Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a technology by which a remaining amount of a liquid such as ink can be detected accurately.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes a liquid discharge head which discharges a liquid to be supplied, storage means which stores the liquid to be supplied to the liquid discharge head, a rotation member which is immersed in the liquid stored in the storage means and can rotate according to a liquid amount, and detection means which detects the liquid amount by using the rotation member. A rotation position of the rotation member varies depending on specific gravity of the stored liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus that can be widely used, for example, as an inkjet recording apparatus equipped with a recording head capable of ejecting ink by an inkjet method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for detecting the amount of ink remaining in a storage chamber by providing a rotatable member with a float in the storage chamber and detecting the rotation of this member with a sensor. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 utilizes the buoyancy generated in the float by the stored ink to rotate the rotating member according to the amount of ink remaining. In order to generate buoyancy in the float, the float is designed to have a specific gravity lighter than the specific gravity of the stored ink. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-25818 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in a recording device that ejects multiple types of ink, a storage chamber is provided for each ink, as disclosed in Patent Document 1. The buoyancy generated in the float varies depending on the specific gravity of the ink. Therefore, when multiple types of ink with a higher specific gravity than the float and different specific gravities are used, the buoyancy generated in the float changes depending on the specific gravity of the ink. As a result, the amount of rotation of the rotating member corresponding to the remaining amount of ink varies depending on the type of ink, which may make it impossible to accurately detect the remaining amount of ink.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a technique that can accurately detect the remaining amount of liquid such as ink. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention is a liquid ejection device having a liquid ejection head configured to eject a liquid, and a plurality of storage means for storing liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection head, wherein each of the storage means includes a rotating member immersed in the liquid to be stored and capable of rotating in accordance with the amount of the liquid; a shaft portion that rotatably supports the rotating member; a detection means for detecting the amount of the liquid using the rotating member, The rotating member has a float having a specific gravity smaller than that of the liquid stored in the storage means, a detectable part that can be detected by the detection means, and an arm part that connects the float and the detectable part, and each of the floats in the storage means has a plurality of holes arranged in a row along the extension direction at one end side in the extension direction of the float, and the shaft part can be rotatably inserted into any of the plurality of holes, and when the liquids stored in the storage means have different specific gravities, the hole into which the shaft part is inserted is are different. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the remaining amount of ink can be detected accurately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a recording apparatus, which is an example of a liquid ejection apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 6A and 6B are diagrams showing the movement of a rotating member when ink is supplied to an ink storage chamber. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the movement of the rotating member when the ink stored in the ink storage chamber decreases. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the height of the ink liquid surface when the remaining amount of ink with different specific gravities is determined to be a predetermined amount or less. [Figure 5] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing different rotation positions of a rotation member depending on the specific gravity of ink. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the rotational positions of a rotating member immersed in inks of different specific gravities. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a rotating member according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An example of a liquid ejection device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of the present invention. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the relative positions, shapes, and the like of the components described in the present embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to those alone.

[0010] A liquid ejection device according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. In this specification, a recording device that ejects ink onto a recording medium to record will be described as an example of the liquid ejection device. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a recording device according to this embodiment, where (a) is a perspective view of the device's exterior and (b) is a diagram showing the configuration of a recording unit inside the device. Note that the recording device 10 in FIG. 1 is an example of a recording device to which this embodiment can be applied, and recording devices to which this embodiment can be applied are not limited to the recording device 10 shown in FIG. 1.

[0011] The recording device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a so-called multifunction device that includes a reading unit 12 that can read a document set on a document table, and a recording unit 14 that records information read by the reading unit 12 or information input from an external device onto a recording medium.

[0012] The reading unit 12 is located at the top of the recording device 10, and the recording unit 14 is located at the bottom of the recording device 10. The recording unit 14 includes a storage tray 16 that stores recording media M, a feed roller 18 that feeds the recording media M stored in the storage tray 16, and a guide unit 20 that guides the fed recording media M to a recording position by a recording head 26 (described later). The recording unit 14 also includes a transport roller 22 that transports the recording media M fed via the guide unit 20, a platen 24 that supports the recording media M transported by the transport roller 22, and a recording head 26 that ejects ink onto the recording media M supported by the platen 24. The recording unit 14 also includes a discharge roller 30 that discharges the recorded recording media M to a discharge tray 28, and an ink storage unit 32 as storage means that stores ink to be supplied to the recording head 26 via a tube (not shown).

