Inkjet Sub-tank Position Detection for Accurate Liquid Supply
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printers face issues with erroneous liquid level sensing due to the inclination of the sub-tank when the upper housing is pivoted, leading to potential over or under-supply of ink.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus with a housing position detector that inhibits liquid supply when the sub-tank is inclined, ensuring accurate liquid level detection and controlled supply based on the detected amount.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the upper housing is made pivotable for easier maintenance, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision of liquid level deteriorates due to inclination
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit checks the housing position detection value before executing liquid supply control. This preliminary check prevents erroneous liquid supply that would occur if the upper housing is inclined during maintenance, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of maintenance and liquid level sensing accuracy.
2Productivity
If liquid supply control is executed based on sensor detection, then productivity is improved through automated supply, but reliability deteriorates due to erroneous sensing when inclined
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the housing position detection value and uses this feedback to determine whether to execute liquid supply control. When the upper housing is detected to be inclined during maintenance, the control unit suppresses liquid supply control, preventing erroneous operation while maintaining automated efficiency during normal use.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the sub-tank is positioned in the movable housing, then adaptability is improved for maintenance operations, but measurement precision worsens due to positional changes affecting liquid level detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation based on the housing position. The control unit detects whether the upper housing containing the sub-tank is in maintenance position or operational position, and accordingly enables or suppresses liquid supply control. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintenance accessibility and detection accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus, including: a head; a main tank storing liquid; a sub-tank for temporarily storing the liquid stored in the main tank, before the liquid is supplied to the head; a liquid amount detector for detecting a liquid amount in the sub-tank; a supplier for supplying the liquid from the main tank to the sub-tank; a first housing; a second housing holding the sub-tank, pivotable with respect to the first housing, and positioned at a close position at which the head is close to the first housing or a distant position at which the head is far from the first housing; and a controller for, when the second housing is located at the close position, controlling the liquid supply based on the detected liquid amount.