Liquid Ejection Apparatus Electrode Resistance Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for detecting the remaining amount of conductive liquid, such as ink, in a storage container face challenges due to the minute change in resistance value between electrode pins, making it difficult to accurately determine the liquid level.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection apparatus and storage device that include a storage container with a reference electrode, a first electrode, and a second electrode, where the electrodes make contact with the liquid at specific levels, and an output unit to generate a signal based on the electric signals from the electrodes, allowing for accurate detection of the liquid level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If two rod-shaped electrode pins are used to detect remaining liquid amount based on resistance value, then the detection method is simple, but the amount of change in resistance value is minute making it difficult to detect the remaining amount accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The single resistance measurement is segmented into multiple resistance measurements by introducing a first electrode and a second electrode at different heights. The detection is divided into multiple wiring paths (first wiring path and second wiring path), each providing resistance values that can be combined to enhance the detectability of remaining liquid amount while maintaining simple electrode structures.
2Measurement precision
If electrode pins are placed at different heights to improve detection accuracy, then the remaining liquid amount can be detected more accurately, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The detection system transitions from a single-point measurement to a multi-level measurement by positioning electrodes at different heights (vertical dimension). The first electrode and second electrode are arranged at different vertical positions, creating multiple wiring paths that provide more information about the liquid level while using simple rod-shaped structures.
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 proposed solution enables precise detection of the remaining liquid amount by utilizing the distinct contact points of the electrodes with the liquid, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a resistance value of a first wiring path from the first electrode to the output unit is higher than a resistance value of a second wiring path from the second electrode to the output unit
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus includes a storage container configured to store a liquid, a reference electrode, a first electrode, a second electrode, an output unit configured to output an output signal corresponding to electric signals from the first electrode and the second electrode, and an identification unit configured to identify a remaining amount of the liquid, wherein the first electrode has contact with the liquid stored, the second electrode has contact with the liquid stored, the reference electrode has contact with the liquid stored, and a resistance value of a first wiring path from the first electrode to the output unit is higher than a resistance value of a second wiring path from the second electrode to the output unit.