Liquid dispensing device and storage device

Abstract

To suppress variation in signal level between detection electrodes.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device is provided with: a storage part in which liquid is stored in a space between a first surface and a second surface positioned in a first direction when viewed from the first surface to face the first surface; a discharge part that discharges liquid supplied from the storage part; and a flexible print substrate for detecting residual amounts of liquid in the storage part. The flexible print substrate comprises a first wiring part having an input electrode provided on the first surface, and a second wiring part having a first detection electrode provided on the second surface, a second detection electrode provided on the second surface and a third detection electrode provided on the second surface. The second detection electrode is arranged between the first detection electrode and the third detection electrode. When the storage part is viewed in a first direction, areas of a first region overlapping with the first detection electrode of the input electrode are smaller than areas of a second region overlapping with the second detection electrode of the input electrode, and areas of a third region overlapping with the third detection electrode of the input electrode are smaller than areas of the second region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus and a storage apparatus. [Background Art]

[0002] Technologies for detecting the remaining amount of an object stored in a container have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a detection apparatus comprising: a container that stores an object between a first surface and a second surface; an input electrode disposed on the first surface; a plurality of detection electrodes disposed on the second surface and having the same size as each other; a shield material covering the input electrode; a shield material covering the detection electrodes; and a detection unit that detects the remaining amount of the object stored in the container based on signals output from the plurality of detection electrodes. A technology relating to such a detection apparatus has been proposed. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2021-056079 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0004] However, with conventional technologies, there have been cases where the signal level of a signal output from a detection electrode located at an end portion among the plurality of detection electrodes differs from the signal level of a signal output from a detection electrode located at a central portion among the plurality of detection electrodes. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0005] To solve the above problems, the liquid dispensing device according to the present invention comprises a first surface, a storage section for storing liquid between the first surface and a second surface located in a first direction when viewed from the first surface and facing the first surface, a dispensing section for dispensing liquid supplied from the storage section, and a flexible printed circuit board for detecting the remaining amount of liquid in the storage section, wherein the flexible printed circuit board comprises a first wiring section having an input electrode provided on the first surface, and a second wiring section having a first detection electrode provided on the second surface, a second detection electrode provided on the second surface, and a third detection electrode provided on the second surface, wherein the second detection electrode is arranged between the first detection electrode and the third detection electrode, and when the storage section is viewed in the first direction, the area of ​​the first region of the input electrode that overlaps with the first detection electrode is smaller than the area of ​​the second region of the input electrode that overlaps with the second detection electrode, and the area of ​​the third region of the input electrode that overlaps with the third detection electrode is smaller than the area of ​​the second region.

[0006] Furthermore, the storage device according to the present invention comprises a first surface, a storage section for storing objects between the first surface and a second surface located in a first direction when viewed from the first surface and facing the first surface, and a flexible printed circuit board for detecting the remaining amount of objects in the storage section, wherein the flexible printed circuit board comprises a first wiring section having an input electrode provided on the first surface, and a second wiring section having a first detection electrode provided on the second surface, a second detection electrode provided on the second surface, and a third detection electrode provided on the second surface, wherein the second detection electrode is arranged between the first detection electrode and the third detection electrode, and when the storage section is viewed in the first direction, the area of ​​the first region of the input electrode that overlaps with the first detection electrode is smaller than the area of ​​the second region of the input electrode that overlaps with the second detection electrode, and the area of ​​the third region of the input electrode that overlaps with the third detection electrode is smaller than the area of ​​the second region. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a configuration diagram showing an example of an inkjet printer 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the ink supply device 1. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the ink supply device 1. [Figure 4] This is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of the ink management device FF[m]. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of the ink management device FF[m]. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the ink management device FF[m]. [Figure 7] This is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of a flexible printed circuit board (FP[m]). [Figure 8] This block shows an example of the configuration of the storage device 3. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between liquid level height LV and amplitude Aout. [Figure 10] This is a flowchart showing an example of the ink level determination process. [Figure 11] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between liquid level height LV and amplitude Aout in a proportional relationship. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the ink supply device 1W according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the ink management device FF-W[m] according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] This is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of the flexible printed circuit board FP-W[m] according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, in each of the drawings, the dimensions and scale of each portion are appropriately different from actual dimensions and scales. Further, since the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, various technically preferable limitations are imparted thereto. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these modes unless there is a description specifically stating that the present invention is limited in the following explanation.

[0009] <<A. First Embodiment>> Hereinafter, an inkjet printer 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0010] <<A.1. Overview of Inkjet Printer>> FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the inkjet printer 100 according to the present embodiment.

[0011] The inkjet printer 100 is an inkjet-type printing apparatus that ejects ink IK onto a medium PP. The medium PP is typically printing paper, but any printing target such as a resin film or fabric can be used as the medium PP. In the present embodiment, the inkjet printer 100 is an example of a "liquid ejecting apparatus", and the ink IK is an example of a "liquid" and an "object".

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet printer 100 includes: a storage device 3 including an ink supply device 1 and an ink amount detection device 2; a control device 7; a plurality of liquid ejection heads HU; a moving mechanism 91; and a conveyance mechanism 92.

[0013] The control device 7 includes, for example, a processing circuit such as a CPU or an FPGA, and a storage circuit such as a semiconductor memory, and controls each element of the inkjet printer 100. Here, CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit, and FPGA is an abbreviation for Field Programmable Gate Array.

[0014] The moving mechanism 91 conveys the medium PP in the sub-scanning direction MP1 based on control by the control device 7. The conveying mechanism 92 reciprocates the plurality of liquid ejection heads HU in a main scanning direction MH1 intersecting the sub-scanning direction MP1 and a main scanning direction MH2 opposite to the main scanning direction MH1 based on control by the control device 7. The conveying mechanism 92 includes a storage case 921 that stores the plurality of liquid ejection heads HU, and an endless belt 922 to which the storage case 921 is fixed. Note that the storage device 3 may be stored in the storage case 921 together with the liquid ejection heads HU.

[0015] The control device 7 supplies, to the liquid ejection heads HU, a drive signal Com for driving the liquid ejection heads HU and a control signal SI for controlling the liquid ejection heads HU. The liquid ejection heads HU are driven by the drive signal Com based on control by the control signal SI, and eject ink IK from some or all of the plurality of nozzles provided in the liquid ejection heads HU. That is, the liquid ejection heads HU eject ink IK from some or all of the plurality of nozzles in conjunction with the conveyance of the medium PP by the moving mechanism 91 and the reciprocating movement of the liquid ejection heads HU by the conveying mechanism 92, and cause the ejected ink to land on the surface of the medium PP, thereby forming a desired image on the surface of the medium PP. Note that, in the present embodiment, the liquid ejection head HU is an example of an "ejection section".

[0016] Among the storage devices 3, the ink supply device 1 stores ink IK. Further, the ink supply device 1 supplies the ink IK stored therein to the liquid ejection heads HU based on control by the control device 7. In the present embodiment, a case is assumed where the ink supply device 1 stores M types of ink IK. Here, the value M is a natural number satisfying 1≤M. More specifically, in the present embodiment, as an example, a case is assumed where the ink supply device 1 stores four types of ink IK respectively corresponding to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. That is, in the present embodiment, as an example, a case of "M=4" is assumed. Further, in the present embodiment, as an example, a case is assumed where the inkjet printer 100 includes four liquid ejection heads HU respectively corresponding to the four types of ink IK.

[0017] The ink amount detection device 2 in the storage device 3 detects the remaining amount of the ink IK stored in the ink supply device 1 based on a detection signal Vout detected from the ink supply device 1. Then, the ink amount detection device 2 outputs ink amount information DR indicating the result of the detection. The detection signal Vout and the ink amount information DR will be described later.

[0018] <<A.2. Outline of Ink Supply Device>> An outline of the ink supply device 1 will be described below with reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3.

[0019] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the configuration of the ink supply device 1.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the ink supply device 1 includes M ink tanks TK[1] to TK[M] that are in one-to-one correspondence with the M types of ink IK stored in the ink supply device 1, M flexible printed circuits FP[1] to FP[M] that are in one-to-one correspondence with the M ink tanks TK[1] to TK[M], and a storage case 21 that stores the M ink tanks TK[1] to TK[M] and the M flexible printed circuits FP[1] to FP[M]. That is, in the present embodiment, the ink supply device 1 includes four ink tanks TK[1] to TK[4] that are in one-to-one correspondence with the four types of ink IK of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, and four flexible printed circuits FP[1] to FP[4] that are in one-to-one correspondence with the four ink tanks TK[1] to TK[4].[]

[0021] The ink tank TK[m] is provided with a supply port 19 for supplying ink IK to the internal space of the ink tank TK[m]. A flexible printed circuit board FP[m] is fixed to the ink tank TK[m]. Here, the variable m is a natural number satisfying 1 ≤ m ≤ M. Hereinafter, the components including the ink tank TK[m] and the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] may be referred to as the ink management device FF[m]. That is, the ink supply device 1 is equipped with M ink management devices FF[m] that correspond one-to-one with the M types of ink IK stored in the ink supply device 1. Also below, the liquid discharge head HU that discharges the ink IK supplied from the ink tank TK[m] in the ink management device FF[m] may be referred to as the liquid discharge head HU[m].

