Device for detecting when a particular amount of ink remains in an ink jet recording apparatus and recording apparatus using the same

An ink jet apparatus comprising:

• a printing head for effecting printing using an ink;
• an ink container for containing the ink;
• an ink remaining amount detecting device, in fluid communication with said ink container, for detecting a remaining predetermined amount of the ink in an ink supply passage of the ink jet apparatus, the ink flowing from the ink contain to the printing head through the ink supply passage, said detecting device comprising;
• a diaphragm;
• a supporting member for fixedly supporting a circumference of said diaphragm;
• at least two pawl members having respective pawl base portions fixed to a position substantially equidistant from a center of said diaphragm, and extending away from said diaphragm to respective pawl end portions constituting respective pawls, said pawl members being resiliently flexible toward the center of the diaphragm;
• a coil spring having a diameter larger than a distance outside of said pawl base portions, said coil spring extending around an outside of said pawl members;
• a ring abutted to said pawl end portions and having an internal diameter smaller than a distance between the outside of said pawl end portions and larger than a distance between the outside of the pawl base portions and smaller than an outer diameter of said coil spring, wherein said spring is compressed between said supporting member and said ring;
• and
• a pair of electric contacts disposed in a vicinity of the diaphragm so as to make electrical connection with one another when said diaphragm occupies a predetermined position when a pressure in the ink supply passage reaches a particular value.