| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a detector for detecting the residual quantity of ink in each of a plurality of ink cartridges being set removably on a print head in which further cost reduction and space saving are achieved. SOLUTION: A pair of ink detection electrodes are provided on the wall face of each ink tank, adjacent detection electrodes touch to be interconnected electrically when each ink cartridge 1c, 1m, 1y is set in a print head, and impedance elements Cc, Cm and Cy having different impedances are provided in parallel with the impedances Zc, Zm and Zy of respective inks. A decision section 15 can detects an ended ink from the level or the phase difference of an output produced by modulating an input AC signal with a synthesized impedance. Since the residual quantity of ink in a plurality of ink cartridges can be detected individually while minimizing the routing of wiring, further cost reduction and space saving can be achieved. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO |
