Liquid Detecting Device Sealing Structure and Sensor Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid detecting devices for ink cartridges face challenges in sealing reliability, size accuracy, and manufacturing cost due to complex sealing structures and materials, leading to unstable mass production and increased size.
Innovation Solution
A liquid detecting device with a resin unit base and metal sensor base, sealed using an adhesive film, where the sensor chip has a sensor cavity with a vibration plate and piezoelectric unit, and flow passages for ink flow, allowing for simple assembly and reliable sealing without precise dimension accuracy, reducing the device's size and enhancing manufacturing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex sealing structure with multiple components is used to ensure reliable sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the sealing function directly into the sensor base structure by forming a sealing protrusion that fits into a sealing groove on the container lid. This merging of the sealing function into the existing structural components eliminates the need for separate sealing elements while maintaining reliable sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible sealing protrusion made of elastomeric material that can deform to accommodate dimensional variations and ensure reliable sealing contact. This flexible element adapts to slight misalignments and maintains sealing effectiveness without requiring precise dimensional accuracy.
2Reliability
If precise dimension accuracy is required for sealing components, then sealing reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing protrusion is made of elastomeric material that provides flexibility and compliance, allowing it to deform and accommodate dimensional variations in the rigid components. This flexibility compensates for manufacturing tolerances and eliminates the need for high-precision machining of the sealing surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the sealing element from rigid to elastomeric, which fundamentally alters how dimensional variations are handled. The elastomeric material's ability to stretch and compress allows the sealing interface to remain effective across a range of dimensional variations that would be unacceptable with rigid materials.
3Reliability
If noble metal materials are used for electrodes to ensure high conductivity and corrosion resistance, then detection reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive noble metal electrodes with inexpensive conductive paste applied to the sensor base. The conductive paste provides sufficient conductivity for the application and can be applied using simple printing or coating processes, eliminating the need for costly metal materials and complex electrode fabrication processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material form from solid noble metal to conductive paste, which fundamentally alters the manufacturing process and material cost. The paste can be applied in thin layers using low-cost techniques such as screen printing or aerosol deposition, providing adequate electrical conductivity at a fraction of the cost of noble metals.
4Volume of moving object
If a compact sensor design is implemented, then device size is reduced, but assembly workability decreases and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sensor into modular components: the sensor base with integrated sealing protrusion, the container lid with sealing groove, and the flow passage structure. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using appropriate processes and then assembled through simple snap-fit or interference-fit connections, maintaining ease of assembly despite compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the sensor base structure: the base provides mechanical support, integrates the sealing protrusion for sealing, incorporates flow passages for liquid flow, and supports the piezoelectric sensor elements. This functional integration reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps while maintaining compact size.
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 provides a reliable, compact, and cost-effective liquid detecting device with improved assembly workability and mass production stability, accurately detecting residual ink levels while minimizing the impact of ink wave motion and bubbles.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric unit is disposed on an upper face of the vibration plate
Implementation Method 2
a sensor chip having a sensor cavity for receiving a liquid to be a detection target, in which a lower face of the sensor cavity is opened to freely receive the liquid, and an upper face is closed with a vibration plate
Data Source
AI summary
In an ink cartridge, a negative pressure generating mechanism is disposed between an ink storage region and an ink supply port, and has a wall surface having two through-holes for ink flow, and a valve member contacted with and separated from the through-hole by receiving a pressure in an ink supply port side. Ink flowing via the through-hole is supplied via the through-hole to the ink supply port.