[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to an ink cartridge used in an ink-jet recording apparatus,
and an identifying device and an identifying method for identifying the type of an
ink cartridge.
[Background Art]
[0002] A known ink-jet recording apparatus is configured to dispense ink onto a sheet of
paper to record an image on the sheet of paper. The known ink-jet recording apparatus
has a recording head. The recording head is configured to selectively eject ink from
nozzles to the sheet of paper. A known ink cartridge is configured to be removably
mounted to the ink-jet recording apparatus. The ink cartridge has an ink chamber configured
to store ink therein, and ink is supplied from the ink chamber to the recording head
when the ink cartridge is mounted to the ink-jet recording apparatus.
[0003] There has been also known a recording apparatus which is designed so that the type
of an ink cartridge, the remaining amount of ink, etc. can be detected, and an ink
cartridge used in this recording apparatus. The ink cartridge has a light blocking
portion. The light blocking portion is disposed at a different position along a carriage
moving direction, and different information can be obtained every mounted ink cartridge.
[0004] However, the ink cartridge is mounted on a carriage, and the carriage moves at a
constant velocity, so that an optical sensor can stably detect the light blocking
portion.
Furthermore, an ink-jet recording apparatus having a cartridge mounting unit separately
from the carriage has been also known. In this recording appartus, when the ink cartridge
is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit, the type of the ink cartridge is identified.
For example, when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit, the
recording apparatus detects the presence or absence of the light blocking portion
of the ink cartridge. The recording apparatus determines the type of the ink cartridge
on the basis of the presence or absence of the light blocking portion.
[Disclosure of the Invention]
[Technical Problem]
[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge, an
ink cartridge identifying device and an ink cartridge identifying method that can
implement identification of the type of an ink cartridge with a simple construction,
and also enhance reliability of an identification result.
[Means for Resolution]
[0006] In an ink cartridge having an ink chamber that is defined at least in a frame thereof
and has a frame for storing ink and a portion which is irradiated with light extends
from a first wall forming a part of the outer periphery of the frame in a first direction
corresponding to a direction which is away from the ink chamber, the light-irradiated
portion has a first member, a second member and a third member provided between the
first member and the second member in the first direction, and all the first member,
the second member and the third member are located on a line extending in the first
direction. Accordingly, identification of the type of the ink cartridge can be implemented
with a simple construction.
[0007] A cartridge identifying device for identifying a cartridge when the cartridge is
mounted in a cartridge mounting unit is an identifying device having an identifying
unit for identifying the type of the cartridge on the basis of a light-reception result
when a first member, a second member and a third member of the cartridge passes over
an optical path between a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion provided
to the cartridge mounting unit. Accordingly, reliability of the identification result
can be enhanced.
[0008] A method of identifying the type of a cartridge mounted in a cartridge mounting unit
having a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion is an identifying method
comprising: a first step of blocking light from the light-emitting portion by the
cartridge in a mounting process; a second step of receiving light from the light-emitting
portion at a light-receiving portion by the cartridge in the mounting process, and
a third step of identifying the type of the cartridge on the basis of the light-reception
result of the second step. Accordingly, the reliability of the identification result
can be enhanced.
[Brief Description of the Drawings]
[0009]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance construction
of an ink cartridge 10.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the construction of the ink cartridge
10, (A) is a back diagram showing the ink cartridge 10, and (B) is a longitudinally
sectional view of the ink cartridge 10.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of Fig. 2.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the longitudinally-sectional structure
of an ink supply device 120.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a process of insertion of a detection
unit 140 into the gap between a light-emitting element 113 and a light-receiving element
114.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 shows exemplary timing diagrams of a sensor signal outputted from
optical sensors 123, 124.
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the construction of an identifying device
200.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of type identification
processing executed by a main controller 250.
[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an ink cartridge 41 according
to a modification 1 of the present invention.
[Fig. 10] Fig. 10 is a side view showing an ink cartridge 42 according to a modification
2 of the present invention.
[Fig. 11] Fig. 11 is a side view showing an ink cartridge 43 according to a modification
3 of the present invention.
[Fig. 12] Fig. 12 is a side view showing an ink cartridge 44 according to a modification
4 of the present invention.
[Fig. 13] Fig. 13 is a back diagram showing an ink cartridge 45 according to a modification
5 of the present invention.
[Detailed Description of Embodiments]
[0010] An ink cartridge 10 as an example of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment
of the present invention and an identifying device 200 as an example of an ink cartridge
identifying device will be described with reference to the drawings. The following
embodiments are merely examples obtained by embodying the present invention, and it
is needless to say that the embodiments can be properly modified without departing
from the subject matter of the present invention.
[Ink Cartridge 10]
[0011] First, an ink cartridge 10 as an identification target by the identifying device
200 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.
[0012] The ink cartridge 10 is used for an image recording apparatus such as a so-called
ink-jet printer or copying machine, a facsimile machine or the like, and each color
ink is stored in the ink cartridge 10. This ink cartridge 10 is used while mounted
in a cartridge case 121 equipped to the ink supply device 120.
[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, the ink cartridge 10 have a substantially flat, hexahedron shape,
e.g., a substantially rectangular, parallelepiped shape and may be more narrow in
a widtheise direction, as indicated by an arrow 51, than in a height direction, as
indicated by an arrow 52, and a depth direction, as indicated by an arrow 53 This
ink cartridge 10 is inserted into the cartridge case 121 from the front wall 102 side
in an insertion direction 50 (first direction) with the bottom surface 104 thereof
set as the lower side and the top surface 103 thereof set as the upper side in Fig.
1 under the state that it is mounted in the recording apparatus shown in Fig. 1.
