JP3039764B2 - Fluid level detector - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting a remaining amount of a fluid, and more particularly to a method for detecting a remaining amount of a fluid.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Usually, in a place where a clean environment is required, such as a hospital or a food factory, hand disinfection is required.
For this disinfection, a hand disinfection device is generally used.

FIG. 11 shows an example of an (automatic) hand sterilizer 100. When using this hand sanitizer 100,
The user approaches his hand near the injection nozzle 95. When a hand approaches the vicinity of the ejection nozzle 95, a detection sensor (not shown) provided near the ejection nozzle 95 detects the hand.
When the detection sensor detects the hand, the hand sterilizer 100 operates, and the disinfectant is ejected from the ejection nozzle 95 toward the hand. The disinfecting solution is stored in a liquid tank stored in the back 110 of the hand disinfecting device 100, and is ejected from an ejection nozzle 95 by a pump (not shown) based on detection by a detection sensor.

When the disinfectant is ejected from the ejection nozzle 95, the disinfectant in the liquid tank is reduced. Such a change in the disinfectant in the liquid tank is detected by a liquid sensor, and when the disinfectant runs out, the disinfectant is replenished.

[0005] FIG. 10A shows the vicinity of a disinfecting solution residual amount detecting device 150 provided in the hand disinfecting device 100. Here, a tank storage section 21, a liquid tank 22, a tank holder 23, and a float sensor for detecting a remaining amount are shown.
The liquid tank 22 stores the disinfectant 24 inside and is placed on the tank holder 23. In addition, the upper surface 21T of the tank storage part 21 is formed to be openable and closable as a lid.

The float type sensor for detecting the remaining amount includes a Hi sensor 26 for detecting the upper limit remaining amount of the liquid and a Lo sensor 27 for detecting the lower limit remaining amount. Each of the sensors has a stem (post) 37 and a float 31, and the float 31 penetrates the stem 37 so as to be vertically movable.

[0007] The liquid tank 22 is detachably stored in the tank storage section 21, and when placed on the tank holder 23, the disinfecting liquid 24 in the liquid tank 22 is discharged into the tank storage section 21. This is because the valve 28 provided on the discharge surface 22H side of the liquid tank 22 is opened by the projecting piece 25 provided on the tank holder 23. Note that the disinfectant 24 discharged into the tank storage 21 is stored in the liquid tank 2.
2 is closed, so that the lower end 22L of the liquid tank 22 is
Is maintained at the level of the level L10 which coincides with
A).

If the remaining amount of the disinfecting liquid in the tank housing 21 is equal to or more than a predetermined value, the floats 31 of the Hi sensor 26 and the Lo sensor 27 are both located above. When the float 31 is positioned above, a lead (not shown) provided in the stem 37 and a magnet (not shown) built in the float 31 react, and both sensors are turned on (see FIG. 10A). ).

On the other hand, when the remaining amount of the disinfecting liquid in the tank housing 21 decreases and the float 31 of both sensors moves to the level L20, the reaction between the magnet and the lead is released, the Hi sensor 26 is turned off, and the Lo sensor is turned off. Only 27 is turned on (FIG. 10B). Here, the remaining amount of the disinfecting solution detecting device 15
0 indicates that when the Hi sensor 26 is off and only the Lo sensor 27 is on, the remaining amount of the disinfecting solution is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

When it is detected that the remaining amount of the disinfecting solution is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the disinfecting solution remaining amount detecting device 150 issues a warning (for example, turning on a warning lamp) indicating that the remaining amount of the disinfecting solution is low. Thereby, the user of the hand disinfecting apparatus 100 can know that only a small amount of the disinfecting liquid remains in the tank storage unit 21. The user can replenish the disinfecting solution based on this warning.

When the remaining amount of the disinfectant 24 further decreases, the float 31 also moves downward, and the Lo sensor 27 is turned off. When the Lo sensor 27 is turned off, the antiseptic solution residual amount detecting device 150 detects that the antiseptic solution 24 does not remain in the tank housing 21 (FIG. 9).

That is, the antiseptic solution remaining amount detecting device 150
The Lo sensor 27 detects that the remaining amount of the disinfecting solution in the tank housing 21 is equal to or less than a certain level.

In recent years, an apparatus has been proposed which includes a microcomputer in addition to the above-mentioned remaining amount of the disinfecting liquid detector 150 and detects the remaining amount of the disinfecting liquid in the liquid tank by calculation. In the case of such a microcomputer type remaining amount detection device, the amount of the disinfecting solution stored in the tank and the capability of the discharge pump provided in the disinfecting device are input as data before detection. When detecting the remaining amount of the disinfecting solution, the operation time of the discharge pump is detected, the calculation is performed with the above data, and the remaining amount of the disinfecting solution is detected based on the result of the calculation.

