Ink Tank Level Detection for Refillable Printer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printers of the off-carriage type lack effective ink residual amount management, making it difficult for users to determine when to refill the ink tank and how much ink is remaining, leading to potential 'blank driving' issues where the printer operates without sufficient ink.

Innovation Solution

A liquid discharging apparatus equipped with a sensor to detect the liquid level in the accommodation portion and a control unit that manages the refilling process, postponing subsequent steps if the liquid level falls below a threshold, and displaying alerts to the user to prevent unnecessary consumption and 'blank driving'.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the ink tank is made refillable by users, then the ease of operation is improved, but the ability to manage ink residual amount deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of refillingVSAvoidink residual amount management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a sensor that detects the ink level in the tank and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit then displays the residual amount information to the user or generates alerts when ink is low, creating a closed-loop feedback system that resolves the information management problem while maintaining user refilling capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs automatic ink level monitoring and management without requiring user intervention. The sensor and control unit automatically track ink consumption and notify users when refilling is needed, making the system self-managing regarding ink levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If no sensor is installed to detect ink level, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of printing operation deteriorates due to blank driving

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor installationVSAvoidprinting operation continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor detects ink levels in advance before the tank is completely empty. The control unit uses this early warning to notify users to refill before running out, preventing blank driving and ensuring continuous reliable operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a simple, inexpensive sensor and basic control logic rather than complex monitoring systems. This cost-effective approach provides sufficient reliability for ink level detection without over-engineering the solution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS9573380B2Liquid discharging apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.02.21 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printer which is configured so that an ink tank which accommodates ink is fixed and a user can refill the ink tank with the ink, includes one pair of electrodes which are disposed in the ink tank and serve as sensors for detecting whether or not the ink is present at a predetermined height (first threshold value). A control portion which controls the printer performs liquid presence detection to detect whether or not the ink is present at the predetermined height (first threshold value) by using the sensors, and performs initial filling which corresponds to the result of the detection.