Cartridge Viscosity Storage for Accurate Liquid Level Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face challenges in accurately predicting the remaining liquid amount in cartridges due to variations in initial viscosity, leading to inaccurate computation and increased complexity with the need for viscosity detection sensors.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge with a storage section for initial viscosity information allows for correction of liquid consumption amounts, enabling more accurate computation of remaining liquid through a control circuit that adjusts unit ejection amounts based on this information, eliminating the need for viscosity sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a viscosity detection sensor is provided to detect the viscosity of liquid inside the liquid ejecting head, then the remaining liquid amount can be computed, but the complexity and size of the liquid ejecting apparatus increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a physical viscosity sensor in the liquid ejecting head, the patent uses a storage section in the cartridge to store initial viscosity information. The control circuit reads this stored information and uses it to correct consumption amount calculations, thereby computing remaining liquid amount without requiring a physical sensor in the ejection path.
Solution Approach 2:
The viscosity detection function is extracted from the liquid ejecting head and relocated to the cartridge's storage section. By storing viscosity information in the cartridge rather than measuring it in real-time at the ejection point, the patent eliminates the need for complex sensor systems in the liquid ejecting head while still enabling accurate remaining liquid amount computation.
2Measurement precision
If a viscosity detection sensor is provided to detect the viscosity of liquid inside the liquid ejecting head, then the remaining liquid amount can be computed, but the size of the liquid ejecting apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical viscosity sensor with a digital copy of viscosity information stored in the cartridge's storage section. This allows the system to obtain viscosity data without adding the bulk of sensor hardware and associated signal processing components to the liquid ejecting apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
By extracting the viscosity information storage function from the liquid ejecting head and placing it in the cartridge, the patent removes the need for sensor hardware in the ejection system, thereby reducing the overall size of the liquid ejecting apparatus while maintaining the capability to compute remaining liquid amount.
3Productivity
If the relationship between liquid droplet consumption amount and liquid droplet viscosity is used to compute remaining liquid amount, then computation can be performed, but manufacturing variation causes shifts in this relationship leading to inaccurate computation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent measures and stores the initial viscosity of the liquid in the cartridge before the liquid is supplied to the liquid ejecting head. By having this preliminary viscosity measurement available in the storage section, the system can correct consumption amount calculations to account for manufacturing variations, ensuring accurate remaining liquid amount computation throughout the cartridge's usage life.
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuit uses the stored initial viscosity information to continuously correct consumption amount calculations. This feedback mechanism ensures that even if manufacturing variations cause shifts in the relationship between consumption amount and viscosity, the system can compensate by using the actual initial viscosity measurement from that specific cartridge, maintaining computation accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge holds a liquid to be supplied to a liquid ejecting apparatus. The cartridge includes a storage section configured to store liquid information relating to the liquid held in the cartridge. The cartridge is detachable with respect to the liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid information includes initial viscosity information relating to an initial viscosity of the liquid in a state prior to the cartridge being mounted to the liquid ejecting apparatus.