Liquid Container Circuit Board for Inkjet Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid containers for inkjet recording apparatuses face challenges in establishing reliable electric connections, protecting electronic components from external forces and ink mist, ensuring easy recycling, reducing manufacturing costs, and optimizing ink usage to prevent damage to the recording head.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design featuring a piezoelectric sensor unit integrated into the liquid supply path, an elastic connector for secure electrical connections, and a circuit board for connecting sensor terminals, which allows for efficient ink detection and minimizes ink wastage by detecting remaining ink levels accurately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a piezoelectric sensor is integrated into the liquid container to detect ink levels, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components and assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the piezoelectric sensor unit with the liquid supply path by forming the sensor chamber as an integral part of the supply path structure. The inlet passage and outlet passage are directly formed in the sensor chamber wall, eliminating the need for separate connection components and simplifying assembly while maintaining detection precision
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor chamber serves multiple functions: it acts as both the detection chamber for the piezoelectric sensor and as part of the liquid supply path structure. The chamber wall simultaneously provides structural support, defines the liquid flow path, and enables electrical connection between the sensor electrodes and external circuitry
2Reliability
If electronic equipment is mounted to the ink container to transfer information, then reliability of information transfer is improved, but the equipment becomes vulnerable to external forces and ink mist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the piezoelectric sensor unit from the main liquid container body and positions it within the liquid supply path structure. This separation allows the sensor to be protected from external forces applied to the container while still enabling reliable detection of ink levels through the integrated supply path connection
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid supply path structure acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the external environment. The sensor detects ink levels through the integrated path structure rather than direct exposure to the container interior, protecting it from ink mist while maintaining detection reliability
3Ease of manufacture
If the liquid container is designed with integrated sensor and electrode structures, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but assembly precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liquid container into distinct functional modules: the container body, the liquid supply path structure (which includes the sensor chamber), and the electrode structure. This segmentation allows each module to be manufactured and assembled separately, reducing overall assembly precision requirements while maintaining cost efficiency through integrated design
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 solution ensures reliable electrical connections, protects the piezoelectric sensor from external forces, facilitates efficient recycling, reduces manufacturing costs, and optimizes ink usage by accurately detecting remaining ink levels, preventing damage to the recording head and enhancing the overall efficiency of the ink container.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric sensor unit which is discrete from the electrode supporting member, which is attached to the container body for detecting the liquid existing in a part of the liquid supply path and which includes an piezoelectric element having an electrode
Implementation Method 2
a connector which is elastic and which electrically connects the outer electrode to the electrode of the piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit board (32) has a board main body (32M), a pair of first electrodes (32d) for contact with and electrical connection to electrodes (91c) of a liquid consuming apparatus, the first electrodes (32d) being formed on a first surface of the board main body (32M), and a pair of second electrodes (32e) for contact with and electrical connection to terminal plates (45) of a sensor unit (35), the second electrodes (32e) being formed on an opposite, second surface of the board main body (32M) and electrically connected respectively to the first electrodes (32d).