Liquid ejection device and storage device

Abstract

A liquid ejecting apparatus and a storage apparatus are disclosed. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a first storage portion that stores a liquid in a space between a first face and a second face; a second storage portion that stores a liquid in a space between a third face and a fourth face; a first flexible printed board that includes a first wiring portion including a first electrode provided to the first face and a second wiring portion including a second electrode provided to the second face; and a second flexible printed board that includes a third wiring portion including a third electrode provided to the third face and a fourth wiring portion including a fourth electrode provided to the fourth face. The first storage portion and the second storage portion are arranged so that the second face is positioned between the first face and the third face. The second wiring portion has a first shield electrode between the second electrode and the third wiring portion for shielding the second electrode. The third wiring portion does not have a shield electrode for shielding the third electrode between the third electrode and the second wiring portion.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus and a storage apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0002] A technique of detecting a remaining amount of an object stored in a container is presented. For example, in Patent Literature 1, a technique related to a detection apparatus is presented, the detection apparatus including: a container that stores an object between a first face and a second face; a first electrode that is disposed on the first face; a second electrode that is disposed on the second face; a shielding material that covers the first electrode; a shielding material that covers the second electrode; and a detection unit that detects a remaining amount of the object stored in the container based on a potential of the first electrode and a potential of the second electrode.

[0003] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-056079

[0004] However, in the related art, since both the first electrode and the second electrode installed in the container are covered with the shielding material, in a case where a plurality of containers are arranged, a space needs to be provided between one of the plurality of containers and another container adjacent to the one container. Therefore, in the related art, in a case where a plurality of containers are arranged, a problem that a space in which the plurality of containers are accommodated becomes large arises. SUMMARY

[0005] To solve the above problem, a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present application is characterized by including: a first storage portion that stores a liquid in a space between a first face and a second face opposite to the first face; a second storage portion that stores a liquid in a space between a third face and a fourth face opposite to the third face; a first ejecting portion that ejects a liquid supplied from the first storage portion; a second ejecting portion that ejects a liquid supplied from the second storage portion; a first flexible printed substrate for detecting a remaining amount of a liquid in the first storage portion; and a second flexible printed substrate for detecting a remaining amount of a liquid in the second storage portion, the first flexible printed substrate including: a first wiring portion including a first electrode provided on the first face; and a second wiring portion including a second electrode provided on the second face, the second flexible printed substrate including: a third wiring portion including a third electrode provided on the third face; and a fourth wiring portion including a fourth electrode provided on the fourth face, the first storage portion and the second storage portion being arranged in such a manner that the second face is positioned between the first face and the third face, the second wiring portion having a first shielding electrode that is positioned between the second electrode and the third wiring portion and that shields the second electrode, the third wiring portion not having a shielding electrode that shields the third electrode between the third electrode and the second wiring portion.

[0006] Further, the storage device according to the present application is characterized by including: a first storage portion that stores an object in a space between a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a second storage portion that stores an object in a space between a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface; a first flexible printed board that detects a remaining amount of the object in the first storage portion; and a second flexible printed board that detects a remaining amount of the object in the second storage portion, the first flexible printed board including: a first wiring portion including a first electrode provided on the first surface; and a second wiring portion including a second electrode provided on the second surface, the second flexible printed board including: a third wiring portion including a third electrode provided on the third surface; and a fourth wiring portion including a fourth electrode provided on the fourth surface, the first storage portion and the second storage portion being arranged so that the second surface is positioned between the first surface and the third surface, the second wiring portion having a first shield electrode positioned between the second electrode and the third wiring portion and shielding the second electrode, the third wiring portion not having a shield electrode for shielding the third electrode between the third electrode and the second wiring portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a structural view showing an example of the inkjet printer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present application.

[0008] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the structure of the ink supply device 1.

[0009] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of the ink supply device 1.

[0010] Figure 4 is a plan view showing an example of the structure of the ink management device FF[m].

[0011] Figure 5 is a plan view showing an example of the structure of the ink management device FF[m].

[0012] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of the ink management device FF[m].

[0013] Figure 7 is a plan view showing an example of the structure of the flexible printed board FP[m].

[0014] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the storage device 3.

[0015] Figure 9 is an explanatory view showing an example of the relationship between the liquid level LV and the amplitude Aout.

[0016] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing an example of ink remaining amount determination processing.

[0017] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relationship between the liquid level LV and the amplitude Aout involved in the comparative example.

[0018] Figure 12 is a sectional view showing an example of the structure of the ink supply device 1W involved in the second embodiment.

[0019] Figure 13 is a sectional view showing an example of the structure of the ink management device FF-W[m] involved in the second embodiment.

[0020] Figure 14 is a plan view showing an example of the structure of the flexible printed board FP-W[m] involved in the second embodiment.

[0021] Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0022] 1... ink supply device, 2... ink amount detection device, 3... storage device, 4... selection circuit, 5... ink amount information generation circuit, 7... control device, 10A... wall, 10B... wall, 10C... wall, 100... inkjet printer, EA... input electrode, EB1... detection electrode, EB2... detection electrode, EB3... detection electrode, FA[m]... wiring portion, FB[m]... wiring portion, FC[m]... wiring portion, FF[m]... ink management device, FP[m]... flexible printed board, LE... wiring layer, LF1... cover film layer, LF2... cover film layer, LK... base material layer, LS... shield layer, SSA... shield electrode, SSB... shield electrode, TK[m]... ink tank. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present application will be described with reference to the drawings, but in each drawing, the size and scale of each part are appropriately different from the actual size and scale. In addition, since the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present application, various limitations that are technically preferred are added, but the scope of the present application is not limited to these modes as long as the description below does not particularly limit the meaning of the present application.

[0024] A. First Embodiment

[0025] Hereinafter, the inkjet printer 100 involved in the first embodiment will be described.

[0026] A. 1. Outline of Inkjet Printer

[0027] Figure 1is a diagram illustrating an inkjet printer 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0028] The inkjet printer 100 is a printing device of an inkjet system that ejects ink IK toward a medium PP. The medium PP is typically a print paper, but any print object such as a resin film or cloth can be used as the medium PP.

[0029] Further, in the present embodiment, the inkjet printer 100 is an example of a "liquid ejecting device", and the ink IK is an example of a "liquid" and an "object".

[0030] As shown in Figure 1 The inkjet printer 100 includes a storage device 3 including an ink supply device 1 and an ink amount detection device 2, a control device 7, a plurality of liquid ejecting heads HU, a moving mechanism 91, and a conveyance mechanism 92.

[0031] The control device 7 includes, for example, a processing circuit such as a CPU or an FPGA, a storage circuit such as a semiconductor memory, and controls each element of the inkjet printer 100. Here, CPU is an abbreviation of Central Processing Unit, and FPGA is an abbreviation of Field Programmable Gate Array.

[0032] The moving mechanism 91 conveys the medium PP in a sub-scanning direction MP1 based on the control of the control device 7.

[0033] The conveyance mechanism 92 reciprocally moves the plurality of liquid ejecting heads HU in a main scanning direction MH1 intersecting the sub-scanning direction MP1 and a main scanning direction MH2 opposite to the main scanning direction MH1 based on the control of the control device 7. The conveyance mechanism 92 includes a housing 921 that houses the plurality of liquid ejecting heads HU, and a ring-shaped belt 922 on which the housing 921 is fixed. Further, the storage device 3 can be housed in the housing 921 together with the liquid ejecting heads HU.

[0034] The control device 7 supplies the liquid ejecting heads HU with a drive signal Com for driving the liquid ejecting heads HU and a control signal SI for controlling the liquid ejecting heads HU. Further, the liquid ejecting heads HU are driven by the drive signal Com based on the control of the control signal SI, and eject ink IK from a part or all of a plurality of nozzles provided in the liquid ejecting heads HU. That is, the liquid ejecting heads HU eject ink IK from a part or all of the plurality of nozzles in conjunction with the conveyance of the medium PP by the moving mechanism 91 and the reciprocating movement of the liquid ejecting heads HU by the conveyance mechanism 92, and form a desired image on the surface of the medium PP by allowing the ejected ink to land on the surface of the medium PP.

[0035] Further, in the present embodiment, the liquid ejection head HU is an example of an "ejection section".

[0036] The ink supply device 1 stores the ink IK in the storage device 3. Further, the ink supply device 1 supplies the ink IK stored in the ink supply device 1 to the liquid ejection head HU based on the control of the control device 7.

[0037] In the present embodiment, a case is assumed in which the ink supply device 1 stores M kinds of ink IK. Here, the value M is a natural number satisfying 1 ≤ M. More specifically, in the present embodiment, a case is assumed as an example in which the ink supply device 1 stores four kinds of ink IK corresponding to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. That is, in the present embodiment, a case is assumed as an example in which "M = 4".

[0038] The ink amount detection device 2 detects the remaining amount of the ink IK stored in the ink supply device 1 based on the detection signal Vout detected from the ink supply device 1 in the storage device 3. Further, the ink amount detection device 2 outputs ink amount information DR indicating the result of the detection. Further, the detection signal Vout and the ink amount information DR will be described later.

[0039] A.2. Outline of the Ink Supply Device

[0040] Hereinafter, an outline of the ink supply device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 2 and Figure 3 .

[0041] Figure 2 is an explanatory view for explaining the structure of the ink supply device 1.

[0042] As shown in Figure 2 , the ink supply device 1 includes: M ink tanks TK[1] to TK[M] corresponding one-to-one to M kinds of ink IK stored in the ink supply device 1; M flexible printed boards FP[1] to FP[M] corresponding one-to-one to the M ink tanks TK[1] to TK[M]; and a housing 21 that houses the M ink tanks TK[1] to TK[M] and the M flexible printed boards FP[1] to FP[M]. That is, in the present embodiment, the ink supply device 1 includes: four ink tanks TK[1] to TK[4] corresponding one-to-one to four kinds of ink IK corresponding to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black; and four flexible printed boards FP[1] to FP[4] corresponding one-to-one to the four ink tanks TK[1] to TK[4].

[0043] ​A supply port 19 for supplying the ink IK to the internal space of the ink tank TK[m] is provided in the ink tank TK[m]. In addition, the flexible printed board FP[m] is fixed to the ink tank TK[m]. Here, the variable m is a natural number satisfying 1 ≤ m ≤ M. Hereinafter, the constituent elements including the ink tank TK[m] and the flexible printed board FP[m] are sometimes referred to as an ink management device FF[m]. That is, the ink supply device 1 is provided with M ink management devices FF[m] corresponding to the M kinds of inks IK stored in the ink supply device 1 one-to-one. In addition, hereinafter, the liquid ejecting head HU that ejects the ink IK supplied from the ink tank TK[m] provided in the ink management device FF[m] is sometimes referred to as the liquid ejecting head HU[m].

[0044] In the present embodiment, a case is assumed in which the M ink tanks TK[1] to TK[M] are arranged in the X1 direction along the X axis in the ink supply device 1.

[0045] Hereinafter, the X1 direction and the X2 direction opposite to the X1 direction are collectively referred to as the X axis direction. In addition, hereinafter, the Y1 direction along the Y axis orthogonal to the X axis direction and the Y2 direction opposite to the Y1 direction are collectively referred to as the Y axis direction. In addition, hereinafter, the Z1 direction along the Z axis orthogonal to the X axis direction and the Y axis direction and the Z2 direction opposite to the Z1 direction are collectively referred to as the Z axis direction. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a case is assumed in which the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis are orthogonal to each other. However, the present application is not limited to such a manner. The X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis can be merely intersected with each other.

[0046] In addition, in the present embodiment, a case is assumed in which the ink IK is supplied from the ink tank TK[m] to the liquid ejecting head HU[m], and in a case where the ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is reduced, the direction in which the ink IK is reduced is the Z1 direction.

[0047] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the X1 direction is an example of the "first direction", the Z1 direction is an example of the "second direction", and the Y1 direction is an example of the "third direction".

[0048] Figure 3 is a plan view indicating the structure of the ink supply device 1 when the ink supply device 1 is viewed in the Z1 direction.

[0049] As Figure 3 indicated in the present embodiment, a case is assumed in which, in the ink supply device 1, the ink tank TK[2] is provided in the X1 direction when viewed from the ink tank TK[1], the ink tank TK[3] is provided in the X1 direction when viewed from the ink tank TK[2], and the ink tank TK[4] is provided in the X1 direction when viewed from the ink tank TK[3].

[0050] In addition, in the present embodiment, a case is assumed in which the ink tank TK[m] is composed of a plurality of walls. Hereinafter, a case is assumed in which the plurality of walls possessed by the ink tank TK[m] have the wall 10A and the wall 10B provided along a face having the X1 direction as a normal direction, the wall 10C and the wall 10D provided along a face having the Y1 direction as a normal direction, and the wall 11 and the wall 12 provided along a face having the Z1 direction as a normal direction. Further, regarding the wall 11 and the wall 12, illustration is made in the following Figure 6

[0051] In addition, in the present embodiment, as described above, a case is assumed in which the flexible printed board FP[m] is mounted with respect to the ink tank TK[m]. Specifically, in the present embodiment, a case is assumed in which the flexible printed board FP[m] is fixed to the wall 10A, the wall 10C, and the wall 10B among the plurality of walls possessed by the ink tank TK[m].

[0052] More specifically, in the present embodiment, the flexible printed board FP[m] is bent along the wall face outside the wall 10A and the wall 10C at the bending portion EP-A, and is bent along the wall face outside the wall 10B and the wall 10C at the bending portion EP-B. Thereby, the flexible printed board FP[m] is provided in a manner in which the wall face outside the ink tank TK[m] in the wall 10A, the wall face outside the ink tank TK[m] in the wall 10B, and the wall face outside the ink tank TK[m] in the wall 10C are contacted.

[0053] Hereinafter, the portion of the flexible printed board FP[m] provided to the wall 10A is referred to as the wiring portion FA[m], the portion of the flexible printed board FP[m] provided to the wall 10B is referred to as the wiring portion FB[m], and the portion of the flexible printed board FP[m] provided to the wall 10C is referred to as the wiring portion FC[m]. In addition, hereinafter, the width in the X1 direction of the wiring portion FA[m] is referred to as the width dxA, and the width in the X1 direction of the wiring portion FB[m] is referred to as the width dxB.

[0054] Further, in the present embodiment, the ink tank TK[m] is an example of the "storage portion", the wall face outside the ink tank TK[m] in the wall 10A is an example of the "first face", the wall face outside the ink tank TK[m] in the wall 10B is an example of the "second face", the wiring portion FA[m] is an example of the "first wiring portion", and the wiring portion FB[m] is an example of the "second wiring portion".

[0055] A.3. Outline of Flexible Printed Board

[0056] Hereinafter, an outline of the flexible printed board FP[m] is described with reference to Figures 4 to 7

[0057] Figure 4 ​​is a plan view of the wiring portion FA[m] observed when the ink management device FF[m] is observed from the X2 direction toward the XI direction. Further, in Figure 4 , only the main portions in the wiring portion FA[m] are transparently described.

[0058] As shown in Figure 4 , the wiring portion FA[m] includes: an input electrode EA of the electroconductive property provided in the electrode formation region RA; a shield electrode SA1 of the electroconductive property provided in the Z2 direction from the input electrode EA in the electrode formation region RA; and a shield electrode SA2 of the electroconductive property provided in the Zl direction from the input electrode EA in the electrode formation region RA.

[0059] Further, the wiring portion FA[m] includes: a connection wiring HEA of the electroconductive property provided between the electrode formation region RA and the bending portion EP-A, and connected to the input electrode EA; a connection wiring HSA1 of the electroconductive property provided between the electrode formation region RA and the bending portion EP-A, and provided in the Z2 direction from the connection wiring HEA, and connected to the shield electrode SA1; and a connection wiring HSA2 of the electroconductive property provided between the electrode formation region RA and the bending portion EP-A, and provided in the Zl direction from the connection wiring HEA, and connected to the shield electrode SA2.

[0060] Figure 5 is a plan view of the wiring portion FB[m] observed when the ink management device FF[m] is observed from the XI direction toward the X2 direction. Further, in Figure 5 , only the main portions in the wiring portion FB[m] are transparently described.

[0061] As shown in Figure 5 , the wiring portion FB[m] includes: a detection electrode EB1 of the electroconductive property provided in the electrode formation region RB; a detection electrode EB2 of the electroconductive property provided in the Zl direction from the detection electrode EB1 in the electrode formation region RB; a detection electrode EB3 of the electroconductive property provided in the Zl direction from the detection electrode EB2 in the electrode formation region RB; a shield electrode SB1 of the electroconductive property provided in the Z2 direction from the detection electrode EB1 in the electrode formation region RB; a shield electrode SB2 of the electroconductive property provided between the detection electrode EB1 and the detection electrode EB2 in the electrode formation region RB; a shield electrode SB3 of the electroconductive property provided between the detection electrode EB2 and the detection electrode EB3 in the electrode formation region RB; and a shield electrode SB4 of the electroconductive property provided in the Zl direction from the detection electrode EB3 in the electrode formation region RB.

[0062] Further, in the present embodiment, the detection electrode EB1 is an example of a "first detection electrode", the detection electrode EB2 is an example of a "second detection electrode", and the detection electrode EB3 is an example of a "third detection electrode".

[0063] Hereinafter, the width of the detection electrode EB1 in the Z1 direction is referred to as a width WEB1, the width of the detection electrode EB2 in the Z1 direction is referred to as a width WEB2, and the width of the detection electrode EB3 in the Z1 direction is referred to as a width WEB3. In the present embodiment, the detection electrode EB1, the detection electrode EB2, and the detection electrode EB3 are provided in such a manner that "WEB1 < WEB2" and "WEB3 < WEB2" are satisfied.

[0064] Further, the wiring portion FB[m] includes: a conductive connection wiring HEB1 provided between the electrode formation region RB and the bent portion EP-B and connected to the detection electrode EB1; a conductive connection wiring HEB2 provided between the electrode formation region RB and the bent portion EP-B and, when viewed from the connection wiring HEB1, provided at a position in the Z1 direction and connected to the detection electrode EB2; a conductive connection wiring HEB3 provided between the electrode formation region RB and the bent portion EP-B and, when viewed from the connection wiring HEB2, provided at a position in the Z1 direction and connected to the detection electrode EB3; a conductive connection wiring HSB1 provided between the electrode formation region RB and the bent portion EP-B and, when viewed from the connection wiring HEB1, provided at a position in the Z2 direction and connected to the shield electrode SB1; a conductive connection wiring HSB2 provided between the electrode formation region RB and the bent portion EP-B and provided between the connection wiring HEB1 and the connection wiring HEB2 and connected to the shield electrode SB2; a conductive connection wiring HSB3 provided between the electrode formation region RB and the bent portion EP-B and provided between the connection wiring HEB2 and the connection wiring HEB3 and connected to the shield electrode SB3; and a conductive connection wiring HSB4 provided between the electrode formation region RB and the bent portion EP-B and, when viewed from the connection wiring HEB3, provided at a position in the Z1 direction and connected to the shield electrode SB4.

