Carriage Projecting Section Suppresses Ambient Light in Inkjet Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as inkjet printers, face detection failures due to ambient light entering the optical sensor from spaces between the carriage and the optical sensor, leading to false detection of ink cartridges.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a projecting section on the carriage to block ambient light from entering the optical detector, with additional light-absorbing features like colored walls and a wall section projecting towards the carriage to minimize light reaching the detector, and a frame that superposes with the projecting section to block light perpendicular to the carriage's movement direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical sensor is arranged below the carriage with a space between them to prevent contact, then the carriage and optical sensor can operate without interference, but ambient light enters the optical sensor from the space causing detection failure
Solution Approach 1:
A light blocking wall is introduced as an intermediary element between the carriage and optical sensor. This wall blocks ambient light from entering the optical sensor through the space, while allowing the optical sensor to remain positioned below the carriage for contactless operation. The light blocking wall acts as a mediator that eliminates the harmful light interference without requiring the optical sensor to be moved or the space to be eliminated.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If light blocking walls are provided at the periphery of the optical sensor, then direct ambient light entry is prevented, but reflected ambient light from the periphery can still enter the optical sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The solution extends the light blocking structure from a two-dimensional wall at the optical sensor periphery to a three-dimensional configuration that includes the light blocking wall plus additional light blocking surfaces on the carriage. This multi-dimensional approach blocks ambient light from reaching the optical sensor through multiple paths, preventing both direct entry and peripheral reflection by creating a comprehensive light barrier envelope.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the carriage and apparatus main body are positioned close together, then ambient light entry is reduced, but the movement area is constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The light blocking wall serves as a mediator that allows the carriage to maintain its full movement area while still preventing ambient light from entering the optical sensor. Instead of reducing the space between the carriage and apparatus main body, the light blocking wall is positioned to intercept ambient light paths without constraining the carriage's reciprocating motion in the main scanning direction.
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 effectively suppresses false detection by ambient light, ensuring accurate detection of ink levels in the cartridges by reducing light intensity before it reaches the optical detector, thereby improving the reliability of ink level monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting section capable of emitting light toward the liquid container of the carriage and a light receiving section that receives reflected light that is light that has been emitted from the light emitting section and has been reflected by the liquid container
Implementation Method 2
a projecting section that suppresses incidence of ambient light to an area between the space and the optical detector is formed on the carriage
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a carriage that reciprocates and includes a recording head that ejects liquid and a liquid container that supplies the liquid to the recording head and an optical sensor that includes a light emitting section capable of emitting light toward the carriage and a light receiving section that receives reflected light that is light that has been emitted from the light emitting section and has been reflected by the liquid container. The carriage is provided with a projecting section capable of suppressing incidence of ambient light to the light receiving section of the optical sensor.