Patent ID: 6389239
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: G01F,G03G,Y10S

Abstract:
A liquid detection device for detecting the presence or absence of a liquid, said device equipped with a storage member for temporarily storing said liquid for supply and a liquid tank for replenishing said storage member with said liquid, said device comprising:a prism for forming a light path, having at least a first side which, when there is no liquid remaining in said liquid tank, reflects incident light into said prism and, when there is said liquid remaining in said liquid tank, lets said incident light pass therethrough into said liquid, and a second side which, when there is no liquid remaining in said storage member, reflects incident light into said prism and, when there is said liquid remaining in said storage member, lets said incident light pass therethrough into said liquid; light emitting means for emitting light into said prism; and light receiving means disposed in such a position as to be able to receive light that was emitted into said prism, reflected at said first side or said second side, and passed through said prism.