[0014] The ink cartridge 10 is roughly constructed by a main body 20, a detection unit 140,
an arm 60, an atmospheric air communication port 81 and an ink supply port 91. These
elements are formed of resin materials. For example, nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene,
etc. may be used as the resin materials. The present invention may be applied to an
ink cartridge 10 which is equipped with a case covering substantially the whole of
the main body 20, a protector covering the atmospheric air communication port 81 or
the ink supply port 91 or the like.
[0015] The main body is constructed by a frame 110 and a film 70. The frame 110 is a member
constituting the housing of the ink cartridge 10, and it forms six faces 101 to 106
of the ink cartridge 10. In the following description, the respective surfaces of
the frame 110 are represented by using reference numerals (101 to 106) allocated to
the respective surfaces of the ink cartridge 10.
[0016] The frame 110 is formed by injection molding of light-transmissible resin material.
The frame 110 may be formed of any resin material insofar as light is transmissible
through the resin material, and in this embodiment, it is formed of translucent resin.
[0017] The frame 110 is formed annually substantially along the front face 101, the upper
face 103, the front wall (first wall) 102 and the bottom face 104, and openings are
formed in the left face 105 and the right face 106 of the frame 110. A thin film 70
formed of light-transmissible resin is welded to the left face 105 and the right face
106 of the frame 110. The space surrounded by the frame 110 and the film 70 is defined
as an ink chamber 12 (see Fig. 2(B)). Ink is stored in the thus-compartmented ink
chamber 12. In this embodiment, the ink chamber 12 is formed by the frame 110 and
the film 70, however, the frame 110 itself may be designed as a rectangular parallelepiped
container such that the ink chamber 12 is formed in the container.
[0018] A detection portion 140 (a portion irradiated with light) is disposed on the front
wall 102 of the frame 110. The detection portion 140 is designed in a box-shape having
an opening communicating with the ink chamber 12 side and an internal space 147 communicating
with the opening. The detection portion 140 is sectioned by a rectangular front wall
141 which is parallel to the front wall 102 and extends away from the front wall 102
in such a direction as to get away from the ink chamber, a pair of side walls 142
through which right and left two sides of the front wall 141 are connected to the
front wall 102, and an upper wall 143 and a bottom wall 144 through which the upper
and lower two sides of the front wall 141 are connected to the front wall 102. The
width of the front wall 141 (the dimension in the direction of the arrow 51) is set
to be smaller than the width of the ink cartridge 10.
[0019] The detection portion 140 is formed of the same material as the frame 110, that is,
light-transmissible resin, and it is transparent or translucent resin. In this embodiment,
the front wall 141 of the detection portion 140 is formed of translucent resin, and
thus a tape 73 which absorbs infrared light is attached to the front wall 141 side
of the side wall 142. It is set as a target irradiated with light by a light-emitting
element 113 (see Fig. 5) of an optical sensor 123 secured to a cartridge case 121.
The light blocking is not limited to infrared-light blocking, and any member may be
used insofar as it blocks, changes the optical path between the light-emitting element
and the light-receiving element. Specifically, light from the light-emitting element
may be reflected in the up-and-down direction by reflecting tape attached to the outer
wall of the cartridge, or a part of the cartridge may be passed and attenuated. Here,
the change of the optical path may be the change of the optical path on the line connecting
the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element.
[0020] As shown in Fig. 2, an arm 60 is provided in the ink chamber 12. The arm 60 is equipped
with a float portion 63 at one end thereof and an indicator portion 62 at the other
end. A shaft 66 is provided substantially at the middle position between the indicator
portion 62 and the float portion 63. The shaft 66 is supported by a bearing (not shown)
provided to the frame 110, whereby the arm 60 is rotatable in the ink chamber 12.
The indicator portion 62 of the arm 60 is located in the space 147.
[0021] The arm 60 is formed of light blocking resin material. For example, it is formed
of nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate, polyolefin, acrylic resin
added with carbon black or the like. It is sufficient only that at least indicator
portion 62 of the arm 60 has light blocking property, and it is unnecessary that the
overall arm 60 has light blocking property.
[0022] The float portion 63 having a hollow portion therein is provided at one end portion
of the arm 60. The float portion 63 moves vertically in conformity with the ink level
in the ink chamber 12. Accordingly, the arm 60 is rotated around the shaft 66 in accordance
with the movement amount of the float portion 63. The float portion 63 may merely
generate buoyancy such that it floats on the ink level, and thus it is not limited
to the hollow structure.
[0023] An indicator portion 62 is provided to the other end portion of the arm 60. The indicator
portion 62 is located in the space 147 of the detection portion 140. The indicator
portion 62 moves in the up-and-down direction in the space 147 in accordance with
the rotational operation of the arm 60. In Fig. 2(B), a first position at which the
indicator portion 62 abuts against the bottom wall 144 is indicated by a solid line,
the float portion 63 abuts against the bottom wall of the cartridge, and a second
position at which the indicator portion 62 is located out of a light irradiation area
is indicated by a broken line.
[0024] When the float portion 63 moves in the up-and-down direction in accordance with
the amount of ink in the ink chamber 12, the arm 60 is rotated around the shaft 66,
and the indicator portion 62 moves in the up-and-down direction in the space 147 in
accordance with the rotational operation concerned. Specifically, when the float portion
63 moves upwardly, the arm 60 is rotated around the shaft 66 in the direction of an
arrow 67, and the indicator portion 62 moves downwardly in the space 147. When the
indicator portion 62 reaches the lower wall 144 of the detection portion 140, the
indicator portion 62 is located at the first position while abutting against the lower
wall 144 (the posture indicated by a solid line in Fig. 2(B)). At this time, the indicator
portion 62 is located in the light irradiation area 142A of the side wall 142 of the
detection portion 140 (a portion surrounded by a broken line in Fig. 1). At the first
position, light incident to the light irradiation area 142A is transmitted through
the light irradiation area 142A and blocked by the indicator portion 62.
