Ink Cartridge Stirring Detection via Magnetic Marker Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink cartridges suffer from sediment accumulation due to inadequate stirring, with manual shaking methods being inconsistent and lacking clear guidelines, leading to insufficient ink agitation.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design featuring a first liquid container for ink and a second liquid container with visible scales and a sensor to monitor the stirring process, allowing for precise and consistent agitation without the need for permanent magnets, ensuring the ink is thoroughly mixed by tilting the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual shaking is used to stir ink, then the ink can be agitated, but the stirring consistency and sufficiency cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a sensor that detects the position of a magnetic marker on the stirring rod and provides feedback to a controller. The controller monitors whether the rod has been tilted sufficiently and notifies the user via display or sound if the stirring is insufficient. This closed-loop feedback system ensures consistent and adequate stirring by objectively measuring the stirring action rather than relying on subjective manual judgment.
2Measurement precision
If permanent magnets and coils are added to detect stirring, then stirring data can be acquired, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from a complex electromagnetic system and implements it using a simple magnetic marker paired with a magnetic sensor. Instead of using permanent magnets embedded in the ink cartridge body with coils and power generation units, the invention places a magnetic marker on the stirring rod and detects its position externally, significantly simplifying the internal structure while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic marker as an intermediary element that enables detection without requiring complex internal structures. The magnetic marker on the stirring rod interacts with the magnetic sensor to provide stirring information, serving as a simple mediator that bridges the stirring action and the detection system without adding significant complexity.
3Reliability
If ink is left stationary for long time, then sediment accumulates, but continuous stirring consumes energy and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic stirring by notifying users at specific intervals (e.g., when the cartridge has been stationary for a certain period) to perform stirring actions. This periodic intervention prevents sediment accumulation by periodically agitating the ink without requiring continuous stirring, thereby balancing ink quality maintenance with time efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid container includes a first liquid container to contain a first liquid and a second liquid container disposed on one side of the first liquid container in the longitudinal direction. The second liquid container contains a second liquid different from the first liquid. The second liquid container includes a transparent part visible from the outside of the second liquid container and a scale inside the second liquid container. The scale is visible from the outside through the transparent part.