This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-016377 filed on Jan. 31, 2017. The entire content of the priority application is incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to an image-recording apparatus provided with a cartridge including a first storage chamber, and a tank including a second storage chamber.
There is known a liquid-ejecting device that includes: a device main body including a liquid-ejecting head and a sub tank; and a cartridge attachable to the device main body and including a liquid storage chamber (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-238792, for example).
In this liquid-ejecting device, as ink flows out of the sub tank into the liquid-ejecting head, ink stored in the liquid storage chamber of the cartridge is configured to flow into the sub tank. Since the sub tank and liquid storage chamber are both opened to an atmosphere, a liquid level of the ink in the sub tank becomes ultimately at the same height as a liquid level of ink in the liquid storage chamber of the cartridge.
In this liquid-ejecting device, a detected portion is disposed within the liquid storage chamber of the cartridge in order to allow detection of a residual amount of ink stored in the liquid storage chamber.
In the liquid-ejecting device described above, whether or not the cartridge is empty is determined by a so-called dot counting method, i.e., by counting the number of dots of ink droplets from the liquid-ejecting head after receipt of a signal indicative of change in position of the detected portion disposed in the cartridge. However, this method may not be able to accurately detect whether or not the attached cartridge is empty. It is conceivable that ink may possibly remain in the cartridge although the cartridge is determined to be empty.
Likewise, the residual amount of ink in the sub tank is also determined by the dot counting method after receipt of the signal indicative of the change in position of the detected portion disposed in the cartridge. This method may not be able to accurately detect the residual amount of ink in the sub tank, either. Conceivably, air may be possibly introduced into an ink flow path connecting the sub tank to the liquid-ejecting head.
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the disclosure to provide an image-recording apparatus including a cartridge defining therein a first storage chamber and a tank defining a second storage chamber therein, the image-recording apparatus being capable of consuming as much liquid as possible in the first storage chamber, as well as capable of realizing accurate detection of the residual amount of liquid in the second storage chamber.
In order to attain the above and other objects, according to one aspect, the disclosure provides an image-recording apparatus including a cartridge, a tank, a recording portion, a detected portion and a detector. The cartridge includes: a first storage chamber configured to store liquid; and a first air communication passage configured to allow the second storage chamber to communicate with an atmosphere. The tank includes: a liquid inlet port through which the liquid stored in the first storage chamber is configure to be introduced; a second storage chamber configured to store the liquid introduced thereinto through the liquid inlet port; a liquid outlet port configured to discharge the liquid stored in the second storage chamber to flow out therefrom, the liquid outlet port being positioned lower than the liquid inlet port in a vertical direction; and a second air communication passage configured to allow the second storage chamber to communicate with the atmosphere. The recording portion includes a nozzle through which the liquid supplied from the second storage chamber through the liquid outlet port is configured to be ejected in a form of liquid droplets. The detected portion is configured to change in state in a case where a liquid level of the liquid stored in the second storage chamber becomes equal to a position of the liquid inlet port in the vertical direction. The detector is configured to detect change in state of the detected portion and output a detection signal upon detection of the change.
The particular features and advantages of the embodiment(s) as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
A multifunction peripheral 10 as an example of an image-recording apparatus according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts and components are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid duplicating description.
In the following description, up, down, front, rear, left, and right directions related to the multifunction peripheral 10 will be referred to assuming that the multifunction peripheral 10 is disposed on a horizontal plane so as to be operable, as shown in
[Overall Structure of Multifunction Peripheral 10]
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
<Feeding Tray 15, Discharge Tray 16, and Feeding Roller 23>
As illustrated in
The discharge tray 16 is disposed above the feeding tray 15. The discharge tray 16 is configured to support the sheets 12 discharged by the discharging rollers 27.
The feeding roller 23 is configured to feed each of the sheets 12 supported in the feeding tray 15 onto a conveying path 17. The feeding roller 23 is configured to be driven by a feeding motor 172 (see
<Conveying Path 17>
As illustrated in
<Conveying Rollers 25>
As illustrated in
<Discharging Rollers 27>
As illustrated in
<Recording Portion 24>
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The ink tubes 20 connect the cartridge-attachment portion 110 (see
The flexible flat cable 84 is configured to establish electrical connection between a controller 130 (see
As illustrated in
The recording portion 24 is configured to be controlled by the controller 130. As the carriage 22 moves in the left-right direction 9, the recording head 21 ejects ink droplets, through the nozzles 29, toward the conveying path 17, i.e., onto the sheet 12 supported by the platen 26. In this way, an image is recorded on each sheet 12 supported by the platen 26, and the ink stored in each of the ink cartridges 30 is consumed.
<Platen 26>
As illustrated in
<Cover 87>
As illustrated in
<Cartridge-Attachment Portion 110>
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the four colors of ink (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black) are detachably attachable to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. Specifically, the respective ink cartridges 30 are configured to be attached to the case 101 by being moved rearward, and detached from the case 101 by being moved frontward. One set of four contacts 106, one rod 125, one attachment sensor 113, one tank 103, and one liquid-level sensor 55 are provided for each of the four ink cartridges 30. Thus, in the present embodiment, four sets of the four contacts 106, four rods 125, four attachment sensors 113, four tanks 103, and four liquid-level sensors 55 are provided at the cartridge-attachment portion 110. Note that the number of the ink cartridges 30 that can be accommodated in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 is not limited to four, but may be any number.
The four sets of the contacts 106 have the same configurations as one another. The four rods 125 have the same configurations as one another. Likewise, the four attachment sensors 113 have the same configurations as one another. And the four liquid-level sensors 55 have the same configurations as one another. Accordingly, hereinafter, descriptions will be made only about one of the four sets of contacts 106, one of the four rods 125, one of the four attachment sensors 113 and one of the four liquid-level sensors 55, while descriptions for the remaining three of these components will be omitted for simplifying description.
Also note that each of the four tanks 103 is configured to store one of four colors of ink among black, cyan, magenta and yellow. Specifically, hereinafter, a tank 103 storing black ink will be referred to as “tank 103B”, a tank 103 storing ink of magenta color will be referred to as “tank 103M”, a tank 103 storing ink of cyan color will be referred to as “tank 103C”, and a tank 103 storing ink of yellow color will be referred to as “tank 103Y”. These four tanks 103B, 103M, 103C and 103Y will be collectively referred to as “tanks 103”, hereinafter.
<Case 101>
As illustrated in
The ink cartridges 30 can be inserted into and extracted from the case 101 through the opening 85 of the casing 14 and the opening 112 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110. In the case 101, the bottom wall 142 is formed with four guide grooves 109 (see
Note that
<Contacts 106>
As illustrated in
Each contact 106 is electrically connected to the controller 130 (see
<Rod 125>
As illustrated in
<Attachment Sensor 113>
As illustrated in
The attachment sensor 113 is configured to output different detection signals depending on whether or not light emitted from the light-emitting portion in the left-right direction 9 is received by the light-receiving portion. For example, the attachment sensor 113 is configured to output a low-level signal to the controller 130 (see
<Lock Shaft 145>
As illustrated in
The lock shaft 145 is configured to hold each of the ink cartridges 30 attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110 at the attached position. The ink cartridges 30 are respectively engaged with the lock shaft 145 in a state where the ink cartridges 30 are attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. The lock shaft 145 is configured to retain each ink cartridge 30 against urging forces of coil springs 78 and 98 of the ink cartridge 30 that push the ink cartridge 30 frontward.
<Tanks 103>
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Specifically, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
More specifically, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
The first front wall 162a is positioned frontward relative to the second front wall 162b. The third front wall 162c is positioned frontward relative to the first front wall 162a.
The first lower wall 163a is positioned upward relative to the second lower wall 163b.
The first front wall 162a extends downward from a front end of the first upper wall 161a. The first lower wall 163a extends rearward from a lower end of the first front wall 162a. The second front wall 162b extends downward from a rear end of the first lower wall 163a. The upper wall 120b extends frontward from a lower end of the second front wall 162b. The front wall 120c extends downward from a front end of the upper wall 120b. The second upper wall 161b extends frontward from a lower end of the upper wall 120b. The third front wall 162c extends downward from a front end of the second upper wall 161b. The second lower wall 163b extends rearward from a lower end of the third front wall 162c.
As illustrated in
The rear wall 164 is a film welded to rear end surfaces of the first upper wall 161a, second lower wall 163b, side wall 165 and side wall 166. In
As illustrated in
<Connecting Portion 107>
The connecting portion 107 is disposed at each tank 103. Since the connecting portions 107 have the same structures as one another, only one of the connecting portions 107 will be described in detail hereinafter, while descriptions for the remaining three connecting portions 107 will be omitted.
As illustrated in
The ink needle 102 is made of resin and has a generally tubular shape. The ink needle 102 is disposed at a lower end portion of the corresponding end wall 143 of the case 101. Specifically, the ink needle 102 is disposed on the end wall 143 of the case 101 at a position corresponding to the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. The ink needle 102 protrudes frontward from the end wall 143 of the case 101.
The guide portion 105 has a cylindrical shape, and is disposed at the end wall 143 to surround the ink needle 102. The guide portion 105 protrudes frontward from the end wall 143 of the case 101. A protruding end (front end) of the guide portion 105 is open. Specifically, the ink needle 102 is positioned at a diametrical center of the guide portion 105. The guide portion 105 is so shaped that the ink supply portion 34 of the attached ink cartridge 30 is received in the guide portion 105.
The connecting portion 107 is not connected to the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is not attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. During an insertion process of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment portion 110, i.e., in the course of action for bringing the ink cartridge 30 into an attached position in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 (i.e., a position illustrated in
Incidentally, the ink needle 102 may have a flat-shaped tip end or a pointed tip end.
As illustrated in
<Overall Structure of the Storage Chambers 160>
In the present embodiment, the multifunction peripheral 10 includes four storage chambers 160 (160B, 160M, 160C and 160Y) corresponding to the tanks 103C, 103M, 103C and 103Y, respectively.
In the following description, the storage chamber 160 provided in the tank 103B, that is, the storage chamber 160 configured to store black ink, will be referred to as the storage chamber 160B; the storage chamber 160 provided in the tank 103M, that is, the storage chamber 160 configured to store ink of magenta color, will be referred to as the storage chamber 160M; the storage chamber 160 provided in the tank 103C, that is, the storage chamber 160 configured to store ink of cyan color, will be referred to as the storage chamber 160C; and the storage chamber 160 provided in the tank 103Y, that is, the storage chamber 160 configured to store yellow ink, will be referred to as the storage chamber 160Y. Also, the four storage chambers 160B, 160M, 160C and 160Y will be collectively referred to as “storage chambers 160”.
The storage chambers 160M, 160C and 160Y have generally the same structures as one another, while the storage chamber 160B has a different structure from the storage chambers 160M, 160C and 160Y. Hence, hereinafter, the structures of the storage chambers 160M, 160C and 160Y will be described first, and the structure of the storage chamber 160B will be described subsequently.
Note that differences in structure among the four storage chambers 160B, 160M, 160C and 160Y may not be limited to those in the present embodiment. For example, the storage chambers 160M, 160C and 160Y may have the same structure as the storage chamber 160B. Alternatively, the storage chamber 160B may have the same structure as the storage chambers 160M, 160C and 160Y. Still alternatively, the storage chamber 160M may have the same structure as the storage chamber 160B, while the storage chambers 160C and 160Y may have a different structure from the storage chamber 160B.
<Storage Chambers 160M, 160C, 160Y>
Since the storage chambers 160M, 160C and 160Y have generally the same structures as one another, hereinafter, the structure of the storage chamber 160Y will be described in detail as an illustrative example while referring to the storage chambers 160M and 160C wherever necessary.
As illustrated in
The buffer chamber 180 is defined by the first upper wall 161a, the first front wall 162a, the first lower wall 163a, the rear wall 164, the side wall 165 and the side wall 166.
The first chamber 181 is defined by the second upper wall 161b, the third front wall 162c, the second lower wall 163b, the rear wall 164, the side wall 165 and the side wall 166.
The second chamber 182 is defined by the second front wall 162b, the rear wall 164, and the side wall 165 and the side wall 166.
Referring to
Specifically, the buffer chamber 180 is positioned above the second chamber 182. The first chamber 181 is positioned below the second chamber 182. An upper end of the second chamber 182 is in communication with the buffer chamber 180. A lower end of the second chamber 182 is in communication with the first chamber 181. That is, the buffer chamber 180 and first chamber 181 are in communication with each other through the second chamber 182.
Referring to
Further, referring to
The projecting portion 120 is provided above the first chamber 181 and frontward of the second chamber 182. The projecting portion 120 is defined by the upper wall 120b and the front wall 120c. The projecting portion 120 also includes side walls facing rightward and leftward that are made of material capable of transmitting light. The projecting portion 120 defines therein an internal space 120a that is in communication with the first chamber 181 and second chamber 182. The internal space 120a of the projecting portion 120 constitutes a portion of the storage chamber 160Y. Within this internal space 120a of the projecting portion 120, an arm 53 and a detected portion 54 of a pivoting member 50 (described later) are disposed. Note that the projecting portion 120 may be configured to communicate with one of the first chamber 181 and second chamber 182, rather than both of the first chamber 181 and second chamber 182.
In the third front wall 162c, a communication port 184 is formed. The communication port 184 communicates with the first chamber 181. The first chamber 181 is in communication with the internal space 117 of the ink needle 102 via the communication port 184. This structure allows the ink flowing out of the ink cartridge 30Y through the ink needle 102 to flow into the storage chamber 160Y and to be stored therein.
In a state where a liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160Y is at the same height as the communication port 184 in the up-down direction 7, the buffer chamber 180 is positioned higher than the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160Y. In the present embodiment, “the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160Y is at the same height as the communication port 184” denotes a state where the liquid surface is positioned at the same height as an axial center of the ink needle 102 (i.e., a center of the communication port 184) in the up-down direction 7, i.e., at the same height as the center of the ink supply port 71 in the up-down direction 7. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the liquid surface is deemed to be “at the same height as the communication port 184” when the liquid surface is at a position P1 indicated by a chain line in
Incidentally, the liquid surface may not necessarily be at the position P1 in order to be deemed at the same height as the communication port 184. For example, the liquid surface may be considered to be at the same height as the communication port 184 when the liquid surface is at the same height as an upper edge or lower edge of the communication port 184 in the up-down direction 7.
As shown in
Referring to
Further, referring to
Referring to
The buffer chamber 180 is in communication with corresponding one of two air communication ports 124 (see
In the present embodiment, two air flow paths 147 are provided. One of the two air flow paths 147 connects the through-hole 119 of the storage chamber 160B to one of the two air communication ports 124. The other air flow path 147 connects the respective through-holes 119 of the storage chambers 160M, 160C and 160Y to the other one of the air communication ports 124.
Incidentally, the air flow paths 147 may have different structures from that of the embodiment. For example, only one air flow path 147 may be provided, instead of two, such that the sole air flow path 147 may connect each of the through-holes 119 of the storage chambers 160 to a single air communication port 124.
<Storage Chamber 160B>
Next, a detailed structure of the storage chamber 160B will be described. In the following description, those parts and components common to those of the storage chambers 160M, 160C and 160Y will be not described to avoid duplicating description.
As illustrated in
Note that, while the inner wall 167 of the embodiment extends vertically upward in the up-down direction 7, the inner wall 167 does not necessarily extend vertically. For example, the inner wall 167 may extend in a direction slanted relative to the up-down direction 7.
The storage chamber 160B includes a third chamber 183, in addition to the three chambers (buffer chamber 180, the first chamber 181 and the second chamber 182) that are also defined in each of the storage chambers 160M, 160C and 160Y. In other words, the storage chamber 160B includes the buffer chamber 180, the first chamber 181, the second chamber 182 and the third chamber 183.
Specifically, the second chamber 182 of the storage chamber 160B is defined by the second front wall 162b, the rear wall 164, the side wall 165 and the inner wall 167.
The third chamber 183 is defined by the second front wall 162b, the rear wall 164, the inner wall 167 and the side wall 166. The third chamber 183 is positioned below the buffer chamber 180 and upward of the first chamber 181. An upper end of the third chamber 183 is in communication with the buffer chamber 180. A lower end of the third chamber 183 is in communication with the first chamber 181.
Specifically, the upper end of the third chamber 183 communicates with a rear end portion of the buffer chamber 180. The lower end of the third chamber 183 communicates with a rear end portion of the first chamber 181. Further, as illustrated in
The third chamber 183 is disposed leftward of the second chamber 182. The third chamber 183 is separated from the second chamber 182 by the inner wall 167. That is, the third chamber 183 and the second chamber 182 do not communicate with each other. Put another way, the third chamber 183 connects the buffer chamber 180 to the first chamber 181 at a position leftward of the second chamber 182.
That is, the inner wall 167 partitions an internal space of the storage chamber 160B in the left-right direction 9. In the storage chamber 160B, the pivoting member 50 (described later) is disposed rightward of the inner wall 167. The storage chamber 160B is connected to the connecting portion 107 via the communication port 184 at a position leftward of the inner wall 167. That is, the inner wall 167 partitions a space between the connecting portion 107 and the pivoting member 50 in the left-right direction 9 within the storage chamber 160B.
The inner wall 167 extends between upper and lower portions of the storage chamber 160B. That is, the inner wall 167 spans between the buffer chamber 180 and the first chamber 181 in the up-down direction 7. With the inner wall 167, the buffer chamber 180 is divided into two spaces in the left-right direction 9, and the first chamber 181 is also divided into two spaces in the left-right direction 9.
The inner wall 167 has an upper end that defines a gap 167a relative to the first upper wall 161a. The two spaces in the buffer chamber 180 separated by the inner wall 167 are allowed to communicate with each other through the gap 167a. Likewise, the inner wall 167 has a lower end that is formed with a notch 167b. The two spaces in the first chamber 181 separated by the inner wall 167 are allowed to communicate with each other through the notch 167b.
Incidentally, the inner wall 167 does not necessarily extend to span between the upper and lower end portions of the storage chamber 160B, provided that the inner wall 167 spans from a position upward relative to the communication port 184 and the detected portion 54 to a position downward relative to the communication port 184 and the detected portion 54. For example, the upper end of the inner wall 167 may extend up to a position lower than the position shown in
As illustrated in
<Pivoting Member 50>
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
The float 51 constitutes a lower portion of the pivoting member 50. The float 51 is made of a material having a specific gravity smaller than a specific gravity of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160. The shaft 52 protrudes from left and right surfaces of the float 51 in the left-right direction 9. Protruding ends of the shaft 52 are inserted into holes each formed in one of right and left side walls 186 and 187 constituting the support member 185 (see
The arm 53 protrudes substantially upward from the float 51. The detected portion 54 is provided at a protruding tip end portion of the arm 53. That is, the detected portion 54 constitutes a pivoting end portion of the pivoting member 50. A portion of the arm 53 and the detected portion 54 are located in the internal space 120a of the projecting portion 120.
The detected portion 54 is positioned upward relative to the communication port 184 of the connecting portion 107. The detected portion 54 has a plate shape extending in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. The detected portion 54 is made of material that can block light emitted from a light-emitting portion of the corresponding liquid-level sensor 55 (described later).
When the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 is higher than the position P1 (more specifically, the center of the communication port 184) in the up-down direction 7, in other words, when the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 57 of the ink cartridge 30 is higher than the position P1 of the ink supply portion 34 (more specifically, the center of the ink supply port 71) in the up-down direction 7, the pivoting member 50 pivotally moves in the direction of the arrow 58 due to buoyancy acting on the float 51. As a result, the pivoting member 50 is positioned at a detection position indicated by a solid line in
As the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 and in the ink valve chamber 35 is consumed and the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 57 is lowered to a position equal to the position P1 in the up-down direction 7, the pivoting member 50 pivotally moves in the direction of the arrow 59 following the liquid level (liquid surface) of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160. As a result, the pivoting member 50 moves to a non-detection position indicated by a broken line in
<Liquid-Level Sensor 55>
The liquid-level sensor 55 (see
The liquid-level sensor 55 is configured to output detection different signals depending on whether or not the light outputted from the light-emitting portion is received by the light-receiving portion. For example, the liquid-level sensor 55 is configured to output a low-level signal (a signal whose signal level is lower than a threshold level) to the controller 130 (see
As illustrated in
On the other hand, when the pivoting member 50 is at the non-detection position, the detected portion 54 is retracted from the position between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the liquid-level sensor 55. Thus, in case that the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 of the tank 103 (in other words, the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 57 of the ink cartridge 30) is equal to or lower than the position P1 in the up-down direction 7, the light-receiving portion receives the light outputted from the light-emitting portion. Accordingly, the liquid-level sensor 55 outputs the high-level signal to the controller 130.
[Ink Cartridge 30]
The ink cartridge 30 illustrated in
The ink cartridge 30 depicted in
As illustrated in
The cartridge casing 31 as a whole has a generally flattened shape so that a dimension of the cartridge casing 31 in the left-right direction 9 is small, and a dimension of the cartridge casing 31 in the up-down direction 7 and a dimension of the cartridge casing 31 in the front-rear direction 8 are greater than the dimension of the cartridge casing 31 in the left-right direction 9. At least the front wall 41 of the cartridge casing 31 has light transmission capability so that the liquid level of the ink stored in a storage chamber 32 (described later) and the storage chamber 33 can be visually recognized from an outside of the cartridge casing 31.
The sub-bottom wall 48 is positioned upward relative to the bottom wall 42 and extends frontward continuously from a lower end of the rear wall 40. In the present embodiment, a rear end of the sub-bottom wall 48 is positioned rearward relative to a rear end of the ink supply portion 34, while a front end of the sub-bottom wall 48 is positioned frontward relative to the rear end of the ink supply portion 34. The step wall 49 connects the bottom wall 42 to the sub-bottom wall 48. The ink supply portion 34 extends rearward from the step wall 49 at a position downward relative to the sub-bottom wall 48 and upward relative to the bottom wall 42. Incidentally, the rear end of the sub-bottom wall 48 may be positioned at an arbitrary position. For example, the rear end of the sub-bottom wall 48 may be positioned frontward relative to the rear end of the ink supply portion 34.
A protruding portion 43 is provided at an outer surface of the top wall 39 to protrude upward therefrom. The protruding portion 43 extends in the front-rear direction 8. The protruding portion 43 has a lock surface 151 facing frontward. The lock surface 151 is positioned upward relative to the top wall 39. The lock surface 151 is configured to contact the lock shaft 145 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. The lock surface 151 comes into contact with the lock shaft 145 while pushing the lock shaft 145 frontward, so that the ink cartridge 30 is held in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 against the urging forces of the coil springs 78 and 98.
The protruding portion 43 also has an inclined surface 155. The inclined surface 155 is positioned rearward relative to the lock surface 151. During an attachment process of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge-attachment portion 110, the lock shaft 145 is guided by the inclined surface 155. As the lock shaft 145 moves along the inclined surface 155, the lock shaft 145 is guided to a position capable of contacting the lock surface 151.
An operation portion 90 is disposed frontward relative to the lock surface 151 on the top wall 39. The operation portion 90 has an operation surface 92. When the operation surface 92 is pushed downward in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110, the ink cartridge 30 is pivotally moved, thereby moving the lock surface 151 downward. As a result, the lock surface 151 is positioned further downward relative to the lock shaft 145. In this way, the ink cartridge 30 can be extracted from the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
The light-blocking plate 67 is provided at the outer surface of the top wall 39 to protrude upward therefrom. The light-blocking plate 67 extends in the front-rear direction 8. The light-blocking plate 67 is disposed rearward relative to the protruding portion 43.
The light-blocking plate 67 is arranged to be located between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the attachment sensor 113 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. Hence, the light-blocking plate 67 is configured to block the light of the attachment sensor 113 traveling in the left-right direction 9.
More specifically, when the light emitted from the light-emitting portion of the attachment sensor 113 is incident on the light-blocking plate 67 before the light arrives at the light-receiving portion of the attachment sensor 113, an intensity of the light received by the light-receiving portion is less than a predetermined intensity, for example, zero. Note that the light-blocking plate 67 may completely block the light traveling from the light-emitting portion to the light-receiving portion, or may partially attenuate the light. Alternatively, the light-blocking plate 67 may refract the light to change a traveling direction thereof, or may fully reflect the light.
In the present embodiment, a notch 66 is formed in the light-blocking plate 67. The notch 66 is a space that is recessed downward from an upper edge of the light-blocking plate 67, and extends in the front-rear direction 8. Since the notch 66 is formed in the light-blocking plate 67 at a position opposing the attachment sensor 113 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110, the light emitted from the light-emitting portion of the attachment sensor 113 passes through the notch 66 and is therefore not blocked by the light-blocking plate 67. Accordingly, the light emitted from the light-emitting portion of the attachment sensor 113 reaches the light-receiving portion of the attachment sensor 113. On the other hand, in case that the notch 66 is not formed in the light-blocking plate 67, the light-blocking plate 67 opposes the light-emitting portion of the attachment sensor 113 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. Accordingly, the light emitted from the light-emitting portion of the attachment sensor 113 does not reach the light-receiving portion of the attachment sensor 113. With this structure, types of the ink cartridges 30, such as types of ink stored in the ink cartridges 30, and initial amounts of ink stored in the ink cartridges 30, can be determined based on whether or not the notch 66 is formed in the light-blocking plate 67 of the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
An IC board 64 is also provided at the outer surface of the top wall 39. The IC board 64 is positioned between the light-blocking plate 67 and the protruding portion 43 in the front-rear direction 8. The IC board 64 is electrically connected to the corresponding set of four contacts 106 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
The IC board 64 includes a substrate made of silicon for example, an IC (not illustrated), and four electrodes 65. The IC and the four electrodes 65 are mounted on the substrate. The four electrodes 65 are arrayed in the left-right direction 9. The IC is a semiconductor integrated circuit. The IC readably stores data indicative of information on the ink cartridge 30, such as a lot number, a manufacturing date, a color of ink, and the like. Alternatively, the IC board 64 may be configured by providing the IC and electrodes on a flexible substrate having flexibility.
Each of the four electrodes 65 is electrically connected to the IC. Each of the four electrodes 65 extends in the front-rear direction 8. The electrodes 65 are arranged spaced apart from one another in the left-right direction 9. Each electrode 65 is provided on an upper surface of the IC board 64 and exposed thereon to an outside to allow electrical access to the electrode 65.
The step wall 95 extends upward from a front end of the sub-top wall 91 that is positioned rearward relative to the top wall 39. The step wall 95 is formed with the air communication port 96 to allow the storage chamber 32 to communicate with the atmosphere. In other words, the air communication port 96 is positioned higher relative to the center of the cartridge casing 31 in the up-down direction 7. The air communication port 96 is a substantially circular-shaped opening formed in the step wall 95. The air communication port 96 has an inner diameter that is greater than an outer diameter of the rod 125 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
In the attachment process of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment portion 110, the rod 125 enters an air valve chamber 36 (described later) through the air communication port 96. As the rod 125 passes through the air communication port 96, the rod 125 moves a valve 97 configured to seal the air communication port 96 frontward against the urging force of the coil spring 98. As the valve 97 is moved frontward to be separated from the air communication port 96, the storage chamber 32 is open to the atmosphere.
Incidentally, a member for sealing the air communication port 96 should not necessarily be the valve 97. For example, a peel-off seal may be provided at the step wall 95 to seal the air communication port 96.
As illustrated in
Inside the cartridge casing 31, a partition wall 44 and an inner bottom wall 45 are provided. The partition wall 44 and inner bottom wall 45 both extend in the front-rear direction 8 and left-right direction 9. The partition wall 44 and inner bottom wall 45 are arranged to oppose each other in the up-down direction 7.
The storage chamber 32 is a space defined by: a lower surface of the partition wall 44; upper surfaces of the inner bottom wall 45 and sub-bottom wall 48; inner surfaces of the front wall 41, rear wall 40 and step wall 49; and inner surfaces of the right side wall 37 and left side wall 38. Specifically, the lower surface of the partition wall 44 defines an upper edge of the storage chamber 32; the upper surfaces of the inner bottom wall 45 and sub-bottom wall 48 define a lower edge of the storage chamber 32; the inner surfaces of the front wall 41 define a front edge of the storage chamber 32; the inner surfaces of the rear wall 40 and step wall 49 define a rear edge of the storage chamber 32; and the inner surfaces of the right side wall 37 and left side wall 38 define a right edge and a left edge of the storage chamber 32, respectively.
The partition wall 44 separates the storage chamber 32 from the air flow path 61. The partition wall 44 has a front end portion that is formed with a through-hole 46. The storage chamber 32 and the air flow path 61 are in communication with each other through the through-hole 46.
The inner bottom wall 45 extends frontward from the inner surface of the step wall 49. The inner bottom wall 45 partitions the storage chamber 57 into the storage chamber 32 (above the inner bottom wall 45) and the storage chamber 33 (below the inner bottom wall 45). The inner bottom wall 45 has a front end defining a gap 45a with the front wall 41 (see
As illustrated in
The storage chamber 33 is located below the storage chamber 32 inside the cartridge casing 31 in the operable posture of the ink cartridge 30. The storage chamber 33 has a volume (a maximum amount of ink that the storage chamber 33 can store therein) that is smaller than a volume of the storage chamber 32 (a maximum amount of ink that the storage chamber 32 can store therein).
A lower surface of the inner bottom wall 45 defines an upper edge of the storage chamber 33. An upper surface of the bottom wall 42 defines a lower edge of the storage chamber 33. The inner surface of the front wall 41 defines a rear edge of the storage chamber 33. The inner surfaces of the right side wall 37 and left side wall 38 define a right edge and a left edge of the storage chamber 33, respectively. A partitioning wall 47 is also formed inside the cartridge casing 31 to separate the storage chamber 33 from the ink valve chamber 35 in the front-rear direction 8. A front surface of the partitioning wall 47 defines a rear edge of the storage chamber 33. The partitioning wall 47 is formed with a through-hole 99.
In other words, the storage chamber 33 is a space defined by the lower surface of the inner bottom wall 45, the upper surface of the bottom wall 42, the inner surface of the front wall 41, the inner surfaces of the right side wall 37 and left side wall 38 and the front surface of the partitioning wall 47. The storage chamber 33 is in communication with the ink valve chamber 35 through the through-hole 99.
The air flow path 61 is configured to allow the storage chamber 57 to communicate with the atmosphere. The air flow path 61 has one end portion (frontward portion) in communication with the storage chamber 32 via the through-hole 46, and another end portion (rearward portion) in communication with the atmosphere via the air communication port 96.
The air valve chamber 36 constitutes the other end portion (rearward portion) of the air flow path 61. Within the air valve chamber 36, the valve 97 and the coil spring 98 are accommodated. The air valve chamber 36 is in communication with the outside through the air communication port 96. The valve 97 is movable between a closed position and an open position. At the closed position, the valve 97 seals the air communication port 96. At the open position, the valve 97 is separated from the air communication port 96. The coil spring 98 is disposed in the air valve chamber 36 so as to be capable of expanding and contracting in the front-rear direction 8. The coil spring 98 urges the valve 97 rearward, i.e., in a direction such that the valve 97 contacts the air communication port 96. The coil spring 98 has a spring constant that is smaller than a spring constant of the coil spring 78 of the ink supply portion 34.
A wall 93 partitions the air valve chamber 36 from the one end portion (frontward portion) of the air flow path 61. The wall 93 is formed with a through-hole 94. The through-hole 94 is sealed with a semi-permeable membrane 80. The air valve chamber 36 is in communication with the one end portion (frontward portion) of the air flow path 61 through the through-hole 94.
