JP7516093B2 - Liquid ejection device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device, such as an inkjet recording device equipped with a recording head capable of ejecting ink by an inkjet method.

Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a rotatable member equipped with a float with a smaller specific gravity than ink is provided in a storage chamber that stores ink, and the amount of ink remaining in the storage chamber is detected by detecting the position of this member with a sensor. Specifically, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 detects whether the ink level in the storage chamber is above a predetermined height by detecting a detectable portion of the rotating member with a sensor.

JP 2019-25818 A

However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, the rotating member is arranged to be rotatable around a rotation axis provided near the bottom of the storage chamber. Therefore, just before the ink in the storage chamber is used up, the ink level is located on the rotation axis. Also, just before the ink in the storage chamber is used up, the end side of the rotating member away from the rotation axis due to its own weight is in contact with the bottom surface of the storage chamber. Therefore, if the ink in the storage chamber is left in a state just before it is used up for a long time, the ink around the rotation axis and the ink at the position where the bottom surface of the storage chamber and the rotating member come into contact will thicken or solidify, making it difficult for the rotating member to rotate, and there is a risk that the function of detecting the remaining ink level will be reduced.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a technology that can suppress a decrease in the remaining ink amount detection function even if the ink remaining in the storage chamber thickens or solidifies.

In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention is a liquid ejection device comprising a liquid ejection head that ejects a liquid to be supplied, a storage chamber that stores the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection head, a storage member that is detachable from the storage chamber and stores the liquid stored in the storage chamber, a rotating member that is immersed in the stored liquid in the storage chamber and can rotate according to the amount of the liquid, and a detection means that detects the amount of liquid stored in the storage chamber using the rotating member, and when the storage member is attached to the storage chamber, the liquid stored in the storage member flows into the storage chamber through an opening provided in the storage chamber, and the rotating member is disposed in a position where it can rotate to receive the liquid flowing in from the opening.

According to the present invention, even if the liquid remaining in the storage chamber thickens or solidifies, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the detection function for the remaining amount of liquid.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the configuration of a recording apparatus, which is an example of a liquid ejection apparatus according to an embodiment. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the movement of a rotating member when ink is supplied to an ink storage chamber. 6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the movement of the rotating member when the ink stored in the ink storage chamber decreases. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the positional relationship between a rotating member and an opening in the recording apparatus according to the first embodiment. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing modified examples of the positional relationship between the rotating member and the opening portion. 13A and 13B are diagrams illustrating a configuration in the vicinity of an opening in a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a rotating member in a recording apparatus according to a third embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating the configuration of a rotating member in a recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment.

Below, an example of a liquid ejection device according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiment does not limit the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the relative positions and shapes of the components described in this embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention to only those.

First Embodiment
First, a liquid ejection apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. In this specification, a recording apparatus that ejects ink onto a recording medium to record will be described as an example of a liquid ejection apparatus. Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment, (a) being a perspective view, and (b) being a view for explaining the configuration of a recording unit. Note that the recording apparatus in Fig. 1 is an example of a recording apparatus to which this embodiment can be applied, and recording apparatuses to which this embodiment can be applied are not limited to the recording apparatus 10.

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

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

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

In the recording device 10, as the recording head 26 moves in the X direction via the carriage 34, ink is ejected onto the recording medium M supported by the platen 24, performing a recording operation to record one scan on the recording medium M. Next, a transport operation is performed to transport the recording medium a predetermined amount in the +Y direction, positioning an area of the recording medium M on which nothing has been recorded to a position opposite the recording head 26. After that, the recording operation is performed again. In this way, the recording device 10 records a predetermined image on the recording medium M by repeatedly executing the recording operation and transport operation.

The ink storage section 32 includes an ink storage member 36 that stores ink, and an ink storage chamber 38 that stores the ink stored in the ink storage member 36. The configuration of the ink storage section 32 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) and 3(a) and 3(b). FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the supply of ink to the ink storage chamber 38, where (a) shows the ink storage member 36 removed from the ink storage chamber 38, and (b) shows the ink storage member 36 attached to the ink storage chamber 38. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the rotating member accompanying the decrease in the amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 38 due to consumption of ink, where (a) shows the rotating member 48 when the ink level is at or above a predetermined position, and (b) shows the rotating member 48 when the ink level is below the predetermined position.

