Container Unit

Abstract

To provide a container unit capable of accurately detecting residual quantity of a fluid.SOLUTION: A container unit comprises a container, a container support instrument, and a capacitive sensor. The container can house a liquid or powder inside. The container has a first surface at the bottom. The container can realize a first posture. In the first posture, an area of a cross section of the container defined by a horizontal surface crossing the first surface becomes smaller vertically downward. The container support instrument has a second surface that approaches the first surface in a state of supporting the container in the first posture. An electrode of the capacitive sensor is attached to the second surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a container unit. [Background technology]

[0002] A container unit having a container such as a bottle and a container support device is currently in use. The container can contain a fluid such as a liquid or powder inside. When the amount of fluid remaining inside the container becomes low, a container unit that can accurately detect the amount of fluid remaining inside the container is required. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-121225 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a container unit that can accurately detect the remaining amount of fluid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A first aspect of the embodiment of the container unit includes a container, a container support device, and a capacitance sensor. The container can contain a liquid or powder. The container has a first surface at the bottom. The container can assume a first position. In the first position, the cross-sectional area of ​​the container defined by a horizontal plane intersecting the first surface decreases vertically downward. The container support device has a second surface that approaches the first surface when supporting the container in the first position. An electrode of the capacitance sensor is attached to the second surface.

[0006] The container unit of aspect 2 is the container unit of aspect 1, further comprising a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device is capable of transmitting a signal related to the remaining amount of liquid or powder inside the container to the gateway.

[0007] The container unit of embodiment 3 is the container unit of embodiment 2, further comprising a photovoltaic device. The photovoltaic device is disposed on the outer surface of the container support fixture and is capable of supplying power to the wireless communication device.

[0008] A container unit of aspect 4 is the container unit of any one of aspects 1 to 3, wherein the container and the container support device have a light-transmitting portion. The light-transmitting portion makes the liquid or powder inside the container in a first range visible from outside the container support device. The first range is the same range as the first surface in the vertical direction when the container support device supports the container in a first position.

[0009] The container unit of aspect 5 is the container unit of any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the container has a size-representing portion that represents the size of the container. The container support device has a size recognition portion that recognizes the size of the container via the size-representing portion. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view of the container unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Side view of the container. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the container support device. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a container unit including a small-sized container according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a container unit including a medium-sized container. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of a container unit including a large-sized container. [Figure 9]FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus including a container unit according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a side view of a container unit including a toner container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, a container unit according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. (First embodiment) 1 is a side view of a container unit 1 according to the first embodiment. The container unit 1 includes a container 2 and a container support device 10.

[0012] In this application, the Z direction, X direction, and Y direction of the Cartesian coordinate system are defined as follows: The Z direction is the height direction along the central axis of the container 2. For example, the Z direction is the vertical direction, and the +Z direction is the vertically upward direction. The X direction is the inclination direction of the bottom surface 4 of the container 2. The bottom surface 4 inclines in the -Z direction toward the +X direction. For example, the X direction and the Y direction are horizontal directions.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of container 2. Container 2 can contain fluid F, such as a liquid or powder, inside. For example, container 2 is a bottle that contains a liquid inside. Container 2 is made of a resin material or the like. Container 2 is rectangular or circular when viewed from the +Z direction. Container 2 has discharge pipe 3 on the outside in the +Z direction. Container 2 has suction pipe 6 inside. For example, when discharge pipe 3 is pushed in the -Z direction, fluid F sucked in from the tip of suction pipe 6 is discharged from the tip of discharge pipe 3.

[0014] The container 2 has a bottom surface (first surface) 4 at the bottom in the -Z direction. The bottom surface 4 is a flat surface that is inclined in the -Z direction toward the +X direction. The container 2 can assume a first posture. In the first posture of the container 2, the area of ​​a cross section of the container 2 taken along a horizontal plane intersecting with the bottom surface 4 decreases vertically downward. For example, when the XY plane is a horizontal plane, the state shown in Figures 1 and 2 is the first posture of the container 2. In the state shown in Figures 1 and 2, the area of ​​a cross section of the container 2 taken along the XY plane intersecting with the bottom surface 4 decreases in the -Z direction.

[0015] The -Z direction end of the suction pipe 6 is disposed near the -Z direction end of the bottom surface 4. The small amount of fluid F remaining inside the container 2 accumulates near the -Z direction end of the bottom surface 4. The suction pipe 6 can suck in the small amount of fluid F remaining inside the container 2.

[0016] Fig. 3 is a side view of the container support device 10. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the container support device 10. The container support device 10 has a housing 11 and a support member 13. The housing 11 and the support member 13 are formed of a resin material or the like. The housing 11 is box-shaped and opens in the +Z direction. A container storage space S is formed inside the housing 11.

[0017] The support member 13 is disposed inside the housing 11. The support member 13 has a support surface (second surface) 14 on its upper portion. The support surface 14 is flat and inclined in the -Z direction toward the +X direction. As shown in FIG. 1 , the container 2 in the first position is supported by the support member 13 and the housing 11. The support surface 14 approaches the bottom surface 4 of the container 2 when the container support device 10 supports the container 2 in the first position.

[0018] 3 and 4, the housing 11 has light-transmitting portions 12 on its side walls in the ±Y directions. The light-transmitting portions 12 are made of a transparent resin material or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the container 2 made of a transparent resin material or the like also has light-transmitting portions. The light transmitting portion 12 makes the fluid F in a first range H inside the container 2 visible from outside the container support device 10. The first range H is the same range as the bottom surface 4 of the container 2 in the vertical direction when the container support device 10 supports the container 2 in the first position. The surface of the fluid F remaining in a small amount inside the container 2 is in the first range H. In the first range H, the cross-sectional area of ​​the container 2 in the horizontal plane decreases vertically downward. As the remaining amount of fluid F decreases, the position of the surface of the fluid F moves significantly vertically downward. By visually checking the position of the surface of the fluid F through the light transmitting portion 12, the remaining amount of fluid F can be detected with high accuracy.

[0019] 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the container support device 10. The container support device 10 has a capacitance sensor 20. The capacitance sensor 20 has the electrode 21 shown in FIG. 3. The electrode 21 is attached to the support surface 14. Since the main body of the capacitance sensor 20 and the electrode 21 are not attached to the container 2, the cost of the container 2 is reduced. It is possible to use the container unit 1 by replacing only the container 2 while reusing the container support device 10.

[0020] 4, the electrode 21 is a rectangular ring-shaped loop electrode. The straight portions of the electrode 21 in the +Y direction, the −X direction, and the −Y direction are arranged along the edge of the support surface 14. The straight portion of the electrode 21 in the +X direction is housed inside the housing 11. The straight portion of the electrode 21 in the +X direction is connected to the main body of the capacitance sensor 20 at two points for redundancy. The capacitance sensor 20 measures capacitance using the same principle as a touch sensor to detect the remaining amount of fluid F inside the container 2. By using a loop electrode, noise is suppressed compared to when flat electrodes are used. By detecting capacitance with one electrode 21, the container unit 1 can be made smaller than when the capacitance between two electrodes is measured.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, when the remaining amount of fluid F inside the container 2 becomes small, the fluid F is in the first range H. The capacitance measured by the electrode 21 of the capacitance sensor 20 changes depending on the volume of the fluid F in the first range H. In the first range H, the cross-sectional area of ​​the container 2 in the horizontal plane decreases vertically downward. When the remaining amount of fluid F decreases, the volume of the fluid F in the first range H changes. Accordingly, the capacitance measured by the capacitance sensor 20 changes significantly. The container unit 1 can accurately detect the remaining amount of fluid F inside the container 2.

[0022] When the remaining amount of fluid F inside the container 2 is large, the fluid F is present not only in the first range H but also in the +Z direction of the first range H. Even if the remaining amount of fluid F decreases, the volume of the fluid F in the first range H does not change. The change in capacitance measured by the capacitance sensor 20 is small. At this time, the container unit 1 detects that the remaining amount of fluid F inside the container 2 is sufficient.

[0023] 5, the container support device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, a memory 92, an auxiliary storage device 93, and the like, which are connected via a bus. The CPU 91 executes programs stored in the memory 92 and the auxiliary storage device 93. The CPU 91 controls the capacitance sensor 20, the wireless communication device 95, and the like by executing the programs. The CPU 91, the memory 92, and the auxiliary storage device 93 function as a control unit 90.

[0024] The auxiliary storage device 93 is configured using a storage device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The auxiliary storage device 93 stores a fluid remaining amount table. The fluid remaining amount table records the relationship between the capacitance measured by the capacitance sensor 20 and the remaining amount of fluid F inside the container 2. The CPU 91 reads out the remaining amount of fluid F corresponding to the measured capacitance from the fluid remaining amount table and detects the remaining amount of fluid F.

[0025] The wireless communication device 95 can transmit a signal related to the remaining amount of fluid F to the gateway 99. The signal related to the remaining amount of fluid F is a signal corresponding to the capacitance measured by the capacitance sensor 20 or a signal related to the remaining amount of fluid F detected by the control unit 90.

[0026] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the container support device 10 has a photovoltaic power generation device 16 as an energy harvesting device. For example, the photovoltaic power generation device 16 is a solar cell panel. The photovoltaic power generation device 16 is arranged on the outer surface of the side wall in the ±X direction of the housing 11. The photovoltaic power generation device 16 generates power using incident light from outside. The photovoltaic power generation device 16 can supply the generated power to the wireless communication device 95 and the capacitance sensor 20 (see Figure 5). There is no need to connect the container unit 1 to a commercial power source, which increases the flexibility of installation of the container unit 1. The container support device 10 may have a power generation device such as a thermal power generation device, a vibration power generation device, or an electromagnetic wave power generation device as an energy harvesting device.

[0027] The control unit 90 shown in FIG. 5 measures capacitance using the capacitance sensor 20 at predetermined time intervals to detect the remaining amount of fluid F. The control unit 90 transmits the detected remaining amount of fluid F to the gateway 99 via the wireless communication device 95. The external device receives the remaining amount of fluid F via the gateway 99. The external device performs necessary processing based on the received remaining amount of fluid F. For example, the external device records or displays the remaining amount of fluid F. For example, the remaining amount of fluid F is displayed as a percentage of the total capacity of the container 2. The external device may output an alarm when the remaining amount of fluid F falls below a predetermined value. The external device may receive a signal corresponding to the capacitance measured by the capacitance sensor 20 via the gateway 99. In this case, the external device detects the remaining amount of fluid F based on the measured capacitance, similar to the control unit 90 of the container support device 10.

[0028] As described above in detail, the container unit 1 of the first embodiment has a container 2, a container support device 10, and a capacitance sensor 20. The container 2 can contain a fluid F inside. The container 2 has a bottom surface 4 at its bottom. The container 2 can assume a first position. In the first position, the cross-sectional area of ​​the container 2 defined by a horizontal plane intersecting the bottom surface 4 decreases vertically downward. The container support device 10 has a support surface 14 that approaches the bottom surface 4 when supporting the container 2 in the first position. The electrodes of the capacitance sensor 20 are attached to the support surface 14.

[0029] When the remaining amount of fluid F inside the container 2 becomes small, the fluid F is in the first range H. The first range H is the same range as the bottom surface 4 of the container 2 in the vertical direction when the container support device 10 supports the container 2 in the first position. The electrode 21 of the capacitance sensor 20 is attached to the support surface 14 that is close to the bottom surface 4. The capacitance measured by the capacitance sensor 20 changes depending on the volume of the fluid F in the first range H. In the first range H, the cross-sectional area of ​​the container 2 in the horizontal plane becomes smaller as it goes vertically downward. When the remaining amount of fluid F decreases, the volume of the fluid F in the first range H changes. Accordingly, the capacitance measured by the capacitance sensor 20 changes significantly. The container unit 1 can accurately detect the remaining amount of fluid F inside the container 2.

[0030] The container unit 1 further comprises a wireless communication device 95, which is able to send a signal to the gateway 99 relating to the remaining amount of fluid F inside the container 2. The external device receives the remaining amount of fluid F via the gateway 99. The external device can perform necessary processing based on the received remaining amount of fluid F.

[0031] The container unit 1 further includes a photovoltaic device 16. The photovoltaic device 16 is disposed on the outer surface of the container support fixture 10 and is capable of supplying power to the wireless communication device 95. There is no need to connect the container unit 1 to a commercial power source, which increases the flexibility in installing the container unit 1.

[0032] The container 2 and the container support device 10 have a light-transmitting portion 12. The light-transmitting portion 12 makes the fluid F inside the container 2 in a first range H visible from outside the container support device 10. The first range H is the same range as the bottom surface 4 in the vertical direction when the container support device 10 supports the container 2 in the first position.

[0033] The surface of the small amount of fluid F remaining inside the container 2 is in the first range H. In the first range H, the cross-sectional area of ​​the container 2 in the horizontal plane decreases vertically downward. As the remaining amount of fluid F decreases, the position of the surface of the fluid F moves significantly vertically downward. By visually checking the position of the surface of the fluid F through the light-transmitting portion 12, the remaining amount of fluid F can be detected with high accuracy.

[0034] (Second embodiment) Fig. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a container unit 1 including a small-sized container 31 in the second embodiment. Figs. 6 to 8 are cross-sectional views of a portion corresponding to line IX-IX in Fig. 10. The container unit 1 of the second embodiment differs from the container unit 1 of the first embodiment in that the container 2 has a size representation portion E and the container support device 10 has a size recognition portion R. Descriptions of the second embodiment that are similar to the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0035] The container 2 has a size-representing portion E. The size-representing portion E represents the size of the container 2. The size-representing portion E protrudes outward in the +X direction of the container 2. The width in the X direction of the small-sized container 31 shown in FIG. 6 is smaller than the width in the X direction of the support surface 14. The small-sized container 31 has a first pin 7 and a second pin 8 as a size representation portion E. The first pin 7 and the second pin 8 extend in the -Z direction. The first pin 7 and the second pin 8 are arranged side by side in the X direction. The first pin 7 is arranged away from the surface of the container 2 in the +X direction in the +X direction. The second pin 8 is arranged between the surface of the container 2 in the +X direction and the first pin 7.

[0036] The container support device 10 has a size recognition unit R. The size recognition unit R recognizes the size of the container 2 via the size representation unit E. The container support device 10 has a first hole 17 and a second hole 18 as the size recognition unit R. The first hole 17 and the second hole 18 are formed on the surface of the housing 11 in the +Z direction. The first hole 17 and the second hole 18 are arranged side by side in the X direction. The first hole 17 is arranged away from the +X direction end of the opening of the housing 11 in the +X direction. The second hole 18 is arranged between the first hole 17 and the +X direction end of the opening of the housing 11.

[0037] The small-sized container 31 moves in the -Z direction and is accommodated in the container accommodation space S of the container support device 10. The small-sized container 31 is accommodated at the end of the container accommodation space S in the +X direction. When the small-sized container 31 is accommodated, the first pin 7 and the second pin 8 of the small-sized container 31 are inserted into the first hole 17 and the second hole 18 of the container support device 10. The container support device 10 recognizes the container 2 as a small-sized container 31 when the first pin 7 is inserted into the first hole 17 and the second pin 8 is inserted into the second hole 18.

[0038] 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the container unit 1 including a medium-sized container 32. The width in the X direction of the medium-sized container 32 is greater than the width in the X direction of the small-sized container 31 and less than the width in the X direction of the support surface 14. The medium-sized container 32 has only the first pin 7 as the size representation portion E. The medium-sized container 32 is accommodated at the end of the container accommodation space S in the +X direction. When the medium-sized container 32 is accommodated, the first pin 7 of the medium-sized container 32 is inserted into the first hole 17 of the container support device 10. The container support device 10 recognizes the container 2 as a medium-sized container 32 when the first pin 7 is inserted into the first hole 17 but the second pin 8 is not inserted into the second hole 18.

[0039] 8 is a side cross-sectional view of the container unit 1 including a large container 33. The width of the large container 33 in the X direction is equal to the width of the support surface 14 in the X direction. The large container 33 has only the second pin 8 as the size expression portion E. When the large-sized container 33 is accommodated in the container accommodation space S, the second pin 8 of the large-sized container 33 is inserted into the second hole 18 of the container support device 10. The container support device 10 recognizes the container 2 as a large-sized container 33 when the second pin 8 is inserted into the second hole 18 while the first pin 7 is not inserted into the first hole 17.

[0040] 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the container support device 10 taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the container support device 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the capacitance sensor 20 has an electrode 21 corresponding to the size of the container 2. The capacitance sensor 20 has a small-sized electrode 36 corresponding to the small-sized container 31. The capacitance sensor 20 has a medium-sized electrode 37 corresponding to the medium-sized container 32. The capacitance sensor 20 has a large-sized electrode 38 corresponding to the large-sized container 33. Each of the electrodes 36, 37, and 38 is disposed in a position facing the bottom surface 4 of each of the containers 31, 32, and 33 accommodated in the container accommodation space S. As shown in FIG. 9, each of the electrodes 36, 37, and 38 is stacked with an insulating film C sandwiched therebetween.

[0041] The control unit 90 shown in FIG. 5 recognizes the size of the container 2 using the size recognition unit R. The control unit 90 connects the electrodes 21 corresponding to the size of the container 2 to the main body of the capacitance sensor 20 and measures the capacitance. The auxiliary storage device 93 stores a fluid remaining amount table corresponding to the size of the container 2. The control unit 90 reads the remaining amount of fluid F corresponding to the measured capacitance from the fluid remaining amount table corresponding to the size of the container 2, and detects the remaining amount of fluid F.

[0042] As described above in detail, in the container unit 1 of the second embodiment, the container 2 has a size representation portion E that represents the size of the container 2. The container support device 10 has a size recognition portion R that recognizes the size of the container 2 via the size representation portion E. The container unit 1 can accurately detect the remaining amount of fluid F inside the container 2 according to the size of the container 2. Since containers 2 of different sizes are accommodated in a common container support device 10, the cost of the container unit 1 is reduced.

[0043] In the second embodiment, the size representation unit E is the first pin 7 and the second pin 8, and the size recognition unit R is the first hole 17 and the second hole 18. In contrast, the size representation unit E may be a symbol display unit, and the size recognition unit R may be a symbol reader. Alternatively, the size representation unit E may be an electromagnetic signal recording unit, and the size recognition unit R may be an electromagnetic signal reader.

[0044] (Third embodiment) 11 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus including a container unit 101 according to the third embodiment. The container unit 101 according to the third embodiment has a toner container 102 of the image forming apparatus 40 as a container. The description of the third embodiment that is the same as the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0045] The image forming apparatus 40 will now be described. The image forming apparatus 40 forms an image on a sheet P. The image forming apparatus 40 has a housing 41, a scanner section 42, an image forming unit 43, a sheet supply section 44, a conveyance section 45, a reversing unit 46, a paper discharge tray 47, a control panel 48, and a control section 90.

[0046] The housing 41 forms the outer shape of the image forming apparatus 40. The housing 41 accommodates the components of the image forming apparatus 40 inside. The scanner section 42 reads image information of the object to be copied as light and shade, and generates an image signal. The scanner section 42 outputs the generated image signal to the image forming unit 43.

[0047] The image forming unit 43 forms an output image (hereinafter referred to as a toner image) using a developer containing toner and the like, based on an image signal received from the scanner unit 42 or an image signal received from an external source. The image forming unit 43 transfers the toner image onto the surface of the sheet P. The image forming unit 43 fixes the toner image onto the sheet P. The configuration of the image forming unit 43 will be described later.

[0048] Sheet supply section 44 supplies sheets P one by one to conveyance section 45 in accordance with the timing at which image forming unit 43 forms a toner image. Sheet supply section 44 has a cassette 52 and a pickup roller 54. Cassette 52 stores sheets P of a predetermined size and type. Pickup roller 54 picks up sheets P one by one from cassette 52. Pickup roller 54 supplies the picked-up sheets P to conveyance section 45.

