Liquid container having liquid consumption detecting device

Abstract

An ink cartridge serving as a liquid container, comprises a liquid sensor having a piezoelectric element which detects a consumption state of the liquid contained in the container, and a consumption data memory as a memory means. The consumption data memory is a rewritable memory which stores consumption related data which are related to the detection of the consumption state using the liquid sensor. The consumption related data are, for example, consumption state data as a result of the detection. Even when the ink cartridge is removed, the consumption state data can still be utilized. The consumption related data may be a detection characteristic detected depending on the consumption state of the liquid.

Description

[0001] The present invention is a divisional application of the Chinese invention patent application No. 03146554.4 filed on May 19, 2000 with the title of "liquid container with liquid consumption detection device". technical field [0002] The present invention relates to a liquid container and a liquid consumption detection device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an ink cartridge used in an inkjet recording device, which supplies liquid ink to a recording head and is equipped with a device for detecting ink consumption in the ink cartridge A piezoelectric device and a storage device for storing ink consumption information detected by the piezoelectric device. Background technique [0003] In the inkjet recording device, the inkjet recording head is loaded on the carriage, and the inkjet recording head is provided with a pressure generator for pressurizing the pressure generating chamber and a nozzle for allowing the pressurized ink to flow out from the ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] Using software to accumulate the number of ink drops and ink volume, and using this calculation to control ink consumption has the problem of not being able to detect the actual consumption of ink in the ink cartridge

For the method of using electrodes to control the time point of ink consumption, although a structure for detecting ink consumption can be provided, there are still problems such as restrictions on the type of ink and the complexity of the electrode sealing structure.

[0006] However, using software to accumulate the number of ink drops and the amount of ink, and using this calculation method to control ink consumption has the problem of errors due to printing conditions on the user's side, or large errors when the same ink cartridge is reinstalled.

There is also a problem that due to the use environment, such as extremely low room temperature, or due to changes in the pressure and ink viscosity in the ink cartridge after a certain period of time after the ink cartridge is opened, there is a non-negligible error between the calculated ink consumption and the actual consumption.

In particular, in a device that directly detects the amount of ink consumed by using electrodes to control the timing of ink consumption, malfunctions caused by air bubbles are extremely serious.

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