An ink storage section 32 is provided for each type of ink to be ejected from the recording head 26. Note that the ink storage section 32 has the same configuration regardless of the type of ink. In the ink storage section 32, ink stored in the ink storage chamber 38 is supplied to the recording head 26 via a tube (not shown). When ink is supplied from the ink storage chamber 38 to the recording head 26 and the amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 38 decreases, ink is supplied to the ink storage chamber 38 from the connected ink storage member 36.

The ink storage member 36 includes a main body 40 and a lid 42. Ink is stored inside the main body 40. A supply section 44 is provided at the bottom of the main body 40, and is connected to a connection member 47 (described later) in the ink storage chamber 38, and is capable of supplying the ink stored in the main body 40 to the ink storage chamber 38. That is, in this embodiment, the ink storage member 36 is configured to be detachable from the ink storage chamber 38 via the supply section 44. The supply section 44 includes a check valve such as a valve spring structure. The lid 42 is formed with an air communication port 46 that communicates between the inside and outside of the ink storage member 36.

The ink storage chamber 38 is provided with a connection member 47 that connects to the ink storage member 36 via the supply section 44. The connection member 47 is cylindrical with an ink flow path formed therein, and when the ink storage member 36 is connected via the supply section 44, the ink flowing in via the supply section 44 can be guided into the ink storage chamber 38. A rotating member 48 is provided on the bottom surface 38a of the ink storage chamber 38. The rotating member 48 is supported rotatably by a support member 50 at the bottom surface 38a. Therefore, when liquid is supplied to the ink storage chamber 38, the rotating member 48 is immersed in the liquid. In addition, a sensor 52 capable of detecting the rotation of the rotating member 48 is provided above the rotating member 48 in the ink storage chamber 38. An air communication port 54 that communicates the inside and outside of the ink storage chamber 38 is formed in the ink storage chamber 38 at a position not reached by the liquid level of the stored ink.

The rotating member 48 includes a float 56 extending in the Y direction, an arm portion 58 extending upward from the float 56 (approximately in the Z direction), and a detectable portion 60 located at the tip of the arm portion 58. The float 56 is made of a material having a smaller specific gravity than the ink stored in the ink storage member 36. The float 56 is a rectangular prism extending in the Y direction, and is supported by the support member 50 on a shaft 62 extending in the X direction at the lower end of one side in the Y direction, that is, the side closer to the end face 56b than the center of gravity of the float 56, so that it can rotate. The rectangular prism shape here means a substantially rectangular prism shape. The detectable portion 60 is located above the float 56 via the arm portion 58. Therefore, the detectable portion 60 is configured to be movable in response to the rotation of the float 56. The detectable portion 60 is made of a material that can be detected by the sensor 52. As described below, in this embodiment, the sensor 52 is an optical sensor equipped with a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section, so the detected section 60 is made of a material that blocks or attenuates the light from the light-emitting section.

The sensor 52 is a detection means that detects the rotation of the rotating member 48, and thereby optically detects that the height of the ink level stored in the ink storage chamber 38 has reached a predetermined level or higher. More specifically, the sensor 52 includes a light-emitting portion (not shown) and a light-receiving portion (not shown). In Figs. 2 and 3, the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion are arranged facing each other with a gap in the X direction. When the rotating member 48 rotates, the detected portion 60 passes between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion. The sensor 52 outputs a different detection signal depending on the reception by the light-receiving portion of the light output from the light-emitting portion.

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

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

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

When the ink level in the ink storage chamber 38 reaches a predetermined level or higher due to further ink inflow, the detected portion 60 moves in the direction of arrow B to be located between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the sensor 52. In other words, when the ink level in the ink storage chamber 38 reaches a predetermined level or higher, a predetermined amount of ink or more is stored in the ink storage chamber 38. While the ink level is at or above the predetermined level, the detected portion 60 remains between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion (see FIG. 2(b)). In this way, when the ink level is at or above the predetermined level, the light output from the light emitting portion by the detected portion 60 is not received by the light receiving portion (or is attenuated and reaches the light receiving portion), and the sensor 52 outputs a low level signal to the control portion. As a result, the control portion detects that the ink level is at or above the predetermined level.

In addition, as ink is supplied from the ink storage chamber 38 to the recording head 26, the ink in the ink storage chamber 38 and the ink storage member 36 decreases, and the ink level in the ink storage chamber 38 drops (see FIG. 3(a)). When the amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 38 decreases and the amount of stored ink falls below a certain level, gravity becomes stronger than the buoyancy acting on the float 56. This causes the rotating member 48 (float 56) to rotate in the direction of arrow C. This rotation of the rotating member 48 in the direction of arrow C moves the detected portion 60 in the direction of arrow D.

When the ink level in the ink storage chamber 38 falls below the predetermined position due to further supply of ink to the recording head 26, the detected portion 60 moves in the direction of arrow D to a position withdrawn from between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the sensor 52. Note that while the ink level is lower than the predetermined position, the detected portion 60 is in a position withdrawn from between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion (see FIG. 3B). In this way, when the ink level is below the predetermined position, the light output from the light-emitting portion by the detected portion 60 can be received by the light-receiving portion (or reaches the light-receiving portion without being attenuated), and the sensor 52 outputs a high-level signal to the control portion. As a result, the control portion detects that the ink level is below the predetermined position.

When the recording device 10 detects that the ink level is lower than a predetermined level, a notification is displayed on the display unit 17 (see FIG. 1(a)) provided on the recording device 10, for example, to prompt the user to replace the ink storage member 36. The user will usually confirm the notification displayed on the display unit 17 and replace the ink storage member 36. However, depending on the usage conditions, even after the notification prompting the user to replace the ink storage member 36 is displayed, the ink storage member 36 may not be replaced with a new one, and the ink level may remain lower than the predetermined level.

In particular, when the ink level has dropped to the height of the shaft 62 (see FIG. 3B), part of the shaft 62 is exposed to the atmosphere. Also, the other end of the float 56 on the rotating member 48 that is not supported by the support member 50 is in contact with the bottom surface 38a of the ink storage chamber 38. If left in this state for a long time, the ink around the shaft 62 and the ink around the other end of the float 56 will thicken and eventually solidify. This will hinder the rotation of the rotating member 48, and there is a risk that it will not be possible to accurately detect whether the ink level is above a predetermined level, i.e., whether the amount of ink remaining in the ink storage chamber 38 is less than a predetermined amount.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the ink flowing into the ink storage chamber 38 via the connection member 47 is received by the end face 56a of the float 56. This causes the force of the ink flow generated when the ink flows in to press against the end face 56a, causing the rotating member 48 to rotate.

Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the opening 47a of the connection member 47 formed in the wall surface of the ink storage chamber 38 and the rotating member 48. Figure 4(a) is a side view of the ink storage chamber 38 equipped with the rotating member 48, and Figure 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVb-IVb in Figure 4(a). Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 4(b), showing a modified example of the positional relationship between the opening 47a and the rotating member 48.

The opening 47a, which is formed in the wall of the ink storage chamber 38 and located at one end of the connection member 47, is formed in a position facing the end face 56a of the float 56 extending in the Y direction. The end face 56a of the float 56 is a surface of the float 56 that intersects with the Y direction and faces the end face 56b located at the other end in the Y direction and supported rotatably by the shaft 62 of the support member 50.

More specifically, the opening 47a may be located in the Z direction (height direction) so long as the ink flowing out of the opening 47a hits the end surface 56a. It is preferable that the Z direction position of the opening 47a is such that when the liquid level of the stored ink is below a predetermined position, the center position Oz of the opening 47a in the Z direction is above the center position of the end surface 56a in the Z direction and below the upper side 56aa of the end surface 56a (see FIG. 4(a)).

Furthermore, it is preferable that the center position of the end face 56a in the X direction and the center position Ox of the opening 47a in the X direction correspond to each other in the X direction (width direction), more specifically, coincide with each other (see FIG. 4(b)). Note that, as long as the ink flowing out of the opening 47a is at a position where it hits the end face 56a, the center position of the end face 56a in the X direction and the center position Ox of the opening 47a in the X direction may be offset in the X direction, as shown in FIG. 5.

Furthermore, the opening 47a is positioned in the Y direction so that the ink flowing in from the opening 47a hits the end surface 56a. That is, the positions of the opening 47a and the rotating member 48 in the ink storage chamber 38 are determined so that the ink flowing in from the opening 47a can be received by the end surface 56a. The shorter the distance in the Y direction between the opening 47a and the end surface 56a, the more strongly the ink flowing in from the opening 47a can hit the end surface 56a.

The specific position of the opening 47a in the X, Y, and Z directions relative to the end face 56a is determined, for example, according to the properties of the stored ink, such as the viscosity. That is, when the ink stored in the ink storage chamber 38 is received by the end face 56a, the relative positional relationship between the opening 47a and the end face 56a that allows the rotating member 48 to rotate reliably is obtained, for example, experimentally.

In the above configuration, when the ink storage member 36 is replaced after a notification to replace the ink storage member 36 is sent to the display unit 17, the ink stored in the new ink storage member 36 flows into the ink storage chamber 38 through the opening 47a. The ink flowing in from the opening 47a hits the end face 56a of the float 56. That is, the end face 56a is pressed by the ink jetted from the opening 47a. The pressure on the end face 56a due to the jet force of the ink from the opening 47a causes the rotating member 48, whose rotation is hindered due to thickening of the ink, to rotate in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 2A). When replacing the ink storage member 36, the sensor 52 does not send a signal to the control unit, or the control unit does not receive a signal from the sensor 52.

In this embodiment, for example, the positional relationship between the opening 47a and the end face 56a in the X direction is such that the center position of the end face 56a coincides with the center position Ox of the opening 47a. Also, the positional relationship between the opening 47a and the end face 56a in the Z direction is such that the center position Oz of the opening 47a is located above the center position of the end face 56a and below the upper side 56aa of the end face 56a. This allows the jet force of ink from the opening 47a to efficiently act as a pressing force for rotating the rotating member 48. Therefore, in this case, even if the ink has thickened, the rotating member 48 can be reliably rotated.

As described above, in the recording device 10 according to the first embodiment, the ink flowing in from the opening 47a of the connection member 47 in the ink storage chamber 38 hits the end surface 56a of the float 56 of the rotating member 48. As a result, when replacing the ink storage member 36, the jet force of the ink flowing in from the opening 47a presses the rotating member 48 via the end surface 56a, and the rotating member 48 can be rotated. This makes it possible to diffuse the thickened ink that has occurred around the shaft 62 that rotatably supports the rotating member 48 and around the abutment portion between the rotating member 48 and the bottom surface 38a of the ink storage chamber 38. This diffusion of the thickened ink makes it difficult for solidified ink to occur around the shaft 62 and the abutment portion. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the rotation of the rotating member 48 from being hindered by the thickened ink or solidified ink that has occurred around the shaft 62 and the abutment portion. In this way, the recording device 10 can prevent the remaining ink detection function from being impaired by the occurrence of thickened ink or solidified ink that inhibits the rotation of the rotating member 48.

Second Embodiment
Next, a liquid ejection device according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In the following description, a recording device that ejects ink onto a recording medium to record, as in the first embodiment, will be described as an example. Also, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components that are the same as or equivalent to those in the recording device according to the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

The recording device 10 according to the second embodiment differs from the recording device according to the above embodiment in that the jetting force of the ink when it flows into the ink storage chamber 38 is increased. Figure 6 is a diagram corresponding to Figure 4(b) of the ink storage chamber 38 in the recording device according to the second embodiment. Figure 6(a) is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for increasing the jetting force of the ink flowing in from the opening 47a, and Figure 6(b) is a diagram showing another example of the configuration.

Specifically, the recording device 10 according to the second embodiment has a nozzle portion 70 that extends from the opening 47a into the ink storage chamber. The cross-sectional area of the nozzle portion 70 decreases continuously toward the end face 56a of the float 56 (see FIG. 6A). That is, the nozzle portion 70 has a tapered shape in which the nozzle opening 70a from which the ink is ejected faces the end face 56a. The nozzle opening 70a is smaller than the opening area of the opening 47a. As a result, the ink flowing into the ink storage chamber 38 from the nozzle opening 70a of the nozzle portion 70 has a higher flow rate at the time of inflow than the ink flowing into the ink storage chamber 38 from the opening 47a, and the jetting force of the ink is increased. Then, due to this increased jetting force, the pressing force on the end face 56a increases, and the rotating member 48 can be rotated in the direction of the arrow A more reliably.

In the recording device 10 according to the second embodiment, the inner diameter of the connection member 47 may be continuously smaller from the other end inserted into the supply section 44 of the ink storage member 36 toward the one end where the opening 47a is located (see FIG. 6(b)). Alternatively, the inner diameter may be approximately the same from the other end to a predetermined position, and the inner diameter may be continuously smaller from the predetermined position toward the one end. This causes the jet force of the ink flowing in from the opening 47a to be greater than when the inner diameter of the connection member 47 does not change from one end to the other end. This increases the pressing force on the end surface 56a, making it possible to more reliably rotate the rotating member 48 in the direction of the arrow A (see FIG. 2(a)).

As described above, in the recording device 10 according to the second embodiment, the jetting force of the ink flowing into the ink storage chamber 38 is increased. Specifically, the opening 47a is provided with a tapered nozzle portion 70 whose cross-sectional area decreases toward the end face 56a. In addition, the inner diameter (diameter of the internal ink flow path) of the cylindrical connection member 47 is continuously reduced from the other end connected to the ink storage member 36 toward the one end where the opening 47a is located. This allows the rotating member 48 to rotate more reliably than the recording device according to the first embodiment, and more reliably prevents a decrease in the function of detecting the remaining ink level.

Third Embodiment
Next, a liquid ejection device according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In the following description, a recording device that ejects ink onto a recording medium to record, as in the first embodiment, will be described as an example. Also, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components that are the same as or equivalent to those in the recording device according to the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

Figure 7 is a diagram of the ink storage chamber 38 in a recording device according to the third embodiment, corresponding to Figure 4 (b). The recording device 10 according to the third embodiment differs from the recording device according to the above embodiment in that the area of the end face 56a of the float 56 is increased, as shown in Figure 7.

Specifically, in the recording device 10 according to the third embodiment, the area of the end face 56a of the float 56 is made larger than the end face 56b of the float 56 that faces the end face 56a (the shape of the float 56 in the Z direction is the same in FIG. 7). More specifically, the cross-sectional area of the end face 56a is continuously increased from the end face 56b toward the end face 56a, as shown in FIG. 7. The end face 56a is longer in the X direction than the end face 56b at least. The end face 56a may be longer than the end face 56b not only in the X direction but also in the Z direction. This ensures that the ink flowing in from the opening 47a is received by the end face 56a, and most of the jet force of the ink can be received by the end face 56. As a result, the pressing force against the end face 56a that can be secured is increased, and the rotating member 48 can be rotated more reliably in the direction of the arrow A (see FIG. 2(a)).

As described above, in the recording device 10 according to the third embodiment, the area of the end face 56a is increased so that the ink jet force from the opening 47a can be more reliably received. This allows the rotating member 48 to rotate more reliably than when the areas of the end faces 56a and 56b of the float 56 are the same, and more reliably prevents a decrease in the function of detecting the remaining ink level.

Fourth Embodiment
Next, a liquid ejection device according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. In the following description, a recording device that ejects ink onto a recording medium to record, as in the first embodiment, will be described as an example. Also, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same or corresponding components as those in the recording device according to the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

Figure 8 is a diagram showing the rotating member 48 of the ink storage chamber 38 in a recording device according to the fourth embodiment. The recording device 10 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the recording device according to the above embodiment in that, as shown in Figure 8, the end surface 56a is formed so that its upper side is closer to the wall surface where the opening 47a is located than its lower side.

Specifically, in the recording device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the height of the ink level in the ink storage chamber 38 is lower than a predetermined position. At this time, the end face side (end face 56a) of the float 56 is in contact with the bottom face 38a of the ink storage chamber 38. At this time, the end face 56a is inclined so that the upper side is closer to the wall face of the ink storage chamber 38 where the opening 47a is located than the lower side. In other words, when the height of the ink level in the ink storage chamber 38 is lower than a predetermined position, the angle θ between the end face 56a and the bottom face 38a is designed to be an acute angle. Note that the angle θ is set according to, for example, the characteristics of the material forming the float 56 and the characteristics of the ink to be stored.