[0025] On the other hand, when ink is consumed and the amount of ink is less than a predetermined
amount, the float portion 63 moves downwardly in accordance with the ink level. Accordingly,
the arm 60 is rotated around the shaft 66 in the direction of an arrow 68, and the
indicator portion 62 moves upwardly in the space 147. When the float portion 63 reaches
the bottom wall of the main body, the indicator portion 62 is located at the second
position at which the indicator portion 62 is in proximity to the upper wall 143 (the
posture indicated by a broken line in Fig. 2(B)). At this time, the indicator portion
62 is located out of the light irradiation area 142A (see Fig. 1). When the light
irradiation area 142A is irradiated with light at this second position, the light
is transmitted through the detection portion 140 without being blocked by the indicator
portion 62.
[0026] In this embodiment, the light irradiation area 142A of the side wall 142 is irradiated
with light from the light-emitting element 113 (see Fig. 5) of the optical sensor
123 to the light-receiving element 114 in the state that the ink cartridge 10 is mounted
in the cartridge case 121. When the indicator portion 62 is located at the first position,
the light is blocked by the indicator portion 62. When the indicator portion 62 is
located at the second position, the light reaches the light-receiving element 114
(see Fig. 5). Accordingly, it can be detected on the basis of the waveform of an output
signal of the light-receiving element 114 whether the amount of ink in the ink chamber
12 is less than a predetermined amount.
[0027] The atmospheric air communication port 81 is adjacent to the upper face of the front
wall 102 of the frame 110, and the ink supply port 91 is adjacent to the bottom face.
The atmospheric air communication port 81, the ink supply port 91 and the detection
portion 140 are provided to the front wall (first wall) 102.
[0028] The atmospheric air communication port 81 is located above the detection portion
140 of the front wall 102. The atmospheric air communication port 81 is a hole through
the inside of the ink chamber 12 intercommunicates with the outside of the ink cartridge
10. When the ink cartridge 10 is in the non-mount state, the atmospheric air communication
port 81 is closed by a seal member (not shown). The seal member is removed to set
the inside of the ink chamber 12 to the outside air pressure. Thereafter, when the
cartridge 10 is mounted in the cartridge case 121, a rod 137 (see Fig. 4) is inserted
into the atmospheric air communication port 81.
[0029] The ink supply port 91 is located below the detection portion 140 of the front wall
102. The ink supply port 91 has a hole for leading ink from the ink chamber 12 to
the outside. When the ink cartridge 10 is in the non-mount state, the ink supply port
91 is closed by the seal member (not shown). When the ink cartridge 10 is mounted
in the cartridge case 121, an ink needle 134 (see Fig. 4) breaks the seal member (not
shown) at the ink supply port 91, such that the ink supply port 91 intercommunicates
with the outside.
[0030] As the seal member for closing the atmospheric air communication port 81 and the
ink supply port 91 may be used a simple member such as a film or the like which covers
the atmospheric air communication port 81 and the ink supply port 91, a valve for
closing the atmospheric air communication port 81 and the ink supply port 91 from
the ink chamber 12 side by spring force, or the like.
[0031] In this embodiment, the arm 60 is provided such that the tip of the indicator portion
62 is located at the rear side of the front wall 141 of the detection portion 140
in the insertion direction 50 as shown in Fig. 3. Light of the light-emitting element
113 of the optical sensor 123 is transmitted through the space 148 between the inner
wall surface of the front wall 141 and the tip portion of the indicator portion 62,
and reaches the light-receiving element 114 which is disposed so as to face the optical
sensor 123.
[0032] Furthermore, with respect to the ink cartridge 10 according to this embodiment, the
interval between the inner wall surface of the front wall 141 and the indicator portion
62 is varied on a type basis. Here, as the type of the ink cartridge 10 may be considered
a large-capacity type for business users who consume a large amount of ink and a standard
type for general consumers, for example. In the case of the large-capacity type, an
initial capacity of ink to be filled in the cartridge is large. As an example of another
type ink cartridge 10 may be considered the difference in color of ink stored in the
ink cartridge 10, the difference between dye ink and pigment ink, the difference between
the overseas specification and the domestic specification, etc. In this embodiment,
the ink cartridge in which the interval from the light blocking portion 73 to the
tip of the indicator portion 62 is equal to L1 is referred to as "ink cartridge 10A"
(see Fig. 3(A)), and the interval between the front wall 141B and the tip of the indicator
portion 62 is equal to L2 is referred to as "ink cartridge 10B" (see Fig. 3 (B)).
As described above, by changing the length L in the depth direction 53 of the space
148 in accordance with the type, the type of the ink cartridge can be identified by
the identifying device 200 (see Fig. 7). In the following description, both the ink
cartridge 10A and the ink cartridge 10B are generically named as ink cartridge 10
unless particularly specified. The length L1 in the depth direction 53 of the space
148 may be set to a detectable dimension, in other words, such a dimension that a
waveform can appear in the output signal of the light-emitting element 114 of the
optical sensor 123 (see Fig. 5). The light blocking portion 73 changes the length
L1 in the depth direction 53 of the space 148, however, it is possible to change the
thickness of the front wall 141 and detect the light blocking time.
[0033] The construction of the ink supply device 120 in which the ink cartridge 10 is mounted
will be described with referring Fig. 4. The ink supply device 120 supplies ink to
a printhead (not shown). The ink supply device 120 has the cartridge case 121 in which
plural ink cartridges 10 can be mounted. The cartridge case 121 will be described
hereunder in detail.
