WO2004076985A1 - 消耗品の残存量を計測可能な消耗品容器 - Google Patents
消耗品の残存量を計測可能な消耗品容器 Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2004076985A1 WO2004076985A1 PCT/JP2004/001155 JP2004001155W WO2004076985A1 WO 2004076985 A1 WO2004076985 A1 WO 2004076985A1 JP 2004001155 W JP2004001155 W JP 2004001155W WO 2004076985 A1 WO2004076985 A1 WO 2004076985A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- piezoelectric element
- remaining amount
- detection signal
- consumables
- reference voltage
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
- G01F23/28—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water by measuring the variations of parameters of electromagnetic or acoustic waves applied directly to the liquid or fluent solid material
- G01F23/296—Acoustic waves
- G01F23/2966—Acoustic waves making use of acoustical resonance or standing waves
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17566—Ink level or ink residue control
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/22—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm by measuring physical variables, other than linear dimensions, pressure or weight, dependent on the level to be measured, e.g. by difference of heat transfer of steam or water
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17566—Ink level or ink residue control
- B41J2002/17583—Ink level or ink residue control using vibration or ultra-sons for ink level indication
Definitions
- Consumables container that can measure the remaining amount of consumables
- the present invention relates to a technology for manufacturing a consumable container that can measure the remaining amount of a consumable in a consumable container.
- Ink jet pudding ink which is a consumable, is usually stored and provided in an ink cartridge.
- a direct measurement is performed using a piezoelectric element.
- Methods have also been proposed. In this method, first, a vibrating portion of the piezoelectric element is vibrated by applying a voltage wave to the piezoelectric element mounted on the ink cartridge. Next, the remaining amount of consumables is measured according to the fluctuation of the cycle of the back electromotive force caused by the residual precession remaining in the vibrating part of the piezoelectric element.
- Such a problem is not limited to the ink cartridge, but is generally a problem common to consumable containers that can measure the remaining amount of the consumable using a piezoelectric element.
- the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology for suppressing noise in a consumable container that can measure the remaining amount of the consumable using a piezoelectric element.
- a second aspect of the present invention is a consumable supply container capable of measuring the remaining amount of the stored consumable supplies.
- the consumables container stores the consumables and a consumables tank having a piezoelectric element mounted thereon, and performs charging and discharging of the piezoelectric element, and represents a cycle of an output voltage wave after discharging of the piezoelectric element.
- a detection signal generation circuit that generates a detection signal including cycle information; and a control unit that controls charging and discharging of the piezoelectric element by the detection signal generation circuit.
- the detection signal generation circuit determines whether or not the voltage of the output voltage wave is higher than a reference voltage for remaining amount detection, and a comparator that generates a pulse according to the determination, A signal generation unit that generates the detection signal in accordance with the pulse, and wherein the control unit is capable of changing the reference voltage for remaining amount detection.
- a first aspect of the present invention is a consumable container capable of extracting only a signal higher than a remaining voltage detection reference voltage from voltage waves caused by free vibration of a piezoelectric element after discharge. Since the reference voltage can be changed, the reliability of the re-measurement can be improved by setting the reference voltage to a value suitable for noise removal. This measurement is to generate cycle information that can be used to determine whether the remaining amount of consumables is greater than a predetermined amount.
- the piezoelectric element refers to an element having two characteristics: an inverse piezoelectric effect that deforms according to charge and discharge, and a piezoelectric effect that generates a voltage according to the deformation.
- a second aspect of the present invention is a consumable supply container capable of measuring the remaining amount of the stored consumable supplies.
- the consumables container stores the consumables and a consumables tank on which a piezoelectric element is mounted, performs charging and discharging of the piezoelectric element, and has a predetermined amplitude of residual vibration after discharging of the piezoelectric element.
- a detection signal generation circuit that generates a detection signal including amplitude information indicating whether the amplitude is greater than a threshold; and a control unit that controls charging and discharging of the piezoelectric element by the detection signal generation circuit.
- the amplitude information can be used to determine whether the remaining amount of the consumable is greater than a predetermined amount. Yes, the control unit is characterized in that the predetermined threshold can be changed.
- amplitude information that can be used to determine whether the remaining amount of consumables is larger than a predetermined amount.
- This amplitude information is generated as information indicating whether or not the amplitude of the residual vibration of the piezoelectric element after discharge is larger than a predetermined threshold. Since this reference value can be changed, the ink remaining amount can be easily measured by appropriately setting this reference value.
- the discharge characteristics may be set so that the amplitude differs depending on whether the remaining amount of consumables is larger than a predetermined amount, or may be set by trial and error.
- control unit may further change a discharge characteristic of the piezoelectric element by adjusting at least one of a discharge time constant and a discharge time of discharge of the piezoelectric element by the detection signal generation circuit. It is preferable to configure as possible.
- the discharge characteristics can be set so that the amplitude of the residual vibration greatly differs between the case where the remaining amount of the consumable is larger than the predetermined amount and the case where the remaining amount is smaller. This can further increase the reliability of the measurement.
- the detection signal generation circuit may generate the detection signal in accordance with the number of peak portions where an output voltage of the piezoelectric element after discharging is higher than a reference voltage for remaining amount detection as the threshold. You may comprise.
- the control unit sets the remaining amount detection reference voltage so that the number of the peak portions is within a predetermined range. Is preferred. This can increase the reliability of the measurement based on the number of peak portions.
- the control unit sets the reference voltage for remaining amount detection such that the number of the peak portions becomes zero. You may do it.
- the detection signal generation circuit determines that the output voltage of the piezoelectric element after discharging is lower than the reference voltage. It is possible to easily generate a detection signal based on whether or not it has a higher predetermined peak portion.
- the consumables container further includes a non-volatile memory for storing remaining amount detection reference voltage setting information indicating a relationship between piezoelectric element characteristic information indicating characteristics of the piezoelectric element and the remaining amount detection reference voltage.
- the control unit is configured to be able to set the remaining amount detection reference voltage in accordance with the piezoelectric element characteristic information and the remaining amount detection reference voltage setting information given in advance. Is preferred.
- the characteristics of the piezoelectric element are measured in this way to generate piezoelectric element characteristic information, and the discharge characteristics of the piezoelectric element are set in accordance with this information, the characteristics of the piezoelectric element may vary.
- the required burden of setting the required remaining amount detection reference voltage can be reduced.
- the burden of measuring the characteristics of the piezoelectric element can be reduced by, for example, performing the measurement at the time of product inspection of the piezoelectric element.
- the piezoelectric element characteristic information is a rank selected from a plurality of ranks in accordance with the measurement of the characteristic of the piezoelectric element, and the control unit is configured to select one of the ranks. Accordingly, the reference voltage for remaining amount detection may be set.
- control unit may control the detection signal generation circuit to output the piezoelectric element after a lapse of a predetermined time from the last of charging and discharging of the piezoelectric element. It is preferable to have a test mode in which a voltage is measured and a failure detection signal is generated according to whether or not the output voltage wave of the piezoelectric element has a peak portion higher than the function confirmation reference voltage. .
- this failure detection signal can be used to determine the presence or absence of a failure in the consumable container, the failure of the consumable container including the piezoelectric element and its control circuit can be detected.
- the consumables container further includes a non-volatile memory for storing function confirmation reference voltage setting information indicating a relationship between piezoelectric element characteristic information indicating characteristics of the piezoelectric element and the function confirmation reference voltage.
- the control unit is configured to control the pressure given in advance. The configuration may be such that the function confirmation reference voltage can be set in accordance with the electric element characteristic information and the function confirmation reference voltage setting information,
- the piezoelectric element characteristic information is a rank selected from a plurality of ranks in accordance with the measurement of the characteristic of the piezoelectric element, and the control unit is configured to select one of the ranks.
- the function confirmation reference voltage may be set accordingly.
- FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an ink cartridge 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the sensor SS provided on the side of the housing # 40 of the ink cartridge 100.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the logic circuit 130 provided in the ink cartridge 100.
- FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the ink remaining amount detection circuit 230 and the sensor SS.
- FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the pulse counter 235 provided in the ink remaining amount detection circuit 230.
- FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the remaining ink amount measurement process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing the operation of the remaining ink amount detection circuit 230 and the sensor SS.
- FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the sensor rank and the setting state of the noise power reference voltage.
- FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the applied voltage (potential difference from the ground potential) of the piezo element PZT.
- FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a frequency response function (transfer function) of a sensor vibration system including the sensor SS.
- FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a voltage is generated in the piezo element PZT in response to the discharge from the piezo element PZT.
- FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a voltage is generated in the piezo element PZT in response to the discharge from the piezo element PZT.
- FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the contents of the discharge characteristic setting process in the embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a method of measuring the remaining amount of ink in the second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship (table) between the sensor rank and the setting state of the reference potential Vref in the second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram in which the waveform of the applied voltage (during discharge) and the frequency response function of the sensor oscillation system in the second embodiment of the present invention are superimposed.
- FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the output voltage of the piezo element PZT in the second embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an ink cartridge 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
- the ink cartridge 100 has a housing 140 that stores one type of ink inside as a consumable.
- an ink supply port 100 for supplying ink to a pudding unit to be described later is provided.
- An antenna 120 and a logic circuit 130 for communicating with the printer by radio waves are provided on the upper part of the housing # 40.
- a sensor SS used for measuring the amount of remaining ink is provided on the side of the housing # 40. The sensor SS is electrically connected to the logic circuit # 30.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the sensor SS provided on the side of the housing # 40 of the ink cartridge 100.
- the sensor SS includes a piezo element PZT having characteristics as piezoelectric elements such as a piezoelectric effect and an inverse piezoelectric effect, two electrodes 10 and 11 for applying a voltage to the piezo element PZT, and a sensor attachment 12. .
- the electrodes 10 and 11 are connected to the logic circuit 130.
- the sensor attachment 12 is a structural part of the sensor SS having a thin film that transmits vibration from the piezo element PZT to the ink and the housing 140.
- FIG. 2A shows a case where the ink remains at a predetermined amount or more and the ink level is higher than the position of the sensor SS (FIG. ⁇ ).
- FIG. 2 (b) shows a case where the ink does not remain more than a predetermined amount and the ink level is lower than the position of the sensor SS.
- the ink level is higher than the position of the sensor s S
- the sensor SS, the ink, and the housing 140 are vibrators, but the ink level is the sensor SS. If it is lower than the position, only the small amount of ink adhering to the sensor SS, the housing 140 and the sensor SS becomes a vibrator.
- the vibration characteristics around the piezo element PZT change according to the remaining amount of ink.
- the remaining amount of the ink is measured using such a change in the vibration characteristic. The details of the measurement method will be described later.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the logic circuit 130 provided in the ink cartridge 100.
- the logic circuit 130 includes an RF circuit 200, a control unit 210, a nonvolatile memory EEPROM 220, an ink remaining amount detection circuit 230, and a power generation unit 24. 0 and a charge pump circuit 250.
- the RF circuit 200 demodulates the radio wave received from the printer 20 via the antenna 120, and modulates the signal received from the control unit 210 and sends it to the printer 20. And a modulation unit 202 for performing the operation.
- the printer 20 transmits a baseband signal to the ink cartridge 100 using a carrier having a predetermined frequency using the antenna 121.
- the ink cartridge 100 can change the impedance of the antenna 121 by changing the load of the antenna 120 without using a carrier wave.
- the ink cartridge 100 transmits a signal to the printer 20 using the change in impedance. In this way, the ink cartridge 100 and the printer 20 can perform bidirectional communication.
- the power generation unit 240 rectifies the carrier received by the RF circuit 200 and generates power at a predetermined voltage (for example, 5 V).
- the power generation unit 240 supplies power to the RF circuit 200, the control unit 210, the EEPROM 220, and the charge pump circuit 250.
- the charge pump circuit 250 rises to the predetermined voltage required by the sensor SS. Then, power is supplied to the ink remaining amount detection circuit 230.
- FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of the ink remaining amount detection circuit 230 and the sensor SS.
- the ink remaining amount detection circuit 230 includes a PNP transistor Tr1, an NPN transistor r2, a charging time constant adjusting resistor R1, a discharging time constant adjusting resistor circuit Rs, An amplifier 2 32 and a pulse counter 2 3 5 are provided.
- the sensor S S is connected to the ink remaining amount detection circuit 230 by two electrodes 10 and 11 (FIG. 2).
- the discharge time constant adjusting resistor circuit R s is composed of four discharge time constant adjusting resistors R 2 a, R 2 b, R 2 c, R 2 d and four switches Sa, S connected to each of them. b, Sc, and Sd.
- the four switches S a, S b, S c, and S d can be opened and closed by the control unit 200. By this combination of opening and closing, the control unit 210 can set the resistance value of the discharge time constant adjusting resistance circuit Rs.
- the ⁇ ⁇ type transistor Tr 1 is connected as follows.
- the base is connected to a terminal TA that receives a charge control signal S1 as a control output from the control unit 210.
- the emitter is connected to a charge pump circuit 250 via a charging time constant adjusting resistor R1.
- the collector is connected to electrode 10, which is one electrode of sensor SS. Electrode 11 which is the other electrode of sensor SS is grounded.
- the NPN transistor Tr2 is connected as follows.
- the base is connected to a terminal TB that receives a discharge control signal S2 as a control output from the control unit 210.
- the collector is connected to the electrode 10 which is one electrode of the sensor SS.
- the emitter is grounded via the discharge time constant adjusting resistor circuit Rs whose resistance value can be changed as described above.
- the pulse counter 235 is connected to an electrode 10 connected to the piezo element PZT via an amplifier 232 that amplifies the voltage output from the piezo element PZT.
- the remote control unit 235 is connected to the control unit 210 so that a control output from the control unit 210 can be received.
- FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the pulse counter 235 provided in the ink remaining amount detection circuit 230.
- the pulse counter 235 includes a comparator (comparator) 234, a power control unit 236, a count unit 238, and an oscillator (not shown).
- the output Q 2 32 of the amplifier 2 32 to be analyzed and the reference potential V r e f to be compared are input to the comparator 2 34.
- the counter control section 236 and the count section 238 are connected to the control section 210.
- the ink remaining amount detecting circuit 230 and the reference potential V ref correspond to a “detection signal generating circuit” and a “remaining amount detecting reference voltage” in the claims, respectively.
- the control unit 6 and the control unit 2 38 correspond to a “signal generation unit” in the claims.
- FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of measuring the remaining amount of ink in the first embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 7 shows the ink remaining amount detection circuit 230 and the sensor in this process.
- FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of SS. This processing is executed in both the ink cartridge 100 and the pudding 20 according to the operation of the power switch of the pudding 20.
