Cooling Device Liquid Transfer Detection via Pump Motor Current
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling devices for image forming apparatuses face challenges in efficiently verifying liquid transfer at a low cost, particularly due to high costs associated with monitoring methods and potential malfunctions from bubble formation in the coolant, which can lead to operational failures.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with a liquid transfer detecting unit that includes a detector positioned above the coolant level in the tank, allowing for visual verification of coolant flow and hit detection, eliminating the need for expensive monitoring devices and reducing the risk of operational disruptions from bubbles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional monitoring methods are used to verify liquid transfer, then measurement accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the pump's own operating state (motor current) to verify liquid transfer, eliminating the need for separate monitoring devices. The control unit monitors the motor current of the pump to detect liquid transfer status, allowing the system to self-verify its operation without external monitoring equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical monitoring devices (flow meters, mechanical indicators) with an electrical field-based detection method. By monitoring the motor current of the pump, the system uses electrical measurements to infer liquid transfer status, substituting complex mechanical monitoring systems with simpler electrical sensing.
2Measurement precision
If flow meters or mechanical indicators are installed to detect liquid transfer, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to bubble interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical detection methods (flow meters with moving parts, mechanical indicators) with electrical field-based detection through motor current monitoring. This substitution eliminates the problem of bubbles interfering with mechanical components, as electrical current measurement is not affected by bubble presence in the liquid.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces motor current as an intermediary parameter to indirectly detect liquid transfer status. Instead of directly measuring liquid flow (which is susceptible to bubble interference), the system measures the electrical current consumed by the pump motor, which changes based on the liquid transfer load, providing a reliable indirect indication of flow status.
3Measurement precision
If expensive monitoring devices are used to verify coolant flow, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the pump's own operational characteristics (motor current consumption) to verify coolant flow, eliminating the need for separate expensive monitoring devices. The control unit leverages existing electrical measurements to determine flow status, making the verification function self-contained and cost-free.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the motor current measurement serve multiple functions: it controls the pump operation and simultaneously verifies liquid transfer status. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated monitoring equipment, reducing overall system cost while maintaining measurement precision.
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
Enables easy and cost-effective verification of liquid transfer, improving reliability by preventing human errors and malfunctions, while maintaining efficient cooling performance even with bubble presence.
Implementation Method 1
a heat receiving unit (31) arranged to contact with a cooling target to receive heat of the cooling target
Implementation Method 2
a heat radiating unit (30) configured to radiate heat of coolant
Implementation Method 3
a heat radiating unit (30) configured to radiate heat of coolant
Implementation Method 4
a pump (32) configured to transfer the coolant in the circulating path
Implementation Method 5
The coolant is circulated by the pump through the heat receiving unit and the heat radiating unit, so that the heat radiating unit radiates heat absorbed by the heat receiving unit
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling device includes a heat receiving unit arranged to contact with a cooling target to receive heat of the cooling target; a heat radiating unit configured to radiate heat of coolant; a tank configured to store therein the coolant; a circulating path configured to circulate the coolant through the heat receiving unit, the heat radiating unit, and the tank; a pump configured to transfer the coolant in the circulating path; and a liquid transfer detecting unit configured to detect liquid transfer of the coolant. The liquid transfer detecting unit includes a detector arranged above a liquid level of the coolant stored in the tank at a position where the coolant having flowed into the tank is hit when the coolant is transferred. The detector is arranged so as to be visible from the outside of the tank.