Liquid Cartridge Sensor for Insertion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid cartridges do not reliably determine whether a hollow tube of the main unit is fully inserted into the ink outlet path of the cartridge, leading to uncertainty about the formation of the ink supply path.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sensor and memory system in the liquid cartridge that outputs specific data values indicating fluid communication with the exterior, allowing the controller to determine if the hollow tube is correctly inserted by comparing these values with predefined thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensor and memory system are incorporated in the liquid cartridge to detect fluid communication status, then the reliability of determining hollow tube insertion is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical detection mechanisms with a sensor-based detection system. The sensor detects fluid communication status between the liquid storing portion and exterior through electrical or optical signals, eliminating the need for complex mechanical linkages or switches while improving determination accuracy of hollow tube insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a memory component as an intermediary between the sensor and the control system. The memory stores detection results and threshold values, facilitating reliable determination by providing a buffer and data management layer, which improves system reliability while keeping the overall architecture manageable.
2Measurement precision
If threshold values are stored in memory for comparison with sensor output, then the precision of insertion status determination is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing threshold values in the memory during the manufacturing process. These threshold values are prepared in advance and written into the memory before the cartridge is used, enabling precise insertion status detection without requiring complex real-time calculations or adjustments during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by storing specific threshold values that represent critical fluid communication states. The sensor output is compared against these stored parameters (thresholds) to determine insertion status, transforming a complex continuous measurement problem into a simpler threshold-based binary determination that improves precision while simplifying manufacturing.
3Reliability
If the sensor outputs specific data values indicating fluid communication, then the reliability of ink supply path formation determination is improved, but the loss of information increases due to additional data processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for determination by having the sensor output specific data values that directly indicate fluid communication status. Rather than processing continuous or redundant data streams, the system extracts key status indicators and stores them in memory, improving reliability of ink supply path determination while minimizing unnecessary data processing overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid cartridge includes a liquid storing portion that stores liquid therein, a liquid path that is in fluid communication with the liquid storing portion, a sensor, and a memory. The sensor outputs a particular data corresponding to a particular value indicating that the liquid storing portion is in fluid communication with an exterior of the liquid cartridge, and a further data corresponding to a further value indicating that the liquid storing portion is not in fluid communication with the exterior of the liquid cartridge. The memory includes a first data corresponding to a first value and a second data corresponding to a second value. The first value and the second value are defined such that when the particular data and the further data are outputted, one half of a sum of the first value and the second value is between the particular value and the further value.