[0014]

However, the conventional antiseptic solution detection device 150 has the following problems. In some cases, the disinfectant liquid remaining amount detection device 150 detects that the disinfectant liquid 24 does not remain even though the disinfectant liquid 24 remains. This is because the float 31 does not float due to the weight of the magnet built in the float 31 even when a small amount of the disinfecting liquid 24 remains in the tank storage section 21 (FIG. 8A). As a result, even when a small amount of the disinfecting liquid 24 remains in the tank storage unit 21, the disinfecting liquid remaining amount detection device 150 detects that the disinfecting liquid 24 has completely disappeared from the tank storage unit 21.

In addition, near the lower end of the stem 37,
A stopper 38 is provided for preventing the float 31 from coming off the stem 37. Therefore, float 3
Even when 1 is located at the lowest position of the stem 37, the float 31 is floating from the bottom surface 21B of the tank housing 21 by the height W1 (FIG. 8B).

As described above, in the float type sensor provided in the tank storage section 21, even if it is detected that the disinfectant liquid 24 does not remain in the tank storage section 21, the disinfectant liquid 24 actually remains. There was a problem that. That is,
Accurate remaining amount detection could not be performed.

Further, the conventional antiseptic solution remaining amount detecting device 150
Uses a float-type sensor that detects the remaining amount of the disinfectant by the vertical movement of the float, so that a physical space in which the float moves up and down is required. Therefore, it is necessary to form the tank storage portion 21 in a size equal to or larger than a predetermined value. Therefore, there is also a problem that the hand disinfecting apparatus 100 that needs to be reduced in size becomes larger.

Further, in the case of the microcomputer type remaining amount detection device, when detecting the remaining amount, it is necessary to input the above-mentioned data accurately in advance, and this input is very troublesome. .

Further, since the remaining amount of the disinfecting solution in the liquid tank is detected by calculation, an error is likely to occur, and if the detection is repeated, the error becomes large, and the remaining amount cannot be detected accurately. .

For example, there is a case where it is detected that the disinfectant remains even though the disinfectant does not actually remain. In this case, there is a problem that the pump runs idle and breaks down. .

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a remaining amount detecting device capable of accurately detecting whether or not a disinfecting solution remains in a liquid tank and reducing the size of the device.

[0022]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid remaining amount detecting device which is connected to a storage container for storing a fluid, and is connected to an outlet of the storage container, and is bent at approximately 90 degrees at a predetermined position.
A fluid material remaining amount detecting device used in a fluid material discharging device comprising: a flow path formed in this way ; an intake port connected to the flow path; and discharge means for discharging a fluid substance taken in from the intake port. Te, provided in the predetermined portion near the channel, detecting means for detecting whether there is the fluid substance into the flow channel, based on a detection signal from said detecting means to said storage container, said Notifying means for notifying that no fluid remains.

A second aspect of the present invention is the fluid residual amount detecting device according to the first aspect , wherein the detecting surface of the detecting means is provided.
Is located above the upper end of the inlet.
And is characterized.

The fluid level detecting apparatus according to claim 3, claim 1
Alternatively, in the fluid remaining amount detection device according to claim 2, the detection means
An optical sensor is used as a step .

[0025]

[0026]

In the fluid remaining amount detecting device according to the first aspect, the flow path is located
Is formed bent approximately 90 degrees at a constant position, the detection means are provided in the predetermined portion near the flow path, to detect whether there is a fluid substance into the flow channel, the notification means from the detection means Based on the detection signal, it is notified that the fluid does not remain in the storage container. Therefore, detection means installation
Without providing a new place for the storage, the detection signal is output after the fluid is completely lost in the storage container, and it can be notified that the fluid does not remain.

The fluid level detecting apparatus according to claim 2, the detection
The detection surface of the means is located above the upper end of the intake port.
ing. Therefore, while the detection is taking place,
Does not suck air in the flow path.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device for detecting a remaining amount of a fluid.
An optical sensor is used as a means. Therefore, the fluid object
Check the remaining amount of fluid in the storage container without directly contacting
Put out.

