Liquid container

Abstract

The utility model discloses a liquid container, which is mounted in an image forming device, can be matched with a sensor for use, and comprises an ink bin, a liquid storage tank and a liquid storage tank, the detection part is movably arranged in the ink cavity, the detection part can bear the buoyancy of the ink in the ink cavity, and the detection part is connected with a sensing part acting on the sensor; through different stock water levels of the ink in the ink cavity, the detection piece has a corresponding movement position under the action of buoyancy so as to drive the sensing part to move, and stock information of the ink in the ink cavity is identified through different action areas of the sensing part on the sensor. The ink amount in the ink bin can be detected only by arranging one sensor, ink amount change information can be provided in real time, a client is reminded to prepare ink as soon as possible, the sensor and the sensing part are both arranged on the outer side of the ink bin, and the situation that the real-time change of the ink cannot be detected due to interference of the ink is effectively avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of electronic imaging devices, and particularly to a detection structure for the position of ink in an ink container. Background Art

[0002] An ink storage box is usually installed in an electronic image forming device such as an inkjet printer. As a liquid container for containing ink, it can provide necessary ink during the printing process. Ink, as a consumable of the printer, usually needs to detect the usage information of the ink in the ink storage box. The existing detection method usually sets a sensor in the printer or on the ink storage box to detect whether there is ink inside the ink storage box. However, it can only identify two states of having ink and having no ink in the ink storage box, and cannot detect the ink stock in the ink storage box, nor can it provide information on the change of the ink volume in real time to remind customers to prepare ink as early as possible. Therefore, it may cause gas to enter the ink storage box due to lack of ink, or cause the print head to burn out due to lack of ink, or affect the printing time due to lack of ink. If specific stock needs to be detected, more sensors need to be added at different positions in the ink storage box to achieve this, which is not conducive to cost savings. Summary of the Utility Model

[0003] The liquid container of the utility model can effectively solve the problem that a single sensor in the printer in the above-mentioned prior art cannot effectively detect the specific stock of the ink storage box.

[0004] According to one aspect of the utility model, a liquid container is provided, which is installed in an image forming device and can be used in cooperation with a sensor, and includes:

[0005] An ink storage chamber, which has an ink cavity for containing ink inside;

[0006] A detection member, which is movably arranged in the ink cavity. The detection member can be buoyed by the ink in the ink cavity and move with the ink, and the detection member has a sensing part acting on the sensor;

[0007] Due to different stock levels of ink in the ink cavity, the detection member has corresponding movement positions under the action of buoyancy to drive the sensing part to move. Different acting areas of the sensing part on the sensor are used to identify the stock information of the ink in the ink cavity.

[0008] In some embodiments, the detection member has a rotating shaft, and the detection member is rotatably arranged in the ink storage chamber through the rotating shaft. The sensing part is connected to the rotating shaft, and the detection member can drive the sensing part to generate different acting areas on the sensor. Thus, the rotating shaft serves as a fulcrum for the rotation of the detection member and as an intermediate medium for transmitting the water level information of the ink.

[0009] In some embodiments, the rotating shaft drives the sensing part to rotate. The sensing part has an occlusion surface. The sensor has a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part. At different ink inventory water levels in the ink chamber, when the sensing part rotates, it drives the occlusion surface to generate different occlusion areas for the light-emitting part and / or the light-receiving part. Thus, the information of the ink water level is reflected by the occlusion surface, and the acting area is the coverage area of the light source.

[0010] In some embodiments, the occlusion surface has an arc length radius that gradually increases or decreases. When the occlusion surface rotates, the occlusion area for the sensor gradually increases or decreases. Thus, different acting areas are achieved through the changing arc length radius.

[0011] In some embodiments, the detecting member is provided with a floating part. The floating part is arranged opposite to the rotating shaft along the detecting member. The floating part generates a buoyancy force on the ink in the ink chamber and acts on the detecting member. Thus, the floating part is used to generate a buoyancy force during ink filling and drive the detecting member to perform corresponding actions.

[0012] In some embodiments, the detecting member moves along the direction of the increase and decrease of the ink inventory water level in the ink chamber to drive the sensing part to generate different acting areas for the sensor.

[0013] In some embodiments, the sensing part is configured as an inclined surface integrally formed with the detecting member. The detecting member drives the inclined surface to move to generate different occlusion areas for the sensor.

[0014] In some embodiments, the sensing part is movably arranged outside the ink cartridge. The rotating shaft rotates through the detecting member to drive the sensing part to move relative to the ink cartridge, so that the sensing part generates different acting areas for the sensor. Thus, another variable structure for the sensing part to act on the sensor is provided. The sensing part is realized by moving or rotating, making the structure of the occlusion surface simpler.

[0015] In some embodiments, the rotating shaft is provided with a driving gear. The height of the ink water level in the ink chamber is in a direct proportional relationship with the proportion of the occlusion area of the sensing part for the sensor.

[0016] In some embodiments, the light-transmitting projection of the sensor is linear. The occlusion position of the occlusion edge of the sensing part on the light-transmitting projection of the sensor is in a direct proportional correspondence with the liquid level height of the ink water level.

[0017] The liquid container of the present utility model has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art:

[0018] The present application provides a sensor and a sensing part on the outside of the ink tank, and a detection part is rotatably provided inside the ink tank, the detection part is connected to the sensing part, and the detection part can be affected by the buoyancy of the ink in the ink tank. Since the ink has different water levels, the corresponding movement positions of the detection part are different, thereby driving the sensing part to move to different positions. The sensing part transmits the water level change of the ink in the ink tank through the different action areas of the sensor, and the sensor can recognize the ink stock information. Therefore, only one sensor is needed to detect the ink amount in the ink tank, and the information of the ink amount change can be provided in real time to remind customers to prepare ink as soon as possible to avoid gas entering the ink cartridge due to lack of ink or the print head burning due to lack of ink, or the printing time being affected by lack of ink. The sensor and the sensing part are both arranged on the outside of the ink tank, which effectively avoids the interference of ink and the inability to detect the real-time changes of the ink. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the image forming device of the utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the liquid container of the utility model;

[0021] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the liquid container of the utility model after being cut away;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure disassembly of the liquid container of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the sensing part in the utility model;

[0024] Figure 6 It is a front view of the ink cartridge of the utility model in a full state;

[0025] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a first ink level state of the liquid container of the utility model;

[0026] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A magnified view of part A;

[0027] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a second ink level state of the liquid container of the utility model;

[0028] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A magnified view of part B;

[0029] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of a third ink level state of the liquid container of the utility model;

[0030] Figure 12For Figure 11 An enlarged view of part C in

[0031] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the fourth ink water level state of the liquid container of the present utility model;

[0032] Figure 14 For Figure 13 An enlarged view of part D in

[0033] Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the fifth ink water level state of the liquid container of the present utility model;

[0034] Figure 16 For Figure 15 An enlarged view of part E in

[0035] Figure 17 A schematic diagram of the second implementation manner of the detection component in the present utility model;

[0036] Figure 18 A schematic diagram of the second implementation manner of the rotating shaft and the sensing part in the present utility model;

[0037] Figure 19 A schematic diagram of the third implementation manner of the detection component in the present utility model;

[0038] Figure 20 A perspective view of the third implementation manner of the detection component in the present utility model;

[0039] Figure 21 The usage reference of the third implementation manner of the detection component in the present utility model Figure 1 ;

[0040] Figure 22 For Figure 21 An enlarged view of part E in

[0041] Figure 23 The usage reference of the third implementation manner of the detection component in the present utility model Figure 2 ;

[0042] Figure 24 For Figure 23 An enlarged view of part F in

[0043] Figure 25 The usage reference of the third implementation manner of the detection component in the present utility model Figure 3 ;

[0044] Figure 26 For Figure 25 An enlarged view of part G in

[0045] In the figure: 1 - ink storage tank, 11 - ink chamber, 12 - ink plug, 13 - bracket, 14 - connection hole, 15 - ink nozzle, 2 - sensor, 21 - light source, 3 - detection component, 31 - rotating shaft, 311 - first connection part, 312 - fixing hole, 313 - driving gear, 32 - sealing ring, 33 - sensing part, 331 - shielding surface, 332 - second connection part, 333 - rack, 34 - fixing piece, 35 - coupling shaft, 36 - float, 4 - housing, 41 - scanning type printing carriage, 42 - track shaft, 43 - conveyor belt, 45 - paper tray, 46 - paper feeding roller, 47 - paper output roller, 48 - ink supply pipe. Detailed implementation manner

[0046] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present utility model clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present utility model. Apparently, the described embodiments are some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present utility model. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present utility model without making creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0047] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of such features. In the description of the present utility model, "a plurality" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0048] Such as Figure 1As shown in the figure, the utility model relates to a liquid container installed in an image forming apparatus, such as an inkjet printer. The image forming apparatus includes a rectangular housing 4. An image reading device (not shown) is disposed on the housing 4 for reading image information. A printing device is disposed inside the housing 4 for receiving the information read by the image reading device and printing it onto a printing medium (paper). The printing device has a scanning printing carriage 41, a rail shaft 42, a conveyor belt 43, and a driving motor. The scanning printing carriage 41 is slidably disposed on the rail shaft 42 and can slide along the rail shaft 42. The scanning printing carriage 41 is provided with a printing head for ejecting ink so as to form an image on the printing medium. The rail shaft 42 is fixedly disposed inside the housing 4. The conveyor belt 43 is connected to the scanning printing carriage 41. The driving motor transmits the rotational power to the conveyor belt 43 through a transmission wheel (not shown), so that the conveyor belt 43 can drive the scanning printing carriage 41 to slide along the rail shaft 42. The printing device further has a paper tray 45, and a rotatably disposed paper feed roller 46 and a paper discharge roller 47. The paper tray 45 is used for placing the printing medium to be printed. The paper feed roller 46 is used for conveying the printing medium so that the printing medium can move relative to the scanning printing carriage 41. The paper discharge roller 47 is used for discharging the printing medium on which the image has been formed. The liquid container is installed on one side of the printing device and is communicated with the printing head of the scanning printing carriage 41 through an ink supply pipe 48 to supply ink to the printing head during printing. A pump may also be provided in the middle of the pipeline of the ink supply pipe 48 to drive the ink flow of the liquid container towards the printing head. Therefore, ink is supplied to the printing head through the liquid container, the scanning printing carriage 41 drives the printing head to move, the printing head jets ink onto the printing medium to print an image, and the printing medium moves relative to the scanning printing carriage 41 to achieve the printing work.

[0049] The following further describes the present utility model in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0050] Figure 2 Schematically shows a liquid container according to an embodiment of the present utility model. As Figure 2 shown, the length direction, width direction, and height direction of the liquid container are respectively the X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, and Z-axis direction in sequence, and the three-axis directions are mutually orthogonal. The liquid container includes an ink storage tank 1 and a detection member 3.

[0051] As Figure 2 、 Figure 3As shown, the ink cartridge 1 is in the shape of a rectangular body. Multiple ink cartridges can be provided and arranged in sequence in the image forming apparatus. The interior of the ink cartridge 1 is a hollow ink chamber 11 for storing ink. An ink nozzle 15 is provided on the +Z axis side (upper side) of the ink cartridge 1. The ink nozzle 15 communicates with the ink chamber 11. An ink plug 12 is provided on the ink nozzle 15 to block and seal the ink nozzle 15. When ink filling is required, for example, the ink plug 12 is opened, and an ink bottle (not shown) containing ink is poured into the ink chamber 11 through the ink nozzle 15 to replenish the ink in the ink chamber 11, and then the ink plug 12 is used to seal it again. The ink cartridge 1 usually also has a communication port (not shown). The communication port is connected to the print head of the printer through an ink supply tube 48. After the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the corresponding position, it is driven by a pump or other ink supply means to supply ink to the print head. A bracket 13 is provided on the outer side of the ink cartridge 1. In this embodiment, the bracket 13 is provided on the side wall of the -X axis side of the ink cartridge 1. The sensor 2 is connected to the bracket 13 to support the sensor 2. The bracket 13 can adopt a bent plate structure. The ink cartridge 1 can also be provided with a convex partial shape to locally support the sensor 2.

[0052] It should be noted that the liquid container can be used in cooperation with the sensor 2. The sensor 2 is provided on the image forming apparatus. For example, the sensor 2 can be located outside the liquid container, or can be directly provided on the liquid container (such as the ink cartridge 1). In this embodiment, taking the sensor 2 being provided on the liquid container as an example, as Figure 4 shown, the sensor 2 is supported by the bracket 13 so as to be provided outside the ink cartridge 1, which is beneficial to preventing the detection accuracy from being interfered by ink. The sensor 2 is preferably a light shielding sensor, which is electrically connected to the image forming apparatus. The sensor 2 has a relatively arranged transmitting end (light emitting part) and receiving end (light receiving part). The transmitting end has a light source 21. In this embodiment, the cross section of the light source 21 has a strip-shaped (linear) area. The receiving end is used to receive the light passing amount of the transmitting end. When the light source 21 is blocked, the light passing amount received by the receiving end will change. Under normal circumstances, when the light source 21 is not blocked, its light passing amount is the largest, and the receiving end sends the received optical signal to the image forming apparatus, and then the image forming apparatus identifies it to judge the real-time light passing amount. Therefore, the change in the ink stock in the ink chamber 11 can be accurately identified corresponding to the light passing amount.

[0053] As Figure 3As shown in the figure, the detection member 3 is rotatably arranged in the ink chamber 11. The detection member 3 adopts a conventional rod-shaped structure and has a certain weight of its own. A rotating shaft 31 is provided at the rod end of the detection member 3. The rotating shaft 31 extends along the Y-axis direction. The rotating shaft 31 is rotatably arranged on the side wall of the ink cartridge 1 and extends to the outside of the ink cartridge 1. Specifically, a connection hole 14 is provided on the -Y-axis side of the ink cartridge 1. The rotating shaft 31 passes through the connection hole 14 and extends to the outside of the ink cartridge 1, and can rotate in the connection hole 14, so that the detection member 3 can rotate in the ink chamber 11. To avoid slight leakage of ink, a sealing ring 32 is also provided on the rotating shaft 31 to further seal the connection hole 14.

[0054] Among them, as Figure 2 , Figure 5 shown, the detection member 3 is connected with a sensing part 33. The sensing part 33 is also arranged outside the ink cartridge 1 and can act on the sensor 2. Specifically, the sensing part 33 blocks the light source 21 of the sensor 2. The sensing part 33 has a blocking surface 331. The blocking surface 331 is specifically a fan-shaped plate surface structure. After the sensing part 33 is connected to the rotating shaft 31, it can rotate to drive the blocking surface 331 to rotate. The blocking surface 331 can produce different acting areas on the sensor 2. This acting area is the actual blocking area of the light source 21 or the light-transmitting area of the sensor 2. And because the blocking surface 331 has an arc length radius (rotation radius) that gradually increases or decreases, when the sensing part 33 drives the blocking surface 331 to rotate, the area covering the light source 21 (the acting area on the sensor 2) will increase or decrease, that is, the light-transmitting amount of the light source 21 is changed by the covering area of the blocking surface 331 on the light source 21. In addition, the sensing part 33 and the rotating shaft 31 can be detachably connected. Specifically, a first connection part 311 is provided at the shaft end of the rotating shaft 31 extending to the outside of the ink cartridge 1. The first connection part 311 is constructed as a convex structure with edges. The sensing part 33 is provided with a second connection part 332. The second connection part 332 is constructed as a through-hole structure, so that the first connection part 311 and the second connection part 332 can be clamped and matched with each other to realize the assembly between the sensing part 33 and the rotating shaft 31. The second connection part 332 is also the center of rotation of the sensing part 33. Of course, the structures of the first connection part 311 and the second connection part 332 can be interchanged as long as they can be clamped. Further, a fixing part 34 is provided outside the ink cartridge 1. The fixing part 34 is specifically a screw or a bolt, etc. A fixing hole 312 is provided on the axial end surface (-Y-axis side) of the rotating shaft 31. The fixing hole 312 is specifically a threaded hole. The fixing part 34 is connected in the fixing hole 312 to fasten the sensing part 33 and prevent the sensing part 33 from falling off along the rotating shaft 31 and affecting the light shielding. It can be seen that the detection member 3 rotates around the rotating shaft 31 in the ink chamber 11 to drive the sensing part 33 to rotate, thereby acting on the sensor 2.

[0055] The detection member 3 can be buoyed by the ink in the ink chamber 11, so it can produce a position change in the ink. Since the water level in the ink chamber 11 changes after ink supply, and the detection member 3 is restricted by the rotating shaft 31, the detection member 3 can rotate during different water level changes, that is, the detection member 3 has corresponding movement positions under the action of buoyancy to drive the sensing part 33 to move. Specifically, a coupling shaft 35 is provided at the other rod end of the detection member 3. The coupling shaft 35 extends in the Y-axis direction, and a rotatable buoy 36 (i.e., the floating part) is provided on the coupling shaft 35. The buoy 36 is connected to the coupling shaft 35 through a hole shaft. The buoy 36 is disposed opposite to the rotating shaft 31 on the detection member 3. It can be close to the center position of the detection member 3 or can be disposed at the rod end of the detection member 3. In this embodiment, the buoy 36 generates buoyancy on the ink to support the detection member 3. In different water level changes of the ink, the buoy 36 can still maintain the same posture and float on the ink. In other embodiments, the detection member 3 can also generate buoyancy itself so as to be able to produce a position change in the ink. For example, a light impermeable material is used to omit the setting of the buoy 36.

[0056] Working principle: As Figure 6 shown, after the detection member 3 and the sensing part 33 are installed at the corresponding positions of the ink cartridge 1, the light source 21 of the sensor 2 is started. The following uses 5 cases of ink use as an example. ① When the ink in the ink chamber 11 is in a full cartridge state, as Figure 7 , Figure 8 shown, the buoy 36 floats on the top (+Z-axis side) of the ink chamber 11. The buoy 36 drives the detection member 3 to form the largest angle with the side wall of the ink cartridge 1. At this time, the sensing part 33 does not block the light source 21, that is, the light transmission amount received by the receiving end of the sensor 2 is the largest, and the light transmission amount is 100%, indicating that the ink stock is in a full cartridge or sufficient state; ② As continuous ink supply is carried out, as Figure 9 , Figure 10 shown, when the ink stock in the ink chamber 11 is in a 3 / 4 state, the buoy 36 drives the detection member 3 to form a reduced angle with the side wall of the ink cartridge 1, gradually approaching 90°. At this time, the sensing part 33 blocks 25% of the area of the light source 21 of the sensor, and the light transmission amount received by the receiving end of the sensor 2 is 75%, indicating that the ink stock remains at 3 / 4; ③ As continuous ink supply is carried out, as Figure 11 , Figure 12 shown, when the ink stock in the ink chamber 11 is in a 1 / 2 state, the buoy 36 drives the detection member 3 to form an angle close to 90° with the side wall of the ink cartridge 1. At this time, the sensing part 33 blocks 50% of the area of the light source 21 of the sensor, and the light transmission amount received by the receiving end of the sensor 2 is 50%, indicating that the ink stock remains at half; ④ As continuous ink supply is carried out, as Figure 13 , Figure 14As shown, when the ink stock in the ink chamber 11 is at the 1 / 4 state, the buoy 36 drives the detection member 3 to form an angle close to 45° with the side wall of the ink cartridge 1. At this time, the sensing portion 33 blocks 75% of the area of the light source 21 of the sensor, and the light transmission amount received by the receiving end of the sensor 2 is 25%, indicating that the ink stock remains at the 1 / 4 state; ⑤ As continuous ink supply is carried out, such as Figure 15 , Figure 16 As shown, when the ink stock in the ink chamber 11 is at the 0 or out-of-ink state, the buoy 36 approaches the bottom (-Z-axis side) of the ink chamber 11. At this time, the sensing portion 33 blocks 100% of the area of the light source 21 of the sensor (completely blocked), and the light transmission amount received by the receiving end of the sensor 2 is 0%, indicating the out-of-ink state.

[0057] It can be seen that the liquid container of the present application can meet the requirement of detecting and identifying the ink stock information in the ink chamber 11 only through one sensor 2, which can effectively save costs, can provide real-time information on the change of the ink amount, remind the customer to prepare ink as early as possible, and avoid gas entering the ink cartridge 1 due to out-of-ink, or the print head being burned out due to out-of-ink, or the printing time being affected due to out-of-ink.

[0058] In some embodiments, such as Figure 17 As shown, the buoy 36 can be directly arranged at the rod end of the detection member 3. For example, the buoy 36 adopts a cylindrical structure, and at the same time, the buoy 36 is distributed on both sides of the detection member 3 in the Y-axis direction to improve the balance when the buoy 36 acts on the detection member 3. At this time, the shape of the buoy 36 adapts to the water level of any ink stock, and the structure of the buoy 36 and the detection member 3 can be more concise, without the need to meet the design requirements of whether it can be rotated, and the accuracy of real-time detection of the buoy 36 can be improved.

[0059] In some embodiments, such as Figure 18As shown, another structure for the sensing part 33 to trigger the sensor 2 is provided. In this embodiment, the sensing part 33 is movably arranged outside the ink cartridge 1. For example, the sensing part 33 can move along the X-axis direction. A slide rail (not shown) structure can be arranged on the outer wall of the ink cartridge 1. The sensing part 33 is provided with a bump structure that slidably cooperates with the slide rail. At this time, the structure of the shielding surface 331 is not limited, as long as it can cover the light source 21. It can be a simple rectangular or circular structure. The sensing part 33 moves and drives the shielding surface 331 to gradually cover the light source 21. Moreover, a rack 333 structure is provided at the other end of the sensing part 33 relative to the shielding surface 331, and a driving gear 313 is arranged outside the ink cartridge 1 on the rotating shaft 31. The driving gear 313 and the rack 333 can mesh with each other. Since the detecting member 3 can rotate in the ink chamber 11 by buoyancy and drive the rotating shaft 31 to rotate, when the rotating shaft 31 rotates, the driving gear 313 can mesh with the rack 333 and move relatively, so that the shielding surface 331 gradually moves along the direction of the light source 21 (-X-axis direction) and gradually increases the area of shielding the light source 21, thereby changing the amount of transmitted light received by the receiving end of the sensor 2, enabling the image forming apparatus to recognize the ink stock information in the ink cartridge 1 in real time.

[0060] In some embodiments, another structure for the detecting member 3 to move and drive the sensing part 33 to trigger the sensor 2 is provided. In this embodiment, as Figure 19 , Figure 20 shown, the detecting member 3 adopts a single straight rod structure, that is, it can be understood that the sensing part 33 is integrally formed on the detecting member 3. A buoy 36 is connected to the bottom (-Z-axis side) of the detecting member 3. The detecting member 3 can float vertically in the ink chamber 11. As the ink level changes, the detecting member 3 can move along the contraction and expansion direction (Z-axis direction) of the ink stock level in the ink chamber 11. The sensor 2 is still arranged outside the ink cartridge 1, and the detecting member 3 is located in the ink chamber 11. Among them, as Figure 21 shown, one side (-Y-axis side) of the ink cartridge 1 has a transparent part (light-transmitting part a), which is convenient for the sensor 2 to transmit light through the ink cartridge 1. The top (+Z-axis side) of the detecting member 3 has a top wall part 37. When the top wall part 37 abuts against the +Z-axis wall surface of the ink chamber 11, it can indicate that the ink is in a full cartridge state; in other embodiments, a chute or guide rail structure cooperating with the top wall part 37 can be arranged on the light-transmitting part a, so that the top wall part 37 can smoothly move along the light-transmitting part a, thereby ensuring that the detecting member 3 can still maintain a vertical state and move smoothly at different ink levels.

[0061] It should be noted that the sensing part 33 of this embodiment is configured in an inclined plane structure. The sensing part 33 makes the area of the detecting part 3 gradually decrease along the +Z axis direction. The sensing part 33 can move along with the detecting part 3. When the ink cartridge is full, the sensing part 33 can completely cover and block the light-transmitting projection of the sensor 2. As the ink level changes, the blocking area of the sensing part 33 on the sensor 2 is also different.

[0062] During use, in the same way as the above embodiment, as Figures 21 - 22 shown, when the ink is in a full cartridge state, the water level height of the ink makes the sensing part 33 completely block the light-transmitting projection of the sensor 2, indicating that the ink stock is sufficient at this time; as Figures 23 - 24 shown, as the ink is continuously used and the water level of the ink decreases, the detecting part 3 drives the sensing part 33 to move along the -Z axis direction (downward). Under the action of the inclined plane structure of the sensing part 33, relatively, the sensing part 33 moves to a position where it blocks a smaller area of the light-transmitting projection in the sensor 2. For example, the sensing part 33 blocks half of the light-transmitting projection in the sensor 2. At this time, the sensor 2 can receive 50% of the light passing through; as Figures 25 - 26 shown, as the ink is continuously used until the water level of the ink approaches the bottom of the ink chamber 11, at this time the detecting part 3 continues to drive the sensing part 33 to move along the -Z axis direction, and the sensing part 33 does not block the light-transmitting projection of the sensor 2, which can be understood as the blocking area of the sensing part 33 being zero at this time, and the sensor 2 can completely receive 100% of the light passing through, indicating the state of ink shortage in the ink cartridge 1.

[0063] Therefore, there is a direct proportional relationship between the water level height of the ink in the ink chamber 11 and the proportion of the blocking area of the sensing part 33 on the sensor 2. The higher the water level of the ink, the larger the blocking area of the sensing part 33 on the light-transmitting projection of the sensor 2. Preferably, the light-transmitting projection of the sensor 2 is set to be linear. For example, the light-transmitting area of the light source 21 or the receiving end of the sensor 2 can be controlled. Since the sensing part 33 adopts an inclined plane structure, during the continuous movement of the sensing part 33 along with the water level height of the ink, there is an equi-proportional moving blocking relationship between the blocking edge of the sensing part 33 on the light-transmitting projection of the sensor 2. Therefore, it can form a direct proportional relationship with the liquid level height of the ink, and can more accurately reflect the ink stock information.

[0064] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. For the sake of concise description, not all possible combinations of the various technical features in the above embodiments are described. It is not a limitation to the present invention in any form. Therefore, any modification, equivalent change and modification made to the above embodiments according to the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid container installed in an image forming device and capable of being used in conjunction with a sensor, characterized in that include: An ink tank having an ink cavity for containing ink; A detection member is movably disposed in the ink cavity, the detection member can be affected by the buoyancy of the ink in the ink cavity and move with the ink, and the detection member has a sensing part acting on the sensor; Through the different water levels of ink in the ink chamber, the detection component has a corresponding movement position under the action of buoyancy to drive the sensing part to move, and the sensing part has different effective areas on the sensor to identify the ink stock information in the ink chamber.

2. The liquid container according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detecting member has a rotating shaft, and the detecting member is rotatably arranged in the ink bin via the rotating shaft. The sensing part is connected to the rotating shaft, and the detecting member can drive the sensing part to generate different action areas on the sensor.

3. The liquid container according to claim 2, characterized in that: The sensing part is movably arranged outside the ink bin, and the rotating shaft is rotated by the detecting member to drive the sensing part to move relative to the ink bin, so that the sensing part produces different effective areas for the sensor.

4. The liquid container according to claim 2, characterized in that: The rotating shaft drives the sensing part to rotate, the sensing part has a shielding surface, and the sensor has a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part. Under different water levels in the ink chamber, the sensing part drives the shielding surface to generate different shielding areas for the light-emitting part and / or the light-receiving part when rotating.

5. The liquid container according to claim 4, characterized in that: The shielding surface has an arc length radius that gradually increases or decreases, and when the shielding surface rotates, the shielding area of ​​the light-emitting part and / or the light-receiving part gradually increases or decreases.

6. The liquid container according to claim 2, characterized in that: The detecting member is provided with a floating part, and the floating part is arranged along the detecting member and opposite to the rotating shaft. The floating part generates buoyancy on the ink in the ink chamber and acts on the detecting member.

7. The liquid container according to claim 1, characterized in that The detecting member moves along the shrinkage and expansion direction of the ink level in the ink chamber to drive the sensing part to generate different action areas on the sensor.

8. The liquid container according to claim 7, characterized in that: The sensing portion is constructed as an inclined surface integrally formed with the detecting member, and the detecting member drives the inclined surface to move to generate different shielding areas for the sensor.

9. The liquid container according to claim 8, characterized in that The water level of the ink in the ink chamber is in direct proportion to the proportion of the shielding area of ​​the sensor by the sensing portion.

10. The liquid container according to claim 9, characterized in that The light-transmitting projection of the sensor is linear, and the blocking position of the blocking edge of the sensing portion on the light-transmitting projection of the sensor is proportional to the liquid level height of the ink.

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