Capacitance Sensor Placement for Waste Ink Tank Level Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording devices face issues with ink degradation and nozzle clogging due to foreign substances and increased ink viscosity, leading to reduced printing performance, and existing waste ink storage mechanisms struggle with accurate detection of liquid levels in waste ink tanks.
Innovation Solution
A waste ink storage mechanism featuring a capacitance sensor positioned near the back surface of the waste ink tank, with an inflow port on the opposite side, to accurately detect the liquid level and prevent erroneous detection, thereby ensuring timely replacement of the waste ink tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the detection sensor is arranged close to the back surface of the waste ink tank, then the liquid level detection accuracy is improved, but the sensor may be affected by waste ink flowing down along the back surface
Solution Approach 1:
A detection prevention protrusion is introduced as an intermediary structure between the waste ink flow path and the capacitance sensor. This protrusion acts as a barrier that prevents waste ink from reaching the sensor while allowing the sensor to maintain its optimal detection position close to the back surface of the tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection prevention protrusion extends in the depth direction (from front to back of the tank), creating a three-dimensional barrier that intercepts waste ink before it can reach the sensor. This adds a spatial dimension to the solution, separating the sensor from harmful factors without compromising detection accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If the waste ink tank is made replaceable for ease of operation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the detection sensor must be installed outside the tank which complicates the detection arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into two parts: the capacitance sensor is fixed in the waste ink tank fitting portion (stationary part), while the detection prevention protrusion is integrated with the replaceable waste ink tank (movable part). This segmentation allows the tank to be easily replaced while maintaining a functional detection system.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection prevention protrusion is pre-formed as an integral part of the waste ink tank structure during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that the protrusion is already in place to guide and protect the sensor, eliminating the need for complex sensor installation or adjustment when the tank is replaced.
3Device complexity
If the inflow port is positioned on the front surface of the waste ink tank, then the waste ink flow path is simplified, but the liquid level detection accuracy is reduced due to premature detection
Solution Approach 1:
The detection prevention protrusion serves as a mediator that decouples the relationship between inflow port position and sensor detection accuracy. By placing the protrusion near the back surface, it prevents waste ink from prematurely contacting the sensor regardless of where the inflow port is positioned on the front surface.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances the accuracy of liquid level detection in waste ink tanks, reducing the risk of premature detection and ensuring reliable notification for tank replacement, thus maintaining optimal printing performance by preventing ink degradation and nozzle clogging.
Implementation Method 1
a capacitance sensor which is provided in the waste ink tank fitting portion so as to detect that a liquid surface within the waste ink tank reaches a predetermined level
Data Source
AI summary
A waste ink storage mechanism of the present disclosure includes a waste ink tank, a waste ink tank fitting portion and a capacitance sensor. The waste ink tank stores a waste ink exhausted from a recording head. The waste ink tank is fitted to the waste ink tank fitting portion such that the waste ink tank can be fitted into and removed from the waste ink tank fitting portion. The capacitance sensor is provided in the waste ink tank fitting portion so as to detect that a liquid surface within the waste ink tank reaches a predetermined level. The waste ink tank includes: a first surface in which an inflow port through which the waste ink flows in is formed; and a second surface, and the capacitance sensor is arranged close to the second surface.