[0022] In this embodiment, it is assumed that in the ink supply device 1, M ink tanks TK[1] to TK[M] are arranged in the X1 direction along the X axis. Hereafter, the X1 direction and the X2 direction opposite to the X1 direction will be collectively referred to as the X-axis direction. Also, hereafter, the Y1 direction along the Y-axis perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Y2 direction opposite to the Y1 direction will be collectively referred to as the Y-axis direction. Also, hereafter, the Z1 direction along the Z-axis perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction and the Z2 direction opposite to the Z1 direction will be collectively referred to as the Z-axis direction. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis only need to intersect with each other. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when ink IK is supplied from the ink tank TK[m] to the liquid ejection head HU[m] and the amount of ink IK stored inside the ink tank TK[m] decreases, it is assumed that the direction in which the ink IK decreases is the Z1 direction. In this embodiment, the X1 direction is an example of a "first direction," the Z1 direction is an example of a "second direction," and the Y1 direction is an example of a "third direction."

[0023] Figure 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the ink supply device 1 when viewed in the Z1 direction.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, we assume that in the ink supply device 1, ink tank TK[2] is provided in the X1 direction when viewed from ink tank TK[1], ink tank TK[3] is provided in the X1 direction when viewed from ink tank TK[2], and ink tank TK[4] is provided in the X1 direction when viewed from ink tank TK[3].

[0025] Furthermore, in this embodiment, we assume that the ink tank TK[m] is composed of multiple walls. In the following, we assume that the multiple walls of the ink tank TK[m] include walls 10A and 10B provided along a plane normalized to the X1 direction, walls 10C and 10D provided along a plane normalized to the Y1 direction, and walls 11 and 12 provided along a plane normalized to the Z1 direction. Walls 11 and 12 are shown in Figure 6, which will be described later.

[0026] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, we assume that the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] is attached to the ink tank TK[m]. Specifically, in this embodiment, we assume that the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] is fixed to wall 10A, wall 10C, and wall 10B, which are among the multiple walls of the ink tank TK[m]. More specifically, in this embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] is bent along the outer wall surfaces of walls 10A and 10C at the bent portion EP-A, and bent along the outer wall surfaces of walls 10B and 10C at the bent portion EP-B. As a result, the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] is positioned in contact with the outer wall surface of the ink tank TK[m] in wall 10A, the outer wall surface of the ink tank TK[m] in wall 10B, and the outer wall surface of the ink tank TK[m] in wall 10C.

[0027] Hereinafter, the portion of the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] provided on the wall 10A is referred to as a wiring portion FA[m], the portion of the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] provided on the wall 10B is referred to as a wiring portion FB[m], and the portion of the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] provided on the wall 10C is referred to as a wiring portion FC[m]. Further, hereinafter, the width of the wiring portion FA[m] in the X1 direction is referred to as a width dxA, and the width of the wiring portion FB[m] in the X1 direction is referred to as a width dxB. In the present embodiment, the ink tank TK[m] is an example of a "storage section", the outer wall surface of the ink tank TK[m] in the wall 10A is an example of a "first surface", the outer wall surface of the ink tank TK[m] in the wall 10B is an example of a "second surface", the wiring portion FA[m] is an example of a "first wiring portion", and the wiring portion FB[m] is an example of a "second wiring portion".

[0028] <<A.3. Outline of Flexible Printed Circuit Board>> Hereinafter, an outline of the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the wiring portion FA[m] observed when the ink management apparatus FF[m] is viewed from the X2 direction toward the X1 direction. Note that in FIG. 4, only main portions of the wiring portion FA[m] are transparently illustrated.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 4, the wiring portion FA[m] includes: a conductive input electrode EA provided in an electrode formation region RA; a conductive shield electrode SA1 provided in the electrode formation region RA at a position in the Z2 direction as viewed from the input electrode EA; and a conductive shield electrode SA2 provided in the electrode formation region RA at a position in the Z1 direction as viewed from the input electrode EA.

[0031] Furthermore, the wiring portion FA[m] includes a conductive connection wiring HEA provided between the electrode formation region RA and the bent portion EP-A and connected to the input electrode EA; a conductive connection wiring HSA1 provided between the electrode formation region RA and the bent portion EP-A, in the Z2 direction as viewed from the connection wiring HEA, and connected to the shield electrode SA1; and a conductive connection wiring HSA2 provided between the electrode formation region RA and the bent portion EP-A, in the Z1 direction as viewed from the connection wiring HEA, and connected to the shield electrode SA2.

[0032] Figure 5 is a plan view of the wiring section FB[m] observed when viewing the ink management device FF[m] from the X1 direction to the X2 direction. Note that in Figure 5, only the main portion of the wiring section FB[m] is shown transparently.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5, the wiring portion FB[m] includes a conductive detection electrode EB1 provided in the electrode formation region RB, a conductive detection electrode EB2 provided in the electrode formation region RB at a position in the Z1 direction as viewed from the detection electrode EB1, a conductive detection electrode EB3 provided in the electrode formation region RB at a position in the Z1 direction as viewed from the detection electrode EB2, a conductive shield electrode SB1 provided in the electrode formation region RB at a position in the Z2 direction as viewed from the detection electrode EB1, a conductive shield electrode SB2 provided in the electrode formation region RB between the detection electrodes EB1 and EB2, a conductive shield electrode SB3 provided in the electrode formation region RB between the detection electrodes EB2 and EB3, and a conductive shield electrode SB4 provided in the electrode formation region RB at a position in the Z1 direction as viewed from the detection electrode EB3. In this embodiment, detection electrode EB1 is an example of a "first detection electrode," detection electrode EB2 is an example of a "second detection electrode," and detection electrode EB3 is an example of a "third detection electrode."

[0034] Hereinafter, the width of the detection electrode EB1 in the Z1 direction is referred to as a width WEB1, the width of the detection electrode EB2 in the Z1 direction is referred to as a width WEB2, and the width of the detection electrode EB3 in the Z1 direction is referred to as a width WEB3. In the present embodiment, the detection electrode EB1, the detection electrode EB2, and the detection electrode EB3 are provided such that "WEB1 < WEB2" and "WEB3 < WEB2" are satisfied.

[0035] Further, the wiring portion FB[m] includes: a conductive connection wiring HEB1 provided between the electrode formation region RB and the bent portion EP-B and connected to the detection electrode EB1; a conductive connection wiring HEB2 provided between the electrode formation region RB and the bent portion EP-B at a position in the Z1 direction as viewed from the connection wiring HEB1 and connected to the detection electrode EB2; a conductive connection wiring HEB3 provided between the electrode formation region RB and the bent portion EP-B at a position in the Z1 direction as viewed from the connection wiring HEB2 and connected to the detection electrode EB3; a conductive connection wiring HSB1 provided between the electrode formation region RB and the bent portion EP-B at a position in the Z2 direction as viewed from the connection wiring HEB1 and connected to the shield electrode SB1; a conductive connection wiring HSB2 provided between the electrode formation region RB and the bent portion EP-B between the connection wiring HEB1 and the connection wiring HEB2 and connected to the shield electrode SB2; a conductive connection wiring HSB3 provided between the electrode formation region RB and the bent portion EP-B between the connection wiring HEB2 and the connection wiring HEB3 and connected to the shield electrode SB3; and a conductive connection wiring HSB4 provided between the electrode formation region RB and the bent portion EP-B at a position in the Z1 direction as viewed from the connection wiring HEB3 and connected to the shield electrode SB4.

[0036] In this embodiment, when the ink management device FF[m] is viewed in the Y-axis direction, the region where the electrode formation region RA and the wiring portion FB[m] overlap is approximately the same region as the electrode formation region RB. That is, in this embodiment, when the ink management device FF[m] is viewed in the Y-axis direction, the electrode formation region RA and the electrode formation region RB are approximately the same. Here, "approximately the same" is a concept that includes not only cases where they are completely identical, but also cases where they can be considered identical if an error is taken into account. In this embodiment, "approximately the same" is a concept that includes cases where they can be considered identical if an error of about 10% is taken into account. "Approximately the same" is the same as "approximately the same".

[0037] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ink management device FF[m] when it is cut by a plane having a normal vector pointing in the Y-axis direction and passing through electrode formation regions RA and RB.

[0038] As shown in Figure 6, the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] is fixed to walls 10A, 10B, and 10C by double-sided adhesive tape DT. The flexible printed circuit board FP[m] comprises a non-conductive cover film layer LF1 that adheres to the double-sided adhesive tape DT, a non-conductive cover film layer LF2, and a non-conductive substrate layer LK provided between the cover film layers LF1 and LF2.

