| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the risk of damaging a head by judging that an ink is absent at the time an ink tank is not mounted, in the prism system ink residual amount detection. SOLUTION: A reflection plate is disposed on the inner surface of a main body external covering such that a detecting light beam reaches at a light receiving part at the time a tank is not mounted. Or a second light emitting element is disposed on the inner surface of the main body external covering. A part of the tank is made of a light transmitting material. The light transmitting means may either be a means for reflecting or diffusing a light beam, or a means for absorbing the same. The reflecting means may be a prism. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO |
