Printer and ink amount detection method

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a printer and an ink amount detection method, and relates to the technical field of printing. The printer comprises a frame body, a sliding frame, a liquid spraying head and a plurality of liquid containers, wherein a track shaft is arranged on the frame body; the sliding frame is in sliding connection with the rail shaft, a detector is installed on the sliding frame, and the liquid container comprises a detected component. According to the printer, the detector is installed on the sliding frame to detect the detected components of the liquid containers and feed back the liquid level information in the storage containing cavity, and therefore the production cost of the printer is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of printing technology, and in particular to a printer and an ink volume detection method. Background Art

[0002] The ink tank and ink cartridge are components used to store printing ink in an inkjet printer. The ink tank has a liquid injection port through which ink can be injected into the ink tank. The liquid ejection head of the inkjet printer can eject the ink supplied by the ink tank onto the printing medium to form the text or pattern to be printed on the printing medium.

[0003] In the related art, an inkjet printer includes a frame and four ink tanks, which are fixedly arranged on the side of the frame to supply corresponding ink to the liquid ejection head. In order to facilitate the understanding of the ink storage amount in the ink tank, each ink tank is independently provided with a corresponding sensor for detecting the ink amount on the ink tank.

[0004] In one of the patented technologies, each ink tank is provided with a light-transmitting portion through which the internal ink storage chamber can be seen, and a prism on the light-transmitting portion, and a light-emitting component and a light-receiving component outside the ink tank are provided on the opposite side of the prism. The light-emitting component emits detection light toward the prism. When the amount of ink in the ink storage chamber is insufficient, the detection light is reflected by the prism and transmitted to the light-receiving component for detection.

[0005] However, each ink tank is provided with a corresponding sensor, which leads to high production cost of the printer. Summary of the invention

[0006] The embodiments of the present invention provide a printer and an ink level detection method to solve the problem that each ink tank is provided with a corresponding sensor, which leads to high cost of the printer.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a printer, including:

[0008] A frame body, wherein a track shaft is arranged on the frame body;

[0009] A slide, the slide is slidably connected to the track shaft, and a detector is installed on the slide;

[0010] a liquid ejection head, the liquid ejection head being mounted on the carriage, the liquid ejection head moving along with the carriage, the liquid ejection head being used to discharge liquid toward a recording medium;

[0011] A plurality of liquid containers are arranged on the frame along a direction parallel to the moving direction of the slide, the liquid containers include a container body and a detected component arranged on the container body, the container body is provided with a storage cavity for storing liquid supplied to the liquid ejection head, the detected component is on the container body close to the moving trajectory of the slide on the track axis or is located on the moving trajectory of the slide on the track axis, so as to be detected by the detector on the slide and feedback the liquid level information in the storage cavity.

[0012] In one possible embodiment, the detector includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that are relatively arranged, and the light-emitting element is used to emit a light beam toward the light-receiving element. When the slide is moving and the detected component is placed between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, the detected component is in the transmission path of the light beam.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the detected component includes a shielding member and a floating member in the storage cavity and moving with the liquid level in the storage cavity, the shielding member is connected to the floating member, and the shielding member moves with the floating member so that the shielding member moves between the detection position and the non-detection position;

[0014] When the shielding member is at the detection position, the shielding member is placed between the light emitting element and the light receiving element to block the light beam from entering the light receiving element.

[0015] In a possible implementation manner, the container body is provided with a photosensitive portion;

[0016] When the shielding member is at the detecting position, the shielding member is located in the photosensitive portion; when the shielding member is at the non-detecting position, the shielding member is separated from the photosensitive portion.

[0017] In one possible embodiment, the container body of each of the liquid containers is provided with a container identification portion. When the slide is moving and the container identification portion is placed between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, the light beam emitted by the light-emitting element passes through the container identification portion of each of the liquid containers, and the type or light transmittance of the light beam received by the light-receiving element is different.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the shielding member has sufficient ink in the liquid container and blocks the light beam when the shielding member is located on the photosensitive portion, and the shielding member has insufficient ink in the liquid container and does not block the light beam when the shielding member is separated from the photosensitive portion; or,

[0019] The shielding member blocks the light beam when the amount of ink in the liquid container is insufficient and the shielding member is located on the photosensitive portion, and the shielding member does not block the light beam when the amount of ink in the liquid container is sufficient and the shielding member is detached from the photosensitive portion.

[0020] In a possible embodiment, the photosensitive portion is located on the bottom side of the container body in the height direction of the liquid container, and the photosensitive portion has an independent cavity, and only the top of the independent cavity is connected to the storage cavity, and when the shielding member is in the detection position, the shielding member is located in the independent cavity, and when the shielding member is in the non-detection position, the shielding member is located outside the independent cavity.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the detected component is an optical device, the optical device is located in the container body, and the optical device is installed on one side of the container body in the length direction of the liquid container.

[0022] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an ink level detection method, which is applied to the printer as described above, comprising:

[0023] Obtaining the position of each liquid container on the moving path of the slide;

[0024] Controlling the carriage to pass through the positions of the liquid containers in sequence, and recording the detection results of the detectors on the liquid levels at the positions of the liquid containers;

[0025] The liquid level of the corresponding liquid container is determined based on the detection result of the liquid level of the liquid container corresponding to the position of each liquid container.

[0026] In a possible implementation manner, obtaining the position of each liquid container on the moving path of the carriage includes:

[0027] Controlling the slide to move toward each of the liquid containers and pass through each of the liquid containers in sequence;

[0028] When the detector on the slide detects the container identification portion of the liquid container, obtaining identification information of the container identification portion;

[0029] Based on the identification information of the container identification unit, the type of the liquid container is determined and the position information of the liquid container corresponding to the type is recorded.

[0030] In a possible implementation manner, the controlling slide to sequentially pass through the positions of the liquid containers comprises:

[0031] Acquiring identification information of a container identification unit at a position of the liquid container by the detector;

[0032] determining whether the identification information is consistent with the type of the liquid container at the position of the liquid container;

[0033] If they are inconsistent, it is determined that there is an error in the liquid container.

[0034] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an ink level detection method, which is applied to the printer as described above, comprising:

[0035] Controlling the carriage to pass through the positions of the liquid containers in sequence, and recording the detection results of the detectors on the liquid levels at the positions of the liquid containers;

[0036] According to the detection result of the liquid level of each liquid container, determine the ink amount of the corresponding liquid container;

[0037] When the storage chamber of the liquid container has insufficient ink, determining the color of the light beam received by the light receiving element of the detector;

[0038] The type of the liquid container corresponding to the insufficient ink level is determined according to the color of the light beam received by the light receiving element, and feedback is given that the insufficient ink level exists in the liquid container of the type.

[0039] An embodiment of the present invention provides a printer and an ink level detection method. A detector is installed on a slide, and each liquid container is provided with a detected component. By using a detector installed on the slide, the detected component of each liquid container is detected and the liquid level information in the storage cavity is fed back, thereby reducing the production cost of the printer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0041] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a printer provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial schematic diagram of a printer in FIG.

[0043] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the liquid container of the printer;

[0044] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of a liquid container provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention having sufficient ink Figure 1 ;

[0045] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of a liquid container provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention having sufficient ink Figure 2 ;

[0046] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing that the ink level of the liquid container provided in the first embodiment of the present invention is insufficient;

[0047] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of an ink volume detection method provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a liquid container provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention in which the ink level is insufficient;

[0049] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram showing that the ink level of the liquid container provided in the second embodiment of the present invention is sufficient;

[0050] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of an ink volume detection method provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0051] Fig.11 A schematic diagram showing that the ink level of the liquid container provided in the third embodiment of the present invention is sufficient;

[0052] Fig.12 A front view of a liquid container provided in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0053] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of an ink level detection method provided in Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0054] Fig.14 A schematic diagram showing that the ink level of the liquid container provided in the fourth embodiment of the present invention is sufficient;

[0055] Fig.15 A schematic diagram of a liquid container provided in Embodiment 4 of the present invention in which the ink level is insufficient;

[0056] Fig.16 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of an ink level detection method provided in Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

[0057] Fig.17 A schematic diagram showing that the ink level of the liquid container provided in the fourth embodiment of the present invention is sufficient;

[0058] Fig.18 This is a schematic diagram showing that the ink level in the liquid container provided in the fourth embodiment of the present invention is insufficient.

[0059] Description of reference numerals:

[0060] 10-frame; 11-track axis;

[0061] 12- carriage; 13- ink supply tube;

[0062] 14-position coding strip; 15-paper tray;

[0063] 16-paper feed roller; 17-paper output roller;

[0064] 181-light emitting element; 182-light receiving element;

[0065] 183-Detection space; 19-Sensor;

[0066] 20-liquid container; 21-container body;

[0067] 211-storage cavity; 212-photosensitive part;

[0068] 213-container identification unit; 22-shielding member;

[0069] 221- first paragraph; 222- second paragraph;

[0070] 223-third section; 23-floating piece;

[0071] 24-optical device; 241-first surface;

[0072] 242- second side; 243- third side;

[0073] 21a-inlet hole; 21b-outlet hole;

[0074] 2121-Independent cavity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0076] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present invention, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0077] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", "fixation" and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral one; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or communication with each other; it can be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements, unless otherwise clearly defined. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0078] In the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, a first feature being "above" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Moreover, a first feature being "above", "above" or "above" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly above or obliquely above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is higher in level than the second feature. A first feature being "below", "below" or "below" a second feature may mean that the first feature is directly below or obliquely below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is lower in level than the second feature.

[0079] In the above description, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner. In addition, those skilled in the art may combine and combine the different embodiments or examples described in this specification and the features of the different embodiments or examples, without contradiction.

[0080] In the related art, each ink tank is provided with a corresponding sensor, which results in high production cost of the printer.

[0081] In order to solve the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a printer and an ink level detection method, by using a detector installed on a slide to detect the detected components of each liquid container and feedback the liquid level information in the storage cavity, thereby reducing the production cost of the printer.

[0082] The printer and the ink level detection method provided by the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0083] Embodiment 1

[0084] See also Figures 1 to 3 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a printer. The length direction of the printer is the X-axis direction, the width direction of the printer is the Y-axis direction, and the height direction of the printer is the Z-axis direction. The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are perpendicular to each other.

[0085] The printer includes a frame 10. A track shaft 11 is disposed on the frame 10. The track shaft 11 is fixed on the frame 10. The track shaft 11 extends along the Y-axis direction.

[0086] The printer includes a carriage 12. The carriage 12 is slidably connected to the track shaft 11. The carriage 12 slides along the track shaft 11 through a motor and a belt.

[0087] The printer further comprises a liquid container 20 and an ink supply tube 13. The liquid container 20 is mounted on the frame 10. One end of the ink supply tube 13 is connected to the liquid container 20, and the other end is connected to the carriage 12.

[0088] A liquid ejection head is mounted at the bottom of the carriage 12. The liquid ejection head is used to discharge liquid toward a recording medium. In some examples, the medium is paper.

[0089] The printer further includes a position coding strip 14, which is mounted on the frame 10. A sensor 19 is provided on the carriage 12, and the position of the carriage 12 is detected by the sensor 19 and the position coding strip 14. It should be noted that on the moving path of the carriage 12, the corresponding positions of the liquid containers 20 of different ink colors are stored in the control unit of the printer.

[0090] The printer further comprises a paper tray 15 , a paper feed roller 16 and a paper output roller 17 .

[0091] The paper tray 15 is used to place a plurality of stacked papers. The papers are sent to the bottom of the liquid ejection head by the paper feed roller 16. The carriage 12 is driven by the motor and the belt to slide along the track shaft 11, and the liquid ejection head slides along the track shaft 11 with the carriage 12, and the liquid ejection head ejects ink, thereby forming the text or pattern to be printed on the paper. When printing is completed, the paper with the text or pattern formed is transported to the outside of the printer by the paper ejection roller 17.

[0092] A detector is mounted on the carriage 12. The detector includes a light emitting element 181 and a light receiving element 182, and a detection space 183 is provided between the light emitting element 181 and the light receiving element 182.

[0093] The light emitting element 181 and the light receiving element 182 are disposed opposite to each other in the longitudinal direction of the printer. The light emitting element 181 and the light receiving element 182 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the printer.

[0094] The light emitting element 181 is connected to the control unit of the printer, and emits a light beam toward the light receiving element 182 according to an instruction from the control unit.

[0095] The light receiving element 182 is connected to the control unit of the printer. The light receiving element 182 receives the light beam and sends the light signal to the control unit.

[0096] Four liquid containers 20 can be mounted on the frame 10. The four liquid containers 20 are arranged on the frame 10 in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the carriage 12, that is, the four liquid containers 20 are arranged in sequence along the width direction of the printer.

[0097] The ink colors stored in the four liquid containers 20 are different from each other. In some examples, along the width direction of the printer, the ink colors stored in the four liquid containers 20 are cyan, magenta, yellow and black respectively.

[0098] The length direction of the liquid container 20 is the same as the length direction of the printer. The width direction of the liquid container 20 is the same as the width direction of the printer. The height direction of the liquid container 20 is the same as the height direction of the printer.

[0099] See also Figure 4 As shown, the liquid container 20 includes a container body 21 and a detected component arranged on the container body 21.

[0100] The container body 21 is provided with a storage chamber 211 for storing liquid supplied to the liquid ejection head. The liquid in the storage chamber 211 is ink.

[0101] In the height direction of the liquid container 20, when the liquid level is at the first position or higher than the first position, the amount of ink in the liquid container is sufficient. Figure 4 The position indicated by L1 is the first position. Figure 5 The position indicated by L2 is the position of the liquid level when the liquid container 20 is full of ink.

[0102] See also Figure 6 As shown, in the height direction of the liquid container 20, the position of the liquid level is lower than the first position, and the amount of ink in the liquid container is insufficient.

[0103] The container body 21 is provided with a light sensing portion 212. The light sensing portion 212 is made of a material having a light-transmitting property.

[0104] The photosensitive portion 212 is located at one side of the container body 21 in the length direction of the liquid container 20. The photosensitive portion 212 has a cavity inside, and the cavity is communicated with the storage chamber 211.

[0105] The photosensitive portion 212 is configured to be located in the detection space 183 so that the detector detects the amount of ink in the liquid container 20. Specifically, during the movement of the carriage 12, the photosensitive portion 212 can be located in the detection space 183 so that the detector detects the amount of ink in the liquid container 20.

[0106] The detected component is located on the moving track of the carriage 12 on the track shaft 11, so as to be detected by the detector on the carriage 12 and feedback the liquid level information in the storage cavity 211. In this way, by using a detector installed on the carriage 12, the detected components of each liquid container 20 are detected and the liquid level information in the storage cavity 211 is fed back, thereby reducing the production cost of the printer. Alternatively, the detected component is close to the moving track of the carriage 12 on the track shaft 11 on the container body 21, so that when the carriage 12 passes the detected component, the detector on the carriage 12 can detect the detected component.

[0107] When the carriage 12 is moving and the detected component is placed between the light emitting element 181 and the light receiving element 182, the detected component is on the transmission path of the light beam. Figure 2 Taking the embodiment shown in as an example, when the slide 12 moves toward each liquid container 20 along the Y direction, the light beam is transmitted in the detection space 183 between the light-emitting element 181 and the light-receiving element 182. When the slide 12 moves to the position of each liquid container 20, the detected component enters the detection space 183 and is thereby detected by the detector.

[0108] In some examples, the detected component includes a shielding member 22 and a floating member 23 in the storage cavity 211 and moving with the liquid level in the storage cavity 211 .

[0109] The shielding member 22 and the floating member 23 are disposed in the container body 21 , and the shielding member 22 is movably connected to the container body 21 and the floating member 23 , respectively.

[0110] The shielding member 22 moves with the floating member 23, so that the shielding member 22 moves between the detection position and the non-detection position. When the shielding member 22 is at the detection position, the shielding member 22 is placed between the light emitting element 181 and the light receiving element 182 to block the light beam from entering the light receiving element 182. When the shielding member 22 is at the non-detection position, the shielding member 22 is not between the light emitting element 181 and the light receiving element 182, and the light beam can enter the light receiving element 182.

[0111] See also Figure 4 As shown, the shielding member 22 includes a first section 221, a second section 222 and a third section 223. The first section 221 is connected to the second section 222, and the second section 222 is connected to the third section 223.

[0112] The second section 222 is movably connected to the container body 21. The third section 223 is movably connected to the floating member 23. In the length direction of the liquid container 20, the third section 223 is located between the first section 221 and the second section 222.

[0113] The first section 221 may be made of a material that does not transmit light, that is, the first section 221 may block the light beam. In other embodiments, the first section 221, the second section 222 and the third section 223 of the shielding member 22 may also be made of a material that does not transmit light.

[0114] The density of the floating member 23 is less than that of the ink. The floating member 23 moves in the height direction of the liquid container 20 , and the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 can enter the photosensitive portion 212 or can be separated from the photosensitive portion 212 , that is, located outside the photosensitive portion 212 .

[0115] When the shielding member 22 is at the detection position, the shielding member 22 is located on the light sensing portion 212. When the shielding member 22 is at the non-detection position, the shielding member 22 is separated from the light sensing portion 212.

[0116] See also Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, when ink is added to the liquid container 20 so that the ink amount is sufficient, the floating member 23 can float up in the height direction of the liquid container 20 and drive the shielding member 22, and the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 enters the photosensitive portion 212. It can be understood that when the ink amount in the liquid container 20 is sufficient, the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 is located in the photosensitive portion 212, and the shielding member 22 is in the detection position. When the carriage 12 moves to the position of the liquid container 20, the photosensitive portion 212 is located in the detection space 183, and the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 blocks the optical path of the detector, preventing the light beam from entering the light receiving element 182, that is, the light receiving element 182 cannot receive light. By the light receiving element 182 not receiving light, the control unit of the printer can determine that the ink amount in the liquid container 20 is sufficient, that is, there is no shortage of ink in the liquid container 20.

[0117] See also Figure 6As shown, when the ink in the liquid container 20 is consumed to the point where the ink level is insufficient, the floating member 23 moves downward in the height direction of the liquid container 20 and drives the shielding member 22, and the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 is located outside the photosensitive portion 212, that is, when the ink level in the liquid container 20 is insufficient, the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 is located outside the photosensitive portion 212, and the shielding member 22 is in a non-detection position. When the carriage 12 moves to the position of the liquid container 20, the photosensitive portion 212 is located in the detection space 183, and the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 cannot block the optical path of the detector, that is, the light receiving element 182 can receive light. By virtue of the light receiving element 182 being able to receive light, the control unit of the printer can determine that the ink level in the liquid container 20 is insufficient, that is, the liquid container 20 is short of ink.

[0118] It should be noted that the positions of the liquid containers 20 of different ink colors are different, that is, the liquid container 20 of each ink color corresponds to the position of a liquid container 20. It is understandable that the control unit can determine the ink color in the liquid container 20 according to the position of the liquid container 20. Exemplarily, when the carriage 12 moves to the position of a certain liquid container 20, the control unit can determine the ink color in the liquid container 20 corresponding to the position.

[0119] An embodiment of the present invention provides an ink volume detection method, which is applied to a printer.

[0120] See also Figure 7 As shown, the ink level detection method includes:

[0121] S100 , obtaining the position of each liquid container 20 on the moving path of the slide 12 .

[0122] The controller of the printer has a storage element such as a storage device, and the storage element stores the position information of each liquid container 20 .

[0123] S110 , controlling the carriage 12 to pass through the positions of the liquid containers 20 in sequence, and recording the detection results of the detectors on the liquid levels at the positions of the liquid containers 20 .

[0124] In the process of controlling the operation of the carriage 12, the controller uses the position information in the storage element to control the carriage 12 to move to the corresponding position of the liquid container 20, and the track shaft 11 is provided with a sensor 19 for detecting the position of the carriage 12. The controller uses the feedback information of the sensor 19 to obtain the real-time information of the carriage 12 on the track shaft 11. When the carriage 12 passes the position of the liquid container 20, the sensor 19 feeds back information to the controller, and the controller learns the liquid container 20 corresponding to the detection of the detector at this time. The light-sensitive part 212 of the liquid container 20 is located in the detection space 183 between the light-emitting element 181 and the light-receiving element 182 of the detector. The detector detects the liquid level of the liquid container 20, and the detection result of the detector includes receiving light and not receiving light.

[0125] S120 , judging the liquid level of the corresponding liquid container 20 according to the detection result of the liquid level of the liquid container 20 corresponding to the position of each liquid container 20 .

[0126] When the light receiving element 182 of the detector receives light, it indicates that the position of the liquid level of the liquid container 20 is lower than the first position, and the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is insufficient, and the detector feeds back the detection result to the controller. When the light receiving element 182 of the detector does not receive light, it indicates that the position of the liquid level of the liquid container 20 is at or above the first position, and the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is sufficient, and the detector feeds back the detection result to the controller. Thus, the controller obtains the liquid level of the liquid container at the corresponding position by combining the detection result of the detector at the corresponding position.

[0127] In addition to the detector using light detection in this embodiment, detectors using electrode detection, ultrasonic detection, electromagnetic detection and other types of detection may also be used. After obtaining the detection results, the detector feeds back to the controller, which can also achieve the above-mentioned technical effects.

[0128] Further, after step S100 and before step S110, the method further includes:

[0129] S101. Determine the color of the ink in the liquid container 20 according to the position of the liquid container 20.

[0130] The storage element stores the position information of the liquid container 20 corresponding to the ink color in each liquid container 20. The position information can be preset in the storage element and called by the controller to control the motor driving the carriage 12 to move to the corresponding position. Therefore, according to the position of the liquid container 20, the ink color in the liquid container 20 can be determined. For example, Figure 2In the figure, the four liquid containers 20 arranged along the Y-axis direction are BK (black), C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow). When the slide 12 moves along the Y-axis direction, it passes through the liquid containers 20 corresponding to BK, C, M, and Y in sequence. When it arrives at the position of the first liquid container 20, it can be determined that the ink color corresponding to the liquid container 20 detected by the detector is BK. When it arrives at the remaining liquid containers 20, the liquid level conditions corresponding to the corresponding ink colors can also be known.

[0131] In step S120, it includes:

[0132] According to the detection result of the liquid level of the liquid container 20 corresponding to the position of each liquid container 20, the liquid level of the liquid container 20 corresponding to the ink color is judged. In this way, through the ink amount detection method provided by the embodiment of the present invention, the ink color in the liquid container 20 can be determined, and the ink amount of the corresponding color can be detected based on the ink color, realizing the method of using one detector to detect multiple liquid containers 20 corresponding to different color inks, with low cost and accurate detection.

[0133] Embodiment 2

[0134] See also Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As shown, the printer in the second embodiment is different from the printer in the first embodiment in that the third section 223 of the shielding member 22 and the floating member 23 are located at different positions in the liquid container 20. In this embodiment, in the length direction of the liquid container 20, the second section 222 is located between the first section 221 and the third section 223.

[0135] See also Figure 8 As shown, when the ink in the liquid container 20 is consumed to the point where the ink level is insufficient, the floating member 23 moves downward in the height direction of the liquid container 20 and drives the shielding member 22, and the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 enters the photosensitive portion 212, that is, when the ink level in the liquid container 20 is insufficient, the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 is located in the photosensitive portion 212, and the shielding member 22 is in the detection position. When the carriage 12 moves to the position of the liquid container 20, the photosensitive portion 212 is located in the detection space 183, and the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 blocks the optical path of the detector, preventing the light beam from entering the light receiving element 182, that is, the light receiving element 182 cannot receive light. By the light receiving element 182 not being able to receive light, the control unit of the printer can determine that the ink level in the liquid container 20 is insufficient, that is, the liquid container 20 is out of ink.

[0136] See also Fig. 9As shown, when ink is added to the liquid container 20 until the ink amount is sufficient, the floating member 23 can float up in the height direction of the liquid container 20 and can drive the shielding member 22. The first section 221 of the shielding member 22 is located outside the photosensitive portion 212, that is, when the ink amount in the liquid container 20 is sufficient, the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 is located outside the photosensitive portion 212, and the shielding member 22 is in a non-detection position. When the carriage 12 moves to the position of the liquid container 20, the photosensitive portion 212 is located in the detection space 183, and the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 cannot block the optical path of the detector, that is, the light receiving element 182 can receive light. By the light receiving element 182 being able to receive light, the control unit of the printer can determine that the ink amount in the liquid container 20 is sufficient, that is, there is no shortage of ink in the liquid container 20.

[0137] The structure of the rest of the printer is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0138] See also Fig.10 As shown, the ink volume detection method in the second embodiment includes:

[0139] S200 , obtaining the position of each liquid container 20 on the moving path of the slide 12 .

[0140] Among them, step S200 is the same as step S100, and the details can be referred to step S200.

[0141] S201 . Determine the color of the ink in the liquid container 20 according to the position of the liquid container 20 .

[0142] Among them, step S201 is the same as step S101, and the details may refer to step S101.

[0143] S210 , controlling the carriage 12 to pass through the positions of the liquid containers 20 in sequence, and recording the detection results of the detector on the liquid level at the position of each liquid container 20 .

[0144] Among them, step S210 is the same as step S110, and the details may refer to step S110.

[0145] S220 , judging the liquid level of the corresponding liquid container 20 according to the detection result of the liquid level of the liquid container 20 corresponding to the position of each liquid container 20 .

[0146] When the light receiving element 182 of the detector receives light, the liquid level of the liquid container 20 is at the first position or higher than the first position, and the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is sufficient.

[0147] When the light receiving element 182 of the detector does not receive light, the position of the liquid level of the liquid container 20 is lower than the first position, and the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is insufficient.

[0148] Further, after step S220, the method further includes:

[0149] S221 . Obtain the color of the light received by the light receiving element 182 , and determine the color of the ink in the liquid container 20 according to the color of the light received by the light receiving element 182 .

[0150] Among them, the colors of the light emitted by the light-emitting element 181 passing through the ink in each liquid container 20 are different. When the light receiving element 182 of the detector receives the light, the detector can detect the color of the light received by the light receiving element 182. When the color of the light received by the light receiving element 182 is sent to the control unit, the control unit can determine the color of the ink in the liquid container 20 based on the color of the light received by the light receiving element 182.

[0151] If the light beam emitted by the light emitting element 181 is natural light, after passing through the ink of the corresponding color, the color of the transmitted light beam is consistent with the color of the ink, so the light receiving element 182 analyzes the color of the light beam based on the acquired light beam, thereby judging the ink color of the liquid container 20 detected by the detector. The judgment process can be implemented by a controller, and the corresponding information of the corresponding color light beam is stored in a storage element. After receiving the detection information from the detector, the controller checks with the stored information in the storage element to judge the color of the light beam, and accordingly obtains the corresponding color information about the liquid container 20. In this embodiment, when the detector detects the color information, it means that the liquid container 20 corresponding to the color information is out of ink, and the user can be informed through a display device or other alarm methods that the color ink of the printer is in an ink-out state, so as to add ink or replace the liquid container 20.

[0152] S222 . Compare the ink color in the liquid container 20 determined based on the color of the light received by the light receiving element 182 with the ink color in the liquid container 20 determined based on the position of the liquid container 20 .

[0153] Among them, when the ink color in the liquid container 20 determined according to the color of the light received by the light receiving element 182 is inconsistent with the ink color in the liquid container 20 determined according to the position of the liquid container 20, the printer reports an error, that is, the position of the liquid container 20 installed on the frame 10 is incorrect, or the ink stored in the liquid container 20 is incorrect and is filled with ink of a color that does not correspond to the liquid container 20.

[0154] When the color of the ink in the liquid container 20 determined according to the color of the light received by the light receiving element 182 is consistent with the color of the ink in the liquid container 20 determined according to the position of the liquid container 20, the printer does not report an error, that is, the position of the liquid container 20 on the frame 10 is correctly installed. In this way, when the liquid container 20 is a detachable ink cartridge structure, the color of the ink in the liquid container 20 can be detected to determine whether the liquid container 20 is correctly installed. Alternatively, by detecting whether the color of the ink added to the liquid container 20 is correct, printing errors caused by mixing different color inks during the ink addition process can be avoided.

[0155] Taking the ink replenishment process as an example, when the printer detects an ink replenishment operation, or when the printer is preparing to execute a print command, the controller controls to first perform ink color and ink volume detection operations, and after detecting that the ink color is correct and the ink volume is sufficient, the subsequent print command is executed, otherwise an error is reported to remind the user. Specifically, the print detection method may include:

[0156] S1, before executing the printing command, controlling the carriage to move toward each liquid container;

[0157] S2, obtaining detection information of the detector, and recording the corresponding position of the detector when obtaining the corresponding detection information;

[0158] S3, judging whether the liquid container corresponding to the corresponding position is in an ink shortage state according to the preset information about the corresponding position in the storage element, and judging whether the ink color of the liquid container corresponding to the corresponding position is consistent with the ink color information in the preset information;

[0159] S4, when it is determined that the liquid container is in an ink-out state, prompting the printer that the liquid container is in an ink-out state, and when it is determined that the ink color of the liquid container is inconsistent with the ink color of the preset information, reporting an error.

[0160] In order to avoid the problem of ink shortage or ink color mismatch before executing the print command, the print detection method is set to prevent the printer from allowing air to enter the internal ink supply path or introduce wrong ink into the corresponding ink supply tube 13 when the printer is in the ink shortage state. Figure 8 and Fig. 9Taking the embodiment shown in as an example, the ink color of the first liquid container 20 arranged along the Y-axis direction is BK, then the control carriage 12 first passes through the first liquid container 20 along the Y-axis direction. At this time, when the detector reaches the liquid container 20, it will change due to the detection result of the sensing part corresponding to the liquid container 20. When the liquid container 20 is in an ink-deficient state, the light-receiving element 182 of the detector cannot detect the light beam. After feeding back the information to the controller, the controller obtains the position information transmitted by the sensor 19 and the preset information about the liquid container 20 corresponding to the position information stored in the storage element. When the ink of the corresponding color is in a state of insufficient, the next alarm or prompt operation is executed; when the liquid container 20 is in a state of sufficient ink, the light receiving element 182 of the detector can receive the light beam and obtain the detection information about the color corresponding to the light beam. After feeding back the detection information to the controller, the controller determines whether the corresponding color of the liquid container 20 is consistent with the color in the detection information based on the position information transmitted by the sensor 19 and the preset information about the liquid container 20 corresponding to the position information stored in the storage element. If it is inconsistent, it means that a filling error may have occurred, and the controller executes the alarm operation in sequence.

[0161] The following steps may also be included:

[0162] S5, when the carriage passes through all the liquid containers or reaches the end of the movement, the detection process ends.

[0163] Among them, the detection process can be a one-way movement process, that is, moving along the Y-axis direction through each liquid container, or it can be a two-way or multi-way confirmation process, that is, in the repeated movement process through each liquid container, the ink volume information and ink color information of the liquid container at each position are detected and confirmed multiple times to avoid accidental detection errors.

[0164] Embodiment 3

[0165] See also Fig.11 and Fig.12 As shown, the printer in the third embodiment differs from the printer in the first embodiment in that the container body 21 of each liquid container 20 is further provided with a container identification portion 213 , and the container identification portion 213 and the photosensitive portion 212 are located on the same side of the container body 21 .

[0166] When the slide 12 is moving and the container identification portion 213 is placed between the light emitting element 181 and the light receiving element 182, after the light beam emitted by the light emitting element 181 passes through the container identification portion 213 of each liquid container 20, the type or light transmittance of the light beam received by the light receiving element 182 is different.

[0167] The container identification portion 213 is made of a material having a light-transmitting property.

[0168] In some examples, the light transmittance of the container identification portion 213 of each liquid container 20 is different from each other. Exemplarily, the light transmittance of the container identification portion 213 of each liquid container 20 is different from each other by different sizes or shapes.

[0169] The control unit stores the light transmittance of the container identification unit 213 of each liquid container 20 of different ink colors. It can be understood that the ink color in the liquid container 20 can be determined by the light transmittance of the light beam received by the light receiving element 182.

[0170] In other examples, the colors of the light beams emitted by the light emitting element 181 passing through the container identification parts 213 of each liquid container 20 are different from each other, so that the colors of the light beams received by the light receiving element 182 are different, that is, the types of the light beams received by the light receiving element 182 are different. Exemplarily, the colors of the container identification parts 213 of each liquid container 20 are different from each other, so that the colors of the light beams passing through the container identification parts 213 of each liquid container 20 are different from each other.

[0171] The control unit stores the colors of the container identification unit 213 of each liquid container 20 with different ink colors after the light beam passes through it. It can be understood that the ink color in the liquid container 20 can be determined by the type of the light beam received by the light receiving element 182.

[0172] The structure of the rest of the printer is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0173] See also Fig.13 As shown, the ink level detection method in the third embodiment differs from the ink level detection method in the first embodiment in that:

[0174] Acquiring the position of each liquid container 20 on the moving path of the slide 12 includes:

[0175] S300 , controlling the slide 12 to move toward each liquid container 20 and pass through each liquid container 20 in sequence.

[0176] S310 . When the detector on the slide 12 detects the container identification part 213 of the liquid container 20 , the identification information of the container identification part 213 is obtained.

[0177] The identification information of the container identification unit 213 is the light transmittance or the type of the light beam.

[0178] S320 , based on the identification information of the container identification unit 213 , determine the type of the liquid container 20 and record the position information of the liquid container 20 corresponding to the type.

[0179] The type of the liquid container 20 refers to the color of the ink in the liquid container 20 .

[0180] The position information of the liquid container 20 is specifically the position information of the container identification part 213 of the liquid container 20. When the container identification part 213 of the liquid container 20 is located in the detection space 183 between the light emitting element 181 and the light receiving element 182 of the detector, the position of the carriage 12 can be used as the position of the container identification part 213 of the liquid container 20.

[0181] Controlling the carriage 12 to sequentially pass through the positions of the liquid containers 20 also includes:

[0182] The detector obtains identification information of the container identification unit 213 at the position of the liquid container 20.

[0183] The identification information of the container identification unit 213 is the light transmittance or the type of the light beam.

[0184] It is determined whether the identification information is consistent with the type of the liquid container 20 at the position of the liquid container 20.

[0185] The control unit of the printer stores the ink colors of the liquid containers 20 at the positions of the liquid containers 20 , that is, the control unit of the printer stores the types of the liquid containers 20 at the positions of the liquid containers 20 .

[0186] If they are inconsistent, it is determined that there is an error in the liquid container 20. Specifically, if the type of the liquid container 20 determined according to the identification information is inconsistent with the type of the liquid container 20 at the position of the liquid container 20 stored in the control unit, it is determined that the position of the liquid container 20 on the frame 10 is incorrectly installed, so that it can be determined whether the liquid container 20 is installed correctly.

[0187] Embodiment 4

[0188] See also Fig.14 and Fig.15 As shown, the printer in the fourth embodiment is different from the printer in the first embodiment in that the photosensitive portion 212 is located at the bottom side of the container body 21 in the height direction of the liquid container 20 .

[0189] The photosensitive portion 212 has an independent cavity 2121 . Only the top end of the independent cavity 2121 is connected to the storage cavity 211 . The independent cavity 2121 is connected to the storage cavity 211 only at one end in the +Z axis direction.

[0190] When the shielding member 22 is at the detection position, the shielding member 22 is located in the independent cavity 2121. When the shielding member 22 is at the non-detection position, the shielding member 22 is located outside the independent cavity 2121.

[0191] In this embodiment, the shielding member 22 does not have the third section 223 , and the shielding member 22 includes a first section 221 and a second section 222 . The second section 222 is movably connected to the floating member 23 .

[0192] See also Fig.15 As shown, when the ink in the liquid container 20 is consumed and the ink level is insufficient, the floating member 23 moves downward in the height direction of the liquid container 20 and drives the shielding member 22. The first section 221 of the shielding member 22 is located outside the independent cavity 2121 of the photosensitive portion 212, and the shielding member 22 is in a non-detection position, that is, when the ink level in the liquid container 20 is insufficient, the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 is located outside the photosensitive portion 212, and the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 cannot block the light path of the detector.

[0193] See also Fig.14 As shown, when ink is added to the liquid container 20 until the amount of ink is sufficient, the floating member 23 can float up in the height direction of the liquid container 20 and drive the shielding member 22, and the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 enters the independent cavity 2121 of the photosensitive portion 212, and the shielding member 22 is in the detection position. It can be understood that when the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is sufficient, the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 is located in the photosensitive portion 212, and the first section 221 of the shielding member 22 can block the light path of the detector.

[0194] It should be noted that when the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is insufficient, a certain amount of ink exists in the photosensitive portion 212 .