The ink supply portion 34 protrudes rearward from the step wall 49. That is, the ink supply portion 34 is provided at the step wall 49. The ink supply portion 34 has a cylindrical outer shape. The ink supply portion 34 has an inner space serving as the ink valve chamber 35. The ink supply portion 34 has a rear end portion that is open to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the ink supply port 71. A seal member 76 is provided at the rear end portion of the ink supply portion 34. The ink supply portion 34 has a front end that is in communication with a lower end portion of the storage chamber 33 through the through-hole 99 as described above. That is, the ink supply portion 34 is in communication with the lower end portion of the storage chamber 33. Put another way, the ink supply port 71 is connected to the storage chamber 33 via the ink valve chamber 35 to allow the ink stored in the storage chamber 33 to flow out of the ink supply portion 34 through the ink supply port 71.
The ink valve chamber 35 is defined by inner peripheral surfaces of the ink supply portion 34. Referring to
A valve 77 and the coil spring 78 are accommodated in the ink valve chamber 35. The valve 77 is configured to move in the front-rear direction 8 to open and close the ink supply port 71 penetrating a center portion of the seal member 76. The coil spring 78 urges the valve 77 rearward. Accordingly, the valve 77 closes off the ink supply port 71 formed in the seal member 76 in a state where no external force is applied to the valve 77.
The seal member 76 is a disk-shaped member having a center portion formed with a through-hole. The seal member 76 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, for example. A cylindrical inner peripheral surface defining the through-hole penetrating the center portion of the seal member 76 in the front-rear direction 8 defines the ink supply port 71. The ink supply port 71 has an inner diameter slightly smaller than an outer diameter of the ink needle 102.
As the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110 in a state where the valve 77 closes off the ink supply port 71 and the valve 114 closes the opening 116 of the ink needle 102, the ink needle 102 enters into the ink supply port 71 in the front-rear direction 8. That is, the connecting portion 107 and the ink supply portion 34 are connected to each other during the attachment process of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the ink needle 102 provides liquid-tight contact with the inner peripheral surface of the seal member 76 that defines the ink supply port 71, while elastically deforming the seal member 76. As the tip end of the ink needle 102 passes through the seal member 76 and advances into the ink valve chamber 35, the tip end of the ink needle 102 abuts on the valve 77. As the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge-attachment portion 110, the ink needle 102 moves the valve 77 frontward against the urging force of the coil spring 78, thereby opening the ink supply port 71.
While the tip end of the ink needle 102 abuts on the valve 77, the valve 77 abuts on the valve 114 from a front side thereof and pushes the valve 114 rearward. Hence, the valve 114 moves rearward against the urging force of the coil spring 115, thereby opening the opening 116 of the ink needle 102. As a result, the ink stored in the storage chamber 32, the storage chamber 33 and the ink valve chamber 35 is allowed to low into the storage chamber 160 of the corresponding tank 103 through the internal space 117 of the ink needle 102. Here, each of the storage chamber 32, the storage chamber 33, the ink valve chamber 35 and the storage chamber 160 is open to the atmosphere. Accordingly, the ink stored in the storage chamber 32, the storage chamber 33 and the ink valve chamber 35 of the ink cartridge 30 is supplied to the storage chamber 160 of the corresponding tank 103 through the ink supply portion 34 due to hydraulic head difference.
[Controller 130]
Next, an overall configuration of the controller 130 will be described with reference to
The multifunction peripheral 10 includes the controller 130. The controller 130 is configured to control overall operations of the multifunction peripheral 10. The controller 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 133, an EEPROM 134, an ASIC 135, and an internal bus 137 that connects these components to one another.
The ROM 132 stores programs and the like according to which the CPU 131 can perform various control operations including an image-recording control operation. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily storing data, signals, and the like used when the CPU 131 executes the programs. The EEPROM 134 stores settings, flags, and the like that need to be preserved after the multifunction peripheral 10 is turned off.
The conveying motor 171, the feeding motor 172, and the carriage-driving motor 173 are connected to the ASIC 135. The ASIC 135 includes drive circuits for controlling these motors. When the CPU 131 inputs a drive signal for rotating each motor into a corresponding drive circuit thereof, a drive current corresponding to the drive signal is configured to be outputted from the drive circuit to the corresponding motor, thereby rotating the motor. That is, the controller 130 is configured to control rotations of the motors 171, 172 and 173.
Further, the piezoelectric elements 56 are also connected to the ASIC 135. The piezoelectric elements 56 are configured to operate upon receipt of electric power supplied by the controller 130 through a drive circuit (not shown). The controller 130 is configured to control power supply to the piezoelectric elements 56 so that ink droplets can be selectively ejected through the plurality of nozzles 29.
The controller 130 is configured to control the conveying motor 171 to cause the conveying rollers 25 and the discharging rollers 27 to execute an intermittent conveying process when performing image recordation on the sheets 12. The intermittent conveying process is a process in which the conveying rollers 25 and the discharging rollers 27 alternately repeat conveyance of the sheet 12 and halting of the conveyance of the sheet 12 by prescribed line feeds.
The controller 130 is configured to execute an ejection process while halting the conveyance of the sheet 12 in the intermittent conveying process. The ejection process is a process in which the controller 130 controls the power supply to the piezoelectric elements 56 to allow ink droplets to be ejected from the nozzles 29 while moving the carriage 22 in the left-right direction 9. By alternately performing the intermittent conveying process and the ejection process, an image is recorded on each sheet 12.
Further, signals outputted from the respective attachment sensors 113 are configured to be inputted into the ASIC 135. In case that a low signal is inputted from the attachment sensor 113, the controller 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 has been attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. On the other hand, the controller 130 determines that the ink cartridge 30 has not been attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110 in case that a high level signal is inputted from the attachment sensor 113.
Signals outputted from the respective liquid-level sensors 55 are also configured to be inputted into the ASIC 135. When a low level signal is inputted from the liquid-level sensor 55, the controller 130 determines that the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 of the tank 103 and the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 are positioned higher than the position P1 in the up-down direction 7.
At a timing when the signal inputted from the liquid-level sensor 55 changes from low level signal to high level signal due to the change in posture of the pivoting member 50, the controller 130 determines that the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 of the tank 103 and the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 are located at the position P1 in the up-down direction 7.