[0029]

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the fluid substance remaining amount detecting device according to the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, the hand disinfection device 300 which is a fluid supply device provided with a fluid remaining amount detection device is used.
An embodiment will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a hand sanitizer 300 provided with a device for detecting the remaining amount of fluid. The hand disinfecting device 300 includes a disinfecting solution tank 50 as a storage container for storing a disinfecting solution 45 as a fluid, a tank holder 40 for holding the disinfecting solution tank 50,
Tube 70 as a flow path, pump 7 as a discharge means
7, pump motor driver circuit 75, injection nozzle 9
5. A receiving tray 98 for receiving the disinfecting liquid from the injection nozzle is provided. The fluid remaining amount detecting device includes an optical sensor 80 as detecting means and a control circuit 30 as notification means.

A proximity sensor 60 is provided near the injection nozzle 95, and a tray set switch 99 for detecting the mounting of the tray is provided near the tray 98.

In this embodiment, the disinfectant tank 5
0 is a cartridge type tank, and a cap 5 is provided at the bottom.
After the 5 is mounted, the lid 40T on the tank holder 40 is opened and the tank holder 40 is mounted in the tank holder 40. At this time, the cap 55 is attached so that the cap 55 attached to the disinfectant tank 50 contacts the bottom of the tank holder 40.

A valve 28 is provided in the cap 55, and the valve 28 is provided with a moving piece 27 via a shaft 25. The shaft 25 extends through the spring 26 and the spring 26
Is in contact with the cap bottom 56 and the moving piece 27.

When the disinfectant tank 50 is mounted in the tank holder 40, the moving piece 27 of the cap 55 is pushed upward by the protruding piece 29 provided in the tank holder 40. As a result, the spring 26 between the moving piece 27 and the cap bottom 56 contracts, and the shaft 25 and the valve 28 are also pushed upward. As a result, a gap is formed between the valve 28 and the cap bottom 56, from which the disinfectant 45 flows in the direction of the projecting piece 29.

Here, the tube 70 is formed so that the disinfecting solution flows from the outlet 51 around the projecting piece 29. Therefore, the cartridge type disinfectant tank 5
When 0 is mounted in the tank holder 40, the disinfectant 45 in the tank flows into the tube 70.

An optical sensor 80 is provided in the tube 70, and the tip of the tube 70 is connected to an intake 72 of a pump 77. A net 74 is provided between the tube 70 and the intake 72. The tube 71 is connected to the pump 77 and the injection nozzle 95. The outputs of the optical sensor 80, the proximity sensor 60, and the pan set switch 99 are given to the control circuit 30, and the control circuit 30 controls the driving of the pump motor driver circuit 75 based on these inputs. In this embodiment, the hand sterilizer 300 is provided on the base 10.

Next, the optical sensor 80 provided in the tube 70 will be described. FIG. 2A shows an optical sensor 80.
2A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2B. The optical sensor 80 includes a holder 83, a substrate 85 provided in the holder 83, a light emitting element 81 and a light receiving element 82 arranged on the substrate, and a prism 84 formed on the holder 83. During the operation of the optical sensor 80, light is constantly emitted from the light emitting element 81. The light emitted from the light emitting element 81 is
The light enters the reflecting surface α of the prism 84 at about 45 degrees.

When the prism 84 of the optical sensor 80 is in the air, the light from the light emitting element 81 is reflected at the reflection point α1 of the reflection surface α as shown by the solid line in FIG. The light is reflected by the reflection point β1 of the reflection surface β and received by the light receiving element 82. When light is received by the light receiving element 82, the optical sensor 80 opens a detection contact and is turned off.

On the other hand, when the prism portion 84 of the optical sensor 80 is in the liquid, since the refractive index of the liquid is 1.0 or more, the light from the light emitting element 81 is not reflected by the reflecting surface α.
The light leaks out of the prism 84 (in the direction of the arrow 600) (see FIG. 2B). As a result, the light receiving element 82 cannot receive the light from the light emitting element 81. Light receiving element 82
When the light sensor 80 cannot receive light, the optical sensor 80 closes the detection contact and turns on to output a detection signal.

In this embodiment, the optical sensor 80
(See FIG. 1) is a horizontal plane passing through the reflection point α1 and the reflection point β1 (FIG. 2B) of the prism 84.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross section near the tube 70 and the intake port 72. As is clear from the figure, a net 74 is provided between the tube 70 and the intake 72, and the detection surface F20 of the optical sensor 80 is located above the level 72L at the upper end of the intake 72.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the control circuit 30 in this embodiment. The control circuit 30 controls the bus line 3
6, CPU 32, RAM 32, ROM 3
3, an input port 34 and an output port 35 are provided. An optical sensor 80, a proximity sensor 60, and a pan set switch 99 are connected to the input port 34, and a disinfectant replenishment request lamp 42 using an LED, a pan non-set lamp 43, and the pump motor driver circuit 7 are connected to the output port 35.
5 is connected. The pump motor driver circuit 75 is connected to a pump motor 76 provided in the pump 77.

The operation of the hand sterilizer 300 will be described with reference to a flowchart (FIG. 5) of a program stored in the ROM 33 of the control circuit 30. The following operation is performed under the control of CPU 31 of control circuit 30.

First, it is detected whether or not the optical sensor 80 is on (step S10). That is, the optical sensor 80
It detects whether a detection signal is output from. here,
If the optical sensor 80 is on, it can be determined that the disinfectant 45 is present in the disinfectant tank 50, and it is next detected whether or not the saucer set switch 99 is on (step S).
12).

Here, if the pan set switch 99 is off, it can be determined that the pan 98 is not mounted. Therefore, the pan non-set lamp 43 is turned on, and step S1 is performed.
Return to 0. That is, the pump 77 is not driven when the tray is not mounted. If the saucer set switch 99 is on, the process proceeds to step S14 to determine whether the proximity sensor 60 is on.

The proximity sensor 60 does not turn on unless a finger approaches the injection nozzle 95. Therefore, if the proximity sensor 60 is off, it can be determined that the finger is not approaching, so that the pump 77 is not driven,
It returns to step S10. If the proximity sensor 60 is ON (eject command), it can be determined that the finger has been brought close,
An operation signal is applied to the pump motor 76 via the output port 35 and the pump motor driver circuit 75 to drive the pump motor 76, and the pump 77 is driven for a predetermined time (step S1).
6). As a result, the disinfecting solution is discharged by the pump 77 and is injected from the injection nozzle 95 through the tube 71.

Here, the driving time of the pump 77 and the disinfectant 4
The injection time of No. 5 is set substantially equal. That is, by driving the pump 77 for a predetermined time, the disinfecting liquid of an amount necessary for the hand disinfection is ejected from the ejection nozzle 95. When the pump 77 is driven for a predetermined time, the driving of the pump 77 is stopped, and the process returns to step S10 (step S18).

When the disinfectant 45 is used as described above, the disinfectant 45 in the cartridge type disinfectant tank 50 is used.
It gradually decreases, and furthermore, the liquid level is
, The optical sensor 80 is turned off, and no detection signal is output. In such a state, in step S10, step S13
Branch to Accordingly, the CPU 31 turns on the disinfectant replenishment request lamp 42 and returns to step S10 without driving the pump 77. At this time, the disinfectant tank 50
In this state, no disinfectant 45 remains. The user sees the lighting of this lamp, removes the cartridge-type disinfectant tank 50 from the tank holder 40, and removes the disinfectant 45
Can be replenished.

According to this embodiment, the detection surface F20 of the optical sensor 80 is located above the level 72L at the upper end of the intake 72 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the operation of the pump 77 is stopped when the remaining amount of the liquid in the tube 70 becomes smaller than the detection surface F20, so that the pump 77 does not suck the air in the tube 70 and does not run idle. . This makes it possible to prevent the hand sterilizer 300 from malfunctioning.

Further, in the fluid remaining amount detecting device according to the present embodiment, the remaining amount of the disinfecting solution 45 in the cartridge type disinfecting solution tank 50 is detected by providing the optical sensor 80 in the tube 70. . Therefore, the disinfecting solution does not directly contact the detection portion of the sensor 80, and the remaining amount of the disinfecting solution 45 in the disinfecting solution tank 50 can be accurately detected without being affected by the disinfecting solution.

Further, in the fluid substance remaining amount detecting device according to the present embodiment, an optical sensor 80 is provided in a tube 70 bent at substantially 90 degrees. Therefore, there is no need to separately provide an installation location for the optical sensor 80, and the size of the hand sterilizer 300 can be reduced.

The position where the optical sensor 80 is provided may be any position in the tube 70. However, in order to reduce the remaining amount of the disinfecting liquid when the supply request lamp 42 is turned on, the pump 7
7 is preferred. However, the tube 71
If the pump 77 is provided on the discharge side, the idle operation of the pump 77 occurs, which is not preferable.

In the above embodiment, the tube 70 and the intake port 72 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 are provided between the disinfectant tank 50 and the pump 77 for convenience of explanation. But,
If accurate detection can be performed, the tube 70 and the intake 72 may be formed to be thin and short in order to reduce the amount of the disinfectant remaining between the disinfectant tank 50 and the pump 77.

In the hand sterilizer 300 according to this embodiment, a net 74 is provided between the tube 70 and the intake 72 (FIG. 3). Thereby, if the tube 7
Even when foreign matter enters the inside of the pump 0, the pump 77 does not suck in the foreign matter, so that failure of the pump 77 can be prevented.