[0195] The structure of the rest of the printer is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0196] See also Fig.16 As shown, the ink volume detection method in the fourth embodiment includes:

[0197] S400 , controlling the carriage 12 to pass through the positions of the liquid containers 20 in sequence, and recording the detection results of the detectors on the liquid levels at the positions of the liquid containers 20 .

[0198] When the carriage 12 passes the position of the liquid container 20 , the light-sensitive portion 212 of the liquid container 20 is located in the detection space 183 between the light-emitting element 181 and the light-receiving element 182 of the detector, and the detector detects the liquid level of the liquid container 20 .

[0199] The detection results of the detector include receiving light and not receiving light.

[0200] S410 , judging the ink amount of the corresponding liquid container 20 according to the detection result of the liquid level of each liquid container 20 .

[0201] When the light receiving element 182 of the detector receives light, the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is insufficient.

[0202] When the light receiving element 182 of the detector receives no light, the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is sufficient.

[0203] S420. When the storage cavity 211 of the liquid container 20 has insufficient ink, determine the color of the light beam received by the light receiving element 182 of the detector.

[0204] When the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is insufficient, there is ink in the independent cavity 2121, and the colors of the light beam after passing through the ink in the independent cavity 2121 of each liquid container 20 are different.

[0205] The control unit stores the color of the ink in the independent cavity 2121 of each liquid container 20 after passing through the light beam. It can be understood that the color of the ink in the liquid container 20 can be determined by the color of the light beam received by the light receiving element 182.

[0206] S430. Determine the type of liquid container corresponding to the insufficient ink level according to the color of the light beam received by the light receiving element 182, and provide feedback indicating that the insufficient ink level exists in the liquid container of the corresponding type.

[0207] The type of the liquid container 20 refers to the color of the ink in the liquid container 20 .

[0208] Therefore, in this embodiment, the method utilizes the fact that the detector does not receive light when the ink level is sufficient but receives light when the ink level is insufficient, and can timely determine that the ink of the corresponding color is in an ink shortage state. For example, when the ink of color C is in an ink shortage state, when the slide 12 is moving, the light receiving element 182 of the detector detects a change in the color of the light beam, and then feeds back the detection information to the controller, and the control obtains the ink color of the ink shortage liquid container 20 according to the detection information of the color change, thereby prompting the user to replenish the corresponding color ink or replace the liquid container 20. In this embodiment, the method can directly obtain the relevant information of the liquid container 20 in an ink shortage state without combining the position information of the corresponding liquid container 20, so that the user can replenish the ink or replace the liquid container 20.

[0209] In a possible implementation, a method for detecting the position of the liquid container 20 includes:

[0210] When the amount of ink in each liquid container 20 is sufficient, the control carriage 12 passes through each liquid container 20 in sequence.

[0211] When the light receiving element 182 does not receive the light beam, the position of the carriage 12 is recorded.

[0212] When the slide 12 passes through a liquid container 20 and the optical path of the detector is blocked, the control unit will record the position of the slide 12 corresponding to each liquid container 20 , and this position can be used as the position of the liquid container 20 .

[0213] This method determines the corresponding position of the liquid container by detecting the state in which the light receiving element 182 does not receive the light beam, and can check whether the position detected by the sensor 19 is correct. If it is incorrect, a position error is reported.

[0214] Embodiment 5

[0215] See also Fig.17 and Fig.18 As shown, the printer in the fifth embodiment is different from the printer in the first embodiment in that there is no detection space 183 between the light emitting element 181 and the light receiving element 182 of the detector. The light emitting element 181 and the light receiving element 182 are located in the same plane in the length direction of the printer.

[0216] The detected component moves on the container body 21 close to the moving track of the slide 12 on the track shaft 11 so as to be detected by the detector on the slide 12 and feedback the liquid level information in the storage cavity 211 .

[0217] The liquid container 20 has no shielding member and floating member. The detected component is an optical device 24 , which is located in the container body 21 and is installed on one side of the container body 21 in the length direction of the liquid container 20 .

[0218] The optical device 24 has a first surface 241 , a second surface 242 and a third surface 243 . The first surface 241 is connected to the second surface 242 and the third surface 243 , respectively, and the second surface 242 is connected to the third surface 243 .

[0219] The first surface 241 is parallel to a plane defined by the X-axis and the Y-axis.

[0220] The container body 21 is provided with an incident hole 21 a and an incident hole 21 b .

[0221] The light emitted by the light emitting element 181 enters the first surface 241 through the incident hole 21 a , and then enters the optical device 24 to reach the position A of the second surface 242 .

[0222] The light received by the light receiving element 182 can be emitted from the emission hole 21 b.

[0223] In the height direction of the liquid container 20, when the ink in the liquid container 20 is at position A and a position higher than position A, the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is in a sufficient state.

[0224] In the height direction of the liquid container 20, when the ink position is lower than the A position, the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is insufficient.

[0225] The control unit stores the positions of the respective liquid containers 20. When the carriage 12 passes the position of the liquid container 20, the light beam emitted by the light emitting element 181 enters the first surface 241 through the incident hole 21a.

[0226] See also Fig.17 As shown, when the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is sufficient, the light reaching the second surface 242 will be refracted into the ink in the liquid container 20, and the light receiving element 182 cannot receive the light. By the light receiving element 182 not being able to receive light, the control unit of the printer can determine that the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is sufficient, that is, the liquid container 20 is not short of ink.

[0227] See also Fig.18 As shown, when the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is insufficient, the light reaching the second surface 242 will be reflected by the second surface 242 and the third surface 243, and emitted from the exit hole 21b to the light receiving element 182, and the light receiving element 182 can receive the light. By the light receiving element 182 being able to receive the light, the control unit of the printer can determine that the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is insufficient, that is, the liquid container 20 is out of ink.

[0228] The structure of the rest of the printer is the same as that of the first embodiment.

[0229] The ink level detection method in the fifth embodiment includes:

[0230] S500 , obtaining the position of each liquid container 20 on the moving path of the slide 12 .

[0231] Among them, the positions of each liquid container 20 are stored in the control unit of the printer.

[0232] S510 , controlling the carriage 12 to pass through the positions of the liquid containers 20 in sequence, and recording the detection results of the detector on the liquid level at the position of each liquid container 20 .

[0233] When the slide 12 passes the position of the liquid container 20 , the light beam emitted by the light emitting element 181 enters the first surface 241 through the incident hole 21 a , and the detector detects the liquid level of the liquid container 20 .