[0013] The recording head 26 may be capable of ejecting ink of multiple colors, or may be capable of ejecting ink of only one color. It may also be configured to be capable of ejecting treatment liquid for imparting a predetermined effect to the recorded image. When ejecting multiple types of ink (including treatment liquid), multiple ink reservoirs 32 are provided, each storing a different type of ink. The recording head 26 is mounted on a carriage 34. The carriage 34 is configured to be able to move back and forth in the X direction. The recording medium M accommodated in the storage tray 16 is transported in the -Y direction by the feed roller 18, makes a U-turn by the guide unit 20, and is transported in the +Y direction by the transport roller 22.

[0014] In the recording device 10, as the recording head 26 moves in the X direction via the carriage 34, ink is ejected onto the recording medium M supported by the platen 24, performing a recording operation to record one scan's worth of data on the recording medium M. Next, a transport operation is performed in which the recording medium is transported a predetermined distance in the +Y direction, and an area on the recording medium M that has not yet been printed is positioned opposite the recording head 26. After that, the recording operation is performed again. In this way, the recording device 10 records an image on the recording medium M by alternately and repeatedly executing the recording operation and the transport operation.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the ink storage section 32, where (a) shows the state in which the ink storage member 36 is not attached to the ink storage chamber 38, and (b) shows the state in which the ink storage member 36 is attached to the ink storage chamber 38.

[0016] The ink storage section 32 includes an ink storage member 36 that stores ink, and an ink storage chamber 38 that stores the ink stored in the ink storage member 36. The ink storage member 36 is configured to be detachable from the ink storage chamber 38. In the recording device 10, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 38 reaches a certain amount, the user replaces the ink storage member 36 with a new one.

[0017] An ink storage section 32 is provided for each type of ink ejected from the recording head 26. The ink storage sections 32 have the same configuration regardless of the type of ink, except for a portion of the configuration of a rotating member 48 (described later). In the ink storage section 32, ink stored in an ink storage chamber 38 is supplied to the recording head 26 via a tube (not shown). When ink is supplied from the ink storage chamber 38 to the recording head 26 and the amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 38 decreases, ink is supplied to the ink storage chamber 38 from the connected ink accommodating member 36.

[0018] The ink storage member 36 comprises a main body 40 and a lid 42. Ink is stored inside the main body 40. A supply unit 44 is provided at the bottom of the main body 40, and is connected to a connecting member 47 (described later) in the ink storage chamber 38 to supply ink to the ink storage chamber 38. That is, in this embodiment, the ink storage member 36 is configured to be detachable from the ink storage chamber 38 via the supply unit 44. The supply unit 44 is equipped with an opening / closing mechanism such as a valve spring structure. An atmosphere communication port 46 is formed in the lid 42, which connects the inside of the ink storage member 36 to the outside.

[0019] The ink storage chamber 38 includes a connecting member 47 that connects to the ink accommodating member 36 via the supply unit 44. A rotating member 48 is provided on the bottom 38a of the ink storage chamber 38. The rotating member 48 is rotatably supported at the bottom 38a by a support member 50. Therefore, when ink is supplied to the ink storage chamber 38, the rotating member 48 is immersed in the ink. A sensor 52 capable of detecting the rotation of the rotating member 48 is provided above the rotating member 48 in the ink storage chamber 38. While the sensor 52 is provided in the ink storage chamber 38, this is not a limitation, and the sensor 52 may be provided separately from the ink storage chamber 38 as long as it is capable of detecting the rotation of the rotating member 48. An air communication port 54 that communicates the interior of the ink storage chamber 38 with the outside is formed in the ink storage chamber 38 at a position not reached by the liquid level of the stored ink.

[0020] The rotating member 48 includes a float 56 extending in the Y direction, an arm 58 extending upward (approximately in the Z direction) from the float 56, and a detectable portion 60 located at the tip of the arm 58. The float 56 is made of a material having a lower specific gravity than the ink contained in the ink containing member 36. The float 56 is rotatably supported on a shaft 62 extending in the X direction on the support member 50 at a lower portion on one side in the extension direction (Y direction). The detectable portion 60 is located above the float 56 via the arm 58. Therefore, the detectable portion 60 is configured to move in response to the rotation of the float 56. The detectable portion 60 is made of a material that can be detected by the sensor 52. As will be described later, in this embodiment, the sensor 52 is an optical sensor including a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion, and therefore the detectable portion 60 is made of a material that blocks or attenuates light from the light-emitting portion.

[0021] The sensor 52 is a detection unit that detects the rotation of the rotating member 48 and optically detects whether the ink level stored in the ink storage chamber 38 has fallen below a predetermined level. When the ink level falls below the predetermined level, the recording device 10 determines that the ink stored in the ink storage chamber 38 has fallen below a predetermined level. More specifically, the sensor 52 includes a light-emitting element (not shown) and a light-receiving element (not shown). In FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are arranged to face each other with a gap in the X direction. When the rotating member 48 rotates, the detected element 60 passes between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element. The sensor 52 outputs a different detection signal depending on the light received by the light-receiving element from the light-emitting element.

[0022] Specifically, for example, when the light emitted from the light-emitting element cannot be received by the light-receiving element, that is, when the intensity of the received light is below a predetermined intensity, the sensor 52 outputs a low-level signal indicating that the signal level is below a threshold level. The output low-level signal is received by a control unit (not shown) mounted on a main board (not shown). The control unit that receives the low-level signal detects that the height of the ink liquid surface is above a predetermined level.

[0023] On the other hand, when the light emitted from the light-emitting element can be received by the light-receiving element, that is, when the intensity of the received light is equal to or greater than a predetermined intensity, the sensor 52 outputs a high-level signal indicating that the signal level is equal to or greater than a threshold level. The output high-level signal is received by the control unit, which detects that the height of the ink liquid level is below a predetermined level.

[0024] When the ink storage member 36 is connected via the supply unit 44 to the connection member 47 of the ink storage chamber 38 (see FIG. 2(a)) in a state where no ink is stored, the ink in the ink storage member 36 flows into the ink storage chamber 38 via the supply unit 44 and the connection member 47. When a certain amount of ink is stored in the ink storage chamber 38, the buoyancy acting on the float 56, which has a smaller specific gravity than the ink, overcomes gravity, and the rotating member 48 (float 56) rotates in the direction of arrow A. This rotation of the rotating member 48 in the direction of arrow A moves the detected part 60 in the direction of arrow B.

[0025] When the ink level in the ink storage chamber 38 reaches or exceeds a predetermined level due to further ink inflow, the detected portion 60 moves in the direction of arrow B and is positioned between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the sensor 52. The ink level reaching or exceeding the predetermined level in the ink storage chamber 38 means that a predetermined amount of ink is stored in the ink storage chamber 38. While the ink level is at or above the predetermined level, the detected portion 60 remains between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion (see FIG. 2(b)). Thus, when the ink level reaches or exceeds the predetermined level, the light emitted from the light-emitting portion of the detected portion 60 is not received by the light-receiving portion (or is attenuated before reaching the light-receiving portion), and the sensor 52 outputs a low-level signal to the control unit. This allows the control unit to detect that the ink level is at or above the predetermined level.

[0026] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the rotating member 48 when the ink in the ink storage chamber 38 decreases. Figure 3(a) is a diagram illustrating the rotating member 48 when the ink level in the ink storage chamber 38 is above a predetermined level, and Figure 3(b) is a diagram illustrating the rotating member 48 when the ink level in the ink storage chamber 38 is below the predetermined level.

[0027] As ink is supplied from the ink storage chamber 38 to the recording head 26, the ink in the ink storage chamber 38 and the ink accommodating member 36 decreases, causing the ink level in the ink storage chamber 38 to drop (see FIG. 3(a)). When the amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 38 decreases and the stored ink falls below a certain level, gravity overcomes the buoyancy acting on the float 56. This causes the rotating member 48 (float 56) to rotate in the direction of arrow C. This rotation of the rotating member 48 in the direction of arrow C moves the detected portion 60 in the direction of arrow D.

[0028] When the ink level in the ink storage chamber 38 drops below a predetermined level due to further ink supply to the recording head 26, the detected portion 60 moves in the direction of arrow D to a position retracted from between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the sensor 52. While the ink level remains below the predetermined level, the detected portion 60 remains in the retracted position from between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion, i.e., remains retracted from the sensor 52 (see FIG. 3(b)). Thus, when the ink level is below the predetermined level, the light emitted from the light-emitting portion by the detected portion 60 can be received by the light-receiving portion (or reaches the light-receiving portion without being attenuated), and the sensor 52 outputs a high-level signal to the control unit. This allows the control unit to detect that the ink level is below the predetermined level.

