Patent ID: 6796627
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:a recording head, mounted on a carriage which reciprocally moves in a widthwise direction of recording paper; a non-flexible subtank formed with an airhole, mounted on the carriage for containing ink therein; a main tank, storing ink which is replenished to the subtank; an ink amount detector, which detects an amount of ink stored in the subtank; a replenishment controller, which controls replenishment of ink stored in the main tank to the subtank, in accordance with the ink amount detected by the ink amount detector; and a compressor, which maintains the main tank in a compressed state, wherein the replenishment controller includes an ink replenishing valve which is opened or closed by a control signal generated by the ink amount detector for replenishing ink stored therein to the subtank, and wherein the ink amount detector includes a float member floating on the ink stored in the subtank, and an output generator which generates an electrical output in accordance with a floating position of the float member, which changes according to the stored ink amount.