Segmented Electrodes for Accurate Conductive Liquid Level Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for detecting the remaining amount of conductive liquid in an accommodating container face challenges due to small changes in resistance values, making it difficult to accurately determine the liquid level.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharging apparatus and accommodating device with a first and second electrode, where the first electrode includes exposed conductive and insulated parts, and a detection portion that responds to electric signals to detect the liquid level, utilizing a configuration that enhances resistance changes with liquid level variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If two rod-shaped electrode pins are used to detect remaining liquid amount, then the detection structure is simple, but the resistance value change is small making it difficult to detect liquid level accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The first electrode is divided into multiple conduction portions (first conduction portion and second conduction portion) separated by insulation portions. This segmentation creates multiple measurement zones along the electrode length, allowing detection of liquid level changes at different heights and improving measurement precision while maintaining structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The electrode structure transitions from a simple two-point measurement (rod-shaped pins) to a multi-segmented structure with conduction and insulation portions arranged along the length of the electrode. This dimensional arrangement along the electrode length creates larger resistance value changes as liquid level varies, improving detection accuracy
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 accurate detection of the remaining liquid amount by leveraging significant resistance value changes with varying liquid levels, enabling timely notifications to users.
Implementation Method 1
detects a remaining amount of the liquid accommodated in the accommodating container in response to an electric signal from at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid accommodating device includes an accommodating container accommodating conductive liquid, a first electrode accommodated in the accommodating container, a second electrode accommodated in the accommodating container, and a detection portion that is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode and that detects a remaining amount of the liquid accommodated in the accommodating container in response to an electric signal from at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode, in which the first electrode includes a first part where a first conduction portion formed with a conductive member is exposed, a second part where the first conduction portion is exposed, and a first insulation part that is provided between the first part and the second part and in which the first conduction portion is covered with an insulation member.