| 摘要 |
PURPOSE:To enable determination at a glimpse of an ink supply condition whether it be merely a discharge failure or an empty shortage by allowing different color lamps to turn ON stepwise based on information originating from an electrode for residual ink detection provided on a sub-ink tank. CONSTITUTION:During normal recording, the tip of a tube T1 is in 'closed condition', and ink to be consumed through a tube T2 is supplied via a feeder tube T2 so that a constant quantity of an ink may be maintained in the sub- tank. Consequently each pair of electrodes R1, R2-R7, R8 for residual ink detection are immersed in the ink, and are kept in 'continuity' condition with prearranged resistance which means a state in which the ink is available. However, if recording continues, the ink supply gradually decreases allowing the air of a container to be led into the sub-tank through the supply tube T2. Thus the ink level comes down, exposing the electrode R8 submerged out of the ink. As a result, the electrodes R7, R8 are rendered non-conductive by the air and 'no-ink' status is detected. |
