Liquid quantity sensing device
First Claim
1. A liquid quantity sensing device including a container that stores electrically conductive liquid and includes an upper wall and a bottom wall, comprising:
- a sensor body to extend toward an interior of the container;
a first electrode disposed on the sensor body;
a plurality of second electrodes disposed on the sensor body, the plurality of second electrodes being separated from each other in a direction from the upper wall to the bottom wall; and
a sensing mechanism to sense conduction states between each of the plurality of second electrodes and the first electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and an uppermost electrode of the plurality of second electrodes is separated from the upper wall by a distance larger than a maximum thickness of a liquid drop of the liquid.
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Accused Products
Abstract
According to one embodiment, a liquid quantity sensing device comprises a sensor body, a first electrode, a plurality of second electrodes and a sensing mechanism. The sensor body extends toward an interior of a container and includes electrically conductive material. The first electrode is disposed on the sensor body while the plurality of second electrodes are disposed on the sensor body and are separated from each other in a movement direction of a liquid level that changes according to a quantity of the liquid. The sensing mechanism senses conduction states between the respective second electrodes and the first electrode. At least one of the first electrode and an uppermost electrode of the second electrodes is separated from the upper wall by a distance larger than a maximum thickness of a liquid drop that adheres to the upper wall.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A liquid quantity sensing device including a container that stores electrically conductive liquid and includes an upper wall and a bottom wall, comprising:
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a sensor body to extend toward an interior of the container;
a first electrode disposed on the sensor body;
a plurality of second electrodes disposed on the sensor body, the plurality of second electrodes being separated from each other in a direction from the upper wall to the bottom wall; and
a sensing mechanism to sense conduction states between each of the plurality of second electrodes and the first electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and an uppermost electrode of the plurality of second electrodes is separated from the upper wall by a distance larger than a maximum thickness of a liquid drop of the liquid. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A liquid quantity sensing device including a container that is adapted to store electrically conductive liquid and includes an upper wall and a bottom wall, comprising:
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a sensor body to extend toward an interior of the container;
a first electrode disposed on the sensor body;
a plurality of second electrodes disposed on the sensor body, the plurality of second electrodes being separated from each other in a movement direction of a liquid level that changes according to a quantity of the liquid; and
a sensing mechanism to sense conduction states between each of the plurality of second electrodes and the first electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and an uppermost electrode of the plurality of second electrodes is separated from the upper wall by at least three millimeters. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A liquid quantity sensing device including a container that is adapted to store-electrically conductive liquid and includes an upper wall and a bottom wall, comprising:
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a sensor body to extend toward an interior of the container;
a first electrode disposed on the sensor body;
a plurality of second electrodes disposed on the sensor body, the plurality of second electrodes each being separated from the first electrodes;
a sensing mechanism to sense conduction states between each of the plurality of second electrodes and the first electrode, wherein at least one of the first electrode and an uppermost electrode of the plurality of second electrodes is separated from the upper wall by a distance larger than a maximum thickness that a liquid drop of the liquid would occupy if the liquid drop adheres to the upper wall. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification