Method of detecting liquid residual quantity, failure detection device, liquid consuming apparatus, and liquid container

A failure detection device for a liquid container including a supply port through which a liquid is supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus, a liquid containing chamber that discharges the liquid stored therein through a liquid discharge port, a liquid detection chamber that is connected to the liquid containing chamber, a volume of which can be increased according to an inflow of the liquid from the liquid containing chamber and can be reduced when the inflow of the liquid from the liquid containing chamber stops, a detection unit for detecting a change of the volume of the liquid detection chamber, and a valve mechanism that is disposed between the liquid containing chamber and the liquid detection chamber and can block the inflow of the liquid from the liquid containing chamber to the liquid detection chamber, the failure detection device comprising:

• a closing mechanism that closes the valve mechanism;
• a suction mechanism that sucks the liquid in the liquid detection chamber through the supply port while the valve mechanism is closed;
• and
• a control unit that judges a malfunction of the detection unit if the detection unit detects that the volume of the liquid detection chamber is increased when the liquid in the liquid detection chamber is sucked through the supply port while the valve mechanism is closed.

A method of detecting a liquid residual quantity in a liquid container, the liquid container including:

• a supply port for supplying a liquid to a liquid consuming apparatus therethrough;
• a liquid containing chamber that stores the liquid therein;
• a liquid detection chamber that is connected to the liquid containing chamber, a volume of which can be increased according to an inflow of the liquid from the liquid containing chamber and can be reduced when the in flow of the liquid from the liquid containing chamber stops;
• a detection unit for detecting a change of the volume of the liquid detection chamber;
• and
• a valve mechanism that is disposed between the liquid containing chamber and the liquid detection chamber and can block the inflow of the liquid from the liquid containing chamber to the liquid detection chamber,
• wherein the method comprising:
• closing the valve mechanism;
• sucking the liquid through the supply port to reduce the volume of the liquid detection chamber;
• and
• detecting the change of the volume of the liquid detection chamber.

A liquid container comprising;

• a first pressure chamber in which a first pressurized fluid can be introduced;
• a second pressure chamber in which a second pressurized fluid can be introduced, and which is not in fluid communication with the first pressure chamber;
• a liquid containing chamber that stores a liquid therein;
• a liquid detection unit for detecting a change of a volume of the liquid containing chamber, including a liquid detection chamber that is connected to the liquid containing chamber, and a volume of which can change according to an inflow amount of the liquid from the liquid containing chamber;
• and
• a flexible member that defines at least a part of a flow passage connecting the liquid containing chamber and the liquid detection chamber to each other and can block the flow passage,
• wherein the liquid detection chamber and the liquid containing chamber are disposed so as to reduce its volume due to the first pressurized fluid to be introduced in the first pressure chamber, and
• wherein the flexible member is disposed so as to block the flow passage due to the second pressurized fluid to be introduced in the second pressure chamber.