Ink Tank Visual Check and Electrode Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection systems, such as ink tanks in printers, face challenges in accurately detecting the remaining liquid level, especially when the tank is inclined or subjected to vibrations, leading to erroneous readings and reduced detection accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a tank with a visual check portion and an electrode member positioned to detect liquid in the lower portion, where the liquid surface is difficult to visually inspect, and includes a step or inclined portion to minimize liquid surface position changes, ensuring accurate detection regardless of tank orientation or vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the electrode member is positioned in the upper portion of the liquid containing portion for easy visual inspection, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates when the tank is inclined or subjected to vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid containing portion is divided into an upper portion with visual check portion and a lower portion with electrode member. This segmentation allows the electrode to be positioned in the lower portion where liquid level changes are minimal, improving detection precision while the upper portion remains accessible for visual inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The tank design incorporates a lower portion extending below the visual check portion in the vertical dimension. This dimensional extension creates a region where the liquid surface position changes minimally even when the tank is inclined, allowing the electrode to detect liquid accurately regardless of tank orientation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the tank is designed with a uniform cross-section for simple manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to large liquid surface position changes in inclined states
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid containing portion is segmented into an upper portion and a lower portion with different cross-sectional characteristics. The lower portion has a smaller cross-sectional area that minimizes liquid surface position changes, while the upper portion can be designed for ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the liquid containing portion are given different local qualities. The lower portion is designed with specific geometric characteristics (smaller cross-sectional area) to minimize liquid level changes, while other portions maintain simpler geometries for manufacturing convenience.
3Ease of operation
If the visual check portion is extended to show the entire liquid level range, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for additional structural elements
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid containing portion is segmented into functional zones: the visual check portion for user observation and the lower portion with electrode member for automated detection. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently without requiring complex integrated structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower portion acts as an intermediary structure between the visual check portion and the electrode member. It provides a transition zone that minimizes liquid level changes while maintaining the simplicity of the overall structure.
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 configuration enhances the accuracy of liquid detection, preventing erroneous readings and allowing users to correctly assess the remaining liquid level even in undesirable installation conditions, thus improving the reliability of liquid supply systems.
Implementation Method 1
an electrode member, used for detecting the liquid contained in the liquid containing portion
Implementation Method 2
the liquid supply portion is connected to a lower portion of the liquid containing portion, the lower portion being located below a lower end of the visual check portion
Data Source
AI summary
An ink tank 25A includes an ink containing portion 120, an ink injection portion 113, an ink supply portion 117, and a pair of electrode pins 140a and 140b. The ink containing portion 120 has a visual check portion 114 that enables the position of the liquid surface of ink contained in the ink containing portion 120 to be visually checked from the outside in a reference posture, which is a posture at the time when the ink is supplied from the ink tank 25 to the print head portion 32. The ink supply portion 117 is connected to a lower portion 122A located below a lower end of the visual check portion 114 in the reference posture. Leading end portions 143a and 143b of the electrode pins 140a and 140b are arranged in the lower portion 122A.