[0039] Furthermore, the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] includes a wiring layer LE provided between the substrate layer LK and the cover film layer LF1, on which the input electrode EA, detection electrode EB1, detection electrode EB2, detection electrode EB3, shield electrode SA1, shield electrode SA2, shield electrode SB1, shield electrode SB2, shield electrode SB3, and shield electrode SB4 described above are arranged, and a shield layer LS provided between the substrate layer LK and the cover film layer LF2, on which conductive shield electrode SSA and conductive shield electrode SSB are arranged.

[0040] Furthermore, in the wiring layer LE, non-conductive partitions are provided between the input electrode EA and the shield electrode SA1, and between the input electrode EA and the shield electrode SA2. In addition, in the wiring layer LE, non-conductive partitions are provided between the detection electrode EB1 and the shield electrode SB1, between the detection electrode EB1 and the shield electrode SB2, between the detection electrode EB2 and the shield electrode SB2, between the detection electrode EB2 and the shield electrode SB3, between the detection electrode EB3 and the shield electrode SB3, and between the detection electrode EB3 and the shield electrode SB4.

[0041] Furthermore, the shield electrode SSA is provided such that, when the wiring portion FA[m] is viewed in the X1 direction, the shield electrode SSA covers the entire input electrode EA. Similarly, the shield electrode SSB is provided such that, when the wiring portion FB[m] is viewed in the X2 direction, the shield electrode SSB covers the entire detection electrodes EB1, EB2, and EB3.

[0042] In the following, the width of the shield electrode SSA in the X1 direction will be referred to as width dxSA, and the width of the shield electrode SSB in the X1 direction will be referred to as width dxSB. In this embodiment, shield electrodes SSA and SSB are provided such that widths dxSA and dxSB are approximately the same. Also, in this embodiment, wiring portions FA[m] and FB[m] are provided such that widths dxA and dxB are approximately the same.

[0043] As shown in Figure 6, a capacitor CC1 is formed between the input electrode EA and the detection electrode EB1, a capacitor CC2 is formed between the input electrode EA and the detection electrode EB2, and a capacitor CC3 is formed between the input electrode EA and the detection electrode EB3. The capacity values ​​of capacitors CC1, CC2, and CC3 are determined according to the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m]. Hereinafter, the distance from the wall 11, which is the bottom surface of the ink tank TK[m], to the liquid surface of the ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] will be referred to as the liquid surface height LV.

[0044] Figure 7 is an unfolded view of the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] after it has been removed from the ink tank TK[m] and laid flat. In Figure 7, the X, Y, and Z axes are shown assuming that the position and orientation of the wiring portion FA[m] remain unchanged from that in Figure 4, and that the wiring portions FC[m] and FB[m] are located on the same plane as the wiring portion FA[m]. Furthermore, in Figure 7, only the wiring layer LE and shield layer LS of the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] are shown, and the base layer LK, cover film layer LF1, and cover film layer LF2 are omitted.

[0045] As shown in Figure 7, the wiring layer LE of the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] includes through-electrode VEA, through-electrode VSA1, through-electrode VSA2, through-electrode VEB1, through-electrode VEB2, through-electrode VEB3, through-electrode VSB1, through-electrode VSB2, through-electrode VSB3, and through-electrode VSB4 in the wiring portion FC[m]. Furthermore, the shield layer LS of the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] includes terminals NEA, NSA1, NSA2, NEB1, NEB2, NEB3, NSB1, NSB2, NSB3, NSB4, NSSA1, NSSA2, NSSB1, and NSSB2.

[0046] Of these, terminals NSSA1 and NSSA2 are connected to the shield electrode SSA. Terminals NSSB1 and NSSB2 are connected to the shield electrode SSB. Further, the through electrode VEA is connected to the connection wiring HEA, and is also connected to the terminal NEA via a through hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VSA1 is connected to the connection wiring HSA1, and is also connected to the terminal NSA1 via a through hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VSA2 is connected to the connection wiring HSA2, and is also connected to the terminal NSA2 via a through hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VEB1 is connected to the connection wiring HEB1, and is also connected to the terminal NEB1 via a through hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VEB2 is connected to the connection wiring HEB2, and is also connected to the terminal NEB2 via a through hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VEB3 is connected to the connection wiring HEB3, and is also connected to the terminal NEB3 via a through hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VSB1 is connected to the connection wiring HSB1, and is also connected to the terminal NSB1 via a through hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VSB2 is connected to the connection wiring HSB2, and is also connected to the terminal NSB2 via a through hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VSB3 is connected to the connection wiring HSB3, and is also connected to the terminal NSB3 via a through hole provided in the base material layer LK. The through electrode VSB4 is connected to the connection wiring HSB4, and is also connected to the terminal NSB4 via a through hole provided in the base material layer LK.

[0047] <<A.4.Outline of Ink Amount Detection Apparatus>> Hereinafter, an outline of the ink amount detection apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0048] FIG. 8 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a storage apparatus 3 including the ink supply apparatus 1 and the ink amount detection apparatus 2.

[0049] As shown in Figure 8, the storage device 3 comprises an ink supply device 1 including an ink management device FF[m], and an ink quantity detection device 2, as described above. The ink quantity detection device 2 comprises M selection circuits 4 that correspond one-to-one with the M ink management devices FF[1] to FF[M] provided in the ink supply device 1, and M ink quantity information generation circuits 5 that correspond one-to-one with the M ink management devices FF[1] to FF[M] provided in the ink supply device 1. For the sake of explanation, in Figure 8, only one ink management device FF[m] is shown among the M ink management devices FF[1] to FF[M] provided in the ink supply device 1. Also, for the sake of explanation, in Figure 8, among the M selection circuits 4 and M ink quantity information generation circuits 5 provided in the ink quantity detection device 2, the selection circuit 4[m] corresponding to the ink management device FF[m] and the ink quantity information generation circuit 5[m] corresponding to the ink management device FF[m] are shown. Furthermore, in Figure 8, for the sake of explanation, the ink management device FF[m] is shown as an equivalent circuit of the ink management device FF[m] using capacitors CC1, CC2, and CC3 provided in the ink management device FF[m].

[0050] As shown in Figure 8, terminal NEA of the ink management device FF[m] is electrically connected to the AC power supply 22. The AC power supply 22 supplies an input signal Vin, which is an AC pulse signal, to terminal NEA. The input signal Vin input to terminal NEA of the ink management device FF[m] is transmitted to terminal NEB1 as detection signal Vout1 via capacitor CC1, to terminal NEB2 as detection signal Vout2 via capacitor CC2, and to terminal NEB3 as detection signal Vout3 via capacitor CC3. In this embodiment, detection signals Vout1, Vout2, and Vout3 may be collectively referred to as detection signal Vout.

[0051] The selection circuit 4[m] includes input terminal IN1, input terminal IN2, input terminal IN3, output terminal OS, switch SW1, switch SW2, and switch SW3.

[0052] Of these, input terminal IN1 is electrically connected to terminal NEB1. When the AC power supply 22 supplies the input signal Vin to terminal NEA, the detection signal Vout1 is supplied to input terminal IN1 from terminal NEB1. Input terminal IN2 is electrically connected to terminal NEB2. When the AC power supply 22 supplies the input signal Vin to terminal NEA, the detection signal Vout2 is supplied to input terminal IN2 from terminal NEB2. Input terminal IN3 is electrically connected to terminal NEB3. When the AC power supply 22 supplies the input signal Vin to terminal NEA, the detection signal Vout3 is supplied to input terminal IN3 from terminal NEB3.

[0053] Furthermore, switch SW1 switches whether or not to electrically connect input terminal IN1 and output terminal OS based on the selection signal Sel supplied from control device 7. Switch SW2 switches whether or not to electrically connect input terminal IN2 and output terminal OS based on the selection signal Sel supplied from control device 7. Switch SW3 switches whether or not to electrically connect input terminal IN3 and output terminal OS based on the selection signal Sel supplied from control device 7. More specifically, the selection circuit 4[m] electrically connects one input terminal IN selected by the selection signal Sel from among input terminals IN1, IN2, and IN3 to the output terminal OS, and grounds the two input terminals IN other than the one selected by the selection signal Sel, thereby electrically disconnecting them from the output terminal OS. The selection circuit 4[m] outputs the detection signal Vout input to the one input terminal IN selected by the selection signal Sel as the output signal VS from the output terminal OS.

[0054] The ink volume information generation circuit 5[m] includes an input terminal IN5, an output terminal O5, a bias circuit 51, a buffer circuit 52, a bandpass filter 53, a sample-and-hold circuit 54, a low-pass filter 55, an amplification circuit 56, and an analog-to-digital conversion circuit 57.

[0055] Of these, input terminal IN5 is electrically connected to output terminal OS. When the AC power supply 22 supplies the input signal Vin to terminal NEA, the output signal VS is supplied to input terminal IN5 from output terminal OS. Input terminal IN5 is electrically connected to the input terminal of buffer circuit 52 via bias circuit 51.