[0234] The detection results of the detector include receiving light and not receiving light.

[0235] S520 , judging the liquid level of the corresponding liquid container 20 according to the detection result of the liquid level of the liquid container 20 corresponding to the position of each liquid container 20 .

[0236] When the light receiving element 182 of the detector receives light, the liquid level of the liquid container 20 is lower than position A, and the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is insufficient.

[0237] When the light receiving element 182 of the detector does not receive light, the liquid level of the liquid container 20 is at position A or higher than position A, and the amount of ink in the liquid container 20 is sufficient.

[0238] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A printer, characterized in that: include: A frame (10), wherein a track shaft (11) is arranged on the frame (10); A slide (12), the slide (12) being slidably connected to the track shaft (11), and a detector being mounted on the slide (12); a liquid ejection head, the liquid ejection head being mounted on the carriage (12), the liquid ejection head moving along with the carriage, the liquid ejection head being used for ejecting liquid toward a recording medium; A plurality of liquid containers (20) are arranged on the frame (10) along a direction parallel to the moving direction of the slide (12), the liquid container (20) comprising a container body (21) and a detected component arranged on the container body (21), the container body (21) being provided with a storage cavity (211) for storing liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting head, the detected component is on the container body (21) close to the moving track of the slide (12) on the track axis (11) or is located on the moving track of the slide (12) on the track axis (11), so as to be detected by the detector on the slide (12) and to feed back the liquid level information in the storage cavity (211).

2. The printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detector comprises a light emitting element (181) and a light receiving element (182) which are arranged opposite to each other, wherein the light emitting element (181) is used to emit a light beam toward the light receiving element (182), and when the carriage (12) is moving and the detected component is placed between the light emitting element (181) and the light receiving element (182), the detected component is located on the transmission path of the light beam.

3. The printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The detected component comprises a shielding member (22) and a floating member (23) in the storage cavity (211) and moving with the liquid level in the storage cavity (211); the shielding member (22) is connected to the floating member (23); the shielding member (22) moves with the floating member (23) so that the shielding member (22) moves between a detection position and a non-detection position; When the shielding member (22) is at the detection position, the shielding member (22) is placed between the light-emitting element (181) and the light-receiving element (182) to block the light beam from entering the light-receiving element (182).

4. The printer according to claim 3, characterized in that: The container body (21) is provided with a light-sensing portion (212); When the shielding member (22) is in the detection position, the shielding member (22) is located in the light-sensitive portion (212); when the shielding member (22) is in the non-detection position, the shielding member (22) is separated from the light-sensitive portion (212).

5. The printer according to claim 2, characterized in that: The container body (21) of each of the liquid containers (20) is provided with a container identification portion (213). When the slide (12) is moving and the container identification portion (213) is placed between the light-emitting element (181) and the light-receiving element (182), the light beam emitted by the light-emitting element (181) passes through the container identification portion (213) of each of the liquid containers (20), and the type or light transmittance of the light beam received by the light-receiving element (182) is different.

6. The printer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The shielding member (22) has a sufficient amount of ink in the liquid container (20), and blocks the light beam when the shielding member (22) is located on the photosensitive portion (212); the shielding member (22) has an insufficient amount of ink in the liquid container (20), and does not block the light beam when the shielding member (22) is separated from the photosensitive portion (212); or, The shielding member (22) has insufficient ink in the liquid container (20), and blocks the light beam when the shielding member (22) is located on the photosensitive portion (212); the shielding member (22) has sufficient ink in the liquid container (20), and does not block the light beam when the shielding member (22) is separated from the photosensitive portion (212).

7. The printer according to claim 4, characterized in that: The photosensitive portion (212) is located at the bottom side of the container body (21) in the height direction of the liquid container (20), and the photosensitive portion (212) has an independent cavity, and only the top of the independent cavity is connected to the storage cavity (211). When the shielding member (22) is in the detection position, the shielding member (22) is located in the independent cavity, and when the shielding member (22) is in the non-detection position, the shielding member (22) is located outside the independent cavity.

8. The printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detected component is an optical device (24), the optical device (24) is located in the container body (21), and the optical device (24) is installed on one side of the container body (21) in the length direction of the liquid container (20).

9. A method for detecting ink volume, characterized in that: Applicable to a printer as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: Acquiring the position of each liquid container (20) on the moving path of the slide (12); Controlling the carriage (12) to pass through the positions of the liquid containers (20) in sequence, and recording the detection results of the liquid level by the detector at the position of each liquid container (20); The liquid level of the corresponding liquid container (20) is determined based on the detection result of the liquid level of the liquid container (20) corresponding to the position of each liquid container (20).

10. The ink level detection method according to claim 9, characterized in that: The step of obtaining the position of each liquid container (20) on the moving path of the carriage (12) comprises: Controlling the slide (12) to move toward each of the liquid containers (20) and pass through each of the liquid containers (20) in sequence; When the detector on the slide (12) detects the container identification part (213) of the liquid container (20), the identification information of the container identification part (213) is obtained; Based on the identification information of the container identification unit (213), the type of the liquid container (20) is determined and the position information of the liquid container (20) corresponding to the type is recorded.

11. The ink level detection method according to claim 9, characterized in that: The control carriage (12) sequentially passes through the positions of the liquid containers (20), comprising: Acquiring identification information of a container identification unit (213) at the position of the liquid container (20) by the detector; determining whether the identification information is consistent with the type of the liquid container (20) at the position of the liquid container (20); If they are inconsistent, it is determined that there is an error in the liquid container (20).

12. A method for detecting ink volume, characterized in that: Applicable to the printer as claimed in claim 7, comprising: Controlling the slide (12) to pass through the positions of the liquid containers (20) in sequence, and recording the detection results of the liquid levels by the detectors at the positions of the liquid containers (20); According to the detection result of the liquid level of each liquid container (20), the ink volume of the corresponding liquid container (20) is judged; When the storage chamber (211) of the liquid container (20) has insufficient ink, the color of the light beam received by the light receiving element (182) of the detector is determined; The type of the liquid container corresponding to the insufficient ink level is determined based on the color of the light beam received by the light receiving element (182), and feedback is given that the insufficient ink level exists in the liquid container of the type.

Images