[0065] Further, in the present embodiment, the region in which the electrode formation region RA overlaps with the wiring portion FB[m] and the electrode formation region RB are substantially the same region when the ink management device FF[m] is viewed in the Y-axis direction. That is, in the present embodiment, the electrode formation region RA and the electrode formation region RB are substantially the same when the ink management device FF[m] is viewed in the Y-axis direction. Here, the so-called "substantially the same" includes the concept of being considered the same if an error is taken into account, in addition to the case of being exactly the same. In the present embodiment, the so-called "substantially the same" includes the concept of being considered the same if an error of about 10% is taken into account. The "substantially the same" is the same as the "substantially the same".

[0066] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ink management device FF[m] when the ink management device FF[m] is cut by a plane having a normal vector in the Y-axis direction, that is, a plane passing through the electrode formation region RA and the electrode formation region RB.

[0067] As shown in Figure 6 , the flexible printed board FP[m] is fixed to the wall 10A and the wall 10B and the wall 10C by the double-sided adhesive tape DT. The flexible printed board FP[m] has: a non-conductive cover film layer LF1 adhered to the double-sided adhesive tape DT; a non-conductive cover film layer LF2; and a non-conductive substrate layer LK provided between the cover film layer LF1 and the cover film layer LF2.

[0068] In addition, the flexible printed board FP[m] includes: a wiring layer LE provided between the substrate layer LK and the cover film layer LF1, in which the above-described input electrode EA, the detection electrode EB1, the detection electrode EB2, the detection electrode EB3, the shield electrode SA1, the shield electrode SA2, the shield electrode SB1, the shield electrode SB2, the shield electrode SB3, and the shield electrode SB4 are arranged; and a shield layer LS provided between the substrate layer LK and the cover film layer LF2, in which the conductive shield electrode SSA and the conductive shield electrode SSB are arranged.

[0069] Further, in the wiring layer LE, a non-conductive partition wall is provided between the input electrode EA and the shield electrode SA1 and between the input electrode EA and the shield electrode SA2. In addition, in the wiring layer LE, a non-conductive partition wall is provided between the detection electrode EB1 and the shield electrode SB1, between the detection electrode EB1 and the shield electrode SB2, between the detection electrode EB2 and the shield electrode SB2, between the detection electrode EB2 and the shield electrode SB3, between the detection electrode EB3 and the shield electrode SB3, and between the detection electrode EB3 and the shield electrode SB4.

[0070] Furthermore, when viewing the wiring section FA[m] in the X1 direction, the shielding electrode SSA is arranged such that the shielding electrode SSA completely covers the input electrode EA. Additionally, when viewing the wiring section FB[m] in the X2 direction, the shielding electrode SSB is arranged such that the shielding electrode SSB completely covers the detection electrodes EB1, EB2, and EB3.

[0071] Hereinafter, the width of the shielding electrode SSA in the X1 direction will be referred to as the width dxSA, and the width of the shielding electrode SSB in the X1 direction will be referred to as the width dxSB.

[0072] Furthermore, in this embodiment, shielding electrodes SSA and SSB are provided such that the widths dxSA and dxSB are approximately the same. Additionally, in this embodiment, wiring portions FA[m] and FB[m] are provided such that the widths dxA and dxB are approximately the same.

[0073] like Figure 6 As shown, capacitor CC1 is formed between input electrode EA and detection electrode EB1, capacitor CC2 is formed between input electrode EA and detection electrode EB2, and capacitor CC3 is formed between input electrode EA and detection electrode EB3. The capacitance values ​​of capacitors CC1, CC2, and CC3 are determined based on the remaining amount of ink IK stored in ink reservoir TK[m]. Hereinafter, the distance from the wall 11, which is the bottom surface of ink reservoir TK[m], to the surface of the ink IK stored in ink reservoir TK[m] will be referred to as the liquid level height LV.

[0074] Figure 7 This is an unfolded diagram showing the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] after being removed from the ink can TK[m] and unfolded into a planar shape. Furthermore, in Figure 7 In this context, the design aims to ensure that the position and orientation of the wiring section FA[m] do not conform to... Figure 4 The flexible printed circuit board FP[m] was unfolded in a manner that caused the wiring portions FC[m] and FB[m] to lie on the same plane as the wiring portion FA[m] due to changes in position and orientation. The X, Y, and Z axes are shown. Additionally, in Figure 7 The diagram only shows the wiring layer LE and the shielding layer LS in the flexible printed circuit board FP[m], and the diagrams of the substrate layer LK, the cover film layer LF1 and the cover film layer LF2 are omitted.

[0075] like Figure 7As shown, the wiring layer LE in the flexible printed board FP[m] has the through electrode VEA, the through electrode VSA1, the through electrode VSA2, the through electrode VEB1, the through electrode VEB2, the through electrode VEB3, the through electrode VSB1, the through electrode VSB2, the through electrode VSB3, and the through electrode VSB4 in the wiring portion FC[m].

[0076] In addition, the shielding layer LS in the flexible printed board FP[m] has the terminal NEA, the terminal NSA1, the terminal NSA2, the terminal NEB1, the terminal NEB2, the terminal NEB3, the terminal NSB1, the terminal NSB2, the terminal NSB3, the terminal NSB4, the terminal NSSA1, the terminal NSSA2, the terminal NSSB1, and the terminal NSSB2.

[0077] Among them, the terminal NSSA1 and the terminal NSSA2 are connected to the shielding electrode SSA. The terminal NSSB1 and the terminal NSSB2 are connected to the shielding electrode SSB.

[0078] In addition, the through electrode VEA is connected to the connection wiring HEA, and is connected to the terminal NEA via a via hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VSA1 is connected to the connection wiring HSA1, and is connected to the terminal NSA1 via a via hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VSA2 is connected to the connection wiring HSA2, and is connected to the terminal NSA2 via a via hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VEB1 is connected to the connection wiring HEB1, and is connected to the terminal NEB1 via a via hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VEB2 is connected to the connection wiring HEB2, and is connected to the terminal NEB2 via a via hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VEB3 is connected to the connection wiring HEB3, and is connected to the terminal NEB3 via a via hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VSB1 is connected to the connection wiring HSB1, and is connected to the terminal NSB1 via a via hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VSB2 is connected to the connection wiring HSB2, and is connected to the terminal NSB2 via a via hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VSB3 is connected to the connection wiring HSB3, and is connected to the terminal NSB3 via a via hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VSB4 is connected to the connection wiring HSB4, and is connected to the terminal NSB4 via a via hole provided in the base material layer LK.

[0079] A.4. Outline of ink amount detection device

[0080] Hereinafter, the outline of the ink amount detection device 2 will be described with reference to Figure 8 and Figure 9 The outline of the ink amount detection device 2 will be described.

[0081] Figure 8is a block diagram for explaining the structure of the cartridge 3 including the ink supply device 1 and the ink amount detection device 2.

[0082] As shown in Figure 8 , as described above, the cartridge 3 is provided with the ink supply device 1 including the ink management device FF[m] and the ink amount detection device 2. The ink amount detection device 2 is provided with M selection circuits 4 corresponding one-to-one to the M ink management devices FF[l] to FF[M] provided in the ink supply device 1, and M ink amount information generation circuits 5 corresponding one-to-one to the M ink management devices FF[l] to FF[M] provided in the ink supply device 1. Further, in Figure 8 , for the sake of explanation, only one ink management device FF[m] of the M ink management devices FF[l] to FF[M] provided in the ink supply device 1 is illustrated. Further, in Figure 8 , for the sake of explanation, the selection circuit 4[m] corresponding to the ink management device FF[m] and the ink amount information generation circuit 5[m] corresponding to the ink management device FF[m] of the M selection circuits 4 and the M ink amount information generation circuits 5 provided in the ink amount detection device 2 are illustrated. Further, in Figure 8 , for the sake of explanation, the ink management device FF[m] is illustrated as an equivalent circuit of the ink management device FF[m] using the capacitor CC1, the capacitor CC2, and the capacitor CC3 provided in the ink management device FF[m].

[0083] As shown in Figure 8 , the terminal NEA of the ink management device FF[m] is electrically connected to the alternating current power supply 22. The alternating current power supply 22 supplies an alternating current pulse signal, that is, an input signal Vin to the terminal NEA. Further, the input signal Vin input to the terminal NEA of the ink management device FF[m] is transmitted as a detection signal Voutl via the capacitor CC1 to the terminal NEBl, as a detection signal Vout2 via the capacitor CC2 to the terminal NEB2, and as a detection signal Vout3 via the capacitor CC3 to the terminal NEB3. Further, in the present embodiment, the detection signal Voutl, the detection signal Vout2, and the detection signal Vout3 are sometimes collectively referred to as a detection signal Vout.

[0084] The selection circuit 4[m] is provided with an input terminal INl, an input terminal IN2, an input terminal IN3, an output terminal OS, a switch SWl, a switch SW2, and a switch SW3.

[0085] The input terminal IN1 is electrically connected to the terminal NEB1. In a case where the AC power supply 22 supplies the input signal Vin to the terminal NEA, the detection signal Vout1 is supplied from the terminal NEB1 to the input terminal IN1. The input terminal IN2 is electrically connected to the terminal NEB2. In a case where the AC power supply 22 supplies the input signal Vin to the terminal NEA, the detection signal Vout2 is supplied from the terminal NEB2 to the input terminal IN2. The input terminal IN3 is electrically connected to the terminal NEB3. In a case where the AC power supply 22 supplies the input signal Vin to the terminal NEA, the detection signal Vout3 is supplied from the terminal NEB3 to the input terminal IN3.