[0056] The bias circuit 51 biases the output signal VS supplied to the input terminal IN5 to a predetermined bias voltage between the power supply voltage and the ground voltage. The buffer circuit 52 outputs the output signal VS, which has been biased by the bias circuit 51, to the bandpass filter 53. The bandpass filter 53 selectively passes components within a predetermined frequency range from the signal supplied by the buffer circuit 52, while removing other components.

[0057] The sample-and-hold circuit 54 samples the signal output from the bandpass filter 53 at a period based on the period of the input signal Vin supplied from the AC power supply 22, and holds the voltage value of the sampled signal until the operation of the analog-to-digital conversion circuit 57 is completed. The sample-and-hold circuit 54 also outputs the sampled signal to the low-pass filter 55. The low-pass filter 55 removes frequency components from the signal input to the low-pass filter 55 that are higher than a predetermined threshold, and outputs the frequency components below the predetermined threshold to the amplification circuit 56. The amplification circuit 56 amplifies the signal supplied from the low-pass filter 55 at a predetermined amplification factor and outputs the amplified signal to the analog-to-digital conversion circuit 57.

[0058] The analog-to-digital conversion circuit 57 converts the analog signal output from the amplification circuit 56 into a digital signal. The analog-to-digital conversion circuit 57 then outputs this digital signal to the control device 7. The signal supplied from the analog-to-digital conversion circuit 57 to the control device 7 is a signal representing ink quantity information DR, which indicates the magnitude of the detection signal Vout selected as the output signal VS by the selection circuit 4[m]. Here, the magnitude of the detection signal Vout indicated by the ink quantity information DR is, for example, the amplitude Aout of the detection signal Vout. However, the magnitude of the detection signal Vout indicated by the ink quantity information DR may also be the RMS value of the detection signal Vout. In this embodiment, the ink quantity information generation circuit 5[m] is an example of a "generation circuit".

[0059] Next, referring to Figure 9, we will explain the amplitude Aout of the detection signal Vout indicated by the ink quantity information DR.

[0060] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between the amplitude Aout of the detection signal Vout and the liquid level height LV. In Figure 9, the liquid level height LV1d is the height from the wall 11 to the Z1 end of the detection electrode EB1. The liquid level height LV1u is the height from the wall 11 to the Z2 end of the detection electrode EB1. That is, the liquid level range LV1 from liquid level height LV1d to liquid level height LV1u is the range of liquid level height LV within the ink tank TK[m] from when the ink IK is at the lower end of the detection electrode EB1 to when it is at the upper end of the detection electrode EB1. Furthermore, in Figure 9, the liquid level height LV2d is the height from the wall 11 to the Z1 end of the detection electrode EB2. The liquid level height LV2u is the height from the wall 11 to the Z2 end of the detection electrode EB2. That is, the liquid level range LV2 from liquid level height LV2d to liquid level height LV2u is the range of liquid level height LV inside the ink tank TK[m] from when the ink IK is at the lower end of the detection electrode EB2 to when it is at the upper end of the detection electrode EB2. Furthermore, in Figure 9, the liquid level height LV3d is the height from the wall 11 to the Z1 end of the detection electrode EB3. The liquid level height LV3u is the height from the wall 11 to the Z2 end of the detection electrode EB3. That is, the liquid level range LV3, from liquid level height LV3d to liquid level height LV3u, is the range of liquid level height LV within the ink tank TK[m] from when the ink IK is at the lower end of the detection electrode EB3 to when it is at the upper end of the detection electrode EB3.

[0061] Generally, the relative permittivity of ink IK is greater than that of air. Therefore, when the space corresponding to the liquid level range LV1 located between the input electrode EA and the detection electrode EB1 in the ink tank TK[m] is filled with ink IK, the capacitance of capacitor CC1 will be greater than when the space is filled with air. Similarly, when the space corresponding to the liquid level range LV2 located between the input electrode EA and the detection electrode EB2 in the ink tank TK[m] is filled with ink IK, the capacitance of capacitor CC2 will be greater than when the space is filled with air. Similarly, when the space corresponding to the liquid level range LV3 located between the input electrode EA and the detection electrode EB3 in the ink tank TK[m] is filled with ink IK, the capacitance of capacitor CC3 will be greater than when the space is filled with air.

[0062] Furthermore, generally speaking, when the area of ​​a capacitor is large, its capacitance is larger compared to when it is small. Specifically, when viewed in the X1 direction, if the overlapping area of ​​the detection electrode EB1 and the input electrode EA is large, the capacitance of capacitor CC1 will be larger compared to when it is small. Similarly, when viewed in the X1 direction, if the overlapping area of ​​the detection electrode EB2 and the input electrode EA is large, the capacitance of capacitor CC2 will be larger compared to when it is small. Also, when viewed in the X1 direction, if the overlapping area of ​​the detection electrode EB3 and the input electrode EA is large, the capacitance of capacitor CC3 will be larger compared to when it is small. In this embodiment, as an example, it is assumed that when viewed in the X1 direction, the input electrode EA, detection electrode EB1, detection electrode EB2, and detection electrode EB3 are arranged such that the entirety of detection electrode EB1, detection electrode EB2, and detection electrode EB3 are covered by the input electrode EA. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the area of ​​detection electrode EB1 is large, the capacitance of capacitor CC1 is larger compared to when the area is small. Also, in this embodiment, when the area of ​​detection electrode EB2 is large, the capacitance of capacitor CC2 is larger compared to when the area is small.

[0063] Furthermore, when the capacitance of capacitor CC1 is large, the amplitude Aout1 of the detection signal Vout1 is larger compared to when the capacitance of capacitor CC1 is small. Similarly, when the capacitance of capacitor CC2 is large, the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 is larger compared to when the capacitance of capacitor CC2 is small. Similarly, when the capacitance of capacitor CC3 is large, the amplitude Aout3 of the detection signal Vout3 is larger compared to when the capacitance of capacitor CC3 is small.

[0064] Therefore, as shown in Figure 9, when the liquid level height LV is LV1u or higher, the amplitude Aout1 of the detection signal Vout1 is larger compared to when the liquid level height LV is LV1d or lower. Also, when the liquid level height LV is LV2u or higher, the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 is larger compared to when the liquid level height LV is LV2d or lower. Furthermore, when the liquid level height LV is LV3u or higher, the amplitude Aout3 of the detection signal Vout3 is larger compared to when the liquid level height LV is LV3d or lower.

[0065] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the detection electrode EB1 is provided such that when the liquid level height LV is equal to or higher than the liquid level height LV1u, the amplitude Aout1 of the detection signal Vout1 is the voltage VH, and when the liquid level height LV is equal to or lower than the liquid level height LV1d, the amplitude Aout1 of the detection signal Vout1 is the voltage VL which is lower than the voltage VH. Further, in the present embodiment, the detection electrode EB2 is provided such that when the liquid level height LV is equal to or higher than the liquid level height LV2u, the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 is the voltage VH, and when the liquid level height LV is equal to or lower than the liquid level height LV2d, the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 is the voltage VL. Further, in the present embodiment, the detection electrode EB3 is provided such that when the liquid level height LV is equal to or higher than the liquid level height LV3u, the amplitude Aout3 of the detection signal Vout3 is the voltage VH, and when the liquid level height LV is equal to or lower than the liquid level height LV3d, the amplitude Aout3 of the detection signal Vout3 is the voltage VL. Note that the threshold voltage VTH shown in FIG. 9 is a voltage lower than the voltage VH and higher than the voltage VL.

[0066] <<A.5.Outline of Remaining Ink Amount Determination Process>> Hereinafter, an outline of the remaining ink amount determination process executed by the control device 7 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. Here, the remaining ink amount determination process is a process for determining the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] based on the ink amount information DR.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 10, the control device 7 supplies a selection signal Sel for selecting the switch SW1 corresponding to the detection electrode EB1 that outputs the detection signal Vout1 to the selection circuit 4[m] (S101). Accordingly, the control device 7 causes the switch SW1 to electrically connect the input terminal IN1 and the output terminal OS, and causes the selection circuit 4[m] to output the detection signal Vout1 as the output signal VS. Next, the control device 7 determines whether or not the amplitude Aout1 indicated by the ink amount information DR output from the ink amount information generation circuit 5[m] is equal to or lower than the threshold voltage VTH (S103). Then, if the result of the determination in step S103 is negative, that is, if the amplitude Aout1 indicated by the ink amount information DR is greater than the threshold voltage VTH, the control device 7 determines that the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is "high" (S105), and terminates the ink remaining amount determination process shown in Figure 10.

