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

摘要

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.

主权项

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; and determining 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; and indicating a tilt if the second actual variance is outside the allowable values.