Inkjet Printer Sub Tank Liquid Level Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face issues where the sub tank may remain empty or insufficiently filled after main tank replacement, leading to air intrusion into the ink channel due to premature cancellation of empty indications or discharge prohibitions.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a controller that monitors liquid levels and alerts, ensuring the sub tank is sufficiently filled before clearing empty notifications or allowing discharge, using a liquid level sensor and notification device to confirm the liquid level has reached a predetermined threshold after cartridge replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inkjet printer cancels the empty indication or clears the discharge prohibition in response to main tank attachment, then the user experience is improved by immediate availability indication, but the sub tank may remain empty causing air intrusion into the ink channel
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a liquid level sensor to continuously monitor the sub tank's liquid level and provides feedback to the controller. The controller only clears the empty indication or discharge prohibition when the sensor confirms that the liquid level has reached the predetermined threshold, ensuring reliable ink supply before resuming operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary checking of the liquid level in the sub tank before clearing the empty indication or discharge prohibition. By anticipating the need to verify sufficient ink supply before resuming printing, the system prevents air intrusion while maintaining good user experience.
2Measurement precision
If the inkjet printer waits for sensor signal change to determine sub tank ink level, then the ink supply status is accurately determined, but printing is delayed causing loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid level sensor is positioned to detect the predetermined threshold level in advance. When the main tank is attached and ink begins flowing to the sub tank, the sensor proactively detects when the threshold is reached and immediately signals the controller to clear the empty indication, minimizing delay while ensuring accurate detection.
3Productivity
If the sub tank is not sufficiently filled before clearing the empty indication, then the printer becomes operational faster, but air intrudes into the ink channel causing printing failures
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives real-time feedback from the liquid level sensor and only transitions the printer to operational state when the sensor confirms sufficient ink level. This feedback mechanism ensures that productivity is maximized without sacrificing printing reliability by preventing operation when the sub tank is empty.
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
Prevents air intrusion into the ink channel by ensuring the sub tank is adequately filled before resuming printing, avoiding premature empty notifications and ensuring reliable ink supply.
Implementation Method 1
ink moves such that a surface of ink stored in the main tank and a surface of ink stored in the sub tank become at the same level due to a hydraulic pressure difference between the internal space of the main tank and the internal space of the sub tank
Data Source
AI summary
A controller causes a notification device to provide a first alert in response to receipt of a first signal from a liquid level sensor. After the controller determines that a cartridge is located at a particular position in an installation case, the controller clears the first alert in response to receipt of a second signal from the liquid level sensor.