[0068] Furthermore, if the result of the determination in step S103 is positive, that is, if the amplitude Aout1 indicated by the ink quantity information DR is less than or equal to the threshold voltage VTH, the control device 7 supplies a selection signal Sel to the selection circuit 4[m] to select the switch SW2 corresponding to the detection electrode EB2 that outputs the detection signal Vout2 (S111). As a result, the control device 7 electrically connects the input terminal IN2 and the output terminal OS with the switch SW2 and causes the selection circuit 4[m] to output the detection signal Vout2 as the output signal VS. Next, the control device 7 determines whether the amplitude Aout2 indicated by the ink amount information DR output by the ink amount information generation circuit 5[m] is less than or equal to the threshold voltage VTH (S113). Then, if the result of the determination in step S113 is negative, that is, if the amplitude Aout2 indicated by the ink amount information DR is greater than the threshold voltage VTH, the control device 7 determines that the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is "medium" (S115), and terminates the ink remaining amount determination process shown in Figure 10. Note that when the ink remaining amount is "medium", the amount of ink stored in the ink tank is less than when the ink remaining amount is "high".

[0069] Furthermore, if the result of the determination in step S113 is positive, that is, if the amplitude Aout2 indicated by the ink quantity information DR is less than or equal to the threshold voltage VTH, the control device 7 supplies a selection signal Sel to the selection circuit 4[m] to select the switch SW3 corresponding to the detection electrode EB3 that outputs the detection signal Vout3 (S121). As a result, the control device 7 electrically connects the input terminal IN3 and the output terminal OS with the switch SW3 and causes the selection circuit 4[m] to output the detection signal Vout3 as an output signal VS. Next, the control device 7 determines whether the amplitude Aout3 indicated by the ink amount information DR output by the ink amount information generation circuit 5[m] is less than or equal to the threshold voltage VTH (S123). Then, if the result of the determination in step S123 is negative, that is, if the amplitude Aout3 indicated by the ink amount information DR is greater than the threshold voltage VTH, the control device 7 determines that the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is "low" (S125), and terminates the ink level determination process shown in Figure 10. Note that when the ink level is "low", the amount of ink stored in the ink tank is less than when the ink level is "medium". Furthermore, if the result of the determination in step S123 is positive, that is, if the amplitude Aout3 indicated by the ink amount information DR is less than or equal to the threshold voltage VTH, the control device 7 determines that the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is "none" (S127), and terminates the ink remaining amount determination process shown in Figure 10. Note that when the remaining ink is "none," the amount of ink stored in the ink tank is less than when the remaining ink is "low."

[0070] In this embodiment, the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 in the Z1 direction is greater than the width WEB1 of the detection electrode EB1 in the Z1 direction, and greater than the width WEB3 of the detection electrode EB3 in the Z1 direction. Below, in order to explain the effects of this embodiment, a proportional inkjet printer will be described. In a proportional inkjet printer, the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 in the Z1 direction is approximately the same as the width WEB1 of the detection electrode EB1 in the Z1 direction, and the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 in the Z1 direction is approximately the same as the width WEB3 of the detection electrode EB3 in the Z1 direction, except that it is configured similarly to the inkjet printer 100 in this embodiment.

[0071] Figure 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the relationship between the amplitude Aout of the detection signal Vout and the liquid level height LV in a proportional inkjet printer.

[0072] As shown in Figure 11, in the proportional configuration as in this embodiment, the detection electrode EB1 is provided such that the amplitude Aout1 of the detection signal Vout1 is voltage VH when the liquid level height LV is LV1u or higher, and the amplitude Aout1 of the detection signal Vout1 is voltage VL when the liquid level height LV is LV1d or lower. The detection electrode EB3 is provided such that the amplitude Aout3 of the detection signal Vout3 is voltage VH when the liquid level height LV is LV3u or higher, and the amplitude Aout3 of the detection signal Vout3 is voltage VL when the liquid level height LV is LV3d or lower. On the other hand, in the proportional configuration, the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 is voltage VL when the liquid level height LV is LV2d or lower, but the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 is voltage VH2 when the liquid level height LV is LV2u or higher, which is smaller than the voltage VH.

[0073] As described above, in the wiring section FB[m], the only electrode present in the Z2 direction of the detection electrode EB1 is the shield electrode SB1, and the only electrode present in the Z1 direction of the detection electrode EB3 is the shield electrode SB4. On the other hand, in the wiring section FB[m], there are three electrodes in the Z2 direction of the detection electrode EB2: the detection electrode EB1, the shield electrode SB1, and the shield electrode SB2. Also, there are three electrodes in the Z1 direction of the detection electrode EB2: the detection electrode EB3, the shield electrode SB3, and the shield electrode SB4. In other words, the magnitude of the influence of the electrodes other than the detection electrode EB2 on the electric field between the input electrode EA and the detection electrode EB2 in the wiring section FB[m] is greater than the magnitude of the influence of the electrodes other than the detection electrode EB1 on the electric field between the input electrode EA and the detection electrode EB1 in the wiring section FB[m], and the magnitude of the influence of the electrodes other than the detection electrode EB3 on the electric field between the input electrode EA and the detection electrode EB3 in the wiring section FB[m].

[0074] Therefore, in a proportional manner, if the width WEB2 of detection electrode EB2 is made approximately the same as the width WEB1 of detection electrode EB1, and the width WEB2 of detection electrode EB2 is made approximately the same as the width WEB3 of detection electrode EB3, then, as shown in Figure 11, the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 output from detection electrode EB2 becomes smaller than the amplitude Aout1 of the detection signal Vout1 output from detection electrode EB1, and also smaller than the amplitude Aout3 of the detection signal Vout3 output from detection electrode EB3. Therefore, in proportionality, the control device 7 needs to prepare a separate threshold voltage VTH used to determine whether the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is "medium" or greater, corresponding to liquid level range LV2, from the threshold voltage VTH used to determine whether the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is "a lot" or greater, corresponding to liquid level range LV1, and whether the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is "a little" or greater, corresponding to liquid level range LV3.

[0075] In contrast, in the present embodiment, as described above, the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 is set larger than the width WEB1 of the detection electrode EB1, and the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 is set larger than the width WEB3 of the detection electrode EB3. That is, according to the present embodiment, the capacitance of the capacitor CC2 can be set larger than the capacitance of the capacitor CC1, and the capacitance of the capacitor CC2 can be set larger than the capacitance of the capacitor CC3. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the detection electrode EB1, the detection electrode EB2, and the detection electrode EB3 can be provided such that the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 output from the detection electrode EB2 is substantially the same as the amplitude Aout1 of the detection signal Vout1 output from the detection electrode EB1, and the amplitude Aout2 of the detection signal Vout2 output from the detection electrode EB2 is substantially the same as the amplitude Aout3 of the detection signal Vout3 output from the detection electrode EB3. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the control device 7 can share the threshold voltage VTH used for determining whether the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is equal to or more than the "medium" amount corresponding to the liquid level range LV2, for both the determination of whether the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is equal to or more than the "large" amount corresponding to the liquid level range LV1, and the determination of whether the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m] is equal to or more than the "small" amount corresponding to the liquid level range LV3.

[0076] <<A.6.Conclusion of the First Embodiment>> As described above, the inkjet printer 100 according to this embodiment comprises a wall 10A, an ink tank TK[m] for storing ink IK between wall 10A and wall 10B located in the X1 direction as viewed from wall 10A and facing wall 10A, a liquid ejection head HU[m] for ejecting ink IK supplied from ink tank TK[m], and a flexible printed circuit board FP[m] for detecting the remaining amount of ink IK in ink tank TK[m], wherein the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] comprises a wiring portion FA[m] having an input electrode EA provided on wall 10A, and a wiring portion FA[m] provided on wall 10B The device comprises a wiring portion FB[m] having a recessed detection electrode EB1, a detection electrode EB2 provided on wall 10B, and a detection electrode EB3 provided on wall 10B, wherein the detection electrode EB2 is positioned between the detection electrodes EB1 and EB3, and when the ink tank TK[m] is viewed in the X1 direction, the area of ​​the region of the input electrode EA that overlaps with the detection electrode EB1 is smaller than the area of ​​the region of the input electrode EA that overlaps with the detection electrode EB2, and the area of ​​the region of the input electrode EA that overlaps with the detection electrode EB3 is smaller than the area of ​​the region of the input electrode EA that overlaps with the detection electrode EB2. In this embodiment, the region of the input electrode EA that overlaps with the detection electrode EB1 is an example of the "first region," the region of the input electrode EA that overlaps with the detection electrode EB2 is an example of the "second region," and the region of the input electrode EA that overlaps with the detection electrode EB3 is an example of the "third region."

[0077] In other words, in this embodiment, the area of ​​the region of the input electrode EA that overlaps with the detection electrode EB2 is made larger than the area of ​​the region of the input electrode EA that overlaps with the detection electrode EB1, and the area of ​​the region of the input electrode EA that overlaps with the detection electrode EB2 is made larger than the area of ​​the region of the input electrode EA that overlaps with the detection electrode EB3. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to make the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB2 approximately the same as the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB1 and the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB3. In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to make the signal level of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB2 approximately the same as the signal level of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB1 and the signal level of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB3. As a result, according to this embodiment, the signal processing of the signals detected from the detection electrodes EB1, EB2, and EB3 is easier compared to an embodiment in which the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB2 is different from the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB1 and the amplitude of the signal detected from the detection electrode EB3.

