. The detector unit as set forth in claim 14, wherein the detector includes a photo emitter and a photo detector for receiving light emitted from the photo emitter; andwherein the carriage engagement member and the cartridge engagement member are shading projections which are to be passed between the photo emitter and the photo detector.
  • 16. The detector unit as set forth in claim 15, wherein respective widths of the carriage engagement member and the cartridge engagement member are made different from each other in the main scanning direction.
  • 17. The detector unit as set forth in claim 16, wherein a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted in the cartridge holder and a plurality of lid members are provided with the carriage;wherein a plurality of cartridge engagement members are provided in association with the plural ink cartridges and the plural lid members; and wherein respective widths of the cartridge engagement members are made different from each other in the main scanning direction.
  • 18. The detector unit as set forth in claim 15, wherein a transparent part is formed on at least one of the carriage engagement member and the cartridge engagement member.
  • 19. The detector unit as set forth in claim 18, wherein a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted in the cartridge holder and a plurality of lid members are provided with the carriage;wherein a plurality of cartridge engagement members are provided in association with the plural ink cartridges and the plural lid members; and wherein a transparent part is formed on at least one of the cartridge engagement members.
  • 20. An ink cartridge detection assembly incorporated in a recording apparatus which comprises:a carriage reciprocally moved in a main scanning direction, and provided with a recording head, a carriage detection member and a cartridge holder in which an ink cartridge is detachably held; a detector arranged within a region in which the carriage is movable in the main scan direction to detect the carriage detection member; and a cartridge detection member placed on the ink cartridge and situated on a traveling path of the carriage detection member to be detected by the detector; wherein a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted in the cartridge holder; wherein a plurality of cartridge detection members are provided in association with the plural ink cartridges; and wherein a transparent part indicative of a type ink cartridge installed in formed on at least one of the cartridge detection members.
  • 21. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 20, wherein the detector includes a photo emitter and a photo detector for receiving light emitted from the photo emitter; andwherein the cartridge detection member is a shading projection which is to be passed between the photo emitter and the photo detector.
  • 22. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 20, wherein a plurality of ink cartridges are mounted in the cartridge holder;wherein a plurality of cartridge detection members are provided in association with the plural ink cartridges; and wherein respective widths of the cartridge detection members are made different from each other in the main scanning direction.
  • 23. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 20, wherein respective widths of the carriage detection member and the cartridge detection member are made different from each other.
  • 24. The ink cartridge as set forth in claim 20, wherein the cartridge detection member also serves as the carriage detection member.
Priority Claims (3)
Number Date Country Kind
11-346356 Dec 1999 JP
2000-161458 May 2000 JP
2000-335350 Nov 2000 JP
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Entry
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