- the piezo element PZT is charged at times t0 to t1 and discharged during the times t2 to t3 (first window W1). After that:-after a certain waiting time, the period of the output voltage wave of the piezo element PZT is measured (second window W2). Specifically, the number of clock signals CLK is counted while a predetermined number (for example, five) of voltage waves output from the piezo element PZT is generated. On the other hand, the printer 20 calculates the frequency of the voltage wave according to the counted value, and estimates the remaining amount of ink according to the calculated frequency. Specifically, the following processing is performed. In step S100, the control unit 210 (FIG.
- the setting of the discharge time constant of the piezo element PZT is performed by opening and closing the four switches S a, S b, S c, and S d of the resistance circuit R s for adjusting the discharge time constant. Details of this processing will be described later.
- the setting of the reference potential V ref is automatically performed according to the sensor rank and a table described later. The sensor rank and this table are both stored in the EEPROM 220 when the ink cartridge 100 is manufactured.
- FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship (table) between the sensor rank and the setting state of the reference potential Vref in the first embodiment.
- the sensor rank is a rank that indicates the relationship between applied voltage (or output voltage) and distortion, and other characteristics of the sensor. The determination of the sensor rank is performed, for example, by the sensor SS manufacturer actually measuring the characteristics of the sensor. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the sensors S S are classified into eight sensor ranks from A to H. The sensor rank corresponds to “piezoelectric element characteristic information” in the claims.
- step S110 the control unit 210 (FIG. 4) outputs a predetermined charge control signal S ⁇ to the terminal TA to turn on the transistor Tr1 (time t0 in FIG. 7).
- step S110 the control unit 210 (FIG. 4) outputs a predetermined charge control signal S ⁇ to the terminal TA to turn on the transistor Tr1 (time t0 in FIG. 7).
- step S110 the control unit 210 (FIG. 4) outputs a predetermined charge control signal S ⁇ to the terminal TA to turn on the transistor Tr1 (time t0 in FIG. 7).
- a current flows from the charge pump circuit 250 to the piezo element PZT, and a voltage is applied to the piezo element PZT having capacitance by the current.
- both of the Trangies, Tr 1 and Tr 2 are set to the minimum.
- the control unit 210 turns off the transistor Tr1 at the time t1, and makes the ink remaining amount detection circuit 230 stand by until the time t2.
- the reason for waiting until time t2 is to attenuate the vibration of the piezo element PZT due to the application of the voltage.
- the measurement of the time is performed using a clock (not shown) inside the control unit 210.
- the control unit 210 (FIG. 4) transmits a predetermined discharge control signal S2 to the terminal TB, turns on the transistor Tr2 at time t2, and turns off the transistor Tr2 at time t3. You.
- the discharge from the piezo element PZT is performed only from the time t2 to the time t3.
- the piezo element PZT is rapidly deformed by this discharge and vibrates the sensor oscillation system.
- the sensor vibration system is a system including the sensor SS (FIG. 2), the casing 140 around the sensor SS, and ink.
- FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a discharge waveform of the piezo element PZT at the time of discharge.
- FIG. 9A is an explanatory diagram showing a discharge waveform in the time domain. The voltages at each time are as follows.
- the time constant time td is a time when a time constant has elapsed from the discharge start time t2.
- the discharge end time t3 is a time preset as a discharge end time preferable for measurement according to the characteristics of the sensor SS. These setting methods will be described later.
- the time from the discharge start time t2 to the discharge end time t3 when the piezo element PZT and the ground are in a conductive relationship is called a discharge time.
- FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing a fundamental wave and a plurality of harmonics of an applied voltage in a frequency domain.
- This is a diagram showing a Fourier analysis result of a waveform assuming that the waveform of the applied voltage of the piezo element PZT in the first window W1 (FIG. 7) repeats forever.
- the applied voltage is a voltage wave composed of a fundamental frequency which is the reciprocal of the discharge time and a harmonic having a frequency which is an integral multiple of the fundamental frequency.
- the waveform of the excitation force matches the waveform of the applied voltage.
- the frequency response function represents the relationship between the input and output of the vibration transmission system of the sensor vibration system, and is represented by the ratio of the input Fourier spectrum to the output Fourier spectrum. That is, the frequency response function of the present embodiment It is the ratio of the Fourier spectrum of the ZT discharge waveform (which has a linear relationship to the excitation force) and the Fourier spectrum of the free vibration of the sensor vibration system.
- the primary mode and the secondary mode in FIG. 10 show two natural modes of the sensor vibration system.
- the eigenmode is a form in which the sensor vibration system can vibrate. In other words, every object has its own shape when it vibrates, and cannot vibrate in any other form.
- This eigenmode is the eigenmode.
- the eigenmode of the object can be obtained by modal analysis.
- the ink cartridge 100 has the following two vibration modes.
- the primary mode is a vibration mode in which the edge of the concave portion of the sensor S S (FIG. 2) serves as a node of vibration, and the center of the concave portion serves as an antinode of vibration and deforms into a bowl shape.
- both the edge and the center of the concave portion of the sensor SS become nodes of vibration, and the left and right of the center of the middle part between the edge and the center are the antinodes of vibration.
- This is a vibration mode that transforms into a seesaw type.
- the solid line in FIG. 10 indicates the frequency response frequency when the ink level is higher than the position of the sensor S S (FIG. 1) (FIG. 2A) when the ink remains at a predetermined amount or more.
- the dotted line in FIG. 10 indicates the frequency response function when the ink does not remain at a predetermined amount or more and the ink level is lower than the position of the sensor SS (FIG. 2 (b)).
- the reason why the frequency response function changes in accordance with the ink level is that the vibration characteristics around the piezo element PZT change as described above.
- the change in the vibration characteristics is such that the sensor SS, the ink, and the housing 140 function as a vibrating body, whereas the ink liquid level is higher than the sensor SS.
- the sensor SS, the casing 140, and only a small amount of ink attached to the sensor SS become a vibrator.
- FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a voltage is generated in the piezo element PZT according to free vibration of the piezo element PZT.
- Fig. 11 (a) shows the waveform of the applied voltage (during discharge) in the frequency domain (Fig. 9 (b)) superimposed on the intermediate value of the frequency response function of the sensor oscillation system, which will be described later. This is indicated by a dashed line.
- FIG. 11B shows the output voltage of the piezo element PZT.
- the intermediate value of the frequency response function is an intermediate value (for example, an intermediate value in logarithm) in the frequency direction between the dotted line and the solid line shown in FIG. Such a value is used to stably output a voltage from the piezo element PZT regardless of the amount of the remaining ink.
- the natural frequency of the first-order mode or the second-order mode indicates a value based on an intermediate value of the frequency response function.
- the liquid level of the ink is measured using a small shift of the natural frequency of the primary mode of the sensor vibration system. That is, in this embodiment, the ink level is The natural frequency of the first-order mode is slightly shifted depending on whether it is higher than the sensor SS. According to this shift, the positional relationship between the sensor SS and the ink surface is determined. As a result, it can be seen that voltage waves of other frequencies become noise.
- step S130 the control unit 210 causes the ink remaining amount detection circuit 230 to wait again from time t3 to time t4 in FIG.
- This standby time is a time for attenuating the unnecessary vibration that becomes a noise source. During this waiting time, vibrations at frequencies other than the natural frequencies of the first and second modes almost disappear.
- the control unit 210 (FIG. 5) outputs a counter start signal CI to the counter control unit 236 at time 1: 4.
- the count controller 236 that has received the counter start signal CI outputs a count control signal CC to the counter 238.
- the reference potential Vref to be compared in the comparator 234 is set so as to detect only a voltage wave caused by free vibration in the first mode as shown in FIG. 11 (b).
- such setting is realized according to the relationship (table) between the sensor rank and the setting state of the reference potential Vref, as described above, and the sensor rank.
- the reference potential V ref is set to a preferable value for suppressing noise and detecting only the voltage wave caused by free vibration in the first mode.
- step S140 the counting section 238 counts the number of pulses of the clock signal CLK.
- the counting of the number of pulses is performed only while the counting section 238 is receiving the count control signal CC. Thereby, the number of pulses of the clock signal CLK from the first rising edge Edge 1 of the pulse QC after the time t4 to the sixth rising edge Edge 6 is counted. You That is, the number of pulses of the peak signal CLK for five periods of the voltage wave output from the piezo element PZT has been reduced.
- step S150 the counting section 238 outputs the count value CNT.
- the output count value C NT is sent to the printer 20.
- the printer 20 calculates the frequency of the voltage wave output from the piezo element PZT according to the received count value CNT and the known cycle of the clock signal CLK.
- the printer 20 can determine whether the remaining amount of ink is equal to or more than a predetermined amount according to the frequency. For example, when the ink level is higher than the position of the sensor SS, the frequency is close to 90 kHz, and when the ink level is lower than the position of the sensor SS, the frequency is close to 110 kHz. Assume that you know In this case, if the measured frequency is, for example, 105 kHz, it is known that the ink remaining amount is less than the predetermined value (steps S170, S180).
- the ink cartridge 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention can change the reference potential V ref of the comparator (comparator) 234, the reference potential V ref is appropriately set. By doing so, noise can be suppressed and measurement reliability can be improved.
- FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a voltage is generated in the piezo element PZT according to the free vibration of the piezo element PZT as in FIG. However, this is the state of voltage generation before the discharge characteristics are properly set. Before the adjustment, the frequency of the fundamental wave of the applied voltage at the time of discharge does not match the natural frequency of the second mode of the sensor vibration system, while the frequency of the There are harmonics of the applied voltage at the same time of discharge.
- FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of the discharge characteristic setting process in the example of the present invention.
- FIG. 13 (a) shows the discharge waveform after setting the discharge characteristics, and is the same as FIG. 9 (a).
