Liquid Level Detection Using Prism Light Reflection and Peak Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid consumption devices face challenges in accurately detecting remaining liquid levels due to air bubbles adhering to the light path member, leading to false detection of remaining liquid, especially when the bubbles interfere with the light reflection process.
Innovation Solution
A liquid consumption device with a detecting section that includes a light emitting and receiving section, a prism for reflecting light, and a control section that determines the adhesion state of air bubbles based on signal peaks from the reflected light, allowing for accurate detection of remaining liquid levels by adjusting the light emission amount and process accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light reflection is used to detect remaining liquid, then detection capability is provided, but false detection occurs when air bubbles adhere to the light path member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement process into multiple regions (first measurement region and second measurement region) and detects peaks in each region separately. By segmenting the detection process, the system can distinguish between peaks caused by air bubbles and peaks caused by actual liquid levels, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection capability and false detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection mechanism that measures the distance between peaks in the light reception signal. This intermediary measurement (peak distance) serves as an indicator to identify air bubble adhesion states, allowing the system to differentiate between false signals and actual liquid conditions without directly observing the liquid.
2Device complexity
If air bubble adhesion is not addressed, then detection process remains simple, but detection accuracy deteriorates due to false signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection of air bubble adhesion by analyzing peak characteristics in the light reception signal before conducting the main liquid level detection. By preliminarily identifying air bubble states through peak distance measurement, the system can prevent false detection while maintaining a relatively simple overall detection process.
3Measurement precision
If peak detection in multiple regions is implemented, then air bubble detection accuracy improves, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different detection strategies to different regions of the light reception signal. By identifying specific peaks in the first and second measurement regions and analyzing their distances, the system focuses computational resources on the most informative parts of the signal, achieving accurate air bubble detection without excessive processing 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
The solution enables accurate detection of air bubble adhesion and remaining liquid levels, preventing false detection and ensuring reliable operation by distinguishing between air bubble-induced peaks and actual liquid level changes, thus maintaining the device's performance and preventing premature ink depletion.
Implementation Method 1
a prism provided in the liquid reservoir to reflect light emitted from the light emitting section corresponding to a remaining state of the liquid
Implementation Method 2
a light receiving section to receive reflected light from the prism
Data Source
AI summary
A printing device has a detecting section in which a light emitting section and a light receiving section are provided, liquid reservoirs for storing liquid in which a prism is provided to reflect light emitted from the light emitting section corresponding to a remaining state of the liquid, and a control section. The control section determines whether a process for air bubbles that is a process corresponding to an adhesion state of air bubbles in the prism is to be conducted or not based on a signal of light reception results obtained by receiving reflected light from the prism by the light receiving section.