Magnetic Rotor Ink Level Detection Without Extra Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid storage devices, such as ink jet printers, face challenges in accurately determining the presence of liquid in storage portions, leading to inefficiencies and user inconvenience when ink levels are low, as current methods lack precision and require additional sensors.
Innovation Solution
A liquid storage device with a rotating member driven by a magnetic force, where the rotation difference between the rotating member and the driving member is detected to determine the presence of liquid, utilizing a magnetic rotor and driving member configuration that also functions as a pump and agitator, allowing for accurate ink end determination without additional sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional sensors are used to detect liquid presence, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating member serves dual functions: it acts as both the drive element for liquid delivery and the detection element for liquid presence determination. By detecting the rotation state of this multi-functional component, the system achieves accurate liquid level detection without requiring separate sensors, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating member performs self-detection by utilizing its own rotation characteristics. The system determines liquid presence by monitoring whether the rotating member rotates freely (when liquid is present) or remains stationary (when liquid is depleted), eliminating the need for external detection devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining detection accuracy
2Measurement precision
If a separate detection mechanism is added, then liquid presence determination is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating member is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it drives liquid from the storage portion to the head, agitates the liquid to prevent settling, and serves as the detection target for determining liquid presence. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate detection mechanisms while ensuring accurate ink end determination
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the drive function and detection function into a single integrated system. The rotating member that drives liquid delivery is the same component whose rotation state is monitored for detection purposes. By combining these functions, the system achieves accurate liquid presence determination without adding separate detection mechanisms, thereby reducing device complexity
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 and efficient determination of liquid presence, simplifying the device structure and utilizing existing components for both ink delivery and agitation, effectively addressing the need for precise ink level monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
a driving member that is provided at outside of the storage portion in a non-contact state with respect to the rotating member so as to drive the rotating member by magnetic force
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid storage device includes a storage portion that is configured to store liquid therein, a rotating member that is provided in a bottom portion at inside of the storage portion so as to be capable of rotating, a driving member that is provided at outside of the storage portion in a non-contact state with respect to the rotating member so as to drive the rotating member by magnetic force, the driving member rotating to allow the rotating member to rotate, a detecting portion that is capable of detecting a degree of rotation of the rotating member, and a determining portion that is capable of acquiring difference information of rotation between the rotating member and the driving member on the basis of a detection result by the detecting portion and determining presence of liquid in the storage portion on the basis of the difference information.