Liquid Container Detection via Mechanical Lever Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid container detection systems for liquid consumption apparatuses, such as inkjet printers, face complexity due to the need for wiring with piezoelectric detecting units and are prone to erroneous detection from deformation or foreign substance entry, which complicates reliable liquid level monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A liquid container design featuring a movable rod, a deformable liquid chamber, a rotatable lever member, and a case member with a through hole, where the lever member covers the opening to prevent foreign substance entry and amplifies displacement detection for reliable liquid presence/absence sensing, using a sensor to detect the rod's displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a piezoelectric detecting unit is used to detect liquid remaining amount, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases due to required wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the piezoelectric detecting unit (which requires wiring) with a purely mechanical detection system consisting of a deformable portion, lever member, and movable rod. The mechanical displacement of the movable rod directly indicates liquid presence/absence without requiring electrical connections, thus eliminating wiring complexity while maintaining detection functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the detection functionality from the liquid container body by using a separate movable rod that extends outward from the container. This allows the detection mechanism to be independent of the container's internal structure and eliminates the need for wiring through the container, simplifying the overall system
2Device complexity
If the liquid container structure is simplified without piezoelectric units, then device complexity is reduced, but detection reliability deteriorates due to potential deformation or foreign substance entry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides beforehand protection by covering the through-hole with a cap member when the container is not in use. This prevents foreign substances from entering the container and damaging the deformable portion or lever member, ensuring detection reliability without requiring complex protective structures during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the container into distinct functional portions: the deformable portion for sensing, the lever member for mechanical advantage, and the movable rod for external indication. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity and reliability
3Measurement precision
If a deformable portion is used to detect liquid presence, then measurement precision is improved, but the deformable portion is prone to damage from foreign substances
Solution Approach 1:
The cap member covers the through-hole to prevent foreign substances from entering the container and damaging the deformable portion. This beforehand protection ensures the deformable portion maintains its precision detection capability without exposure to harmful external factors
Solution Approach 2:
The lever member acts as an intermediary between the deformable portion and the external environment. It transmits the displacement signal from the deformable portion to the movable rod while protecting the deformable portion from direct exposure to foreign substances
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 configuration simplifies the detection system, enhances reliability by preventing damage and foreign substance entry, and ensures accurate liquid level monitoring without the need for complex wiring, thereby providing a high degree of reliability in detecting liquid presence or absence.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid chamber provided so as to communicate with the liquid storage portion and partly formed with a deformable portion which is deformable
Implementation Method 2
a lever member provided so as to be rotatable about a supporting point, configured to partly come into contact with the deformable portion and be displaceable in association with the deformation of the deformable portion
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Part of a liquid chamber communicating with a liquid storage portion is formed of a deformable portion which is deformed. Part of a lever member is brought into abutment with the deformable portion and, when the deformable portion is deformed, the lever member is rotated about a supporting portion. The liquid storage portion, the liquid chamber, and the lever member are stored in the interior of the case member having a through hole, and when the liquid container is mounted on the liquid consuming apparatus, the movable rod on the side of the liquid consuming apparatus is inserted from the through hole and is brought into abutment with the lever member. In this configuration, an erroneous detection due to damages of the liquid chamber or the lever member relating to the liquid detection caused by deformation as a result of collision with a human or a substance may be inhibited and, as a result, detection of the liquid with high degree of reliability is achieved.