Printer and separated liquid level detection structure thereof

Abstract

The utility model provides a printer and a separated liquid level detection structure thereof, and the structure comprises a container which is provided with a liquid storage cavity, the liquid storage cavity is provided with a detection reference surface, and the detection reference surface comprises the inner wall bottom surface of the liquid storage cavity or the inner wall side surface of the liquid storage cavity; the liquid level detection mechanism comprises a light emitter, a light receiver and a reflection group, the reflection group is arranged on the detection reference surface and comprises a first reflection surface and a second reflection surface, a liquid passing gap is formed between the first reflection surface and the second reflection surface, and the liquid passing gap is communicated with the liquid storage cavity; and the light emitter, the first reflecting surface, the second reflecting surface and the light receiver are positioned on the same light path. The light emitter emits light rays to the first reflecting surface, when the printing material in the liquid storage cavity is lowered to be below the specified liquid level or no printing material exists, the light rays are reflected to the second reflecting surface through the first reflecting surface, and the light receiver receives the light rays from the second reflecting surface; and when the liquid storage cavity is provided with the printing material, the light rays are emitted from the first reflecting surface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of printer, concretely relates to a printer and its separate liquid level detection structure. BACKGROUND

[0002] The printer sprays printing material to form a three-dimensional structure, and the printing material can be stored in a container, and the printing device extracts the printing material from the container for spraying. With the increase of the use amount, the liquid level of the printing material in the container will also decrease, and when the liquid level decreases to a low position, it is necessary to add printing material to the container or replace the entire container so that the printer can continue to work. Therefore, setting up a corresponding liquid level detection structure to monitor the liquid level of the printing material in the container has become one of the problems to be solved by the technical personnel in the field. SUMMARY

[0003] In order to overcome the above technical defects, the utility model provides a kind of printer and its separate liquid level detection structure, which can solve the technical problem of how to detect the liquid level of the printing material of printer in prior art.

[0004] The utility model is realized according to the following technical scheme:

[0005] The utility model provides a kind of separate liquid level detection structure, it includes:

[0006] The container is provided with a liquid storage cavity, and the liquid storage cavity has a detection reference surface, and the detection reference surface includes the inner wall bottom surface of the liquid storage cavity or the inner wall side surface of the liquid storage cavity;

[0007] The liquid level detection mechanism includes a light emitter, a light receiver and a reflection group, the reflection group is arranged on the detection reference surface, the reflection group includes a first reflection surface and a second reflection surface, a liquid passing gap is arranged between the first reflection surface and the second reflection surface, and the liquid passing gap is communicated with the liquid storage cavity;

[0008] The light emitter, the first reflection surface, the second reflection surface and the light receiver are on the same optical path.

[0009] Compared with the prior art, the light emitter emits light to the first reflection surface, when the printing material in the liquid storage cavity decreases below a specified liquid level or there is no printing material, the light is reflected on the second reflection surface via the first reflection surface, and the light receiver receives the light from the second reflection surface; when the liquid storage cavity has printing material, the light is emitted from the first reflection surface; further, since the printing material has color, part of the light cannot be emitted from the first reflection surface but can be reflected to the second reflection surface, and the printing material in the liquid passing gap will block the light, so that the light cannot be reflected on the second reflection surface, and the detection accuracy of the application is improved.

[0010] In an embodiment, the reflection set comprises a first reflection block and a second reflection block, the first reflection block is provided with the first reflection surface, and the second reflection block is provided with the second reflection surface.

[0011] The liquid passing gap is located between the first reflection block and the second reflection block.

[0012] In an embodiment, the separated liquid level detection structure further comprises a printer body for mounting the container.

[0013] The light emitter and the light receiver are arranged on the printer body.

[0014] In an embodiment, the light emitter and the light receiver are arranged on the container.

[0015] The container is provided with a conductive end, and the conductive end is electrically connected with the light emitter and the light receiver.

[0016] The utility model also provides a separated liquid level detection structure, it includes:

[0017] A container is provided with a liquid storage cavity, the liquid storage cavity has a detection reference surface, and the detection reference surface comprises an inner wall bottom surface of the liquid storage cavity or an inner wall side surface of the liquid storage cavity.

[0018] A liquid level detection mechanism comprises a light emitter, a light receiver and a reflection set, the reflection set is arranged on the detection reference surface, the reflection set comprises a first reflection surface and a second reflection surface, and the light emitter, the first reflection surface, the second reflection surface and the light receiver are on the same optical path.