At this time, the controller 130 is configured to notify a user that: only a small amount of ink is left in the attached ink cartridge 30; or there is too little ink left in the ink cartridge 30 to be supplied to the corresponding tank 103, by means of displaying some kind of warning message on the display 200 (see
Further, the controller 130 is also configured to count how many dots of ink droplets are ejected from the recording head 21 after the signal outputted from the liquid-level sensor 55 to the controller 130 switches from the low level signal to the high level signal. In this case, the controller 130 is configured to determine that the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 of the tank 103 (the liquid level of the ink stored in the corresponding ink cartridge 30) is at a predetermined position lower than the position P1 in the up-down direction 7 when the number (value) of the counted dots is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. Incidentally, the predetermined value is determined on a basis of an internal volume of a portion of the storage chamber 160, the portion being lower than the communication port 184. In the present embodiment, this predetermined position is the position P2 in the up-down direction 7 (see
At this time, the controller 130 is configured to stop ejecting ink droplets through the nozzles 29 by controlling the recording portion 24, more specifically, by suspending power supply to the piezoelectric elements 56. Further, the controller 130 is configured to notify the user that only a small amount of ink or little ink is left in the storage chamber 160, by means of displaying some kind of warning message on the display 200 (see
Hereinafter, the above-mentioned notifying process (first notifying process and second notifying process) executed by the controller 130 will be described with reference to a flowchart of
In an initial state, the value of the counted dots is zero, 0, and the pivoting member 50 is at the detection position. Accordingly, the low level signal is outputted from the liquid-level sensor 55 to the controller 130. The controller 130 therefore determines that the liquid level of the ink stored in the tank 103 and ink cartridge 30 is positioned higher than the position P1 in the up-down direction 7.
Every time image recording is performed on each sheet 12, ink is ejected through the nozzles 29 of the recording head 21. This ink is supplied to the recording head 21 from the tank 103 and ink cartridge 30. The amount of ink stored in the tank 103 and ink cartridge 30 decreases as the more amount of ink is ejected, thereby lowering the liquid level of the ink stored in the tank 103 and ink cartridge 30.
Referring to
The controller 130 is configured to repeat the S10 as long as the signal outputted from the liquid-level sensor 55 remains at the low level (S10: NO).
When the liquid level of the ink stored in the tank 103 and ink cartridge 30 is reduced to reach the position P1 and falls below the position P1, the pivoting member 50 pivots from the detection position to the non-detection position in the direction of arrow 59. Thus, the signal outputted from the corresponding liquid-level sensor 55 changes from low level to high level. The controller 130 therefore determines in S10 that the liquid level of the ink stored in the tank 103 and ink cartridge 30 now reaches the position P1 in the up-down direction 7 (S10: YES).
Then, in S20, the controller 130 is configured to notify the user that the attached ink cartridge 30 should be replaced with new one.
Then controller 130 then starts counting the number of dots of ink droplets ejected from the recording head 21 in S30. The value of the counted dots is configured to be stored in the RAM 133. Incidentally, the steps S20 and S30 may be configured to be executed simultaneously.
The controller 130 then determines in S40 whether the counted value of the dots is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. The controller 130 is configured to repeat the S40 (continue to count the number of dots and store the counted value in the RAM 133) as long as the counted value of the dots is smaller than the predetermined value (S40: NO).
When the counted value of the dots is determined to be equal to or larger than the predetermined value (S40: YES), the controller 130 is then configured to notify the user that the amount of ink stored in the storage chamber 160 becomes smaller than a prescribed amount in S50. In the present embodiment, the prescribed amount is an amount of ink that is stored in the storage chamber 160 when the liquid level of the ink stored therein is at the position P2.
Then controller 130 then stops ejecting the ink droplets through the nozzles 29 of the recording head 21 in S60. Incidentally, the steps S50 and S60 may be configured to be executed simultaneously.
In the present embodiment, the controller 130 is configured to determine the liquid level (the position of the liquid surface) of the ink stored in the storage chamber 57 in the up-down direction 7 for each of the four ink cartridges 30. Further, the controller 130 is configured to determine the liquid level (the position of the liquid surface) of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 in the up-down direction 7 for each of the tanks 103 corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30.
[Operational and Technical Advantages of the Embodiment]
According to the configuration of the embodiment, the detected portion 54 is configured to change its posture (state thereof) when the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 becomes the same height (position) as the communication port 184 of the connecting portion 107 in the up-down direction 7. With this structure, the user can be notified of the need to replace the attached ink cartridge 30 at such a timing that the ink in the storage chamber 57 of the ink cartridge 30 can no longer be supplied to the storage chamber 160 of the tank 103. That is, this configuration of the embodiment can prevent replacement of the ink cartridge 30 still having ink to be supplied to the storage chamber 160 left in the storage chamber 57.
Further, according to the configuration of the embodiment, the detected portion 54 is configured to change its state in accordance with the change in level of the liquid stored in the storage chamber 160; and the liquid-level sensor 55 is configured to detect the change in state of the detected portion 54. With this structure, the residual amount of ink in the storage chamber 160 can be detected with accuracy. Further, since the detected portion 54 is arranged not in the ink cartridges 30 but in the storage chamber 160, the structure of the ink cartridge 30 can be simplified.
Further, the controller 130 is configured to start counting the number of dots of ink droplets ejected from the recording head 21 at such a timing that the user is informed of the need to replace the ink cartridge 30 in response to the change in signal outputted from the liquid-level sensor 55 to the controller 130 from low level to high level, i.e., after the ink in the ink cartridge 30 is used up. With this structure, the controller 130 can reliably count how many dots of ink droplets are ejected through the nozzles 29 without any ink flow from the ink cartridge 30 into the storage chamber 160, thereby allowing accurate detection of the residual amount of ink stored in the storage chamber 160. The amount of ink left in the tank 103 can be detected with further accuracy.
Further, according to the structure of the embodiment, the upper surface of the second lower wall 163b defining the bottom of the storage chamber 160 (see
Generally, air bubbles may be generated near the liquid surface of the ink since the ink may be mixed with air in the vicinity of the liquid surface. Suppose that the detected portion 54 is located at the same height as the communication port 184. In this case, air bubbles may adhere to the detected portion 54 when the liquid surface of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 is lowered to be at the same height as the communication port 184, possibly hindering the liquid-level sensor 55 from correctly performing detection of the change in state of the detected portion 54. However, in the depicted embodiment, since the detected portion 54 is positioned higher than the communication port 184, incorrect detection of the change in state of the detected portion 54 is less likely to occur.