[0086] Further, the switch SW1 switches whether to electrically connect the input terminal IN1 and the output terminal OS based on the selection signal Sel supplied from the control device 7. The switch SW2 switches whether to electrically connect the input terminal IN2 and the output terminal OS based on the selection signal Sel supplied from the control device 7. The switch SW3 switches whether to electrically connect the input terminal IN3 and the output terminal OS based on the selection signal Sel supplied from the control device 7.

[0087] More specifically, the selection circuit 4[m] electrically connects one of the input terminals IN1, IN2, and IN3 selected by the selection signal Sel and the output terminal OS to the ground, and electrically disconnects the other two of the input terminals IN1, IN2, and IN3, which are not selected by the selection signal Sel, from the output terminal OS. Further, the selection circuit 4[m] outputs the detection signal Vout input to the one of the input terminals IN selected by the selection signal Sel as the output signal VS from the output terminal OS.

[0088] The ink amount information generation circuit 5[m] includes an input terminal IN5, an output terminal O5, a bias circuit 51, a buffer circuit 52, a band pass filter 53, a sample-and-hold circuit 54, a low pass filter 55, an amplification circuit 56, and an analog-digital conversion circuit 57.

[0089] The input terminal IN5 is electrically connected to the output terminal OS. In a case where the AC power supply 22 supplies the input signal Vin to the terminal NEA, the output signal VS is supplied from the output terminal OS to the input terminal IN5. The input terminal IN5 is electrically connected to the input terminal of the buffer circuit 52 via the input terminal of the bias circuit 51.

[0090] The bias circuit 51 biases the output signal VS supplied to the input terminal IN5 to a prescribed bias voltage between the power supply voltage and the ground voltage.

[0091] The buffer circuit 52 outputs the output signal VS biased by the bias circuit 51 to the band pass filter 53.

[0092] The band pass filter 53 selectively passes a component of a prescribed frequency range in the signal supplied from the buffer circuit 52, and removes other components.

[0093] The sample-and-hold circuit 54 samples the signal output from the band pass filter 53 at a cycle based on the cycle of the input signal Vin supplied from the alternating current power supply 22, holds the voltage value of the sampled signal until the operation of the analog-digital conversion circuit 57 ends. In addition, the sample-and-hold circuit 54 outputs the sampled signal to the low pass filter 55.

[0094] The low pass filter 55 removes a frequency component higher than a prescribed threshold value in the signal input to the low pass filter 55, and outputs a frequency component lower than the prescribed threshold value to the amplification circuit 56.

[0095] The amplification circuit 56 amplifies the signal supplied from the low pass filter 55 at a prescribed amplification rate, and outputs the amplified signal to the analog-digital conversion circuit 57.

[0096] The analog-digital conversion circuit 57 converts the analog signal output from the amplification circuit 56 to a digital signal. Then, the analog-digital conversion circuit 57 outputs the digital signal to the control device 7. Furthermore, the signal supplied from the analog-digital conversion circuit 57 to the control device 7 is a signal of the ink amount information DR indicating the magnitude of the detection signal Vout selected by the selection circuit 4[m] as the output signal VS. Here, the magnitude of the detection signal Vout indicated by the ink amount information DR is, for example, the amplitude Aout of the detection signal Vout. However, the magnitude of the detection signal Vout indicated by the ink amount information DR can also be the effective value of the detection signal Vout.

[0097] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the ink amount information generation circuit 5[m] is an example of a "generation circuit".

[0098] Next, the amplitude Aout of the detection signal Vout indicated by the ink amount information DR will be described with reference to Figure 9

[0099] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relationship between the amplitude Aout of the detection signal Vout and the liquid level LV.

[0100] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the ink amount information generation circuit 5[m] is an example of a "generation circuit". Figure 9 ​In this context, the liquid level height LV1d is the height from the wall 11 to the end of the detection electrode EB1 in the Z1 direction. The liquid level height LV1u is the height from the wall 11 to the end of the detection electrode EB1 in the Z2 direction. That is, the liquid level range LV1 from the liquid level height LV1d to the liquid level height LV1 inside the ink tank TK[m] is the range of liquid level height LV from when the ink tank TK is at the lower end of the detection electrode EB1 to when it is at the upper end of the detection electrode EB1.

[0101] In addition, Figure 9 In this context, the liquid level height LV2d is the height from the wall 11 to the end of the detection electrode EB2 in the Z1 direction. The liquid level height LV2u is the height from the wall 11 to the end of the detection electrode EB2 in the Z2 direction. That is, the liquid level range LV2 from the liquid level height LV2d to the liquid level height LV2 inside the ink tank TK[m] is the range of liquid level height LV from when the ink tank TK is at the lower end of the detection electrode EB2 to when it is at the upper end of the detection electrode EB2.

[0102] In addition, Figure 9 In this context, the liquid level height LV3d is the height from the wall 11 to the end of the detection electrode EB3 in the Z1 direction. The liquid level height LV3u is the height from the wall 11 to the end of the detection electrode EB3 in the Z2 direction. That is, the liquid level range LV3 from the liquid level height LV3d to the liquid level height LV3 inside the ink tank TK[m] is the range of liquid level height LV from when the ink IK is at the lower end of the detection electrode EB3 to when it is at the upper end of the detection electrode EB3.

[0103] Generally, the relative permittivity of ink IK is greater than that of air. Therefore, when the space in ink reservoir TK[m] corresponding to the liquid level range LV1 between the input electrode EA and the detection electrode EB1 is filled with ink IK, the electrostatic capacitance of capacitor CC1 increases compared to when that space is filled with air. Similarly, when the space in ink reservoir TK[m] corresponding to the liquid level range LV2 between the input electrode EA and the detection electrode EB2 is filled with ink IK, the electrostatic capacitance of capacitor CC2 increases compared to when that space is filled with air. Likewise, when the space in ink reservoir TK[m] corresponding to the liquid level range LV3 between the input electrode EA and the detection electrode EB3 is filled with ink IK, the electrostatic capacitance of capacitor CC3 increases compared to when that space is filled with air.

[0104] Furthermore, generally speaking, when the area of ​​a capacitor is large, its electrostatic capacitance increases compared to when it is small. Specifically, when viewed along the X1 direction, if the area of ​​the overlapping portion between the detection electrode EB1 and the input electrode EA is large, the electrostatic capacitance of capacitor CC1 increases compared to when it is small. Similarly, when viewed along the X1 direction, if the area of ​​the overlapping portion between the detection electrode EB2 and the input electrode EA is large, the electrostatic capacitance of capacitor CC2 increases compared to when it is small. Furthermore, when viewed along the X1 direction, if the area of ​​the overlapping portion between the detection electrode EB3 and the input electrode EA is large, the electrostatic capacitance of capacitor CC3 increases compared to when it is small. Moreover, in this embodiment, as an example, it is envisioned that when viewed along the X1 direction, the input electrode EA, detection electrode EB1, detection electrode EB2, and detection electrode EB3 are completely covered by the input electrode EA. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the area of ​​the detection electrode EB1 is large, the electrostatic capacitance of capacitor CC1 increases compared to when it is small. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the area of ​​the detection electrode EB2 is large, the electrostatic capacitance of the capacitor CC2 increases compared to the case where it is small. Also, in this embodiment, when the area of ​​the detection electrode EB3 is large, the electrostatic capacitance of the capacitor CC3 increases compared to the case where it is small.

[0105] Furthermore, when the capacitance of capacitor CC1 is large, the amplitude Aout1 of the detection signal Vout1 increases compared to when the capacitance of capacitor CC1 is small. Similarly, when the capacitance of capacitor CC2 is large, the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 increases compared to when the capacitance of capacitor CC2 is small. Likewise, when the capacitance of capacitor CC3 is large, the amplitude Aout3 of the detection signal Vout3 increases compared to when the capacitance of capacitor CC3 is small.

[0106] Therefore, as Figure 9 As shown, when the liquid level LV is above the liquid level LV1u, the amplitude Aout1 of the detection signal Vout1 is larger compared to the case where the liquid level LV is below the liquid level LV1d. Furthermore, when the liquid level LV is above the liquid level LV2u, the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 is larger compared to the case where the liquid level LV is below the liquid level LV2d. Additionally, when the liquid level LV is above the liquid level LV3u, the amplitude Aout3 of the detection signal Vout3 is larger compared to the case where the liquid level LV is below the liquid level LV3d.

[0107] Specifically, in this embodiment, the detection electrode EB1 is configured such that the amplitude Aout1 of the detection signal Vout1 when the liquid level LV is LV1u or higher is a voltage VH, and the amplitude Aout1 of the detection signal Vout1 when the liquid level LV is LV1d or lower is a voltage VL smaller than VH. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the detection electrode EB2 is configured such that the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 when the liquid level LV is LV2u or higher is a voltage VH, and the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 when the liquid level LV is LV2d or lower is a voltage VL. Additionally, in this embodiment, the detection electrode EB3 is configured such that the amplitude Aout3 of the detection signal Vout3 when the liquid level LV is LV3u or higher is a voltage VH, and the amplitude Aout3 of the detection signal Vout3 when the liquid level LV is LV3d or lower is a voltage VL. Furthermore, Figure 9 The threshold voltage VTH shown is a voltage that is smaller than voltage VH and larger than voltage VL.