[0019] In an embodiment, the reflection set comprises a conical protrusion, a pyramid protrusion or a hemispherical protrusion, the first reflection surface and the second reflection surface are arranged on the conical protrusion, the pyramid protrusion or the hemispherical protrusion, and the first reflection surface can reflect light to the second reflection surface.

[0020] In an embodiment, the separated liquid level detection structure further comprises a printer body for mounting the container.

[0021] The light emitter and the light receiver are arranged on the printer body.

[0022] In an embodiment, the light emitter and the light receiver are arranged on the container.

[0023] The container is provided with a conductive end, and the conductive end is electrically connected with the light emitter and the light receiver.

[0024] The utility model also provides a printer, it includes the separate type liquid level detection structure as the above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] The utility model will be further explained in detail in combination with the specific embodiment of the utility model and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 It is the schematic diagram of the separate type liquid level detection structure of the embodiment 1 of the utility model (without printing material);

[0027] Figure 2 It is the schematic diagram of the separate type liquid level detection structure of the embodiment 1 of the utility model (with printing material);

[0028] Figure 3 It is the schematic diagram of the separate type liquid level detection structure of the embodiment 2 of the utility model (without printing material);

[0029] Figure 4 It is the schematic diagram of the separate type liquid level detection structure of the embodiment 3 of the utility model (without printing material);

[0030] Figure 5 It is the schematic diagram of the separate type liquid level detection structure of the embodiment 3 of the utility model (with printing material).

[0031] EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS:

[0032] 10 container, 101 conductive end, 110 liquid storage cavity, 111 detection reference surface, 210 light emitter, 220 light receiver, 230 reflection group, 231 first reflection surface, 232 second reflection surface, 233 liquid passing gap, 234 first reflection block, 235 second reflection block, 30 printer body DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The preferred embodiment of the utility model will be explained in combination with the accompanying drawings, and it should be understood that the preferred embodiment described here is only for explaining and interpreting the utility model, and is not used to limit the utility model.

[0034] In order to better illustrate the utility model, the utility model will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] It should be clear that the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the application, not all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor belong to the protection scope of the application.

[0036] The terminology used in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in the embodiments of this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0037] In the following description, when referring to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims. In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used only to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence, nor should they be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0038] Furthermore, in the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0039] Example 1

[0040] Combination Figures 1 to 2 As shown, this utility model provides a separate liquid level detection structure, which includes: a container 10, which has a liquid storage cavity 110, the liquid storage cavity 110 having a detection reference surface 111, the detection reference surface 111 including the bottom surface of the inner wall of the liquid storage cavity 110 or the side surface of the inner wall of the liquid storage cavity 110; a liquid level detection mechanism, which includes a light emitter 210, a light receiver 220 and a reflector group 230, the reflector group 230 being disposed on the detection reference surface 111, the reflector group 230 including a first reflector surface 231 and a second reflector surface 232, a liquid passage notch 233 being provided between the first reflector surface 231 and the second reflector surface 232, the liquid passage notch 233 being connected to the liquid storage cavity 110; the light emitter 210, the first reflector surface 231, the second reflector surface 232 and the light receiver 220 being on the same optical path.

[0041] Specifically, in this embodiment, the container 10 is installed and fitted with the printer body 30, and the printing material in the liquid storage chamber 110 is delivered to the printer body 30 for printing. When the liquid storage chamber 110 contains printing material and is above the specified liquid level, because the printing material and the reflector group 230 have the same refractive index, the light emitted by the light emitter 210 will exit from the first reflective surface 231 (e.g., Figure 2 light rays a);

[0042] However, because the printing material is colored, some light may not be emitted through the first reflective surface 231 and may be reflected to the second reflective surface 232. This light reflected to the second reflective surface 232 will be reflected to the light receiver 220, causing the light receiver 220 to generate a high-level signal. When the control chip receives the high-level signal, it will determine that there is no printing material in the container 10 or that the printing material has dropped below the specified liquid level, which may easily lead to misjudgment.

[0043] Therefore, in this embodiment, a liquid passage notch 233 is provided between the first reflective surface 231 and the second reflective surface 232. When there is printing material in the liquid storage cavity 110 and the liquid level is higher than a specified level, the printing material in the liquid passage notch will block the light reflected from the first reflective surface 231 to the second reflective surface 232, thus preventing the light (such as...) from passing through the liquid passage. Figure 2 The light (b) cannot be reflected onto the second reflective surface 232, meaning the light receiver 220 cannot receive the light, generating a low-level signal. This causes the control chip to determine that there is printing material inside the container 10 after receiving the low-level signal, thereby reducing false judgments and improving the detection accuracy of this embodiment.

[0044] When the printing material in the liquid storage chamber 110 drops below the specified level or there is no printing material, the printing material in the liquid passage 233 will also leak out and no longer serve as a light-blocking function. At this time, since the refractive index of the air in the liquid storage chamber 110 is different from that of the reflector group 230, the light emitted by the light emitter 210 is reflected by the first reflector 231 to the second reflector 232. After the light receiver 220 receives the light from the second reflector 232, it generates a high-level signal, which causes the control chip to determine that there is no printing material in the container 10 or the printing material has dropped below the specified level after receiving the high-level signal.

[0045] Compared with the prior art, the light emitter 210 emits light to the first reflecting surface 231, when the printing material in the liquid storage cavity 110 is lowered below a specified liquid level or there is no printing material, the light is reflected by the first reflecting surface 231 to the second reflecting surface 232, and the light receiver 220 receives the light from the second reflecting surface 232; when the liquid storage cavity 110 has printing material, the light is emitted from the first reflecting surface 231; further, due to the color of the printing material, part of the light fails to be emitted from the first reflecting surface 231 and is reflected to the second reflecting surface 232, and the printing material in the liquid passing gap 233 blocks the light, so that the light cannot be reflected to the second reflecting surface 232, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the application.

[0046] It should be noted that the high-level signal and the low-level signal can be changed according to different wiring, and the embodiment is not limited in this regard.

[0047] In addition, the detection reference surface 111 includes an inner wall bottom surface of the liquid storage cavity 110 or an inner wall side surface of the liquid storage cavity 110, and preferably, the detection reference surface 111 is defined as the inner wall bottom surface of the liquid storage cavity 110 in the embodiment; in other embodiments, the detection reference surface 111 can be defined as the inner wall side surface of the liquid storage cavity 110.

[0048] In the embodiment, the reflection group 230 includes a first reflecting block 234 and a second reflecting block 235, the first reflecting block 234 is provided with the first reflecting surface 231, and the second reflecting block 235 is provided with the second reflecting surface 232; the liquid passing gap 233 is located between the first reflecting block 234 and the second reflecting block 235. The reflection group 230 of the embodiment is composed of the first reflecting block 234 and the second reflecting block 235, and the first reflecting block 234 and the second reflecting block 235 are arranged separately, which is beneficial to the flow of the printing material in the liquid passing gap 233.

[0049] In the embodiment, the split liquid level detection structure further includes a printer body 30 for mounting the container 10; the light emitter 210 and the light receiver 220 are arranged on the printer body 30. When the container 10 is mounted and cooperated with the printer body 30, the light emitter 210 and the light receiver 220 are aligned with the reflection group 230.

[0050] Embodiment 2

[0051] In combination Figure 3As shown, the embodiment is basically the same as that of Embodiment 1, with the difference that in the present embodiment, the light emitter 210 and the light receiver 220 are arranged on the container 10; the container 10 is provided with a conductive end 101 which is electrically connected with the light emitter 210 and the light receiver 220. When the container 10 is mounted on the printer body 30, the conductive end 101 is connected with the electrically connected end on the printer body 30, realizing power supply and signal transmission.

[0052] Embodiment 3

[0053] In combination Figures 4 to 5 As shown, the embodiment is basically the same as that of Embodiment 1, with the difference that in the present embodiment, the light emitter 210 and the light receiver 220 are arranged on the container 10; the container 10 is provided with a conductive end 101 which is electrically connected with the light emitter 210 and the light receiver 220. When the container 10 is mounted on the printer body 30, the conductive end 101 is connected with the electrically connected end on the printer body 30, realizing power supply and signal transmission.

[0054] Specifically, the light emitter 210 emits light to the first reflecting surface 231, when the printing material in the liquid storage cavity 110 is lowered below the specified liquid level or there is no printing material, the light is reflected from the first reflecting surface 231 to the second reflecting surface 232, and the light receiver 220 receives the light from the second reflecting surface 232 to generate a high-level signal, so that the control chip judges that there is no printing material or the printing material is lowered below the specified liquid level in the container 10 after receiving the high-level signal.

[0055] When the liquid storage cavity 110 has printing material, the light is emitted from the first reflecting surface 231, and the light receiver 220 cannot receive the light to generate a low-level signal, so that the control chip judges that there is printing material in the container 10 after receiving the low-level signal.

[0056] Further, the reflecting group 230 includes a conical protrusion or a pyramid protrusion or a hemispherical protrusion, the first reflecting surface 231 and the second reflecting surface 232 are arranged on the conical protrusion or the pyramid protrusion or the hemispherical protrusion, and the first reflecting surface 231 can reflect the light to the second reflecting surface 232.

[0057] In the embodiment, the separated liquid level detection structure further comprises a printer body 30 for mounting the container 10; the light emitter 210 and the light receiver 220 are arranged on the printer body 30. When the container 10 is mounted on the printer body 30, the light emitter 210 and the light receiver 220 are aligned with the reflection group 230.

[0058] Embodiment 4

[0059] The embodiment is basically the same as Embodiment 3, with the difference that, in the embodiment, the light emitter 210 and the light receiver 220 are arranged on the container 10; the container 10 is provided with a conductive end 101, which is electrically connected with the light emitter 210 and the light receiver 220. When the container 10 is mounted on the printer body 30, the conductive end 101 is connected with an electric terminal on the printer body 30, realizing power supply and signal transmission.

[0060] Embodiment 5

[0061] The embodiment further provides a printer comprising the separated liquid level detection structure as described above. The container 10 and the printer body 30 are designed in a separated manner, so that the container 10 can be separated from the printer body 30. The printer comprises a 3D printer, an ink printer, etc.

[0062] According to the disclosure and teaching of the above description, the skilled in the art of the present application can also make changes and modifications to the above embodiments. Therefore, the present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and described above, and some modifications and changes of the present application should fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present application. In addition, although some specific terms are used in the present specification, these terms are only for convenience of description and do not constitute any limitation on the present application.

Claims

1. A split level detection structure, characterized by, The container is provided with a liquid storage cavity, and the liquid storage cavity has a detection reference surface, which includes an inner wall bottom surface of the liquid storage cavity or an inner wall side surface of the liquid storage cavity. The liquid level detection mechanism includes a light emitter, a light receiver and a reflection group, the reflection group is arranged on the detection reference surface, and the reflection group includes a first reflection surface and a second reflection surface. The light emitter, the first reflection surface, the second reflection surface and the light receiver are on the same light path.

2. The separated liquid level detection structure according to claim 1, wherein the reflection group includes a first reflection block and a second reflection block, the first reflection block is provided with the first reflection surface, and the second reflection block is provided with the second reflection surface. The liquid gap is located between the first reflection block and the second reflection block.

3. The separated liquid level detection structure according to claim 1, wherein the separated liquid level detection structure further includes a printer body for mounting the container. The light emitter and the light receiver are arranged on the printer body.

4. The separated liquid level detection structure according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter and the light receiver are arranged on the container. The container is provided with a conductive end, and the conductive end is electrically connected with the light emitter and the light receiver. The container is provided with a liquid storage cavity, and the liquid storage cavity has a detection reference surface, which includes an inner wall bottom surface of the liquid storage cavity or an inner wall side surface of the liquid storage cavity. The liquid level detection mechanism includes a light emitter, a light receiver and a reflection group, the reflection group is arranged on the detection reference surface, and the reflection group includes a first reflection surface and a second reflection surface.

6. The separated liquid level detection structure according to claim 5, wherein the reflection group includes a conical protrusion, a pyramid protrusion or a hemispherical protrusion, and the first reflection surface and the second reflection surface are arranged on the conical protrusion, the pyramid protrusion or the hemispherical protrusion. The first reflection surface can reflect light to the second reflection surface.

5. A split level detection structure, characterized by, 7. The separated liquid level detection structure according to claim 5, wherein the separated liquid level detection structure further includes a printer body for mounting the container. The light emitter and the light receiver are arranged on the printer body.

8. The separated liquid level detection structure according to claim 5, wherein the light emitter and the light receiver are arranged on the container. The container is provided with a conductive end, and the conductive end is electrically connected with the light emitter and the light receiver. The separated liquid level detection structure includes any one of the separated liquid level detection structures according to claims 1-8. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 9. A printer characterized by comprising: ​

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