Patent ID: 8109584
Filing Date: 2012-02-07
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A liquid detection device comprising: a container for containing liquid having conductivity; and a liquid supply port at a bottom portion of the container, wherein an inside bottom surface of the container is inclined upward extending away from the liquid supply port; and wherein electrodes are arranged at least at two positions inside the container for detecting the presence of liquid, and at least one electrode extends up into the liquid from a lower portion of the container and a plurality of electrodes are arranged at a plurality of levels at a side of the container in order to determine different amounts of liquid in the container, wherein the one electrode that extends up into the liquid is designated as a first electrode, while the other electrodes are designated as second electrodes, and wherein the presence of liquid in the container is detected by the change in electric conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrodes, wherein at least one of a third electrode is provided on a side face of the container, and the first electrode is electrically connected to the third electrode, and wherein the presence of liquid in the container is detected by the change in electric conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrodes or between the second electrodes and the third electrode.