[0108] A.5. Overview of Ink Balance Determination and Processing

[0109] The following is for reference Figure 10 A summary of the ink balance determination process performed by the control device 7 will be provided. Here, the ink balance determination process refers to the process of determining the remaining ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] based on the ink quantity information DR.

[0110] like Figure 10 As shown, the control device 7 supplies the selection circuit 4[m] with a selection signal Sel (S101) to the switch SW1 corresponding to the detection electrode EB1 of the output detection signal Vout1. Thus, the control device 7 electrically connects the input terminal IN1 and the output terminal OS via the switch SW1, causing the selection circuit 4[m] to output the detection signal Vout1 as the output signal VS. Next, the control device 7 determines whether the amplitude Aout1 represented by the ink volume information DR output by the ink volume information generation circuit 5[m] is below the threshold voltage VTH (S103).

[0111] Then, if the result of the determination in step S103 is negative, that is, if the amplitude Aout1 represented by the ink quantity information DR is greater than the threshold voltage VTH, the control device 7 determines that the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is "excess" (S105), and ends. Figure 10 The ink balance determination process is shown below.

[0112] In addition, in the case where the result of the determination in step S 103 is affirmative, that is, in the case where the amplitude Aoutl indicated by the ink amount information DR is equal to or lower than the threshold voltage VTH, the control device 7 supplies the selection circuit 4[m] with a selection signal Sel that selects the switch SW2 corresponding to the detection electrode EB2 that outputs the detection signal Vout2 (S111). Thereby, the control device 7 electrically connects the input terminal IN2 and the output terminal OS by the switch SW2, and causes the selection circuit 4[m] to output the detection signal Vout2 as the output signal VS.

[0113] Next, the control device 7 determines whether or not the amplitude Aout2 indicated by the ink amount information DR output by the ink amount information generation circuit 5[m] is equal to or lower than the threshold voltage VTH (S113).

[0114] Then, in the case where the result of the determination in step S113 is negative, that is, in the case where the amplitude Aout2 indicated by the ink amount information DR is larger than the threshold voltage VTH, the control device 7 determines that the amount of the ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is "medium" (S115), and ends the ink amount determination processing illustrated in Fig. 6. Figure 10 Further, in the case where the amount of the ink is "medium", the amount of the ink stored in the ink tank is less than in the case where the amount of the ink is "much".

[0115] In addition, in the case where the result of the determination in step S113 is affirmative, that is, in the case where the amplitude Aout2 indicated by the ink amount information DR is equal to or lower than the threshold voltage VTH, the control device 7 supplies the selection circuit 4[m] with a selection signal Sel that selects the switch SW3 corresponding to the detection electrode EB3 that outputs the detection signal Vout3 (S121). Thereby, the control device 7 electrically connects the input terminal IN3 and the output terminal OS by the switch SW3, and causes the selection circuit 4[m] to output the detection signal Vout3 as the output signal VS.

[0116] Next, the control device 7 determines whether or not the amplitude Aout3 indicated by the ink amount information DR output by the ink amount information generation circuit 5[m] is equal to or lower than the threshold voltage VTH (S123).

[0117] Then, in the case where the result of the determination in step S123 is negative, that is, in the case where the amplitude Aout3 indicated by the ink amount information DR is larger than the threshold voltage VTH, the control device 7 determines that the amount of the ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is "less" (S125), and ends the ink amount determination processing illustrated in Fig. 6. Figure 10 Further, in the case where the amount of the ink is "less", the amount of the ink stored in the ink tank is less than in the case where the amount of the ink is "medium".

[0118] In addition, in the case where the determination in step S123 is affirmative, that is, in the case where the amplitude Aout3 indicated by the ink amount information DR is below the threshold voltage VTH, the control device 7 determines that the amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is "none" (S127), and the ink amount determination processing ends. Figure 10 Further, in the case where the amount of ink is "none", the amount of ink stored in the ink tank is less than in the case where the amount of ink is "little".

[0119] Further, in the present embodiment, the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 in the Z1 direction is greater than the width WEB1 of the detection electrode EB1 in the Z1 direction and greater than the width WEB3 of the detection electrode EB3 in the Z1 direction. Hereinafter, in order to describe the effects of the present embodiment, the inkjet printer related to the comparative example will be described. In the inkjet printer related to the comparative example, the inkjet printer is configured similarly to the inkjet printer 100 related to the present embodiment except that the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 in the Z1 direction is substantially the same as the width WEB1 of the detection electrode EB1 in the Z1 direction and the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 in the Z1 direction is substantially the same as the width WEB3 of the detection electrode EB3 in the Z1 direction.

[0120] Figure 11 is an explanatory view for explaining the relationship between the amplitude Aout of the detection signal Vout and the liquid level LV in the inkjet printer related to the comparative example.

[0121] As Figure 11 As shown in the comparative example, the detection electrode EB1 is provided in a manner such that the amplitude Aout1 of the detection signal Vout1 in the case where the liquid level LV is the liquid level LV1u or more is the voltage VH and the amplitude Aout1 of the detection signal Vout1 in the case where the liquid level LV is the liquid level LV1d or less is the voltage VL, and the detection electrode EB3 is provided in a manner such that the amplitude Aout3 of the detection signal Vout3 in the case where the liquid level LV is the liquid level LV3u or more is the voltage VH and the amplitude Aout3 of the detection signal Vout3 in the case where the liquid level LV is the liquid level LV3d or less is the voltage VL. On the other hand, in the comparative example, the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 in the case where the liquid level LV is the liquid level LV2d or less is the voltage VL, but the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 in the case where the liquid level LV is the liquid level LV2u or more is the voltage VH2 which is less than the voltage VH.

[0122] As described above, in the wiring section FB[m], there is only one electrode, the shielding electrode SB1, in the Z2 direction of the detection electrode EB1, and only one electrode, the shielding electrode SB4, in the Z1 direction of the detection electrode EB3. On the other hand, in the wiring section FB[m], there are three electrodes in the Z2 direction of the detection electrode EB2: the detection electrode EB1, the shielding electrode SB1, and the shielding electrode SB2. In addition, there are three electrodes in the Z1 direction of the detection electrode EB2: the detection electrode EB3, the shielding electrode SB3, and the shielding electrode SB4. That is, it is considered that the electric field between the input electrode EA and the detection electrode EB2 is affected by the electrodes other than the detection electrode EB2 in the wiring section FB[m] more than the electric field between the input electrode EA and the detection electrode EB1, and more than the electric field between the input electrode EA and the detection electrode EB3, due to the electrodes other than the detection electrode EB3 in the wiring section FB[m].

[0123] Therefore, as in the comparative example, when the width WEB2 of detection electrode EB2 is approximately the same as the width WEB1 of detection electrode EB1, and the width WEB2 of detection electrode EB2 is approximately the same as the width WEB3 of detection electrode EB3, such as Figure 11 As shown, the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 output from the detection electrode EB2 is smaller than the amplitude Aout1 of the detection signal Vout1 output from the detection electrode EB1, and smaller than the amplitude Aout3 of the detection signal Vout3 output from the detection electrode EB3. Therefore, in the comparative example, the control device 7 needs to prepare the following thresholds: a threshold for determining whether the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is "medium" or more than the amount corresponding to the liquid level range LV2; a threshold voltage VTH for determining whether the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is "more" or more than the amount corresponding to the liquid level range LV1; and a threshold voltage VTH for determining whether the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is "less" or more than the amount corresponding to the liquid level range LV3.

[0124] In contrast, in this embodiment, as described above, the width WEB2 of detection electrode EB2 is made larger than the width WEB1 of detection electrode EB1, and the width WEB2 of detection electrode EB2 is made larger than the width WEB3 of detection electrode EB3. That is, according to this embodiment, the electrostatic capacitance of capacitor CC2 can be made larger than the electrostatic capacitance of capacitor CC1, and the electrostatic capacitance of capacitor CC2 can be made larger than the electrostatic capacitance of capacitor CC3. Therefore, according to this embodiment, as... Figure 9As shown, the detection electrodes EB1, EB2, and EB3 are arranged so that the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 output from the detection electrode EB2 is substantially the same as the amplitude Aout1 of the detection signal Vout1 output from the detection electrode EB1, and the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 output from the detection electrode EB2 is substantially the same as the amplitude Aout3 of the detection signal Vout3 output from the detection electrode EB3. Thus, according to the present embodiment, the control device 7 can share the threshold voltage VTH for determining whether the amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is an amount of "medium" or more corresponding to the liquid level range LV2, and for determining whether the amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is an amount of "much" or more corresponding to the liquid level range LV1 and whether the amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is an amount of "little" or more corresponding to the liquid level range LV3.

[0125] A.6. Summary of the First Embodiment

[0126] As described above, the inkjet printer 100 according to the present embodiment is characterized by including: an ink tank TK[m] that stores ink IK between a wall 10A and a wall 10B, the wall 10B being located in the X1 direction and opposite the wall 10A when viewed from the wall 10A; a liquid ejection head HU[m] that ejects the ink IK supplied from the ink tank TK[m]; and a flexible printed board FP[m] that detects the amount of ink IK in the ink tank TK[m], the flexible printed board FP[m] including: a wiring portion FA[m] having an input electrode EA provided to the wall 10A; and a wiring portion FB[m] having: a detection electrode EB1 provided to the wall 10B; a detection electrode EB2 provided to the wall 10B; and a detection electrode EB3 provided to the wall 10B, the detection electrode EB2 being disposed between the detection electrode EB1 and the detection electrode EB3, the area of the region of the input electrode EA overlapping the detection electrode EB1 being smaller than the area of the region of the input electrode EA overlapping the detection electrode EB2, and the area of the region of the input electrode EA overlapping the detection electrode EB3 being smaller than the area of the region of the input electrode EA overlapping the detection electrode EB2 when the ink tank TK[m] is viewed in the X1 direction.

