Ink Cartridge Optical Detection for Abnormality Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as inkjet printers, face challenges in accurately determining the remaining ink level in cartridges due to issues like bubble formation during handling, manufacturing defects, and type compatibility, leading to incorrect determinations and inefficient purge operations.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a movable member within the liquid chamber that changes position relative to an optical detector as the liquid surface moves, allowing for real-time determination of the liquid cartridge's normalcy by monitoring the state of a light receiver, which changes based on the movable member's position, distinguishing between normal and abnormal cartridges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a movable member and optical detector are used to detect ink level, then ink level can be monitored, but incorrect determination occurs due to bubbles or manufacturing defects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a preliminary determination of cartridge normalcy by moving the mounting portion to a specific position and checking if the movable member moves to the expected position. This preliminary check identifies abnormal cartridges (those with bubbles or defects) before ink level measurement, preventing incorrect measurements on defective cartridges.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the movable member's position detection to determine whether the cartridge is normal before proceeding with ink level measurement. The optical detector provides feedback on the movable member's position, and this feedback is used to validate the cartridge's operational status.
2Measurement precision
If a movable member is used to detect ink level, then real-time monitoring is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable member is designed to move automatically based on ink level changes without requiring external actuation. The float rises and falls with the ink level, and the pivotable member responds passively to buoyancy forces, eliminating the need for motors or complex actuation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex electronic sensors with a simple optical detection system. The optical detector uses light reflection or transmission changes caused by the movable member's position to determine ink level, substituting mechanical position sensing with optical sensing for simpler implementation.
3Reliability
If the mounting portion is moved to detect cartridge normalcy, then early detection of abnormal cartridges is enabled, but loss of time occurs during the detection process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the normalcy determination by moving the mounting portion to a specific position before the main ink level measurement. This preliminary positioning and detection step identifies abnormal cartridges early, preventing wasted time on incorrect measurements from defective cartridges.
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 solution enables early detection of abnormal cartridges, reducing the likelihood of incorrect ink level assessments and minimizing ink wastage by determining cartridge normalcy during the initial mounting process, thus allowing for timely action.
Implementation Method 1
a float at the other end. The float has a specific gravity which is less than that of ink... Because the specific gravity of the float is less than that of ink, the float attempts to float on the ink surface.
Implementation Method 2
The pivotable member includes a light blocking member at one end... the light blocking member moves upward. The case of the ink cartridge is formed with a protruding portion on a side. The case is made of a material through which light can pass.
Implementation Method 3
the inkjet printer includes a movable member configured to move in response to a change in the amount of ink in the ink cartridge, and a detector configured to detect whether the movable member is in a specified position.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3(A)~3(B)
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus (100) includes a mounting portion (300) configured to move and a liquid cartridge (10) including a liquid chamber (11) and a movable member (90), an optical detector fixed to the mounting portion (300) and having a light emitter (342B) and a light receiver (342C), and a state determiner (400) configured to determine a change in a state of the light receiver (342C). The movable member (90) is configured to move according to a position of a surface of liquid stored in the liquid chamber (11). The light receiver (342C) is configured to assume two predetermined states according to a position of a portion of the movable member (90) in the liquid chamber (11). The state determiner (400) determines that the liquid cartridge (10) is normal or abnormal according to the change in the state of the light receiver (342C).