[0029] Here, when the recording device 10 detects that the ink level has fallen below a predetermined level, a notification is displayed on the display unit 17 (see FIG. 1(a)) provided on the recording device 10, for example, urging the user to replace the ink containing member 36. The user will usually confirm the notification displayed on the display unit 17 and replace the ink containing member 36. However, a small amount of ink still remains in the ink storage chamber 38, and a certain number of sheets can be recorded after detecting that the ink level has fallen below the predetermined level. For this reason, the recording device 10 counts the number of ink droplets ejected from the ink storage chamber 38 after detecting that the ink level has fallen below the predetermined level, and notifies the user that the ink is running out when it becomes difficult to supply ink from the ink storage chamber 38 to the recording head 26.

[0030] In recent years, the types of ink used in recording devices have become more diverse, and a single recording device can be configured to use multiple types of ink. Therefore, if a recording device is configured with multiple ink reservoirs 32 with identical configurations, each for a different type of ink, the specific gravity of the ink will vary depending on the type of ink, resulting in differences in the buoyancy exerted on the float. This could make it impossible to accurately detect when the ink level has fallen below a predetermined level.

[0031] The inability to accurately detect that the ink level has fallen below a predetermined level due to differences in ink specific gravity will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates the state of the rotating member and the remaining amount of ink when inks of different specific gravities are used. FIG. 4(a) illustrates the case when ink with a specific gravity lower than a reference specific gravity by a certain amount is used, FIG. 4(b) illustrates the case when ink with the reference specific gravity is used, and FIG. 4(c) illustrates the case when ink with a specific gravity higher than the reference specific gravity by a certain amount is used. Note that in the explanation using FIG. 4, the rotating member used is a rotating member 48 with a specific gravity that can accurately detect that the ink level of the ink 400 in the ink storage chamber 38 has fallen below a predetermined level when the reference ink 400 is used. Furthermore, the rotating member 48 has a specific gravity lower than that of ink 402, which has a specific gravity lower than that of the reference ink 400 by a certain amount.

[0032] When ink 400 with a reference specific gravity is used, when the liquid level Ls of ink 400 reaches height hr in ink storage chamber 38, detected portion 60 of rotated rotating member 48 is retracted from sensor 52 (see FIG. 4(b)). At this time, recording device 10 detects that the ink liquid level has fallen below a predetermined position. In other words, in this case, when the ink level is at height hr, the buoyancy generated in rotating member 48 is smaller than the gravity acting on rotating member 48. In the explanation using FIG. 4, this is when proper detection is achieved.

[0033] When ink 402 having a lower specific gravity than ink 400 having a reference specific gravity is used, when the liquid level Ls of ink 402 reaches height hl in ink storage chamber 38, the detected portion 60 of the rotated rotating member 48 is retracted from sensor 52 (see FIG. 4A). In other words, when height hl is higher than height hr, the buoyancy generated on the rotating member 48 (float 56) is smaller than gravity acting on the rotating member 48. Therefore, when liquid level Ls reaches height hl, recording device 10 detects that the ink liquid level has fallen below a predetermined position. Here, ink 402 has a lower specific gravity than ink 400. Therefore, in ink storage chamber 38, the buoyancy generated on the rotating member 48 (float 56) by ink 402 is smaller than the buoyancy generated on the rotating member 48 by ink 400. As a result, when the remaining ink amount is greater and the liquid level reaches height hl, the detected part 60 is retracted from the sensor 52.

[0034] When ink 404 with a higher specific gravity than ink 400 with a reference specific gravity is used, when the liquid level Ls of ink 404 in ink storage chamber 38 reaches height hh, the detectable portion 60 of the rotated rotating member 48 retracts from sensor 52 (see FIG. 4(c)). That is, when the liquid level Ls is at height hh, which is lower than height hr, the buoyancy acting on the rotating member 48 is smaller than gravity acting on the rotating member 48. Therefore, when the liquid level Ls reaches height hh, recording device 10 detects that the ink liquid level has fallen below a predetermined level. Here, ink 404 has a higher specific gravity than ink 400. Therefore, in ink storage chamber 38, the buoyancy acting on the rotating member 48 by the ink 404 is greater than the buoyancy acting on the rotating member 48 by the ink 400. As a result, when the remaining ink level reaches height hh, the detectable portion 60 retracts from sensor 52.

[0035] In this way, when ink storage chambers 38 of the same configuration are used for inks of different specific gravities, the liquid level at which it is detected that the liquid level is below a predetermined level, i.e., the liquid level at which the detected portion 60 is retracted from the sensor 52, varies depending on the specific gravity of the ink. The recording device 10 is configured to count the number of ejected ink droplets after issuing a notification urging the user to replace the ink accommodating member 36, and notify the user that the ink is empty when the count reaches a predetermined number. Therefore, there is a risk that the ink will run out before the notification that the ink is empty is issued, or that there may still be an amount of ink available for recording at that time.

[0036] Therefore, in this embodiment, the rotational position of the rotating member 48 is changed depending on the specific gravity of the ink. This will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the rotational position of the rotating member 48 depending on the specific gravity of the ink, where (a) shows the rotational position for ink with a lower specific gravity than the reference ink, and (b) shows the rotational position for ink with a higher specific gravity than the reference ink. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the rotational position of the rotating member depending on the specific gravity of the ink, where (a) shows the case of ink with a lower specific gravity than the reference ink, (b) shows the case of ink with the reference specific gravity, and (c) shows the case of ink with a higher specific gravity than the reference ink.

[0037] In the ink storage chamber 38 that stores the ink 402 with a low specific gravity, the rotation position of the rotating member 48 is set to be downstream in the +Y direction (see FIG. 5(a)) from the rotation position of the rotating member 48 in the ink storage chamber 38 that stores the reference ink 400 (see FIG. 4(b)). Note that the rotation position of the rotating member 48 is the position at which the rotating member 48 is supported by the shaft 62 of the support member 50.

[0038] In the ink storage chamber 38 that stores the reference specific gravity ink 400, as shown in FIG. 6(b), at the lower part of the float 56, there is a rotation position of the rotation member 48 at a position P that is separated from one end 56a in the Y direction (the extending direction of the float 56) by a distance D. In the ink storage chamber 38 that stores the ink 400, when the rotation position of the rotation member 48 is at the position P, it is possible to accurately detect that the liquid level height of the ink 400 has become less than a predetermined position.

[0039] In this case, in the float 56, on the other end 56b side with respect to the position P, a first buoyancy force for rotating the float 56 in the direction of arrow E is generated. On the other hand, on the one end 56a side with respect to the position P, a second buoyancy force for rotating the float 56 in the direction of arrow F is generated. The first rotational force of the float 56 due to the first buoyancy force, that is, the force for rotating the float 56 in the direction of arrow E, and the second rotational force of the float 56 due to the second buoyancy force, that is, the force for rotating in the direction of arrow F, act so as to cancel each other out. Since the first buoyancy force is larger than the second buoyancy force, the first rotational force becomes larger than the second rotational force. For this reason, until the detected portion 60 reaches a predetermined position (the position shown in FIG. 6) between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the sensor 52, as the amount of the ink 400 stored in the ink storage chamber 38 increases, the rotation member 48 rotates in the direction of arrow E. And when the rotation position is at the position P, the buoyancy force for rotating the float 56 in the direction of arrow E becomes smaller than the gravity generated on the float 56 when the liquid level height of the ink 400 is at a height hr or less.

[0040] On the other hand, in the ink storage chamber 38 that stores the ink 402, as shown in FIG. 6(a), at the lower part of the float 56, there is a rotation position of the rotation member 48 at a position PL that is separated from one end 56a in the Y direction by a distance DL (DL < D). The position PL is adjusted to a position where it is possible to appropriately detect that the liquid level height of the ink 402 has become less than a predetermined position. That is, the position PL is adjusted to a position such that when the liquid level height of the ink 402 becomes the height hr, the detected portion 60 is in a state of retreating from the sensor 52.

[0041] In ink 402, since its specific gravity is smaller than that of ink 400, the buoyant force acting on the object becomes smaller compared to ink 400. However, in this case, the position PL, which is the rotation position of the rotating member 48, is positioned closer to one end portion 56a side than position P. Therefore, in the float 56, the first buoyant force caused by ink 402 on the other end portion 56b side of position PL is greater than the first buoyant force caused by ink 402 on the other end portion 56b side of position P. Also, the second buoyant force caused by ink 402 on the one end portion 56a side of position PL is smaller than the second buoyant force caused by ink 402 on the one end portion 56a side of position P.