[0127] Further, in the present embodiment, the region of the input electrode EA overlapping the detection electrode EB1 is an example of a "first region", the region of the input electrode EA overlapping the detection electrode EB2 is an example of a "second region", and the region of the input electrode EA overlapping the detection electrode EB3 is an example of a "third region".

[0128] That is, in the present embodiment, the area of the region of the input electrode EA overlapping with the detection electrode EB2 is made larger than the area of the region of the input electrode EA overlapping with the detection electrode EB1, and the area of the region of the input electrode EA overlapping with the detection electrode EB2 is made larger than the area of the region of the input electrode EA overlapping with the detection electrode EB3. Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to make the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB2 substantially the same as the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB1 and the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB3. That is, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to make the signal level of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB2 substantially the same as the signal level of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB1 and the signal level of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB3. Thus, according to the present embodiment, compared with a manner in which the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB2 is different from the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB1 and the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB3, the signal processing of the signals detected from the detection electrode EB1, the detection electrode EB2, and the detection electrode EB3 becomes easy.

[0129] In addition, the inkjet printer 100 according to the present embodiment is characterized by including the ink amount information generation circuit 5[m] that generates the ink amount information DR related to the amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m], and the selection circuit 4[m] that selects one detection electrode EB from among the plurality of detection electrodes EB including the detection electrode EB1, the detection electrode EB2, and the detection electrode EB3 possessed by the wiring portion FB[m] provided to the wall 10B, and electrically connects the selected one detection electrode EB to the ink amount information generation circuit 5[m], and in a case where the input signal Vin is supplied to the input electrode EA, the ink amount information generation circuit 5[m] generates the ink amount information DR based on the detection signal Vout detected from the one detection electrode EB.

[0130] That is, according to the present embodiment, since the inkjet printer 100 includes the selection circuit 4[m], the ink amount information generation circuit 5[m] can accept the supply of the signals from the detection electrode EB1, the detection electrode EB2, and the detection electrode EB3. Thus, according to the present embodiment, compared with a manner in which a plurality of ink amount information generation circuits 5[m] corresponding one-to-one to the plurality of detection electrodes EB possessed by the wiring portion FB[m] are provided, it is possible to simplify the structure of the inkjet printer 100.

[0131] In addition, in the inkjet printer 100 according to the present embodiment, the selection circuit 4[m] electrically cuts off the detection electrodes EB other than the one detection electrode EB from among the plurality of detection electrodes EB in a case where the one detection electrode EB is selected from among the plurality of detection electrodes EB.

[0132] Thus, according to the present embodiment, the ink amount information generation circuit 5[m] can accept the supply of signals from the detection electrodes EB1, EB2, and EB3.

[0133] In addition, in the inkjet printer 100 according to the present embodiment, the wiring portion FB[m] is characterized by including a shield electrode SB2 provided between the detection electrode EB1 and the detection electrode EB2 in the wall 10B, and a shield electrode SB3 provided between the detection electrode EB2 and the detection electrode EB3 in the wall 10B.

[0134] Further, in the present embodiment, the shield electrode SB2 is an example of a "first shield electrode", and the shield electrode SB3 is an example of a "second shield electrode".

[0135] Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress a case where a signal detected from one of the detection electrodes EB1, EB2, and EB3 is superimposed as noise on a signal detected from the other detection electrodes EB.

[0136] In addition, in the inkjet printer 100 according to the present embodiment, the detection electrodes EB1, EB2, and EB3 are arranged in the Z1 direction intersecting the X1 direction in the wall 10B, and in the Z1 direction, the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 is larger than the width WEB1 of the detection electrode EB1, and the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 is larger than the width WEB3 of the detection electrode EB3.

[0137] Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to make the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB2 substantially the same as the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB1 and the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB3.

[0138] Further, in the present embodiment, a manner in which three detection electrodes EB, the detection electrode EB1, the detection electrode EB2, and the detection electrode EB3, are provided on the wall 10B is exemplified, but the present application is not limited to such a manner. For example, four or more detection electrodes EB can be provided on the wall 10B. In this case, the plurality of detection electrodes EB can be provided on the wall 10B in a manner such that the area of the detection electrode EB located in the central portion is larger than the area of the detection electrode EB located in the end portion.

[0139] Hereinafter, the detection electrode EB located at the end portion in the Z1 direction among the plurality of detection electrodes EB provided to the wall 10B is referred to as an end portion detection electrode EBT1, and the detection electrode EB located at the end portion in the Z2 direction is referred to as an end portion detection electrode EBT2. Also, the distance in the Z1 direction between the detection electrode EB and the end portion detection electrode EBT1 is referred to as a distance dBT1, the distance in the Z1 direction between the detection electrode EB and the end portion detection electrode EBT2 is referred to as a distance dBT2, and the smaller distance between the distance dBT1 and the distance dBT2 is referred to as a distance dBT. In this case, for example, in a case where the distance dBT corresponding to one detection electrode EB among the plurality of detection electrodes EB provided to the wall 10B is larger than the distance dBT corresponding to the other detection electrodes EB, the plurality of detection electrodes EB can also be provided in a manner such that the area of the one detection electrode EB is larger than the area of the other detection electrodes EB.

[0140] That is, in the inkjet printer 100 according to the present embodiment, it can also be that the wiring portion FB[m] has the plurality of detection electrodes EB provided to the wall 10B including the detection electrode EB1, the detection electrode EB2, and the detection electrode EB3, and the area of one detection electrode EB among the plurality of detection electrodes EB is larger than the area of the other detection electrode EB among the plurality of detection electrodes EB that is closer to the detection electrode EB located at the end portion of the plurality of detection electrodes EB by the distance dBT.

[0141] According to this manner, it is possible to reduce the deviation in the amplitude of the signal detected from the plurality of detection electrodes EB provided to the wiring portion FB[m].

[0142] Also, in the present embodiment, the case where the detection electrode EB1, the detection electrode EB2, and the detection electrode EB3 provided to the wiring portion FB[m] are arranged in the Z1 direction, and the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 is larger than the width WEB1 of the detection electrode EB1 and the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 is larger than the width WEB3 of the detection electrode EB3 in the Z1 direction is exemplified and described, but the present application is not limited to this manner. For example, the detection electrode EB1, the detection electrode EB2, and the detection electrode EB3 can also be provided in a manner such that the width of the detection electrode EB2 is larger than the width of the detection electrode EB1 and the width of the detection electrode EB2 is larger than the width of the detection electrode EB3 in the Y1 direction intersecting the Z1 direction.

[0143] That is, the inkjet printer 100 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that, on the wall 10B, the detection electrode EB1, the detection electrode EB2, and the detection electrode EB3 are arranged in the Z1 direction, and the width of the detection electrode EB2 is larger than the width of the detection electrode EB1 and the width of the detection electrode EB2 is larger than the width of the detection electrode EB3 in the Y1 direction intersecting the X1 direction and the Z1 direction.

[0144] According to this manner, it is possible to make the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB2 substantially the same as the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EBl and the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB3.

[0145] B. Second Embodiment

[0146] Hereinafter, the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 14 to the second embodiment. Further, for elements having the same function and action in each of the following illustrated manners, the detailed description of each of the elements will be appropriately omitted along with the symbols used in the description of the first embodiment.

[0147] B.1. Inkjet Printer According to the Second Embodiment

[0148] The inkjet printer according to the second embodiment differs from the inkjet printer 100 according to the first embodiment in that the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment is provided with an ink supply device 1W instead of the ink supply device 1.

[0149] Figure 12 is a plan view showing the structure of the ink supply device 1 when the ink supply device 1W is viewed in the direction of Zl.

[0150] As shown in Figure 12 , the ink supply device 1W differs from the ink supply device 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Figure 3 in that the ink supply device 1W is provided with an ink management device FF-W[m] instead of the ink management device FF[m].

[0151] The ink management device FF-W[m] differs from the ink management device FF[m] according to the first embodiment in that the ink management device FF-W[m] is provided with a flexible printed board FP-W[m] instead of the flexible printed board FP[m].

[0152] The flexible printed board FP-W[m] differs from the flexible printed board FP[m] according to the first embodiment in that the flexible printed board FP-W[m] is provided with a wiring portion FA-W[m] instead of the wiring portion FA[m] and is provided with a wiring portion FC-W[m] instead of the wiring portion FC[m]. That is, the flexible printed board FP-W[m] according to the second embodiment is provided with the wiring portion FA-W[m], the wiring portion FB[m], and the wiring portion FC-W[m].

[0153] Hereinafter, the width in the X1 direction of the wiring portion FA-W[m] is referred to as a width dxAW. Details will be described later, but the width dxAW is smaller than the width dxA. Also, in the present embodiment, the width dxAW is smaller than the width dxB. That is, in the present embodiment, the width dxAW in the X1 direction of the wiring portion FA-W[m] is smaller than the width dxB in the X1 direction of the wiring portion FB[m].

[0154] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the ink management device FF-W[m] when the ink management device FF-W[m] is cut by a plane having a normal vector in the Y-axis direction.