As a result, the jet force of ink flowing in from opening 47a is transmitted along inclined end face 56a, generating a force that lifts float 56 upward. This ensures that rotating member 48 can be rotated in the direction of arrow A (see FIG. 2(a)). In this case, for example, end face 56a may be formed into a roughly V-shaped valley shape that is recessed toward end face 56b from both ends toward the center in the X direction. This allows the ink jet flow rate to be concentrated in the center in the X direction, making it possible to more effectively obtain the force generated upstream.

As described above, in the recording device 10 according to the fourth embodiment, the end face 56a is configured so that when the ink level is lower than a predetermined position, the angle θ between the end face 56a and the bottom face 38a becomes an acute angle. This causes the ink jet force from the opening 47a to generate a force lifting the float 56, making it easier to rotate the rotating member 48 and more reliably preventing a decrease in the function of detecting the remaining ink level.

Other Embodiments
The above embodiment may be modified as shown in (1) to (4) below.

(1) In the above embodiment, the rotating member 48 and the sensor 52 are used to determine whether the height of the ink level stored in the ink storage chamber 38 is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, but the configuration for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 38 is not limited to this. In other words, a sensor capable of detecting the rotation angle of the rotating member 48 from a reference position may be provided, and the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink storage chamber 38 may be detected in stages or continuously based on the rotation angle of the rotating member 48.

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

(3) In the above embodiment, the end surface 56a of the float 56 receives the ink flowing in from the opening 47a, but this is not limited to the above. In other words, if the rotating member 48 can be rotated by the jet force of the ink flowing in from the opening 47a, the ink flowing in from the opening 47 may be received on a specified surface other than the end surface 56a, such as the arm portion 58 or the detected portion 60.

(4) The above embodiment and the various forms shown in (1) to (3) above may be combined as appropriate.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Recording device 26 Recording head 36 Ink storage member 38 Ink storage chamber 47a Opening 48 Rotating member 52 Sensor

Claims (9)

a liquid ejection head that ejects the supplied liquid;
a storage chamber for storing a liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection head;
a storage member that is detachable from the storage chamber and stores the liquid to be stored in the storage chamber;
a rotating member that is immersed in the liquid stored in the storage chamber and is rotatable according to the amount of the liquid;
a detection means for detecting an amount of liquid stored in the storage chamber by using the rotating member;
When the storage member is attached to the storage chamber, liquid stored in the storage member flows into the storage chamber through an opening provided in the storage chamber,
The liquid ejection device, wherein the rotating member is disposed at a position where it can rotate when receiving the liquid flowing in from the opening. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, further comprising a nozzle portion extending from the opening into the storage chamber and having a nozzle opening with an opening area smaller than that of the opening. The storage chamber is provided with a connecting member that has a cylindrical shape with one end forming the opening, and that can guide the liquid stored in the storage member to the storage chamber when the storage member is connected to the connecting member;
3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the connection member is formed so that an inner diameter thereof gradually decreases from the other end toward the one end. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the center position of the opening in the width direction corresponds to the center position in the width direction of the surface of the rotating member that receives the inflowing liquid. The liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the center position in the height direction of the opening is located above the center position in the height direction of the surface that receives the liquid flowing into the rotating member, and below the upper edge of the surface. The rotating member includes a square prism-shaped float that has a specific gravity smaller than that of the liquid stored in the storage chamber and is rotatably supported on a bottom surface of the storage chamber via a support member,
A liquid ejection device as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the float extends in a first direction intersecting both the height direction and the width direction, is supported by the support member on a side closer to one end face in the first direction than the center of gravity of the float, and receives liquid flowing in at the other end face in the first direction. The liquid ejection device according to claim 6, wherein the other end face has a larger area than the one end face. The liquid ejection device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein when the other end surface of the float is in contact with the bottom surface of the storage chamber, the angle between the other end surface and the bottom surface of the storage chamber is an acute angle. The liquid ejection device according to claim 8, wherein the other end surface is valley-shaped.

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