Liquid Detection System Lever Amplification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid detection systems for liquid-consuming apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, face issues with increased costs due to integrated sensors and potential contamination leading to reduced detection accuracy when the sensor is directly exposed to liquid.
Innovation Solution
A liquid detection system where the sensor is separated from the liquid container, using a deforming portion in the liquid chamber and a lever member to transmit displacement through a transmitting member, allowing the sensor to detect liquid levels without direct contact, thus preventing contamination and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the sensor is integrated into the liquid container to enable rapid detection of liquid depletion, then the detection speed is improved, but the cost of the cartridge increases and the sensor is exposed to liquid contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is divided into two separate parts: the sensor and its protective housing are integrated into the liquid consuming apparatus, while the liquid container remains separate. This segmentation allows the sensor to detect liquid levels rapidly through the transparent container wall without being exposed to liquid contamination, thus maintaining both fast detection speed and high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent wall of the liquid container serves as an intermediary medium that transmits light from the sensor through the container to detect liquid levels. This intermediary allows the sensor to function accurately without direct contact with the liquid, preventing contamination while maintaining detection capability.
2Speed
If the sensor is directly exposed to liquid for detection, then the detection response is rapid, but the sensor becomes contaminated leading to deteriorated detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent container wall acts as an intermediary that allows optical signals to pass through from the sensor to the liquid being detected. This enables rapid detection response without the sensor contacting the liquid directly, thus preventing contamination and maintaining detection accuracy over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical contact between the sensor and liquid with an optical detection system. The sensor detects liquid levels through light transmission through the transparent container wall, eliminating the need for physical contact while maintaining rapid detection capability.
3Loss of time
If the sensor is mounted in the liquid container, then rapid detection is achieved, but the replacement cost increases due to sensor replacement with each cartridge
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system is segmented into reusable components (sensor and housing in the liquid consuming apparatus) and disposable components (liquid container). This allows the expensive sensor to be reused across multiple cartridges, significantly reducing per-cartridge cost while maintaining rapid detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent container wall serves as an intermediary that enables the sensor to detect liquid levels from outside the container. This design allows the sensor to remain in the reusable apparatus while the container can be freely replaced, eliminating the need to integrate expensive sensors into each disposable cartridge.
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 enables accurate detection of liquid levels without contaminating the sensor, reduces the cost of the liquid container by separating the sensor from the liquid container, and simplifies the detection system by using a transmitting member to relay displacement information.
Implementation Method 1
a deforming portion |118| which can deform at a part of a liquid chamber |100| into which liquid flows from the liquid receiving unit
Implementation Method 2
a deforming portion |118| which can deform at a part of a liquid chamber |100|
Implementation Method 3
a lever member |120| which is rotatably provided about a fulcrum, increases the displacement of the deforming portion
Implementation Method 4
a first urging member |108| which causes an urging force to be applied to the deforming portion, which is opposite to the deformation of the deforming portion
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid chamber receives liquid flows from a liquid receiving unit. A first urging member urges a deforming portion of the liquid chamber. A lever provided on the liquid container side increases the displacement of the deforming portion. A sensor detects the displacement. A transmitting member transmits the increased displacement to the sensor. A second urging member provided on a liquid consuming apparatus side urges the transmitting member. When the liquid container is installed in the liquid consuming apparatus, the transmitting member comes in contact with the lever member due to the urging force of the second urging member, and the lever member is pushed against the deforming portion. In this manner, it is possible to divide the liquid detection system into the liquid consuming apparatus side and the liquid container side.