[0078] Furthermore, the inkjet printer 100 according to this embodiment includes an ink quantity information generation circuit 5[m] that generates ink quantity information DR relating to the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[m], and a selection circuit 4[m] that selects one detection electrode EB from among a plurality of detection electrodes EB having in a wiring portion FB[m] provided on the wall 10B, which includes detection electrodes EB1, detection electrode EB2, and detection electrode EB3, and electrically connects the selected detection electrode EB to the ink quantity information generation circuit 5[m], wherein the ink quantity information generation circuit 5[m] generates ink quantity information DR based on a detection signal Vout detected from one detection electrode EB when an input signal Vin is supplied to the input electrode EA.

[0079] In other words, according to this embodiment, since the inkjet printer 100 is equipped with a selection circuit 4[m], the ink quantity information generation circuit 5[m] can receive signals from detection electrodes EB1, EB2, and EB3. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the configuration of the inkjet printer 100 can be simplified compared to an embodiment in which multiple ink quantity information generation circuits 5[m] are provided that correspond one-to-one with multiple detection electrodes EB of the wiring portion FB[m].

[0080] Furthermore, in the inkjet printer 100 according to this embodiment, the selection circuit 4[m] is characterized in that, when one detection electrode EB is selected from among a plurality of detection electrodes EB, it electrically disconnects the detection electrodes EB other than the one detection electrode EB from the ink amount information generation circuit 5[m].

[0081] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the ink quantity information generation circuit 5[m] can receive signals from detection electrode EB1, detection electrode EB2, and detection electrode EB3.

[0082] Furthermore, in the inkjet printer 100 according to this embodiment, the wiring portion FB[m] is characterized by comprising a shield electrode SB2 provided between detection electrodes EB1 and EB2 in the wall 10B, and a shield electrode SB3 provided between detection electrodes EB2 and EB3 in the wall 10B. In this embodiment, shield electrode SB2 is an example of a "first shield electrode," and shield electrode SB3 is an example of a "second shield electrode."

[0083] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the superposition of a signal detected from one of the detection electrodes EB1, EB2, and EB3 as noise on the signals detected from the other detection electrodes EB.

[0084] Furthermore, in the inkjet printer 100 according to this embodiment, the detection electrodes EB1, EB2, and EB3 are arranged in the Z1 direction intersecting the X1 direction on the wall 10B, and in the Z1 direction, the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 is larger than the width WEB1 of the detection electrode EB1, and the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 is larger than the width WEB3 of the detection electrode EB3.

[0085] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to make the amplitude of the signal detected from detection electrode EB2 approximately the same as the amplitude of the signal detected from detection electrode EB1 and the amplitude of the signal detected from detection electrode EB3.

[0086] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which three detection electrodes EB, detection electrode EB1, detection electrode EB2, and detection electrode EB3, are provided on the wall 10B. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, four or more detection electrodes EB may be provided on the wall 10B. In this case, multiple detection electrodes EB may be provided on the wall 10B such that the area of ​​the detection electrode EB located in the center is larger than the area of ​​the detection electrode EB located at the edges.

[0087] In the following, among the multiple detection electrodes EB provided on the wall 10B, the detection electrode EB located at the end in the Z1 direction will be referred to as the end detection electrode EBT1, and the detection electrode EB located at the end in the Z2 direction will be referred to as the end detection electrode EBT2. The distance in the Z1 direction between the detection electrode EB and the end detection electrode EBT1 will be referred to as distance dBT1, and the distance in the Z1 direction between the detection electrode EB and the end detection electrode EBT2 will be referred to as distance dBT2. The smaller of the two distances dBT1 and dBT2 will be referred to as distance dBT. In this case, for example, if the distance dBT corresponding to one detection electrode EB is larger than the distance dBT corresponding to another detection electrode EB among the multiple detection electrodes EB provided on the wall 10B, multiple detection electrodes EB may be provided such that the area of ​​one detection electrode EB is larger than the area of ​​the other detection electrodes EB.

[0088] In other words, in the inkjet printer 100 according to this embodiment, the wiring portion FB[m] has a plurality of detection electrodes EB provided on the wall 10B, including detection electrode EB1, detection electrode EB2, and detection electrode EB3, and the area of ​​one of the plurality of detection electrodes EB is larger than the area of ​​other detection electrodes EB located at the end of the plurality of detection electrodes EB, where the distance dBBT from the detection electrode EB located at the end of the plurality of detection electrodes EB is closer than the area of ​​the one detection electrode EB.

[0089] According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the amplitude variation of the signals detected from multiple detection electrodes EB provided in the wiring portion FB[m].

[0090] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the detection electrodes EB1, EB2, and EB3 provided in the wiring portion FB[m] are arranged in the Z1 direction, and in the Z1 direction, the width WEB2 of detection electrode EB2 is greater than the width WEB1 of detection electrode EB1, and the width WEB2 of detection electrode EB2 is greater than the width WEB3 of detection electrode EB3. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, in the Y1 direction intersecting the Z1 direction, detection electrodes EB1, EB2, and EB3 may be provided such that the width of detection electrode EB2 is greater than the width of detection electrode EB1, and the width of detection electrode EB2 is greater than the width of detection electrode EB3.

[0091] In other words, the inkjet printer 100 according to this embodiment may be characterized in that, on the wall 10B, the detection electrode EB1, detection electrode EB2, and detection electrode EB3 are arranged in the Z1 direction, and in the Y1 direction intersecting the X1 and Z1 directions, the width of detection electrode EB2 is greater than the width of detection electrode EB1, and the width of detection electrode EB2 is greater than the width of detection electrode EB3.

[0092] According to this embodiment, it is possible to make the amplitude of the signal detected from detection electrode EB2 approximately the same as the amplitude of the signal detected from detection electrode EB1 and the amplitude of the signal detected from detection electrode EB3.

[0093] <<B.Second Embodiment>> Hereinafter, the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14. In the embodiments illustrated below, for elements whose actions and functions are the same as those in the first embodiment, the reference numerals used in the description of the first embodiment are reused, and detailed descriptions of each are omitted as appropriate.

[0094] <<B.1.Inkjet Printer According to Second Embodiment>> The inkjet printer according to the second embodiment differs from the inkjet printer 100 according to the first embodiment in that it includes an ink supply device 1W instead of the ink supply device 1.

[0095] FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the configuration of the ink supply device 1 when the ink supply device 1W is viewed toward the Z1 direction.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 12, the ink supply device 1W differs from the ink supply device 1 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in that it includes an ink management device FF-W[m] instead of the ink management device FF[m]. The ink management device FF-W[m] differs from the ink management device FF[m] according to the first embodiment in that it includes a flexible printed circuit board FP-W[m] instead of the flexible printed circuit board FP[m]. The flexible printed circuit board FP-W[m] differs from the flexible printed circuit board FP[m] according to the first embodiment in that it includes a wiring portion FA-W[m] instead of the wiring portion FA[m], and includes a wiring portion FC-W[m] instead of the wiring portion FC[m]. That is, the flexible printed circuit board FP-W[m] according to the second embodiment includes the wiring portion FA-W[m], the wiring portion FB[m], and the wiring portion FC-W[m].

[0097] In the following, the width of the wiring portion FA-W[m] in the X1 direction will be referred to as width dxAW. As will be explained in detail later, width dxAW is smaller than width dxA. Also, in this embodiment, width dxAW is smaller than width dxB. In other words, in this embodiment, the width dxAW of the wiring portion FA-W[m] in the X1 direction is smaller than the width dxB of the wiring portion FB[m] in the X1 direction.

[0098] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view of the ink management device FF-W[m] when the ink management device FF-W[m] is cut by a plane having a normal vector pointing in the Y-axis direction.

[0099] As shown in Figure 13, the wiring portion FA-W[m] is similar to the wiring portion FA[m] of the first embodiment in that it comprises a cover film layer LF1, a cover film layer LF2, and a wiring layer LE provided between the cover film layers LF1 and LF2. However, it differs from the wiring portion FA[m] of the first embodiment shown in Figure 6 in that a base layer LK and a shield layer LS are not provided between the cover film layers LF1 and LF2. In other words, the wiring portion FA-W[m] differs from the wiring portion FA[m] in that it does not include a shield layer LS containing a shield electrode SSA.

[0100] The width dxAW of the wiring portion FA-W[m] in the X1 direction is determined based on the width of the cover film layer LF1 in the X1 direction, the width of the cover film layer LF2 in the X1 direction, and the width of the wiring layer LE in the X1 direction. On the other hand, the width dxB of the wiring portion FB[m] in the X1 direction is determined based on the width of the cover film layer LF1 in the X1 direction, the width of the cover film layer LF2 in the X1 direction, and the width of the wiring layer LE in the X1 direction, in addition to the width of the base layer LK in the X1 direction and the width of the shield layer LS in the X1 direction. For this reason, in this embodiment, the width dxAW is smaller than the width dxB.