Further, the user can be encouraged to replace the ink cartridge 30 by the controller 130 executing the processing of S20 in
Further, by the controller 130 executing the processing in S50 of
Still further, by the controller 130 performing the processing of S50 in
Further, according to the configuration of the embodiment, performing the processing in S60 of
[Modifications and Variations]
While the description has been made in detail with reference to the embodiment thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
For example, in the depicted embodiment, the communication port 128 is formed at a position corresponding to the lower end, right end and front end of the storage chamber 160. However, the communication port 128 may not necessarily be formed at this position.
Further, in the storage chamber 160 of the depicted embodiment, the buffer chamber 180 and first chamber 181 are formed to protrude further frontward relative to the second chamber 182. However, the buffer chamber 180 and first chamber 181 may protrude further rearward relative to the second chamber 182.
Still further, while the attachment sensor 113 and the liquid-level sensor 55 are optical sensors each having the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion in the embodiment, the attachment sensor 113 and the liquid-level sensor 55 may be sensors of a different type from the optical sensor, such as a proximity sensor.
In the embodiment, the controller 130 is configured to detect that the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 falls below the position P1 by the pivotal movement of the pivoting member 50 disposed within the storage chamber 160 of each tank 103. However, the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 may be configured to be detected by a mechanism other than the pivoting of the pivoting member 50.
For example, a prism may be disposed at the storage chamber 160 of each tank 103 at the same height as the position P1. Whether or not the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 of the tank 103 is higher than the position P1 may be determined on a basis of a travelling direction of light incident on the prism that may vary depending on whether or not the liquid level is higher than the prism, that is, on a basis of transmission status of the light incident on the prism. In this example, the prism is an example of a detected portion, and an optical sensor configured to irradiate light on the prism is an example of a detector configured to detect the detected portion. Further, change in light transmission status of the light incident on the prism (detected portion) is an example of change in status of the detected position.
Alternatively, a light-transmission portion may be provided in the storage chamber 160 and an optical sensor may be disposed outside of the storage chamber 160. More specifically, the light-transmission portion may be at least a portion of the walls constituting the tank main body of the tank 103, the portion being formed by material capable of transmitting light and being located at least at the same height as the position P1 in the up-down direction 7. Whether or not the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 of the tank 103 is at the same height as or lower than the position P1 may be determined on a basis of whether or not light incident on the light-transmission portion of the tank 103 may be received at a light-receiving portion of the optical sensor without being attenuated by the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 while passing through the storage chamber 160. Here, whether the light incident on the light-transmission portion of the tank 103 may be received at the light-receiving portion of the optical sensor may vary depending on whether or not the liquid level is higher than a light emitting portion of the optical sensor. That is, whether or not the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 is at a position equal to or lower than the position P1 may be determined based on by how much the light incident on the light-transmission portion of the tank 103 may be attenuated by the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 while passing through the storage chamber 160, that is, based on attenuation status of the light incident on the light-transmission portion of the tank 103. For example, the light-receiving portion may receive the incident light without being attenuated by the ink stored in the storage chamber 160; or may not receive the light attenuated by the ink; or may not receive the incident light at all. In this example, the light-transmission portion is an example of the detected portion, and the optical sensor is an example of a detector configured to detect the detected portion. Further, change in attenuation status of the light incident on the light-transmission portion (detected portion) is an example of change in status of the detected position.
Still alternatively, for example, two electrodes may be disposed in the storage chamber 160 of each tank 103. One of the two electrodes may have a lower end at a position slightly higher than the position P1, while the other of the two electrodes may have a lower end at a position below the position P1. Whether the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 160 of the tank 103 is lower than or equal to the position P1 may be determined depending on whether or not current flows between the two electrodes through the ink. In this example, the two electrodes are an example of the detected portion, and a circuit mounted on a substrate configured to detect the current is an example of the detector. Further, change in status of the current flowing between the two electrodes (detected portion) is an example of change in status of the detected position.
Still further, in the depicted embodiment, the through-hole 119 is sealed by the semi-permeable membrane 118. However, the through-hole 119 may not be sealed with the semi-permeable membrane 118. Likewise, while the through-hole 94 is sealed by the semi-permeable membrane 80 in the embodiment, the through-hole 94 may not be sealed by the semi-permeable membrane 80.
Still further, the ink cartridge 30 is configured to be attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110 by being inserted into the cartridge-attachment portion 110 in the horizontal direction. However, the ink cartridge 30 may be attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110 by being inserted into the cartridge-attachment portion 110 in a direction other than the horizontal direction, for example, in the up-down direction 7.
Still further, in the above-described embodiment, the connecting portion 107 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110 and the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 both extend in the horizontal direction. However, the connecting portion 107 and the ink supply portion 34 may extend in a direction other than the horizontal direction. For example, the connecting portion 107 may protrude upward from the case 101 while the ink supply portion 34 may protrude downward from the bottom wall (bottom wall 42 or the sub-bottom wall 48) of the ink cartridge 30. Incidentally, in this case, the position P1 may be set at a center position of the connecting portion 107 in the up-down direction 7 or at a center position of the ink supply portion 34 in the up-down direction 7, for example.
While ink serves as an example of liquid in the depicted embodiment, a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto the recording paper prior to the ink during an image recording operation, for example, may be stored in the ink cartridge 30 and the tank 103, in place of the ink. Alternatively, water that is used for cleaning the recording head 21 may be stored in the ink cartridge 30 and the tank 103.
<Remarks>
The multifunction peripheral 10 is an example of an image-recording apparatus. The ink cartridge 30 is an example of a cartridge. The ink is an example of liquid. The storage chamber 57 is an example of a first storage chamber. The air communication port 96, air flow path 61, through-hole 94, semi-permeable membrane 80 and the through-hole 46 are an example of a first air communication passage. The tank 103 is an example of a tank. The storage chamber 160 is an example of a second storage chamber. The communication port 184 is an example of a liquid inlet port. The communication port 128 is an example of a liquid outlet port. The air communication port 124, air flow path 147, through-hole 119 and the semi-permeable membrane 118 are an example of a second air communication passage. The recording portion 24 is an example of a recording portion. The liquid-level sensor 55 is an example of a detector. The detected portion 54 of the pivoting member 50 is an example of a detected portion. The second lower wall 163b is an example of a first bottom surface. The inner lower end 34a is an example of a second bottom surface. The pivoting member 50 is an example of a pivoting member. The float 51 of the pivoting member 50 is an example of a float. The controller 130 is an example of a controller.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2017-016377 | Jan 2017 | JP | national |