Inkjet Sub Tank Level Detection via Main Tank Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording apparatuses face inaccuracies in determining when an ink cartridge is empty due to ink shrinkage, leading to incorrect assessments of ink levels, which can result in mistaken identification of a new cartridge when an empty one is replaced.
Innovation Solution
A liquid supplying apparatus with a tank receiving portion, a sub tank, a liquid passage, a mover, a liquid feeder, and a sensor, where the controller manages the liquid feeder and mover to ensure accurate determination of ink levels by feeding ink from a main tank to the sub tank and adjusting the liquid passage connection based on sensor readings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the ink cartridge is detached during the ink-finished state without air entry into the supplying tube, then the remaining ink in the supplying tube flows into the sub tank when air enters, but the apparatus cannot accurately determine whether the main tank is empty, leading to mistaken identification of a new cartridge
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs a preliminary air entry action by detaching the main tank from the supplying tube before the ink level determination. This preliminary action ensures that air enters the supplying tube to flush out remaining ink, allowing accurate detection of whether the main tank is truly empty or contains residual ink that would cause false positive readings.
2Quantity of substance
If the main tank is sealed to prevent air entry, then ink can be stored without contamination, but the apparatus cannot determine when the tank is empty due to ink shrinkage and residual ink in the supplying tube
Solution Approach 1:
Before determining ink volume, the control unit first detaches the main tank to allow air entry and flush residual ink from the supplying tube. This preliminary action eliminates the measurement error caused by trapped ink, enabling accurate detection of the actual ink volume remaining in the main tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit uses feedback from the ink level sensor to determine when the main tank is empty. By repeatedly measuring the ink level after air entry and comparing it against threshold values, the system accurately feedbacks the ink volume status, distinguishing between truly empty tanks and those with residual ink.
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 ensures accurate determination of ink levels, preventing mistaken identification of a new cartridge and ensuring timely replacement, thereby maintaining apparatus functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a first reservoir configured to store a liquid in such a manner as to seal off the surrounding space and configured to shrink as the liquid is fed to the outside of the first reservoir
Implementation Method 2
The sub tank is disposed in a position lower than a position of the tank receiving portion
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid passage communicates a first reservoir of a main tank with a second reservoir storing a liquid supplied from the first reservoir, and has one end portion on the side communicating with the first reservoir, which joins with or detach from the main tank. To increase the liquid volume in the second reservoir up to a first predetermined volume, a controller feeds the liquid in the first reservoir to the second reservoir when the liquid volume in the second reservoir is less than a second predetermined volume. When the liquid volume in the second reservoir falls short of the first predetermined volume, the end portion of the liquid passage is detached from the main tank. Then, the controller determined whether the liquid volume in the second reservoir is equal to or more than the first predetermined volume.