[0042] Under these conditions, the position PL is adjusted to a position where it can appropriately detect that the liquid level height of ink 402 has become less than a predetermined position. For this reason, when the rotation position is position P, the buoyant force generated on the float 56 by ink 400 is equal to the buoyant force generated on the float 56 by ink 402 when the rotation position is position PL. Specifically, when the rotation position is position P, at the liquid level height of height hr, the buoyant force generated on the float 56 by ink 400 is the same as the buoyant force generated on the float 56 by ink 402 when the rotation position is position PL at the liquid level height of height hr. Note that the coincidence of these two buoyant forces is not limited to being exactly the same, and also includes cases within a predetermined range.

[0043] In the ink storage chamber 38 that stores ink 404 with a large specific gravity, the rotation position of the rotating member 48 is positioned upstream in the +Y direction from the rotation position of the rotating member 48 in the ink storage chamber 38 that stores the reference ink 400 (see FIG. 4(b)) (see FIG. 5(b)). More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6(c), at the lower part of the float 56, there is a rotation position of the rotating member 48 at a position PH that is separated by a distance DH (D < DH) from one end portion of 56a in the Y direction. The position PH is adjusted to a position where it can appropriately detect that the liquid level height of ink 404 has become less than a predetermined position. That is, the position PH is adjusted to a position such that when the liquid level height of ink 404 reaches height hr, the detected portion 60 is in a state of retreating from the sensor 52.

[0044] The ink 404 has a greater specific gravity than the ink 400, and therefore exerts a greater buoyancy on an object than the ink 400. However, in this case, position PH, which is the rotation position of the rotating member 48, is positioned closer to the other end 56b than position P. Therefore, the first buoyancy caused by the ink 404, which occurs in the float 56 closer to the other end 56b than position PH, is smaller than the first buoyancy caused by the ink 404, which occurs closer to the one end 56b than position P. Furthermore, the second buoyancy caused by the ink 404, which occurs closer to the one end 56a than position PH, is greater than the second buoyancy caused by the ink 404, which occurs closer to the one end 56a than position P.

[0045] Under these conditions, position PH is adjusted to a position that can properly detect when the liquid level of ink 404 has fallen below a predetermined level. Therefore, the buoyancy generated on float 56 by ink 400 when the rotation position is position P is equivalent to the buoyancy generated on float 56 by ink 404 when the rotation position is position PH. Specifically, the buoyancy generated on float 56 by ink 400 at a liquid level height r when the rotation position is position P is equivalent to the buoyancy generated on float 56 by ink 404 at a liquid level height hr when the rotation position is position PH. Note that these two buoyancies being equivalent does not necessarily mean that they are strictly equivalent, but also includes being within a predetermined range.

[0046] As described above, in the recording device 10, the rotational position of the rotating member 48 is changed depending on the specific gravity of the ink stored in the ink storage chamber 38. Specifically, the lower the specific gravity, the closer the rotational position of the rotating member 48 is to one end 56a. The rotational position of the rotating member 48 is located on the one end 56a side of the float 56. The one end 56a is the end of the float 56 on the side where the detection target portion 60 is located in the Y direction, which is the extension direction of the float 56. This makes it possible to properly detect when the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink storage chamber 38 falls below a predetermined level. Therefore, depending on the type of ink, after issuing a notification urging the user to replace the ink storage member 36, it is possible to notify the user that the ink storage chamber 38 has run out at an appropriate timing.

[0047] (Other embodiments) The above embodiment may be modified as shown in the following (1) to (6).

[0048] (1) In the above embodiment, the rotating member 48 is provided in the ink storage chamber 38, but this is not limiting. In other words, the rotating member 48 may be provided in the ink accommodating member 36. In this case, a sensor 52 is provided so as to be able to detect the rotating member 48 provided in the ink accommodating member 36 when the ink accommodating member 36 is connected to the ink storage chamber 38.

[0049] (2) Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, the rotating member 48 may be configured such that a plurality of holes into which the shaft 62 can be rotatably inserted are arranged side by side (see FIG. 7), and an appropriate hole is selected from the plurality of holes depending on the specific gravity of the ink to be stored. The shaft 62 is inserted into the selected hole, and the selected hole is set as the rotation position, thereby supporting the rotating member 48 so that it can rotate. This makes the rotating member 48 with holes compatible with inks of a plurality of specific gravities, and reduces costs compared to manufacturing a rotating member 48 for each ink specific gravity.

[0050] A more detailed explanation will be given. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of the rotating member 48. In the rotating member 48 of Fig. 7, at one end 56a side of the float 56, a hole 702, a hole 700, and a hole 704 are formed in this order from the one end side along the Y direction. In the ink storage chamber 38 that stores the ink 402 with a low specific gravity, the shaft 62 is inserted into the hole 702. In the ink storage chamber 38 that stores the ink 404 with a high specific gravity, the shaft 62 is inserted into the hole 704. Furthermore, in the ink storage chamber 38 that stores the ink 400 with a reference specific gravity intermediate between the specific gravities of the ink 402 and the ink 404, the shaft 62 is inserted into the hole 700.

[0051] (3) The above embodiment is not limited to a recording device that ejects ink from a recording head to record on a recording medium, but can be widely applied to a liquid ejection device that ejects various liquids from a liquid ejection head to perform various processes. In addition, in the above embodiment, the recording device 10 is a so-called serial scan type recording device that ejects ink from a recording head that moves in the X direction onto a recording medium that is transported in the Y direction, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, the recording device may be a so-called full line type recording head that uses a long recording head that spans the entire width of the recording area on the recording medium.

[0052] (4) In the above embodiment, the rotating member 48 and the sensor 52 are used to determine whether the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink storage chamber 38 is below a predetermined level. However, the configuration for detecting the amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 38 is not limited to this. That is, a sensor capable of detecting the rotation angle of the rotating member 48 from a reference position may be used to detect the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink storage chamber 38 in a stepwise or continuous manner based on the rotation angle of the rotating member 48. Also, although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, in a recording device configured to eject only a single color of ink, the ink storage section 32 is used in which the rotation position of the rotating member 48 corresponds to the specific gravity of the ink to be ejected.

[0053] (5) In the above embodiment, the detectable portion 60 is provided on the rotating member 48 via the arm portion 58 on one end 56a of the float 56, but this is not limited to this. That is, the detectable portion 60 may be provided on the rotating member 48 via the arm portion 58 on the other end 56b of the float 56. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the rotating member 48 is configured so that the detectable portion 60 is retracted from between the light receiving portion and the light emitting portion of the sensor 52 when the ink level falls below a predetermined position. However, this is not limited to this. That is, the rotating member 48 may be configured so that the detectable portion 60 is located between the light receiving portion and the light emitting portion of the sensor 52 when the ink level falls below a predetermined position.

[0054] (6) The above embodiment and the various configurations shown in (1) and (5) above may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 Recording Device 26 Recording head 32 Ink reservoir 48 Rotating member 52 Sensors

Claims

1. a liquid ejection head configured to eject a liquid; a plurality of storage means for storing liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection head, Each of the storage means comprises: a rotating member that is immersed in the stored liquid and is rotatable according to the amount of the liquid; a shaft portion that rotatably supports the rotating member; a detection means for detecting the amount of the liquid using the rotating member, The rotating member is a float having a specific gravity smaller than that of the liquid stored in the storage means; a detected portion that can be detected by the detection means; an arm portion connecting the float and the detected portion; and Each of the floats in the plurality of storage means has a plurality of holes arranged in parallel along the extension direction at one end side of the extension direction of the float, The shaft portion can be rotatably inserted into any of the plurality of holes, A liquid ejection device characterized in that, among the liquids stored in the plurality of storage means, liquids having different specific gravities have different hole portions into which the shaft portion is inserted.

2. the detecting means detects that the liquid level of the liquid stored in the storing means has fallen below a predetermined level due to the rotation of the rotating member, 2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation position of the rotation member is a position where, when the liquid level falls below the predetermined position, the detection means can determine that the liquid level has fallen below the predetermined position.

3. Each of the storage means includes a storage chamber for storing a liquid, and is detachably attached to the storage chamber; a storage member that stores the liquid to be supplied to the storage chamber, The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid stored in the storage member flows into the storage chamber by attaching the storage member to the storage chamber.

4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3 , wherein the rotating member is provided in the storage chamber.

5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3 , wherein the rotating member is provided on the housing member.

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