초록 ▼

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 suppor

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.

대표청구항 ▼

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, comprising: setting a plurality of allowable values;obtaining a first capacitance measurement value corresponding to a level of fluid on a side of the co

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, comprising: setting a plurality of allowable values;obtaining a first capacitance measurement value corresponding to a level of fluid on a side of the container; anddetermining whether the first capacitance measurement value is higher or lower than a reference capacitance thereby indicating tilt or not, wherein the reference capacitance is a previously-saved capacitance measurement value,wherein determining whether the first capacitance measurement value is higher or lower than the reference capacitance includes:comparing the first capacitance measurement value to the reference capacitance such that a first actual variance between the first capacitance measurement value and the reference capacitance is determined;determining if the first actual variance is within the allowable values;saving the first capacitance measurement value into a memory when the first actual variance is within the allowable values such that the first capacitance measurement value becomes a reference capacitance for a succeeding tilt detection;obtaining a second capacitance measurement value after a predetermined period of time when the first actual variance is outside the allowable values;comparing the second capacitance measurement value to the reference capacitance such that a second actual variance between the second capacitance measurement value and the reference capacitance is determined;determining if the second actual variance is within the allowable values;saving the second capacitance measurement value into the memory when the second actual variance is within the allowable values such that the second capacitance measurement value becomes a reference capacitance for the succeeding tilt detection; andindicating a tilt if the second actual variance is outside the allowable values. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of allowable values include allowable positive and negative variances corresponding to an increase and decrease in the level of fluid caused by movements of the fluid in the container during an operation of the imaging device. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of allowable values include: an allowable positive variance corresponding to an allowable tilt of the container towards a first direction; andan allowable negative variance corresponding to an allowable tilt of the container towards a second direction. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of allowable values include an allowable negative variance corresponding to an estimated reduction in the level of fluid due to fluid consumption during an operation of the imaging device. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of allowable values include: allowable positive and negative variances corresponding respectively to an increase and decrease in the level of fluid caused by movements of the fluid in the container during an operation of the imaging device;an allowable positive variance corresponding to an allowable tilt of the container towards a first direction; andan allowable negative variance corresponding to an allowable tilt of the container towards a second direction. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the plurality of allowable values further include an allowable negative variance corresponding to an estimated reduction in the level of fluid due to fluid consumption during an operation of the imaging device. 7. The method of claim 1, further including disabling a fluid supply in the imaging device if said tilt is indicated, wherein the disabling includes: closing at least one valve in the imaging device;de-priming a printhead;alerting a user;prompting a user to perform corrective measures; orchecking whether a succeeding capacitance measurement value is within allowable limits.