[0155] As shown in Figure 13 , the wiring portion FA-W[m] is the same as the wiring portion FA[m] related to the first embodiment in that it has the cover film layer LF1, the cover film layer LF2, and the wiring layer LE provided between the cover film layer LF1 and the cover film layer LF2, but is different from the wiring portion FA[m] related to the first embodiment shown in Figure 6 in that no substrate layer LK and no shield layer LS are provided between the cover film layer LF1 and the cover film layer LF2. That is, the wiring portion FA-W[m] is different from the wiring portion FA[m] in that it does not have the shield layer LS including the shield electrode SSA.

[0156] Further, the width dxAW in the X1 direction of the wiring portion FA-W[m] is determined based on the width in the X1 direction of the cover film layer LF1, the width in the X1 direction of the cover film layer LF2, and the width in the X1 direction of the wiring layer LE. On the other hand, the width dxB in the X1 direction of the wiring portion FB[m] is determined based on the width in the X1 direction of the substrate layer LK and the width in the X1 direction of the shield layer LS in addition to the width in the X1 direction of the cover film layer LF1, the width in the X1 direction of the cover film layer LF2, and the width in the X1 direction of the wiring layer LE. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the width dxAW is smaller than the width dxB.

[0157] Figure 14 is an expanded view when the flexible printed board FP-W[m] is detached from the ink tank TK[m] and expanded to be planar.

[0158] As shown in Figure 14 , the flexible printed board FP-W[m] is different from the flexible printed board FP[m] related to the first embodiment in that it has the shield layer LS-W instead of the shield layer LS. Figure 7The flexible printed board FP[m] according to the first embodiment is different. The shield layer LS-W is the same as the shield layer LS according to the first embodiment in that it has the shield electrode SSB with respect to the portion corresponding to the wiring portion FB[m]. However, the shield layer LS-W is different from the shield layer LS according to the first embodiment in that it does not have the shield electrode SSA with respect to the portion corresponding to the wiring portion FA-W[m], i.e., it does not have the shield electrode SSA. In addition, the shield layer LS-W is different from the shield layer LS according to the first embodiment in that it does not have the terminal connected to the shield electrode SSA, such as the terminal NSSA1 and the terminal NSSA2, with respect to the portion corresponding to the wiring portion FC-W[m].

[0159] Further, in the present embodiment, the wall 10A provided to the ink tank TK[m] is sometimes referred to as the wall 10A[m], and the wall 10B provided to the ink tank TK[m] is sometimes referred to as the wall 10B[m]. In addition, in the present embodiment, the input electrode EA provided to the wiring portion FA-W[m] is sometimes referred to as the input electrode EA[m], and the detection electrode EB1, the detection electrode EB2, and the detection electrode EB3 provided to the wiring portion FB[m] are sometimes referred to as the detection electrode EB[m], and the shield electrode SSB provided to the wiring portion FB[m] is sometimes referred to as the shield electrode SSB[m].

[0160] B.2. Summary of the Second Embodiment

[0161] As explained above, the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment is characterized by including: an ink tank TK[1] that stores ink IK in a space between a wall 10A[1] and a wall 10B[1] opposite to the wall 10A[1]; an ink tank TK[2] that stores ink IK in a space between a wall 10A[2] and a wall 10B[2] opposite to the wall 10A[2]; a liquid ejection head HU[1] that ejects ink IK supplied from the ink tank TK[1]; a liquid ejection head HU[2] that ejects ink IK supplied from the ink tank TK[2]; a flexible printed substrate FP-W[1] for detecting a remaining amount of the ink IK in the ink tank TK[1]; and a flexible printed substrate FP-W[2] for detecting a remaining amount of the ink IK in the ink tank TK[2], the flexible printed substrate FP-W[1] includes a wiring portion FA-W[1] including an input electrode EA[1] provided to the wall 10A[1] and a wiring portion FB[1] including a detection electrode EB[1] provided to the wall 10B[1], the flexible printed substrate FP-W[2] includes a wiring portion FA-W[2] including an input electrode EA[2] provided to the wall 10A[2] and a wiring portion FB[2] including a detection electrode EB[2] provided to the wall 10B[2], the ink tank TK[1] and the ink tank TK[2] are arranged with the wall 10B[1] positioned between the wall 10A[1] and the wall 10A[2], the wiring portion FB[1] has a shield electrode SSB[1] between the detection electrode EB[1] and the wiring portion FA-W[2] for shielding the detection electrode EB[1], and the wiring portion FA-W[2] is between the input electrode EA[2] and the wiring portion FB[1] without a shield electrode SSA for shielding the input electrode EA[2].Further, in the present embodiment, the face possessed by the wall 10A[l] is an example of the "first face", the face possessed by the wall 10B[l] is an example of the "second face", the face possessed by the wall 10A[2] is an example of the "third face", the face possessed by the wall 10B[2] is an example of the "fourth face", the ink tank TK[l] is an example of the "first storage portion", the ink tank TK[2] is an example of the "second storage portion", the liquid ejection head HU[l] is an example of the "first ejection portion", the liquid ejection head HU[2] is an example of the "second ejection portion", the flexible printed board FP-W[l] is an example of the "first flexible printed board", the flexible printed board FP-W[2] is an example of the "second flexible printed board", the input electrode EA[l] is an example of the "first electrode", the detection electrode EB[l] is an example of the "second electrode", the input electrode EA[2] is an example of the "third electrode", the detection electrode EB[2] is an example of the "fourth electrode", the shield electrode SSB[l] is an example of the "first shield electrode", the wiring portion FA-W[l] is an example of the "first wiring portion", the wiring portion FB[l] is an example of the "second wiring portion", the wiring portion FA-W[2] is an example of the "third wiring portion", and the wiring portion FB[2] is an example of the "fourth wiring portion".

[0162] Accordingly, according to the present embodiment, compared with the case where the shield electrode SSA is provided in the wiring portion FA-W[2], it is possible to narrow the interval between the ink tank TK[l] and the ink tank TK[2] in the case where the ink tank TK[l] and the ink tank TK[2] are arranged in a row. That is, according to the present embodiment, compared with the case where the shield electrode SSA is provided in the wiring portion FA-W[2], it is possible to reduce the space for accommodating the ink tank TK[l] and the ink tank TK[2] in the case where the ink tank TK[l] and the ink tank TK[2] are arranged in a row.

[0163] Further, the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment is characterized by including: an ink tank TK[3] that stores ink IK in a space between a wall 10A[3] and a wall 10B[3] opposite to the wall 10A[3]; a liquid ejection head HU[3] that ejects the ink IK supplied from the ink tank TK[3]; and a flexible printed substrate FP-W[3] that detects a remaining amount of the ink IK in the ink tank TK[3], the flexible printed substrate FP-W[3] including: a wiring portion FA-W[3] including an input electrode EA[3] provided to the wall 10A[3]; and a wiring portion FB[3] including a detection electrode EB[3] provided to the wall 10B[3], the ink tank TK[2] and the ink tank TK[3] being arranged so that the wall 10B[2] is positioned between the wall 10A[2] and the wall 10A[3], the wiring portion FB[2] having a shield electrode SSB[2] positioned between the detection electrode EB[2] and the wiring portion FA-W[3] and configured to shield the detection electrode EB[2], and the wiring portion FA-W[3] not having a shield electrode SSA configured to shield the input electrode EA[3] between the input electrode EA[3] and the wiring portion FB[2].

[0164] Further, in the present embodiment, the surface of the wall 10A[3] is an example of the "fifth surface", the surface of the wall 10B[3] is an example of the "sixth surface", the ink tank TK[3] is an example of the "third storage portion", the liquid ejection head HU[3] is an example of the "third ejection portion", the flexible printed substrate FP-W[3] is an example of the "third flexible printed substrate", the input electrode EA[3] is an example of the "fifth electrode", the detection electrode EB[3] is an example of the "sixth electrode", the wiring portion FA-W[3] is an example of the "fifth wiring portion", and the wiring portion FB[3] is an example of the "sixth wiring portion".

[0165] Therefore, according to the present embodiment, compared with a case where the shield electrode SSA is provided to the wiring portion FA-W[3], it is possible to narrow the interval between the ink tank TK[2] and the ink tank TK[3] when the ink tank TK[1], the ink tank TK[2], and the ink tank TK[3] are arranged. That is, according to the present embodiment, compared with a case where the shield electrode SSA is provided to the wiring portion FA-W[3], it is possible to reduce the space for accommodating the ink tank TK[1], the ink tank TK[2], and the ink tank TK[3] when the ink tank TK[1], the ink tank TK[2], and the ink tank TK[3] are arranged.

[0166] Further, in the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment, the wiring portion FB[1] has an insulating base material layer LK between the detection electrode EB[1] and the shield electrode SSB[1], and the detection electrode EB[1] is provided between the wall 10B[1] and the base material layer LK.

[0167] Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the detection electrode EB[1] due to the contact of the ink IK and the external air or the like with the detection electrode EB[1].

[0168] Further, the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment is characterized in that the ink amount detection device 2 detects the amount of the ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[1] based on a detection signal Voutl detected from the detection electrode EB1 among the plurality of detection electrodes EB provided to the detection electrode EB[1] in a case where the input signal Vin is supplied to the input electrode EA[1], and a detection signal Vout2 detected from the detection electrode EB2 provided in the Zl direction from the detection electrode EB1 among the plurality of detection electrodes EB provided to the detection electrode EB[1] in a case where the input signal Vin is supplied to the input electrode EA[1]. In the present embodiment, the detection electrode EB1 is an example of the "first detection electrode", the detection electrode EB2 is an example of the "second detection electrode", the detection signal Voutl is an example of the "first detection signal", the detection signal Vout2 is an example of the "second detection signal", the Zl direction is an example of the "first direction", and the ink amount detection device 2 is an example of the "detection unit".

