Fluid tilt sensor within ink tank supply item for micro-fluid applications

• US 8,549,764 B2
• Filed: 09/23/2011
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
• Inventors: Muyskens, Robert H., Webb, Gregory T., Gray, Trevor D., McReynolds, Jason T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Williams, Hezron E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huang, David Z
• Application Number:
  US13/241,980
• Publication Number:
  US 20130074595A1
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 732/90.R, 733/04.C, 733/04.R, 333/661.9
• US Class Current: 33/366.19
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/175 Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17566 Ink level or ink residue control
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/20 the indication being based on the inclination of the surface of a liquid relative to its container
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/266 measuring circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/268 mounting arrangements of probes
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/804 containing circuits handling parameters other than liquid level

Abstract

A container for holding a volume of fluid and having a housing defining an interior for retaining the volume of fluid; at least one in-tank tilt sensor connected to a controller and disposed inside the housing for generating a signal corresponding to a level of fluid inside the housing; and a support material attached to the housing and connected to the at least one in-tank tilt sensor to mechanically support the at least one in-tank tilt sensor such that the at least one in-tank tilt sensor is not in direct contact with the fluid inside the housing. The in-tank tilt sensor detects a change in fluid level which may only be caused by tilting of the imaging device. When tilting is registered, protective action is taken to prevent fluid from leaking.

Claims

1. A method of detecting tilting of a container for holding a volume of fluid, the container for consumable use of the fluid in an imaging device and having a housing defining an interior to retain the volume of fluid and at least two pairs of opposed electrodes disposed on opposing sides of the interior, each pair having a capacitance that varies in response to an amount of fluid existing between said each pair of opposed electrodes, a higher said capacitance corresponding to a higher said amount of fluid existing between said each pair of opposed electrodes, comprising:

obtaining first and second capacitance values one each from said each pair of opposed electrodes;

ascertaining tilt of the housing by determining whether one of the first and second capacitance values increases while the other of the first and second capacitance values decreases over a same time period; and

disabling a fluid supply in the imaging device to prevent the fluid from leaking out if a tilt of the housing is said ascertained.

2. The method of claim 1, further including simultaneously obtaining the first and second capacitance values from each said pair of opposed electrodes.

3. A method of detecting tilting of a container for holding a volume of fluid, the container for consumable use of the fluid in an imaging device and having a housing defining an interior to retain the volume of fluid and at least two pairs of opposed electrodes disposed on opposing sides of the interior, each pair having a capacitance that varies in response to an amount of fluid existing between said each pair of opposed electrodes, a higher said capacitance corresponding to a higher said amount of fluid existing between said each pair of opposed electrodes, comprising:

obtaining first and second capacitance values one each from said each pair of opposed electrodes;

ascertaining tilt of the housing by determining whether one of the first and second capacitance values increases while the other of the first and second capacitance values decreases over a same time period; and

allowing a fluid supply to flow in the imaging device when a tilt of the housing is corrected or is not said ascertained.

4. The method of claim 3, further including simultaneously obtaining the first and second capacitance values from said each pair of opposed electrodes.