[0049] The conveying section 45 conveys the sheet P supplied from the sheet supply section 44 to the image forming unit 43. The conveying section 45 has a conveying roller 56 and a registration roller 58. The conveying roller 56 conveys the sheet P supplied from the pickup roller 54 to the registration roller 58. The conveying roller 56 abuts the leading edge of the sheet P in the conveying direction against a nip N of the registration roller 58. The registration roller 58 aligns the position of the leading edge of the sheet P in the conveying direction by bending the sheet P at the nip N. The registration roller 58 conveys the sheet P in accordance with the timing at which the image forming unit 43 transfers a toner image onto the sheet P.

[0050] The configuration of the image forming unit 43 will be described. The image forming unit 43 includes a plurality of electrophotographic process units (hereinafter referred to as EPUs) 60, a toner container 102, an intermediate transfer belt 64, a transfer section 65, and a fixing device 66.

[0051] The EPU 60 forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum 62 in response to an image signal from the scanner unit 42 or an external device. Multiple EPUs 60 form toner images using yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner, respectively. The EPU 60 includes a photosensitive drum 62, an exposure unit, and a developing unit 63. The photosensitive drum 62 has a photosensitive layer on its outer surface, whose charge state changes when exposed to light. The exposure unit exposes the photosensitive drum 62 to light from an LED light source. The exposure unit forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 62 in response to the image signal. The developing unit 63 contains a developer containing toner. The developing unit 63 develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 62 with toner, forming a toner image on the photosensitive drum 62.

[0052] The toner container 102 stores toner. The toner container 102 replenishes toner into the developing device 63. The toner container 102 will be described in detail later. The intermediate transfer belt 64 is disposed across the plurality of EPUs 60. The toner image on the photosensitive drum 62 is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 64. The transfer unit 65 transfers the toner image, which has been primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 64, onto the surface of the sheet P (secondary transfer). The fuser 66 applies heat and pressure to the sheet P to fuse the toner image to the sheet P.

[0053] The reversing unit 46 reverses the sheet P to form an image on the back side of the sheet P. The reversing unit 46 reverses the sheet P discharged from the fixing device 66 by a switchback. The reversing unit 46 conveys the reversed sheet P toward the registration rollers 58. The sheet discharge tray 47 holds the sheet P discharged by the sheet discharge rollers 68. The sheet discharge rollers 68 discharge the sheet P, on which an image has been formed in the image forming unit 43, onto the sheet discharge tray 47.

[0054] The control panel 48 is a section where an operator inputs and displays information for operating the image forming apparatus 40. The control panel 48 has a touch panel and various hard keys. The control unit 90 controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 40 .

[0055] The container unit 101 including the toner container 102 will be described. FIG. 12 is a side view of a container unit 101 including a toner container 102. The container unit 101 of the third embodiment has a toner container (toner cartridge) 102 as a container. The toner container 102 can store powder toner T as a fluid inside. The toner container 102 is long in the X direction. The toner container 102 is stored in the image forming apparatus 40 with the X direction of the toner container 102 corresponding to the front-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 40. The toner container 102 is detachable from the image forming apparatus 40. When toner in the toner container 102 is supplied to the developing device, the amount of toner remaining in the toner container 102 decreases. When the toner container 102 runs out of toner, it is replaced with a new toner container 102 filled with toner. A new toner container 102 needs to be prepared before the toner runs out of toner.

[0056] The toner container 102 has a bottom surface (first surface) 104 at the bottom in the -Z direction. The toner container 102 can assume a first position. In the first position of the toner container 102, the area of ​​the cross section of the toner container 102 defined by a horizontal plane intersecting with the bottom surface 104 decreases vertically downward.

[0057] The container unit 101 has a container support fixture 110. The container support fixture 110 is fixed inside the image forming apparatus 40. The container support fixture 110 supports the toner container 102 in a first position. The container support fixture 110 has a support surface (second surface) 114. The support surface 114 comes close to the bottom surface 104 of the toner container 102 while supporting the toner container 102 in the first position.