[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, the cartridge case 121 has an opening 127. An ink cartridge 10
is inserted in the cartridge case 121 through the opening 127.
[0035] The optical sensor 123 is disposed at the back side of the cartridge case 121. The
optical sensor 123 is connected to a controller 250 (see Fig. 7) of the identifying
device 200. The optical sensor 123 is provided to the wall surface 129 constituting
the back surface of the cartridge case 121. The optical sensor 123 detects the front
wall 141 of the detection portion 140, the space 148 (the space surrounded by the
inner surface of the front wall 141 and the tip of the indicator portion 62 and the
light irradiation area of the side wall) and the indicator portion 62. In this embodiment,
a transmission type photointerruptor which comprises the light-emitting element 113
and the light-receiving element 114 (see Fig. 5) and is designed in an U-shape is
used as the optical sensor 123. The ink cartridge 10 is mounted in the cartridge case
121, the light irradiation area 142A (see Fig. 1) of the side wall 142 of the detection
portion 140 is disposed on the optical path 115 (see Fig. 5) between the light-emitting
element 113 and the light-receiving element 114. Infrared light emitted from the light-emitting
element 113 is diffusion light and thus has a predetermined spot diameter, and this
is schematically represented as the optical path 115.
[0036] The optical sensor 124 is provided at the back side of the wall surface 130 constituting
the upper side of the cartridge case 121. The optical sensor 124 detects mounting
or non-mounting of the ink cartridge 10 in the cartridge case 121. When the ink cartridge
10 is mounted in the cartridge case 121, the upper end of the ink cartridge 10 is
located between the light-emitting element 116 of the optical sensor 124 and the light-receiving
element 117.
[0037] A hole 132 communicating from the back side of the cartridge case 121 to the inside
of the cartridge case 121 is formed at the lower position of the wall surface 129.
A tubular ink needle 134 is connected to the hole 132 at the inside of the cartridge
case 121. This needle 134 is disposed so as to face the ink supply port 91 of the
ink cartridge. An ink tube 135 is connected to the back side of the hole 132.
[0038] A rod 137 is provided at the upper position of the wall surface 129. The rod 137
is disposed so as to face the atmospheric air communication port 81 of the ink cartridge.
When the ink cartridge 10 is mounted in the cartridge case 121, the rod 137 is inserted
into the atmospheric air communication port 81.
[Mounting Operation of Ink Cartridge 10]
[0039] The mounting operation of the ink cartridge 10 into the cartridge case 121 will be
described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5.
[0040] As shown in Fig. 4(A), when the ink cartridge 10 is not mounted in the cartridge
case 121 (under the non-mount state), the optical path of the optical sensor 123 is
not blocked. Also the atmospheric air communication port 81 and the ink supply port
91 are closed by the seal member (not shown).
[0041] When the ink cartridge 10 is inserted into the cartridge case 121, the rod is inserted
into the atmospheric air communication port 81. Accordingly, the atmospheric air communication
port 81 is opened, and the ink chamber 12 intercommunicates with the outside, such
that the air pressure in the ink chamber 12 is equal to the outside air pressure.
When the ink cartridge 10 is further inserted into the cartridge case 121 under the
above state, the ink needle 134 is inserted into the ink support port 91. Accordingly,
the ink chamber 12 intercommunicates with the ink tube 135 through the ink needle
134 and the hole 132. Under this state, ink in the ink chamber 12 can be supplied
through the ink tube 135 into the printhead (not shown).
[0042] In the process that the ink cartridge 10 is inserted into the cartridge case 121,
the upper end of the ink cartridge 10 blocks the optical path formed by the light-emitting
element 116 and the light-receiving element 117 of the optical sensor 124. At this
time, the presence or absence of the ink cartridge 10 in the cartridge case 121 can
be detected on the basis of the output waveform of the optical sensor 124. In this
embodiment, the upper end of the cartridge which intersects the optical path of the
optical sensor 124 is not disposed on a line extending along the insertion direction
50 containing the optical path 115 on which the front wall 141, the light irradiation
area 142A and the indicator portion 62 are located.
[0043] After the upper end of the ink cartridge 10A is detected by the optical sensor 124,
the detection portion 140 intersects the optical path 115 of the optical sensor 123.
In the insertion process of the detection portion 140, when the detection portion
140 is inserted to the position at which the light blocking portion 73 of the side
wall 142 and the optical path 115 of the optical sensor 123 intersect each other(see
Fig. 5(A)), the light blocking portion 73 is irradiated with light emitted from the
light-emitting element 113. At this time, the light is greatly attenuated by the light
blocking portion 73, and a predetermined light amount does not reach the light-receiving
element 114. Subsequently, when the ink cartridge 10A is further inserted and reaches
the position at which the space 148 intersects the optical path 115 (see Fig. 5(B)),
the light passes through the side wall 142, the space 148 and then the side wall 142
at the opposite side. This passing light is received by the light-receiving element
114. Thereafter, when the detection portion 140 is inserted into the position at which
the indicator portion 62 intersects the optical path 115 (see Fig. 5(C)), the light
passing through the side wall 142 is blocked by the indicator portion 62. In this
case, a predetermined light amount does not reach the light-receiving element 114.
The indicator portion 62 is located on the optical path 115 under the state that the
ink cartridge 10A is mounted in the cartridge case 121.
[0044] The waveform (variation of the signal level) of the output signal of the optical
sensor 123 in the mounting process of the ink cartridge 10 will be described hereunder
with reference to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6(A), the upper end of the cartridge blocks
the optical path of the light-emitting element 116 and the light-receiving element
117 of the optical sensor 124 at a time T0. Accordingly, light emitted from the light-emitting
element 113 of the optical sensor 123 is blocked by the cartridge, and thus the signal
level is LOW.
[0045] As shown in Figs. 6(B)and (C), even when any of the ink cartridges 10A, 10B is mounted
in the cartridge case 121, the front wall 141 of the detection portion 140 is detected
at a time T1. That is, a predetermined light amount is not received by the light-receiving
element 114 because of the front wall 141 at a time T1, and thus the signal level
is changed from HIGH to LOW.
[0046] When the ink cartridge 10A is mounted in the cartridge case 121, the front wall 141A,
the light irradiation area 142A and the indicator portion 62 intersect the optical
path 115 in this order. The signal level keeps LOW while the optical path 115 is blocked
by the front wall 141a. At a time T3 at which the front wall 141A passes over, the
light irradiation area 142A of the side wall 142 and the space 148 intersect the optical
path 115, and light passes through the side wall 142 and reaches the light-receiving
element 114, such that the signal level is changed from LOW to HIGH. The ink cartridge
10A is further inserted, and the indicator portion 62 blocks the optical path 115
at a time T4 after ΔT11 elapses from the time T3. At this time, the signal level is
changed from HIGH to LOW. When the indicator portion 62 is located at the second position,
the light reaches the light-receiving element 114, and thus the signal level keeps
HIGH (see a broken line of Fig. 6(A)). When the signal level keeps HIGH for a predetermined
time or more from the time when the signal level HIGH based on the light irradiation
area 142A of the side wall and the space 148 is detected, it is judged that a nearly
empty cartridge is mounted, and thus error processing is executed.
[0047] When the ink cartridge 10B is mounted in the cartridge case 121, the front wall 141B,
the light irradiation area 142A and the indicator portion 62 intersect the optical
path 115 in this order. That is, the front wall 141B, the light irradiation area 142A
and the indicator portion 62 are located on a line extending along the first direction
50 containing the optical path 115. The signal level keeps LOW while the front wall
141B blocks the optical path 115 from the time T1 till the time T2. When the ink cartridge
10B is mounted, the space 148 and the optical path 115 intersect each other at the
time T2, and the light passes through the space 148 and reaches the light-receiving
element 114, such that the signal level is changed from LOW to HIGH. Subsequently,
the ink cartridge 10B is further inserted, and then the indicator portion 62 intersects
the optical path 115 at a time T4 after ΔT12 elapses from the time T3. ΔT12 is longer
than ΔT11, and the time for which the signal level is HIGH is longer in the case of
the ink cartridge 10B than that in the case of the ink cartridge 10A. At this time,
the light is blocked by the indicator portion 62, and thus the signal is changed from
HIGH to LOW again. When the indicator portion 62 is located at the second position,
the light reaches the light-receiving element 114, and thus the signal level keeps
HIGH (see a broken line of Fig. 6(B)).
[Identifying Device 200]
[0048] Next, the identifying device 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The
identifying device 200 is designed to identify the ink cartridge 10A and the ink cartridge
10B. Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing the schematic construction of the identifying
device 200.
[0049] As shown in Fig. 7, the identifying device 200 has a main controller 250 and an optical
sensor 123. The main controller 250 will be described hereunder.
[0050] The main controller 250 controls the overall operation of the identifying device
200. The main controller 250 is constructed by a microcomputer mainly comprising CPU
251, ROM 252, RAM 253, EEPROM 254 and ASIC 255 as shown in Fig. 7. In the main controller
250, the respective parts are connected to one another through the bus 257 so as to
communicate with one another.
[0051] Programs for controlling various kinds of operations of a copying machine 10 by CPU
251, etc. are stored in ROM 252. RAM 253 is used as a storage area or working area
for temporarily storing various kinds of data used when the above programs are executed
by CPU 251. Settings to be held after power is turned off, flags, etc. are stored
in EEPROM 254.
[0052] The optical sensor 123 is connected to ASIC 255. In details, the light-emitting element
113 and the light-receiving element 114 of the optical sensor 123 are connected to
ASIC 255. The light-emitting element 113 emits light on the basis of a driving signal
received from ASIC 255. The light-emitting element 114 outputs the signal corresponding
to the light amount of the received light to ASIC 255. ASIC 255 judges whether the
electrical level (voltage value or current value) of the input signal is equal to
a predetermined threshold value or more. If it is equal to the predetermined threshold
value or more, the signal level concerned is judged as HIGH, and if it is less than
the predetermined threshold value, the signal concerned is judged as LOW.
[0053] In this embodiment, the type of the ink cartridge 10 mounted in the cartridge case
121 is identified by the main controller 250 on the basis of the signal output from
the light-receiving element 114 of the optical sensor 123. The procedure of the type
identification processing for identifying whether the ink cartridge 10 mounted in
the ink cartridge case 121 is the ink cartridge 10A or the ink cartridge 10B will
be described hereunder with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 8. Here, Fig. 8 is
a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the type identification processing
executed by the main controller 250.
[0054] First, it is judged in step S0 whether the upper end of the cartridge is detected
by the optical sensor 124. Specifically, this judgment is made on the basis of the
change of the signal level of the optical sensor 124 from HIGH to LOW when the optical
path of the optical sensor 124 is blocked by the upper end of the cartridge (see the
time T0 of Fig. 6).
Here, when it is judged that the front wall 141 is detected (Yes of S0) the next detection
of the optical sensor 123 is carried out. The judgment processing of the step S0 is
executed until the front wall 141 is detected. In step S1, it is judged whether the
front wall 141 is detected by the optical sensor 123. Specifically, when the front
wall 141 blocks the optical path of the optical sensor 123, it is judged whether the
signal level of the optical sensor 123 is changed from HIGH to LOW (see the time T1
of Fig. 6). Here, when it is detected that the front wall 141 is detected (Yes of
S1), in the next step S2, that detection timing (detection time) is stored in RAM
253. The judgment processing of step S1 is carried out until the front wall 141 is
detected.