[0101] FIG. 14 is a developed view when flexible printed circuit FP-W[m] is removed from ink tank TK[m] and developed into a planar shape.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 14, the flexible printed circuit FP-W[m] differs from the flexible printed circuit FP[m] according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 7 in that it includes a shield layer LS-W instead of a shield layer LS. The shield layer LS-W is the same as the shield layer LS according to the first embodiment in that it includes the shield electrode SSB in a portion corresponding to the wiring portion FB[m]. However, the shield layer LS-W differs from the shield layer LS according to the first embodiment in that it does not include a portion corresponding to the wiring portion FA-W[m], that is, does not include the shield electrode SSA. Further, the shield layer LS-W differs from the shield layer LS according to the first embodiment in that it does not include terminals connected to the shield electrode SSA, such as terminal NSSA1 and terminal NSSA2, in a portion corresponding to the wiring portion FC-W[m].

[0103] In the present embodiment, the wall 10A provided in the ink tank TK[m] may be referred to as a wall 10A[m], and the wall 10B provided in the ink tank TK[m] may be referred to as a wall 10B[m]. Further, in the present embodiment, the input electrode EA included in the wiring portion FA-W[m] may be referred to as an input electrode EA[m], the detection electrode EB1, detection electrode EB2, and detection electrode EB3 included in the wiring portion FB[m] may be referred to as a detection electrode EB[m], and the shield electrode SSB included in the wiring portion FB[m] may be referred to as a shield electrode SSB[m].

[0104] <<B.2. Summary of the Second Embodiment>> As described above, the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment includes an ink tank TK[1] that stores ink IK in the space between wall 10A[1] and wall 10B[1] opposite wall 10A[1], an ink tank TK[2] that stores ink IK in the space between wall 10A[2] and wall 10B[2] opposite wall 10A[2], a liquid ejection head HU[1] that ejects ink IK supplied from ink tank TK[1], a liquid ejection head HU[2] that ejects ink IK supplied from ink tank TK[2], a flexible printed circuit board FP-W[1] for detecting the remaining amount of ink IK in ink tank TK[1], and a flexible printed circuit board FP-W[2] for detecting the remaining amount of ink IK in ink tank TK[2], wherein the flexible printed circuit board FP-W[1] is connected to an input power supply provided on wall 10A[1] The flexible printed circuit board FP-W[2] comprises a wiring portion FA-W[1] including an electrode EA[1] and a wiring portion FB[1] including a detection electrode EB[1] provided on the wall 10B[1], and the flexible printed circuit board FP-W[2] comprises a wiring portion FA-W[2] including an input electrode EA[2] provided on the wall 10A[2] and a wiring portion FB[2] including a detection electrode EB[2] provided on the wall 10B[2], and the ink tank TK[1] and ink tank TK[2] are located on the wall 10B[1] However, the components are arranged side by side between walls 10A[1] and 10A[2], and the wiring portion FB[1] is located between the detection electrode EB[1] and the wiring portion FA-W[2] and has a shield electrode SSB[1] for shielding the detection electrode EB[1], while the wiring portion FA-W[2] does not have a shield electrode SSA for shielding the input electrode EA[2] between the input electrode EA[2] and the wiring portion FB[1]. In this embodiment, the surface of wall 10A[1] is an example of a "first surface", the surface of wall 10B[1] is an example of a "second surface", the surface of wall 10A[2] is an example of a "third surface", the surface of wall 10B[2] is an example of a "fourth surface", ink tank TK[1] is an example of a "first storage section", ink tank TK[2] is an example of a "second storage section", liquid ejection head HU[1] is an example of a "first ejection section", liquid ejection head HU[2] is an example of a "second ejection section", flexible printed circuit board FP-W[1] is an example of a "first flexible printed circuit board", and flexible Flexible printed circuit board FP-W[2] is an example of a "second flexible printed circuit board," input electrode EA[1] is an example of a "first electrode," detection electrode EB[1] is an example of a "second electrode," input electrode EA[2] is an example of a "third electrode," detection electrode EB[2] is an example of a "fourth electrode," shield electrode SSB[1] is an example of a "first shield electrode," wiring portion FA-W[1] is an example of a "first wiring portion," wiring portion FB[1] is an example of a "second wiring portion," wiring portion FA-W[2] is an example of a "third wiring portion," and wiring portion FB[2] is an example of a "fourth wiring portion."

[0105] Therefore, according to this embodiment, compared to the configuration in which a shield electrode SSA is provided on the wiring portion FA-W[2], the distance between ink tanks TK[1] and TK[2] can be narrowed when they are placed side by side. In other words, according to this embodiment, compared to the configuration in which a shield electrode SSA is provided on the wiring portion FA-W[2], the space required to house ink tanks TK[1] and TK[2] can be reduced when they are placed side by side.

[0106] Furthermore, the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment includes an ink tank TK[3] that stores ink IK in the space between wall 10A[3] and wall 10B[3] facing wall 10A[3], a liquid ejection head HU[3] that ejects ink IK supplied from ink tank TK[3], and a flexible printed circuit board FP-W[3] for detecting the remaining amount of ink IK in ink tank TK[3], wherein the flexible printed circuit board FP-W[3] includes a wiring portion FA-W[3] that includes an input electrode EA[3] provided on wall 10A[3], and is provided on wall 10B[3] The ink tank TK[2] and ink tank TK[3] are characterized in that they are arranged side by side such that wall 10B[2] is located between wall 10A[2] and wall 10A[3], the wiring portion FB[2] is located between the detection electrode EB[2] and the wiring portion FA-W[3] and has a shield electrode SSB[2] for shielding the detection electrode EB[2], and the wiring portion FA-W[3] does not have a shield electrode SSA for shielding the input electrode EA[3] between the input electrode EA[3] and the wiring portion FB[2]. In this embodiment, the surface of wall 10A[3] is an example of the "fifth surface", the surface of wall 10B[3] is an example of the "sixth surface", the ink tank TK[3] is an example of the "third storage section", the liquid ejection head HU[3] is an example of the "third ejection section", the flexible printed circuit board FP-W[3] is an example of the "third flexible printed circuit board", the input electrode EA[3] is an example of the "fifth electrode", the detection electrode EB[3] is an example of the "sixth electrode", the wiring section FA-W[3] is an example of the "fifth wiring section", and the wiring section FB[3] is an example of the "sixth wiring section".

[0107] Therefore, according to this embodiment, compared to the configuration in which a shield electrode SSA is provided on the wiring portion FA-W[3], the spacing between ink tanks TK[2] and TK[3] can be narrowed when ink tanks TK[1], TK[2], and TK[3] are arranged side by side. In other words, according to this embodiment, compared to the configuration in which a shield electrode SSA is provided on the wiring portion FA-W[3], the space required to house ink tanks TK[1], TK[2], and TK[3] can be reduced when ink tanks TK[1], TK[2], and TK[3] are arranged side by side.

[0108] Furthermore, in the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment, the wiring portion FB[1] has an insulating substrate layer LK between the detection electrode EB[1] and the shield electrode SSB[1], and the detection electrode EB[1] is provided between the wall 10B[1] and the substrate layer LK.

[0109] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the detection electrode EB[1] due to contact with ink IK and outside air, etc.

[0110] Furthermore, the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment is characterized by comprising an ink quantity detection device 2 that detects the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[1] based on a detection signal Vout1 detected from a detection electrode EB1 among a plurality of detection electrodes EB provided in the detection electrode EB[1] when an input signal Vin is supplied to the input electrode EA[1], and a detection signal Vout2 detected from a detection electrode EB2 provided in the Z1 direction of the detection electrode EB1 among a plurality of detection electrodes EB provided in the detection electrode EB[1] when an input signal Vin is supplied to the input electrode EA[1]. In this embodiment, detection electrode EB1 is an example of a "first detection electrode," detection electrode EB2 is an example of a "second detection electrode," detection signal Vout1 is an example of a "first detection signal," detection signal Vout2 is an example of a "second detection signal," the Z1 direction is an example of a "first direction," and ink amount detection device 2 is an example of a "detection unit."

[0111] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to determine the remaining amount of ink IK in the ink tank TK[1] in stages.

[0112] Furthermore, in the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment, the ink quantity detection device 2 is characterized in that, when an input signal Vin is supplied to the input electrode EA[1], it detects the remaining amount of ink IK stored in the ink tank TK[1] based on a detection signal Vout3 detected from the detection electrode EB3, which is one of the multiple detection electrodes EB provided by the detection electrode EB[1]. In this embodiment, the detection electrode EB3 is an example of a "third detection electrode," and the detection signal Vout3 is an example of a "third detection signal."

[0113] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to determine the remaining amount of ink IK in the ink tank TK[1] in stages.

[0114] Furthermore, the inkjet printer according to the second embodiment is characterized in that the input signal Vin is an AC signal.