[0058] The container unit 101 has an electrode 121 of a capacitance sensor. The electrode 121 is attached to the support surface 114 of the container support fixture 110. The capacitance sensor receives power from the image forming device 40.

[0059] When the amount of toner T remaining inside the toner container 102 becomes small, the toner T is in the first range H. The first range H is the same range as the bottom surface 104 of the toner container 102 in the vertical direction when the toner container 102 is supported by the container support fixture 110 in the first position. The capacitance measured by the electrode 121 of the capacitance sensor changes depending on the volume of toner T in the first range H. In the first range H, the cross-sectional area of ​​the container 2 on the horizontal plane decreases vertically downward. When the amount of toner T remaining decreases, the volume of toner T in the first range H changes. Accordingly, the capacitance measured by the capacitance sensor changes significantly. The container unit 101 can accurately detect the amount of toner T remaining inside the toner container 102.

[0060] 11 measures the capacitance using a capacitance sensor at predetermined time intervals to detect the remaining amount of toner T. The control unit 90 displays the detected remaining amount of toner T on the control panel 48 of the image forming apparatus 40.

[0061] As described above in detail, the container unit 101 of the third embodiment has the toner container 102 of the image forming apparatus as a container. The toner container 102 can store powder toner T therein. The container unit 101 can accurately detect the remaining amount of toner T inside the toner container 102. The container of the container unit 101 of the third embodiment is a toner container 102 of an image forming apparatus that uses toner. Alternatively, the container of the container unit may be an ink container (ink cartridge) of an inkjet image forming apparatus.

[0062] In the embodiment, the bottom surface 4, 104 and the support surface 14, 114 are flat surfaces. Alternatively, the bottom surface 4, 104 and the support surface 14, 114 may be curved surfaces. The shapes of the electrodes 21 and 121 of the capacitance sensor in the embodiment are merely examples, and other shapes may be used.

[0063] For example, in the embodiment, the Z direction is the vertical direction, and the XY plane is the horizontal plane. However, the Z direction may intersect with the vertical direction, and the XY plane may intersect with the horizontal plane. As long as the container 2 can achieve the first posture, the XYZ directions are not limited to the vertical or horizontal directions. In the first posture, the area of ​​the cross section of the horizontal plane intersecting with the bottom surface 4 of the container 2 decreases vertically downward.

[0064] At least one of the embodiments described above has a container 2 that can assume the first position and a container support device 10 that supports the container 2 in the first position. This allows the remaining amount of fluid F inside the container 2 to be detected with high accuracy.

[0065] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] E...size representation section, F...fluid (liquid or powder), H...first range, R...size recognition section, T...toner (powder), 1,101...container unit, 2...container, 4,104...bottom surface (first surface), 10,110...container support device, 12...light-transmitting section, 14,114...support surface (second surface), 16...photovoltaic device, 20...capacitive sensor, 21,121...electrode, 95...wireless communication device, 99...gateway, 102...toner container (container).

Claims

1. a container capable of containing a liquid or powder therein, having a first surface at a bottom, and capable of assuming a first posture in which a cross-sectional area of ​​a horizontal plane intersecting the first surface decreases vertically downward; a container support device having a second surface that approaches the first surface while supporting the container in the first position; a capacitance sensor having an electrode attached to the second surface, the container and the container support device have a light-transmitting portion; the light transmitting portion allows the liquid or the powder inside the container in a first range that is the same as the first surface in the vertical direction to be visible from outside the container support device when the container support device supports the container in the first attitude. Container unit.

2. a wireless communication device capable of transmitting a signal regarding the remaining amount of the liquid or the powder inside the container to a gateway; The container unit according to claim 1 .

3. The container support device further includes a photovoltaic device disposed on an outer surface of the container support device and capable of supplying power to the wireless communication device. The container unit according to claim 2 .

4. The container has a size representation portion that represents the size of the container, The container support device has a size recognition unit that recognizes the size of the container through the size representation unit. A container unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images