Detection of ink leaks in large-scale inkjet or ink printers using an LED light source and prism arrangement for detection of ink in a foam collector with the prism designed so that it does not require a special surface coating

摘要

Ink printer with an ink supply system comprising reservoir, intermediate tank, print head, ink collection container, pump and valve for use with ink of any color has a capillary foam collection body (5) for any leaking ink. Embedded in the foam is a right angled prism (1) with its two short sides (3, 4) in contact with the capillaries of the foam material that draw ink towards the prism. An infrared LED (6a) is connected to a transmitter (6) so that a receiver (8) can collect reflected light.