Liquid tank and image forming apparatus
US11872818B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 9, 2022 |
| Grant date | Jan 16, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2042 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2002/16591
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a housing, a container body, and an electrostatic capacitance sensor. The container body contains a liquid and is placed on a ground surface which is a part of the housing. The electrostatic capacitance sensor detects a change in capacitance between a side surface of the container body and the ground surface to determine a change in quantity of the liquid in the container body. The top surface of the container body is a part of the housing. The top surface and the ground surface are in electrically conductive state, a distance between the top surface and the electrostatic capacitance sensor is longer than a distance between the ground surface and the electrostatic capacitance sensor, or the top surface and the ground surface are electrically insulated, or the top surface is opened.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.