[0169] Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to grasp the amount of the ink IK in the ink tank TK[1] in stages.

[0170] Further, in the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment, the ink amount detection device 2 detects the amount of the ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[1] based on a detection signal Vout3 detected from the detection electrode EB3 among the plurality of detection electrodes EB provided to the detection electrode EB[1] in a case where the input signal Vin is supplied to the input electrode EA[1].

[0171] In the present embodiment, the detection electrode EB3 is an example of the "third detection electrode", and the detection signal Vout3 is an example of the "third detection signal".

[0172] Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to grasp the amount of the ink IK in the ink tank TK[1] in stages.

[0173] Further, in the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment, the input signal Vin is an alternating signal.

[0174] In the above-described first and second embodiments, the input electrode EA[m] is input with the alternating input signal Vin. Thus, it is possible to perform the generation of the ink amount information DR in which the deviation of the dielectric constant due to the kind of the ink IK is suppressed.

[0175] Further, in the present embodiment, a case where three detection electrodes EB are provided on the wall 10B, the detection electrode EB1, the detection electrode EB2, and the detection electrode EB3 are exemplified, but the present application is not limited to such a case. For example, four or more detection electrodes EB can be provided on the wall 10B, or two detection electrodes EB can be provided.

[0176] Further, in the present embodiment, a case where the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 in the Z1 direction is larger than the width WEB1 of the detection electrode EB1 in the Z1 direction and larger than the width WEB3 of the detection electrode EB3 in the Z1 direction is exemplified, but the present application is not limited to such a case. In the present embodiment, the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 in the Z1 direction can be substantially the same as the width WEB1 of the detection electrode EB1 in the Z1 direction, and the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 in the Z1 direction can be substantially the same as the width WEB3 of the detection electrode EB3 in the Z1 direction.

[0177] C. Modified Examples

[0178] Each of the above-exemplified modes can be modified in various ways. Specific modified modes are exemplified below. Two or more modes selected arbitrarily from the below-exemplified modes can be appropriately combined within a range where they do not contradict each other.

[0179] Modified Example 1

[0180] In the above-described first and second embodiments, as an example of the object stored in the ink tank TK[m], an ink IK as a "liquid" is exemplified, but the present application is not limited to such a case. The ink tank TK[m] can store an object other than the ink IK. For example, a fluid such as oil can be stored in the ink tank TK[m], or a gel-like object can be stored.

[0181] Modified Example 2

[0182] In the above-described embodiments and Modified Example 1, a case where the ink amount detection device 2 is provided with M selection circuits 4 and M ink amount information generation circuits 5 is exemplified, but the present application is not limited to such a case. The ink amount detection device 2 can be provided with one or more selection circuits 4 and one or more ink amount information generation circuits 5.

[0183] Modified Example 3

[0184] In the above-described embodiments and Modified Examples 1 and 2, an inkjet printer 100 of a serial type in which a housing 921 in which the liquid discharge head HU[m] is mounted is reciprocated in the X-axis direction is exemplified, but the present application is not limited to such a case. The inkjet printer 100 can be a line type liquid discharge device provided with a liquid discharge head HU[m] capable of discharging an ink IK over the entire width of a medium PP.

[0185] Modification 4

[0186] The liquid droplet ejecting apparatus whose example of the implementation and modifications 1 to 3 are illustrated above can be used for various devices such as a facsimile apparatus and a copying machine in addition to a device dedicated to printing. However, the use of the liquid droplet ejecting apparatus of the present application is not limited to printing. For example, a liquid droplet ejecting apparatus that ejects a solution of a color material is used as a manufacturing apparatus of a color filter of a liquid crystal display device. In addition, a liquid droplet ejecting apparatus that ejects a solution of a conductive material is used as a manufacturing apparatus of a wiring and an electrode of a wiring substrate.

Claims

1. A liquid discharge apparatus characterized by comprising: Possessing: a first storage portion that stores a liquid in a space between a first face and a second face opposite to the first face; a second storage portion that stores a liquid in a space between a third face and a fourth face opposite to the third face; a first ejection portion that ejects a liquid supplied from the first storage portion; a second ejection portion that ejects a liquid supplied from the second storage portion; a first flexible printed substrate that detects a remaining amount of a liquid in the first storage portion; and a second flexible printed substrate that detects a remaining amount of a liquid in the second storage portion, the first flexible printed substrate possesses: a first wiring portion that includes a first electrode provided to the first face; and a second wiring portion that includes a second electrode provided to the second face, the second flexible printed substrate possesses: a third wiring portion that includes a third electrode provided to the third face; and a fourth wiring portion that includes a fourth electrode provided to the fourth face, the first storage portion and the second storage portion are arranged so that the second face is positioned between the first face and the third face, the second wiring portion has a first shield electrode between the second electrode and the third wiring portion and for shielding the second electrode, the third wiring portion does not have a shield electrode for shielding the third electrode between the third electrode and the second wiring portion.

2. The liquid ejection device of claim 1, wherein Possessing: a third storage portion that stores a liquid in a space between a fifth face and a sixth face opposite to the fifth face; a third ejection portion that ejects a liquid supplied from the third storage portion; and a third flexible printed substrate that detects a remaining amount of a liquid in the third storage portion, the third flexible printed substrate possesses: a fifth wiring portion that includes a fifth electrode provided to the fifth face; and a sixth wiring portion that includes a sixth electrode provided to the sixth face, the second storage portion and the third storage portion are arranged so that the fourth face is positioned between the third face and the fifth face, the fourth wiring portion has a second shield electrode between the fourth electrode and the fifth wiring portion and for shielding the fourth electrode, the fifth wiring portion does not have a shield electrode for shielding the fifth electrode between the fifth electrode and the fourth wiring portion.

3. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second wiring portion has an insulating base material between the second electrode and the first shield electrode, the second electrode is provided between the second face and the base material.

4. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus possesses a detection portion that detects a remaining amount of a liquid stored in the first storage portion based on a first detection signal and a second detection signal, the first detection signal is a detection signal detected from a first detection electrode among a plurality of detection electrodes possessed by the second electrode in a case where an input signal is supplied to the first electrode, the second detection signal is a detection signal detected from a second detection electrode among the plurality of detection electrodes in a case where the input signal is supplied to the first electrode. The second detection signal is a detection signal detected from a second detection electrode when the input signal is supplied to the first electrode, the second detection electrode being a detection electrode disposed in a first direction in which liquid is reduced in the first storage portion, as viewed from the first detection electrode among the plurality of detection electrodes.

5. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the detection unit detects the amount of liquid stored in the first storage portion based on a third detection signal, the third detection signal is a detection signal detected from a third detection electrode when the input signal is supplied to the first electrode, the third detection electrode being a detection electrode disposed in the first direction, as viewed from the second detection electrode among the plurality of detection electrodes.

6. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the input signal is an alternating signal.

7. A storage device, characterized by provided with: a first storage portion that stores an object in a space between a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; a second storage portion that stores an object in a space between a third surface and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface; a first flexible printed substrate that detects an amount of the object in the first storage portion; and a second flexible printed substrate that detects an amount of the object in the second storage portion, the first flexible printed substrate is provided with: a first wiring portion including a first electrode disposed on the first surface; and a second wiring portion including a second electrode disposed on the second surface, the second flexible printed substrate is provided with: a third wiring portion including a third electrode disposed on the third surface; and a fourth wiring portion including a fourth electrode disposed on the fourth surface, the first storage portion and the second storage portion are arranged so that the second surface is positioned between the first surface and the third surface, the second wiring portion has a first shield electrode positioned between the second electrode and the third wiring portion and configured to shield the second electrode, the third wiring portion does not have a shield electrode configured to shield the third electrode between the third electrode and the second wiring portion. provided with:

8. The storage device of claim 7, wherein, a third storage portion that stores an object in a space between a fifth surface and a sixth surface opposite to the fifth surface; and a third flexible printed substrate that detects an amount of the object in the third storage portion, the third flexible printed substrate is provided with: a fifth wiring portion including a fifth electrode disposed on the fifth surface; and a sixth wiring portion including a sixth electrode disposed on the sixth surface, the second storage portion and the third storage portion are arranged so that the fourth surface is positioned between the third surface and the fifth surface, the fourth wiring portion has a second shield electrode positioned between the fourth electrode and the fifth wiring portion and configured to shield the fourth electrode, the fifth wiring portion does not have a shield electrode configured to shield the fifth electrode between the fifth electrode and the fourth wiring portion.

9. The storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein ​ The second wiring portion has an insulating base material between the second electrode and the first shield electrode, The second electrode is provided between the second face and the base material.

10. The storage device according to claim 7, wherein The storage device includes a detection unit that detects the amount of the object stored in the first storage portion based on a first detection signal and a second detection signal, The first detection signal is a detection signal detected from a first detection electrode among a plurality of detection electrodes provided to the second electrode when an input signal is supplied to the first electrode, The second detection signal is a detection signal detected from a second detection electrode when the input signal is supplied to the first electrode, the second detection electrode being a detection electrode provided in a first direction in which the object is reduced in the first storage portion, as viewed from the first detection electrode among the plurality of detection electrodes.

11. The storage device according to claim 10, wherein The detection unit detects the amount of the object stored in the first storage portion based on a third detection signal, The third detection signal is a detection signal detected from a third detection electrode when the input signal is supplied to the first electrode, the third detection electrode being a detection electrode provided in the first direction, as viewed from the second detection electrode among the plurality of detection electrodes.

12. The storage device according to claim 10, wherein The input signal is an alternating-current signal.

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