[0055] In the next step S3, it is judged whether the space 148 is detected. Specifically,
it is judged whether the signal level of the optical sensor 123 is changed from LOW
to HIGH (see the times T2, T3 of Fig. 6). Here, when it is judged that the space 148
is detected (Yes of S3). In the next step S4, that detection timing (detection time)
is stored in RAM 253. The judgment processing of the step S3 is executed until the
space 148 is detected.
[0056] In the step S5, on the basis of the two detection timings stored in RAM 253, the
time difference ΔT therebetween is calculated by the main controller 250. Thereafter,
in step S6, the calculated time difference ΔT is compared with a predetermined reference
value, and it is judged whether the time difference ΔT concerned is equal to the reference
value or more. The reference value may be obtained by beforehand calculating the average
in the time difference ΔT11 (see Fig. 6(A)) in past five insertion operations of the
ink cartridge 10A into the cartridge case 121 or the average in the time difference
ΔT12 (see Fig. 6(B)) in past five insertion operations of the ink cartridge 10B into
the cartridge case 121, and then determining on the basis of these data a threshold
value for identifying whether the ink cartridge is the ink cartridge 10A or the ink
cartridge 10B. The thus-obtained reference value is stored in RAM 253 in advance.
The judgment of the step S6 is not limited to the method of comparing the time difference
ΔT with the reference value, and a method of making the above judgment on the basis
of a judgment as to whether the time difference ΔT is within a predetermined reference
range may be adopted. A method of storing the received light amount at the light-receiving
element for the signal level of HIGH in RAM 253 and comparing it in place of the time
difference ΔT may be used.
[0057] In this embodiment, when it is judged in step S6 that the time difference ΔT is less
than the reference value (No of S6), a bit flag representing the ink cartridge 10B
is set in the register of CPU 251, RAM 253 or the like (S8). If it is judged in step
S6 that the time difference ΔT is equal to the reference value or more (Yes of S6),
a bit flag representing the ink cartridge 10A is set in the register of CPU 251, RAM
253 or the like (S7).
[0058] The flag set in the register of CPU 251, RAM 253 or the like may be output by CPU
251 as information representing the state of the ink cartridge 10 to a display unit
or the like which is connected to the identifying device 200.
[0059] As described above, according to the identifying device 200 of this embodiment, in
the mounting process of the ink cartridge 10, the type of the ink cartridge 10 can
be adequately and accurately identified on the basis of the signal level of the optical
sensor 123. Furthermore, the type of the ink cartridge 10 can be identified by an
extremely simple construction that the distance between the inner wall surface of
the front wall 141 of the ink cartridge 10 and the indicator portion 62 is varied
every type of the ink cartridge 10. In this embodiment, the identification is made
by judging whether the light reception time in the space 148 between the inner wall
surface of the front wall 141 and the indicator portion 62 is within a reference range,
however, the judgment may be made by judging whether the block time of the front wall
141 is within a reference range. In this case, it is judged whether the time difference
ΔT between the time T1 and the time T2 is within a reference range.
[0060] In this embodiment, the processing of identifying two types of the ink cartridge
10A and the ink cartridge 10B is shown. However, a specific type ink cartridge may
be identified from three or more kinds of ink cartridges 10. Furthermore, in a recording
apparatus having both of a black ink cartridge formed of pigment and a black ink cartridge
formed of dye, in order to prevent different component black ink types from being
mixed with each other or erroneously loaded, the identification processing may be
applied to identify each of the former ink cartridge and the latter ink cartridge.
[0061] Modifications of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs.
9 to 13. In Figs. 9 to 13, the common constituent elements to the ink cartridge 10
described above are represented by the same reference numerals as the constituent
elements of the ink cartridge 10.
[Modification 1]
[0062] As shown in Fig. 9, in the ink cartridge 41 of a modification 1, the detection portion
140 extending in the opposite direction to the insertion direction 50 is not provided
to the front wall 102. Accordingly, the arm 60 containing the indicator portion 62
is wholly accommodated in the ink chamber 12. The ink chamber 12 is provided with
a rib 72 for regulating the downward movement of the indicator portion 62. Therefore,
when the arm 60 is rotated in the direction of an arrow 67, the indicator portion
62 abuts against the rib 72, and this state is kept. Under the state that the indicator
portion 62 abuts against the rib 72, the space 148 is formed between the inner walls
surface of the front wall 102 and the indicator portion 62. In the ink cartridge 41
as described above, the interval between the inner wall surface of the front wall
102 and the indicator portion 62 is varied every type of the ink cartridge 41, whereby
the type can be identified as in the case of the ink cartridges 10A and 10B. By inserting
an ink cartridge 41 having a different interval, the type of the ink cartridge 41
can be identified on the basis of the light reception time at the light-receiving
element 114 of the optical sensor 123 by identifying device 200.
[Modification 2]
[0063] As shown in Fig. 10, in the ink cartridge 42 of a modification 2, the light blocking
portion 173 for blocking light is provided to the side wall 142 of the detection portion
140. The light blocking portion 173 is secured from the side wall 142 as a different
member from the main body 20 in such a direction as to be away from the side wall
142. For example, the light blocking portion 173 may be formed of resin material for
attenuating or absorbing infrared light or resin material for reflecting infrared
light. The light blocking portion 173 is secured to the front wall 141 side of the
side wall 142 which faces at least the light-emitting element 113. In the ink cartridge
42 as described above, the length in the depth direction 53 of the light blocking
portion 173 is varied every type of the ink cartridge 42, whereby the type can be
identified as in the case of the ink cartridges 10A and 10B. That is, in the above
embodiment, the identification is made by using the light reception time when the
light transmitting member 142 passes over. However, according to the modification
2, in place of the light reception time, the identification is made in the identifying
device 200 by using the light blocking time when the light blocking portion 173 passes
over. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 6, the time difference between the time T1 and
the time T3 is measured in the case of the ink cartridge 10A while the time difference
between the time T1 and the time T2 is measured in the case of the ink cartridge 10B,
and then it is judged whether the measured time difference is within a reference range.
[Modification 3]
[0064] As shown in Fig. 11, in the ink cartridge 43 of a modification 3, a light blocking
portion 74 for blocking light is provided to the side surface 105, 106 of the ink
cartridge 43. The light blocking portion 74 is located below the detection portion
140. The length in the depth direction 53 of the light blocking portion 74 is varied
every type of the ink cartridge 43. An optical sensor 75 having substantially the
same construction as the optical sensor 123 is provided below the optical sensor 123
at the back side of the cartridge case 121. When the ink cartridge 43 is inserted
into the cartridge case 121, light from the light-emitting element 113 of the optical
sensor 75 is blocked by the light blocking portion 74. The identifying device 200
can identify the type of the ink cartridge 43 on the basis of the time for which the
light blocking portion 74 blocks the light.
[Modification 4]
[0065] As shown in Fig. 12, the ink cartridge 44 according to a modification 4 is provided
with a plate 75 which can approach to and separate from the front wall 102 through
two spring coils 76. In the ink cartridge 44, the coil springs 76 are secured to the
upper and lower sides of the detection portion 140 on the front wall 102. The plate
75 is supported by the coil springs 76 so as to be spaced from the front wall 141
of the detection portion 140. That is, a space 78 is formed between the plate 75 and
the tip of the indicator portion 62.
[0066] When the ink cartridge 44 is inserted into the cartridge case 121 (see Fig. 4), the
plate 75 blocks the optical path 115 of the optical sensor 123. When the ink cartridge
44 is further inserted, light from the light-emitting element 113 passes through the
space 78, and is received by the light-receiving element 114. The distance between
the plate 75 and the tip of the indicator portion 62 is varied every type of the ink
cartridge 44. Therefore, when an ink cartridge 44 in which the interval of the space
is different is inserted into the ink cartridge 44, the identifying device 200 identifies
the type of the ink cartridge 42 on the basis of the light reception time at the light-emitting
element 114 when the space 78 passes over.
[0067] When the ink cartridge 44 is further pressed in the insertion direction 50 after
the plate 77 of the ink cartridge 44 blocks the optical path 115 of the optical sensor
123, the main body 20 is pressed against the urging force of the coil springs 76 in
the insertion direction 50. At this time, the detection portion 140 blocks the optical
path 115 of the optical sensor 123. even the ink cartridge 44 as described above can
detect the presence or absence of the ink cartridge 44 on the basis of the output
signal of the optical sensor 123.
[Modification 5]
[0068] As shown in Fig. 13, an ink cartridge 54 according to a modification 5 is provided
with a first altering member 242, a second altering member 243, a third altering member
244 and a fourth altering member 245 in place of the indicator portion 62 of the embodiment.
The first altering member 242 and the fourth altering member 245 are reflection tapes
which are attached to slope surfaces of 45° corresponding to the outer wall surface
of the ink cartridge. In the modification 5, the optical path is changed by the reflection
tapes. The second altering member 243 and the third altering member 244 are the faces
of a prism 80.
[0069] The light-emitting element 113 (see Fig. 5) is disposed at the right side of the
center of Fig. 13 of the first altering member 242. Light emitted from the light-emitting
element 113 in the horizontal direction (to the left side of the center of Fig. 13)
is downwardly reflected (guided) by the first altering member 242 of the ink cartridge
45. Light from the first altering member enters into the prism 80. When the amount
of ink is less than a predetermined amount, the light entered into the prism is reflected
in the horizontal direction (to the left side of the center of Fig. 13) by the second
altering member 243, and upwardly reflected by the third altering member 244). The
light guided by the third altering member 244 is reflected in the horizontal direction
(to the left side of the center of Fig. 13) by the fourth altering member 245, and
received by the light-receiving element 114 located at the left side of the first
altering member 245. When the amount of ink is equal to a predetermined amount or
more, the prism and the ink are substantially equal to each other in refractivity,
such that the light entered into the second altering member 243 straightly goes in
the ink. The optical path 215 represents an optical path along which the light emitted
from the light-emitting element is passed through the first altering member 242, the
second altering member 243, the third altering member 244 and the fourth altering
member 245 and then received by the light-receiving element. In the modification 5,
the reflection tapes are attached to the outer wall surface of the cartridge as the
first deflection member 243 and the fourth altering member 245. In place of the reflection
tapes, a prism may be formed on the outer wall surface of the cartridge, or a space
is formed inside the slope surfaces by blow molding or the like, and interfaces are
formed by the space to be set as reflection faces.
[0070] The prism 80 forms one wall surface of a small chamber 13 communicating with the
inside of the ink chamber 12. This prism 80 constitutes the second altering member
243 and the third altering member 244. When the prism 80 as the second altering member
243 and the third altering member 244 comes into contact with ink in the small chamber
13, the light from the first altering member 242 enters into the prism 80 passes through
the second altering member 243 and straightly goes through ink in the small chamber
13 because the ink and the prism have substantially the same refractivity. When the
ink is consumed and thus the amount of the ink is less than a predetermined amount,
the ink in the small chamber 13 does not come into contact with the prism 80, and
air interposes between the prism 80 and the ink level. An interface is formed because
the air and the prism are different from other in refractivity. The light from the
first altering member 243 enters into the prism 80 is reflected in the horizontal
direction by the second altering member 243. The reflected light passes through the
prism, and is guided in the vertical direction by the third altering member 244 at
which the interface is formed because air interpose between the prism 80 and the ink.
The light from the third altering member is reflected in the horizontal direction
corresponding to the same optical axis as the light emitted from the light-emitting
element 113 by the fourth altering member 245, and received by the light-receiving
element 114 at the left side of the center of Fig. 13. As a result, it is determined
by the identifying device that the amount of the ink is less than the predetermined
amount.
In the modification 5, the first altering member 242, the second altering member 243,
the third altering member 244 and the fourth altering member 245 are used in place
of the indicator portion 62. However, the first altering member 242, the second altering
member 243, the third altering member 244 and the fourth altering member 245 may be
used in place of the light blocking portion 73 and the space 148. In this case, not
the prism constituting one wall surface of the small chamber communicating with the
ink chamber, but the reflection tapes may be used as in the case of the first altering
member 242 and the fourth altering member 245.
1. An ink cartridge comprising:
a frame that defines an ink chamber at least therein, wherein the ink chamber stores
ink therein; and
a portion that is irradiated with light and extends from a first wall constituting
a part of an outer periphery of the frame in such a first direction away from the
ink chamber , wherein the portion irradiated with light comprises;
a first member;
a second member; and
a third member provided between the first member and the second member in the first
direction, the first member, the second member and the third member being located
on a line extending in the first direction.
2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the third member is located between
the first member and the second member.
3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the interval between the first
member and the second member is varied in accordance with an initial capacity of the
ink cartridge.
4. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the third member
has a first altering member for guiding irradiated light in a direction perpendicular
to the line in the first direction, a second altering member for guiding the light
guided by the first altering member in a horizontal direction, a third altering member
for guiding the light guided by the second altering member in a direction perpendicular
to the line in the first direction, and a fourth altering member for guiding the light
guided by the third altering member onto the same axis as the light with which the
first altering member is irradiated.
5. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second member
has a first altering member for guiding irradiated light in a direction perpendicular
to the line in the first direction, a second altering member for guiding the light
guided by the first altering member in a horizontal direction, a third altering member
for guiding the light guided by the second altering member in a direction perpendicular
to the line in the first direction, and a fourth altering member for guiding the light
guided by the third altering member onto the same axis as the light with which the
first altering member is irradiated, and the second altering member and the third
altering member constituting a prism that partitions a chamber continuous with the
ink chamber.
6. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the third member
is light-transmissible.
7. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first member
is movable in the first direction with respect to the first wall.
8. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an elastic member
is disposed between the first member and the first wall.
9. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6 to 8, wherein the second
member moves from a first position located on the line extending in the first direction
to a second position which gets away from the line concerned as the amount of the
ink is reduced.
10. The ink cartridge according to claim 9, further comprising an arm member that is supported
so as to be movable in accordance with the amount of ink, wherein the arm member is
provided with the second member at one end thereof and a float at the other end side
thereof so that the float moves in accordance with the ink level.
11. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the portion irradiated
with the light is equipped with an internal space communicating with the ink chamber
so that fluid flows between the internal space and the ink chamber, and the second
member is disposed in the internal space.
12. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein an ink supply portion
through which the ink chamber and the outside communicates with each other is disposed
below the portion of the first wall irradiated with the light.
13. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein an atmospheric air
communicating portion through which the ink chamber and the outside communicate with
each other is disposed above the portion of the first wall irradiated with the light.
14. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a fourth
member disposed so as to be farther away from the first wall than the first member
and spaced from the line in an up-and-down direction.
15. An ink cartridge comprising:
a frame that defines an ink chamber at least therein, wherein the ink chamber stores
ink therein; and
a portion that is irradiated with light and extends from a first wall constituting
a part of an outer periphery of the frame in such a first direction as to be away
from the ink chamber and is irradiated with light, wherein the portion irradiated
with light comprises;
a first member;
a second member; and
a third member provided between the first member and the second member in the first
direction, the first and the third member are located on a line extending in a first
direction, and the second member is located so as to be spaced from the line concerned
in a direction intersecting the line concerned.
16. An ink cartridge identifying device for identifying the type of a cartridge when the
cartridge is mounted in a cartridge mounting unit, comprising an identifying unit
for identifying the type of the cartridge on the basis of a light reception result
when a first member, a second member and a third member of the cartridge pass over
an optical path between a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion provided
to the cartridge mounting unit.
17. The ink cartridge identifying device according to claim 16, wherein the identifying
unit identifies the type of the ink cartridge on the basis of a light reception result
of the third member.
18. The ink cartridge identifying device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the identifying
unit identifies an initial capacity of ink as the type of the ink cartridge.
19. A method of identifying the type of a cartridge to be mounted in a cartridge mounting
unit having a light-receiving portion and a light-emitting portion, comprising:
a first step of blocking light from the light-emitting portion by the cartridge in
a mounting process;
a second step of receiving the light from the light-emitting portion at the light-receiving
portion by the cartridge in the mounting process; and
a third step of identifying the type of the cartridge on the basis of a light-reception
result in the second step.
20. The cartridge type identifying method according to claim 19, further comprising a
fourth step of blocking the light from the light-emitting portion by the cartridge
in the mounting process after the second step.
21. The cartridge type identifying method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the type
of the cartridge is identified on the basis of a light-reception time at the light-receiving
portion in the second step