Liquid Cartridge Light Access Portion Elevation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink jet recording apparatuses face issues with ink cartridge attachment and detachment, as shavings from circuit boards or IC boards can adhere to optical sensors, leading to inaccurate ink level detection due to the sliding and cutting of conductive members.
Innovation Solution
A liquid cartridge design where the circuit board is mounted on a surface extending above the main board area, with a light access portion for the detection mechanism, preventing shavings from adhering and ensuring accurate detection, and an insertion detection mechanism with a light attenuating wall to restrict shaving movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the circuit board is mounted on the cartridge and electrically connected to contacts during attachment/detachment, then electrical connection is achieved, but shavings are generated and can adhere to the optical sensor causing inaccurate detection
Solution Approach 1:
The light access portion extends above the second surface in the direction away from the first surface, creating a vertical dimension that positions the optical detection path above the circuit board plane. This dimensional separation ensures that shavings generated during attachment/detachment operations cannot intercept the light path, thereby maintaining optical detection accuracy while preserving electrical connection functionality.
2Device complexity
If the light access portion is positioned at the same level as the circuit board, then the structure is compact, but shavings can easily adhere to the light access portion and affect detection
Solution Approach 1:
The light access portion protrudes above the circuit board in the vertical direction, creating a height difference that separates the optical detection path from the shaving generation zone. This vertical positioning maintains structural simplicity while effectively preventing shavings from interfering with light transmission.
3Area of stationary object
If the circuit board extends across the entire surface, then electrical coverage is maximized, but the light access portion becomes more vulnerable to shaving contamination
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the light access portion vertically above the circuit board surface, the optical path is elevated to a plane where shavings generated during attachment/detachment cannot reach. This allows the circuit board to maintain full surface coverage for electrical connections while the light access portion remains protected from contamination.
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
The design effectively prevents shavings from affecting the light access portion, maintaining accurate ink level detection and reducing interference during attachment and detachment processes.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid detection mechanism including a light access portion extends above the second surface further than the circuit board in the particular direction
Implementation Method 2
an insertion detection mechanism has a light attenuating wall that extends above the top surface further than the circuit board in an upward direction
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid cartridge includes a first surface and a second surface facing a particular direction, with a liquid outlet through the first surface. A circuit board is mounted on the second surface, and a liquid detection mechanism including a light access portion extends above the second surface further than the circuit board in the particular direction.