- Fig. 13 (b) shows the discharge waveform before setting the discharge characteristics.
- the discharge time constant is the product of the resistance between the piezo element PZT and the ground and the capacitance of the piezo element PZT.
- the discharge time constant can be set by adjusting the resistance value of the discharge time constant adjustment resistance circuit Rs. This resistance value can be set by opening and closing the discharge time constant adjustment resistance control switches Sa, Sb, Sc, and Scl in an appropriate combination.
- the discharge time is the time during which the piezo element PZT and the ground are in a conductive state as described above. Specifically, this is the time during which the control unit 210 turns on the transistor Tr2.
- the control of the discharge can be freely set by the control unit 200.
- the discharge time constant is changed from the time constant T d ′ to the time constant T d and the discharge end time is extended from t 3 ′ to t 3 by this method, the discharge time is changed as shown in Fig. 13 (a).
- the waveform is the same as the discharge waveform shown.
- the ink cartridge 100 has at least one of the connection state of the switch inside the discharge time constant adjusting resistance circuit Rs and the driving timing of the switching Tr2. By adjusting, it is possible to change the discharge characteristics from the piezo element PZT. This makes it possible to change the characteristics of the residual vibration after discharge to those having a high S / N, which is preferable for detecting the residual amount.
- FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a method of measuring the remaining amount of ink in the second embodiment of the present invention. This flowchart differs from the flowchart of the first embodiment (FIG. 6) in the following points.
- Step S90 is added to the flowchart of the first embodiment.
- processing for confirming the function of the sensor SS is performed.
- Step S100, Step S140, Step S150, and Step S160 are Step S100a, Step S140a, Step S150a, and It has been changed to step S160a.
- step S900 the control unit 210 performs a function confirmation test of the sensor SS.
- This test is a test for confirming that the sensor SS does not output an abnormal voltage.
- An abnormal voltage is an excessive voltage that is output even though charging and discharging are not performed.
- the function confirmation test of the sensor S S is performed in order to increase the reliability of the measurement by confirming that such a voltage is not output from the sensor S S before measuring the remaining ink amount.
- the function confirmation test of the sensor S S is performed in the order of (1) setting of the reference potential V ref (FIG. 5), and (2) confirmation of the pulse QC.
- the control unit 210 sets the reference potential Vref to the function confirmation reference voltage according to the sensor rank and a predetermined table (Fig. 15).
- the pulse QC should be checked after a predetermined time has passed since the last charge and discharge of the piezo element PZT (after the voltage wave due to charge and discharge is sufficiently attenuated). For example, the measurement may be performed after measuring the remaining ink amount.
- step S100a the control unit 210 (FIG. 4) resets the reference potential Vref and sets the discharge time constant of the piezo element PZT. Resetting the reference potential V ref As a result, the reference potential V ref is changed from the reference voltage for function confirmation to the reference voltage for remaining amount detection (according to the sensor rank).
- the setting of the discharge time constant of the piezo element PZT is performed based on a concept different from that of the first embodiment. That is, in the first embodiment, the sensor SS is set so as to be able to stably output the voltage wave regardless of the amount of the remaining ink, whereas in the second embodiment, the ink remaining is less than the predetermined amount.
- FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram in which the waveform of the applied voltage (during discharge) in the frequency domain (Fig. 9 (b)) and the frequency response function of the sensor vibration system are superimposed as in Fig. 11 (a). is there. However, this figure differs from Figure 11 (a) in the following points. In other words, in FIG.
- Fig. 6 plots the frequency response function of the sensor vibration system as a value when the remaining amount of ink is "less than a predetermined amount” (solid line) and a value when it is "more than a predetermined amount” (dotted line). Has been done.
- two input / output ratios, T 2 are transfer functions of the sensor structure at the fundamental frequency of the vibration by the discharge of the piezoelectric element PZT.
- the input / output ratio T1 is a transfer function when the ink amount is less than the predetermined amount
- the input / output ratio T2 is a transfer function when the ink amount is equal to or more than the predetermined amount.
- the discharge characteristic (basic frequency) of the piezoelectric element PZT is set so that the value obtained by dividing the input / output ratio T1 by the input / output ratio T2 is increased. As a result, in this embodiment, a relatively large voltage wave is generated only when the remaining ink amount is less than the predetermined amount.
- the 17 is an explanatory diagram showing the output voltage of the piezo element PZT according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
- the solid line indicates the output voltage of the piezo element PZT when the remaining amount of ink is less than the predetermined amount
- the dotted line indicates the output voltage of the piezo element PZT when the remaining amount of ink is equal to or more than the predetermined amount.
- the reference voltage V ref is a value set as a reference voltage for remaining amount detection.
- the reference voltage for remaining amount detection is smaller than the maximum value of the output voltage of the piezo element PZT when the remaining amount of ink is less than a predetermined amount, and the piezo element PZT when the remaining amount of ink is equal to or more than the predetermined amount. Is set so as to be higher than the output voltage. Such a setting is realized by appropriately creating the table of the second embodiment (FIG. 15).
