Ink Cartridge Detection Using Moving Optical Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet printer designs require multiple optical sensors to detect ink levels in cartridges when they are not aligned with the carriage movement direction, leading to increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A recording device with a carriage that houses ink cartridges in a direction intersecting the movement direction, using a detector with a moving part that intersects the carriage movement to detect ink levels, and incorporating a feeding roller and motion converter to simplify the system and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple optical sensors are provided to detect ink levels in cartridges arranged perpendicular to carriage movement, then detection capability is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple detection functions into a single optical sensor by arranging ink cartridges perpendicular to the carriage movement direction. The detector moves with the carriage and sequentially detects multiple cartridges through their target detection units, eliminating the need for multiple stationary optical sensors while maintaining comprehensive detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a moving detector that travels along with the carriage in the movement direction. This dynamic detection approach allows a single optical sensor to sequentially measure ink levels in multiple cartridges arranged perpendicular to the movement direction, replacing the static multi-sensor configuration.
2Device complexity
If a single optical sensor is used to detect ink levels, then device cost is reduced, but detection coverage is limited when cartridges are not aligned with movement direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection approach from a static single-point measurement to a dynamic multi-point measurement by introducing movement in the carriage direction. This allows the single optical sensor to access multiple cartridges arranged perpendicular to the movement direction, expanding detection coverage without additional sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The moving optical sensor serves multiple detection functions sequentially. By traveling along the carriage movement direction, a single sensor can detect ink levels in multiple cartridges arranged perpendicular to the movement direction, making the detection system adaptable to various cartridge arrangements without requiring additional specialized sensors.
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 ink level detection in ink cartridges without increasing costs, even when they are not aligned with the carriage movement, by using a single detector and shared drive components, thus reducing the need for additional sensors and drive sources.
Implementation Method 1
a method in which light is radiated from an external unit toward a prism that is capable of contacting the ink in the ink cartridge and is received at an optical sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A recording device includes a carriage that has a recording head that performs recording on a medium and a plurality of liquid cartridges that house a liquid to be ejected from the recording head, the plurality of liquid cartridges being arranged in a line in a direction that intersects the movement direction of the carriage and being provided with target detection units, and a detector that includes a moving part which moves in a direction that intersects the movement direction of the carriage and that, by the movement of the moving part, detects the residual amount of the liquid between the detector and each of the target detection units of the plurality of the liquid cartridges.