[0115] In the first and second embodiments described above, an AC input signal Vin is input to the input electrode EA[m]. This makes it possible to generate ink quantity information DR that suppresses variations in dielectric constant due to the type of ink IK.

[0116] In the present embodiment, an example in which three detection electrodes EB, namely detection electrode EB1, detection electrode EB2, and detection electrode EB3, are provided on the wall 10B has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, four or more detection electrodes EB may be provided on the wall 10B, or two detection electrodes EB may be provided thereon.

[0117] Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 in the Z1 direction is larger than the width WEB1 of the detection electrode EB1 in the Z1 direction and also larger than the width WEB3 of the detection electrode EB3 in the Z1 direction has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. In the present embodiment, the width WEB2 of the detection electrode EB2 in the Z1 direction may be substantially the same as the width WEB1 of the detection electrode EB1 in the Z1 direction, and may also be substantially the same as the width WEB3 of the detection electrode EB3 in the Z1 direction.

[0118] <<C. Modifications>> Each embodiment exemplified above can be variously modified. Specific modification examples are illustrated below. Any two or more aspects arbitrarily selected from the following examples can be appropriately combined within a mutually consistent scope.

[0119] <Modification 1> In the above-described first embodiment and second embodiment, the "liquid" ink IK has been described as an example of an object stored in the ink tank TK[m]. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The ink tank TK[m] may be capable of storing objects other than the ink IK. For example, the ink tank TK[m] may be capable of storing fluids such as oil, or may be capable of storing gel-like objects.

[0120] <Modification 2> In the embodiments and modified example 1 described above, the ink quantity detection device 2 was described as comprising M selection circuits 4 and M ink quantity information generation circuits 5, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. The ink quantity detection device 2 only needs to comprise one or more selection circuits 4 and one or more ink quantity information generation circuits 5.

[0121] <Variation 3> In the embodiments and modifications 1 and 2 described above, a serial-type inkjet printer 100 is illustrated in which a storage case 921 equipped with a liquid ejection head HU[m] is moved back and forth in the X-axis direction. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. The inkjet printer 100 may also be a line-type liquid ejection device equipped with a liquid ejection head HU[m] capable of ejecting ink IK over the entire width of the medium PP.

[0122] <Modification 4> The liquid ejection apparatus described above, using the inkjet printer 100 as an example, can be used in various devices such as facsimile machines and photocopiers, in addition to equipment dedicated to printing. However, the applications of the liquid ejection apparatus of the present invention are not limited to printing. For example, a liquid ejection apparatus that ejects a colorant solution can be used as a manufacturing apparatus for forming color filters for liquid crystal display devices. Also, a liquid ejection apparatus that ejects a conductive material solution can be used as a manufacturing apparatus for forming wiring and electrodes on a wiring board. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0123] 1...Ink supply device, 2...Ink volume detection device, 3...Storage device, 4...Selection circuit, 5...Ink volume information generation circuit, 7...Control device, 10A...Wall, 10B...Wall, 10C...Wall, 100...Inkjet printer, EA...Input electrode, EB1...Detection electrode, EB2...Detection electrode, EB3...Detection electrode, FA[m]...Wiring section, FB[m]...Wiring section, FC[m]...Wiring section, FF[m]...Ink management device, FP[m]...Flexible printed circuit board, LE...Wiring layer, LF1...Cover film layer, LF2...Cover film layer, LK...Substrate layer, LS...Shielding layer, SSA...Shielding electrode, SSB...Shielding electrode, TK[m]...Ink tank.

Claims

1. A storage section for storing liquid is located between a first surface and a second surface that is positioned in a first direction when viewed from the first surface and faces the first surface. A discharge unit for discharging the liquid supplied from the storage unit, A flexible printed circuit board for detecting the remaining amount of liquid in the storage section, Equipped with, The aforementioned flexible printed circuit board is A first wiring portion having input electrodes provided on the first surface, The first detection electrode provided on the second surface, The second detection electrode provided on the second surface, and A second wiring portion having a third detection electrode provided on the second surface, Equipped with, The second detection electrode is, Displaced between the first detection electrode and the third detection electrode, When the storage section is viewed in the first direction, The area of ​​the first region of the input electrodes that overlaps with the first detection electrode is, The area of ​​the second region of the input electrodes that overlaps with the second detection electrode is smaller than the area of ​​the second region of the input electrodes. The area of ​​the third region of the input electrodes that overlaps with the third detection electrode is, Smaller than the area of ​​the second region, A liquid dispensing device characterized by the following features.

2. A generation circuit that generates remaining amount information regarding the remaining amount of liquid stored in the storage unit, Including the first detection electrode, the second detection electrode, and the third detection electrode, From among the multiple detection electrodes of the second wiring portion provided on the second surface, one detection electrode is selected. A selection circuit that electrically connects the selected detection electrode to the generation circuit, Equipped with, The aforementioned generation circuit is When an input signal is supplied to the input electrode, Based on the detection signal detected from the aforementioned detection electrode, the remaining amount information is generated. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that...

3. The aforementioned selection circuit is When one detection electrode is selected from the plurality of detection electrodes, The detection electrodes other than the one detection electrode among the plurality of detection electrodes are electrically disconnected from the generation circuit. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that

4. The second wiring section is Including the first detection electrode, the second detection electrode, and the third detection electrode, The second surface has a plurality of detection electrodes, The area of ​​one of the multiple detection electrodes is Among the plurality of detection electrodes, the distance to the end electrode located at the end is greater than the area of ​​the other detection electrodes that are closer to the first detection electrode. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that...

5. The second wiring section is A first shield electrode provided between the first detection electrode and the second detection electrode on the second surface, A second shield electrode provided between the second detection electrode and the third detection electrode on the second surface, Equipped with, The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that...

6. On the second surface, The first detection electrode, the second detection electrode, and the third detection electrode are arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction. In the second direction, The width of the second detection electrode is greater than the width of the first detection electrode, and The width of the second detection electrode is greater than the width of the third detection electrode. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that...

7. On the second surface, The first detection electrode, the second detection electrode, and the third detection electrode are arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction. In a third direction intersecting the first and second directions, The width of the second detection electrode is greater than the width of the first detection electrode, and The width of the second detection electrode is greater than the width of the third detection electrode. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that...

8. A storage section for storing objects is located between a first surface and a second surface that is positioned in a first direction when viewed from the first surface and faces the first surface. A flexible printed circuit board for detecting the remaining amount of an object in the storage section, Equipped with, The aforementioned flexible printed circuit board is A first wiring portion having input electrodes provided on the first surface, The first detection electrode provided on the second surface, The second detection electrode provided on the second surface, and A second wiring portion having a third detection electrode provided on the second surface, Equipped with, The second detection electrode is, Displaced between the first detection electrode and the third detection electrode, When the storage section is viewed in the first direction, The area of ​​the first region of the input electrodes that overlaps with the first detection electrode is, The area of ​​the second region of the input electrodes that overlaps with the second detection electrode is smaller than the area of ​​the second region of the input electrodes. The area of ​​the third region of the input electrodes that overlaps with the third detection electrode is, Smaller than the area of ​​the second region, A storage device characterized by the following features.

9. A generation circuit that generates remaining quantity information regarding the remaining quantity of an object stored in the storage unit, Including the first detection electrode, the second detection electrode, and the third detection electrode, From among the multiple detection electrodes of the second wiring portion provided on the second surface, one detection electrode is selected. A selection circuit that electrically connects the selected detection electrode to the generation circuit, Equipped with, The aforementioned generation circuit is When an input signal is supplied to the input electrode, Based on the detection signal detected from the aforementioned detection electrode, the remaining amount information is generated. The storage apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that

10. The aforementioned selection circuit is When one detection electrode is selected from the plurality of detection electrodes, The detection electrodes other than the one detection electrode among the plurality of detection electrodes are electrically disconnected from the generation circuit. The storage apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that

11. The second wiring section is Including the first detection electrode, the second detection electrode, and the third detection electrode, The second surface has a plurality of detection electrodes, The area of ​​one of the multiple detection electrodes is Among the plurality of detection electrodes, the distance to the end electrode located at the end is greater than the area of ​​the other detection electrodes that are closer to the first detection electrode. The storage apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that

12. The second wiring section is A first shield electrode provided between the first detection electrode and the second detection electrode on the second surface, A second shield electrode provided between the second detection electrode and the third detection electrode on the second surface, Equipped with, The storage apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that

13. On the second surface, The first detection electrode, the second detection electrode, and the third detection electrode are arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction. In the second direction, The width of the second detection electrode is greater than the width of the first detection electrode, and The width of the second detection electrode is greater than the width of the third detection electrode. The storage apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that

14. On the second surface, The first detection electrode, the second detection electrode, and the third detection electrode are arranged in a second direction intersecting the first direction. In a third direction intersecting the first and second directions, The width of the second detection electrode is greater than the width of the first detection electrode, and The width of the second detection electrode is greater than the width of the third detection electrode. The storage apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that

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