- steps S110 to S130 charging (S110), discharging (S120), and standby (S130) processes are performed as in the first embodiment. .
- step S140a the control unit 210 (FIG. 5) outputs the counter start signal CI to the counter control unit 236 for a predetermined time.
- the counter control section 236 which has received the counter start signal CI outputs the count control signal CC to the count section 238.
- the counting section 238 counts the pulses output from the comparator 234 only while the counting section 238 receives the count control signal CC.
- step S150a the counting section 238 outputs the number of pulses.
- the number of output pulses is sent to the printer 20.
- the printer 20 determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink is equal to or more than a predetermined amount according to the number of pulses (step S160a). 0 More specifically, if the number of pulses is equal to or more than "1", It is determined that the remaining amount is less than the predetermined amount (step S170), and when the pulse number is "0", it is determined that the remaining amount of the ink is equal to or more than the predetermined amount (step S180). .
- the second embodiment it can be determined based on whether or not the output voltage of the piezoelectric element after discharging has a portion greater than the predetermined remaining amount detection reference voltage. Since this reference voltage can be changed, there is an advantage that the ink remaining amount can be easily measured by appropriately setting this reference value.
- the discharge characteristic of the piezo element PZT is set so that a relatively large voltage wave is generated only when the remaining amount of ink is less than a predetermined amount. It is designed so that a relatively large voltage wave is generated only when the May be specified.
- the piezo element PZT is used as a sensor element.
- the sensor used in the present invention may be any sensor that uses a piezoelectric element having two characteristics: an inverse piezoelectric effect that deforms according to charge and discharge, and a piezoelectric effect that generates a voltage according to deformation.
- the discharge characteristics are changed by adjusting the ON time of the transistor Tr2 and the time constant determined by the piezoelectric element and the resistor for adjusting the discharge time constant. Either one may be sufficient.
- the discharge time constant is adjusted by changing the resistance value of the resistor circuit for adjusting the discharge time constant.
- the time constant may be adjusted by changing the time constant.
- the measurement target of the remaining amount is ink, but may be, for example, toner.
- the measurement target of the remaining amount may be any consumable that is reduced by using the device.
- the piezoelectric sensor is set by using a table showing the relationship between the predetermined sensor rank and the setting state of the discharge time constant adjusting resistor circuit Rs and the reference voltage.
- the discharge characteristics and the reference voltage of the element are set.
- the characteristics of the piezoelectric element are measured as characteristic numerical values representing the relationship between voltage and strain, and an algorithm stored in a non-volatile memory or computer in advance according to the measurement result According to The discharge characteristics and the reference voltage may be set.
- the algorithm may be configured to calculate an optimum value of a discharge characteristic such as a time constant or a discharge time from the above characteristic value using a predetermined calculation formula, and select a setting state closest to the optimum value.
- the discharge characteristic setting processing and the reference voltage setting processing performed in the present invention may be configured so as to be set according to the piezoelectric element characteristic information indicating the characteristics of the piezoelectric element, and furthermore, appropriate measurement can be performed.
- the setting may be made by trial and error such as changing the setting up to.
- the detection signal is generated according to whether or not the output voltage of the piezoelectric element after discharging has a portion higher than a predetermined remaining amount detection reference voltage.
- the configuration may be such that the determination is made according to whether or not a predetermined peak portion higher than the predetermined remaining amount detection reference voltage is equal to or more than a predetermined number (for example, three).
- the detection signal generation circuit used in the present invention is configured to generate a detection signal including information indicating whether or not the amplitude of the residual vibration after discharge of the piezoelectric element is larger than a predetermined threshold. Good.
- the discharge time constant of the piezo element PZT is set so that the output voltage wave amplitude of the piezo element PZT greatly changes depending on whether the remaining amount of ink is equal to or more than a predetermined amount or less than the predetermined amount.
- the amplitude of the waveform of the applied voltage (during discharge) in the frequency domain is significantly different depending on whether the remaining amount of ink is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount or less than the predetermined amount. May be.
- the software can be provided in a form stored in a computer-readable recording medium.
- the “computer-readable recording medium” is not limited to a portable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, but may be an internal storage device in the computer such as various RAMs and ROMs. It also includes external storage devices fixed to the computer, such as hard disks. Industrial applicability
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/518,528 US7280928B2 (en) | 2003-02-26 | 2004-02-04 | Expendable supplies container capable of measuring residual amount of expendable supplies |
EP04708036A EP1598645A4 (en) | 2003-02-26 | 2004-02-04 | CONTAINER FOR CONSUMABLE SUPPLIES FOR MEASURING THE REMAINING QUANTITY OF CONSUMABLE SUPPLIES |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2003048571A JP3945420B2 (ja) | 2003-02-26 | 2003-02-26 | 消耗品の残存量を計測可能な消耗品容器 |
JP2003-048571 | 2003-02-26 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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WO2004076985A1 true WO2004076985A1 (ja) | 2004-09-10 |
Family
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---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2004/001155 WO2004076985A1 (ja) | 2003-02-26 | 2004-02-04 | 消耗品の残存量を計測可能な消耗品容器 |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US7280928B2 (ja) |
EP (1) | EP1598645A4 (ja) |
JP (1) | JP3945420B2 (ja) |
CN (1) | CN1701218A (ja) |
WO (1) | WO2004076985A1 (ja) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN100453324C (zh) * | 2005-01-31 | 2009-01-21 | 精工爱普生株式会社 | 印刷装置、以及印刷材料状态的检测方法 |
Families Citing this family (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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JP4924176B2 (ja) | 2007-04-23 | 2012-04-25 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | 液体検出装置および液体噴射装置 |
JP4952356B2 (ja) | 2007-04-23 | 2012-06-13 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | 液体検出装置、液体噴射装置および液体検出方法 |
JP5394773B2 (ja) * | 2009-02-26 | 2014-01-22 | ローランドディー.ジー.株式会社 | 画像形成装置 |
JP2010214721A (ja) * | 2009-03-16 | 2010-09-30 | Seiko Epson Corp | 液体収容容器 |
WO2011035811A1 (en) * | 2009-09-25 | 2011-03-31 | Hewlett-Packard Indigo B.V. | Ink container |
KR20120086063A (ko) * | 2011-01-25 | 2012-08-02 | 주식회사 대우일렉트로닉스 | 액체세제 잔량 경고 방법 |
JP5736848B2 (ja) * | 2011-03-03 | 2015-06-17 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | 液体吐出装置、検査方法およびプログラム |
JP2012179879A (ja) * | 2011-03-03 | 2012-09-20 | Seiko Epson Corp | 液体吐出装置、検査方法およびプログラム |
CN104708904B (zh) | 2011-06-30 | 2016-09-07 | 精工爱普生株式会社 | 收费金额计算方法、收费金额计算装置以及打印机收费系统 |
CN107894262B (zh) * | 2017-10-13 | 2020-04-03 | 潍柴动力股份有限公司 | 液位测量装置及方法、发动机 |
CN108414959B (zh) * | 2018-04-04 | 2024-02-23 | 京东方科技集团股份有限公司 | 压电传感器检测电路、阵列压电传感器电路及控制方法 |
CN112229476B (zh) * | 2020-10-20 | 2021-05-14 | 山东统一陶瓷科技有限公司 | 一种基于压电陶瓷的水位检测控制装置 |
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JP3262141B2 (ja) | 1991-12-26 | 2002-03-04 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | インクジェット記録ヘッドの駆動回路 |
US6106087A (en) * | 1996-10-01 | 2000-08-22 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Detection apparatus for detecting residual ink quantity in ink cartridge |
US6517175B2 (en) * | 1998-05-12 | 2003-02-11 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Printer, method of monitoring residual quantity of ink, and recording medium |
JP2001146023A (ja) | 1999-05-20 | 2001-05-29 | Seiko Epson Corp | 液体容器 |
DE10062176A1 (de) | 2000-12-14 | 2002-07-04 | Wacker Polymer Systems Gmbh | Polyvinylacetal-gepfropfte Polymerisate |
JP3613192B2 (ja) * | 2001-03-28 | 2005-01-26 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | 液量監視装置及びこれを備えた液体消費装置 |
JP4373694B2 (ja) * | 2002-08-22 | 2009-11-25 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | 印刷材の収容容器 |
EP1593941A4 (en) * | 2003-02-07 | 2007-05-16 | Seiko Epson Corp | CONTAINERS FOR CONSUMPTION PROPERTIES WITH THE ABILITY TO MEASURE THE REMAINDER OF CONSUMPTION OBJECTS |
WO2005000591A1 (ja) * | 2003-06-26 | 2005-01-06 | Seiko Epson Corporation | 消耗品の残存量を計測可能な消耗品容器 |
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2003
- 2003-02-26 JP JP2003048571A patent/JP3945420B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2004
- 2004-02-04 US US10/518,528 patent/US7280928B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2004-02-04 WO PCT/JP2004/001155 patent/WO2004076985A1/ja active Application Filing
- 2004-02-04 CN CN200480001023.9A patent/CN1701218A/zh active Pending
- 2004-02-04 EP EP04708036A patent/EP1598645A4/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (1)
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JPH10305590A (ja) * | 1997-05-08 | 1998-11-17 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | インク残量検知センサ |
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CN100453324C (zh) * | 2005-01-31 | 2009-01-21 | 精工爱普生株式会社 | 印刷装置、以及印刷材料状态的检测方法 |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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EP1598645A4 (en) | 2007-11-28 |
US20060036377A1 (en) | 2006-02-16 |
US7280928B2 (en) | 2007-10-09 |
EP1598645A1 (en) | 2005-11-23 |
CN1701218A (zh) | 2005-11-23 |
JP3945420B2 (ja) | 2007-07-18 |
JP2004261982A (ja) | 2004-09-24 |
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