Another embodiment of the fluid substance remaining amount detecting device according to the present invention will be described. In the above embodiment, the remaining amount of the disinfecting solution 45 in the cartridge type disinfecting solution tank 50 is detected by providing the optical sensor 80 in the tube 70. However, as shown in FIG. 6, by providing the sub flow path 73 in the tube 70 and providing the optical sensor 80 including the light emitting element 81 and the light receiving element 82 near the outside of the sub flow path 73, the residual liquid 45 The amount may be detected. That is, the shape of the sub flow path 73 is formed in a prism shape, and the inner wall is formed of a material that reflects light. Thereby, the sub flow path 7
When the disinfecting solution remains in the light 3, the light from the light emitting element 81 that constantly emits light is reflected by the inner walls α and β of the sub flow path 73 and then received by the light receiving element 82 (FIG. 6B). This also makes it possible to accurately detect the remaining amount of the disinfecting solution 45 in the disinfecting solution tank 50.

In the fluid substance remaining amount detecting device according to the above embodiment, the remaining amount of the disinfecting solution in the cartridge type disinfecting solution tank 50 is detected by using the optical sensor 80. However, if the disinfecting solution 45 in the disinfecting solution tank 50 can be accurately detected, a sensor that detects the remaining amount of the disinfecting solution based on the dielectric constant, conductivity, or the like may be used.

In the above embodiment, the case where the remaining amount of the disinfecting solution in the disinfecting solution tank in the hand disinfecting device 300 is detected has been described. However, if the liquid in the tank is completely used up, and there is a demand for replenishing the liquid, it may be used in an apparatus for supplying another liquid (for example, soap water).

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the cartridge type disinfecting solution tank 50 is used for the hand disinfecting device 300 has been described. However, as long as the tank uses a disinfecting solution, a disposable (disposable) type disinfecting solution tank may be used, for example.

FIG. 7A shows a disposable disinfectant tank 90. That is, this tank is located at the bottom 5 of the tank.
8B is closed with aluminum foil or the like, and the tank is mounted in the tank holder 40 with the tank bottom 58 down.
An opening is formed in an aluminum foil or the like of the tank bottom 58 by a metal fitting 79 shown in FIG.

FIG. 7C shows a case where the disposable disinfectant tank 90 is mounted in the tank holder 40. By attaching the tank 90 to the tank holder 40, the disinfecting liquid flows into the tube 70 from the opening formed in the aluminum foil. The disposable disinfectant tank 9
Even when 0 is used, the detection of the fluid remaining amount detection device and the operation of the hand sterilizer 300 are as described in the above embodiment, and when the disinfectant in the tank 90 runs out, the tank 90 is discarded. Then, a new tank is attached to the tank holder 40.

In the above embodiment, the disinfectant replenishment request lamp 42 and the tray unset lamp 43 are
ED is used. However, any other device may be used as long as it can reliably notify the user of the need to supply the disinfecting solution or that the tray has not been set. For example, a light bulb, a fluorescent lamp, or a buzzer may be used.

Further, in the above embodiment, the control circuit 30 is constituted by using the CPU 31, but a part or all of the control circuit may be constituted by hardware logic.

[0064]

According to the fluid remaining amount detecting device according to the first aspect, the flow path is formed to be bent at substantially 90 degrees at a predetermined position.
Are provided in the predetermined portion near the detecting means the flow path to detect whether there is a fluid substance into the flow channel, the notification means based on a detection signal from the detection means, wherein the storage container To notify that no fluid remains. In other words, the test
It is possible to output a detection signal and notify that no fluid remains after the fluid has completely disappeared in the storage container without providing a new place for installing the outlet means . Therefore, while reducing the size of the device,
Accurately detect whether fluid remains in the storage container,
It becomes possible to announce.

In the fluid remaining amount detecting device according to the second aspect, the detecting surface of the detecting means is located above the upper end of the intake port.
It is located in. That is, while the detection is being performed,
The outlet means does not suck air in the flow path. Accordingly
To eliminate the idle operation of the discharge means and prevent equipment failure
It becomes possible.

In the fluid remaining amount detecting device according to the third aspect, an optical sensor is used as the detecting means. That is,
Remaining fluid in the storage container without direct contact with the fluid
Detect the amount. Therefore, it can be stored without being affected by fluids.
It is necessary to accurately detect whether fluid remains in the storage container.
It becomes possible.

[0067]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a hand sterilizer provided with a fluid remaining amount detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view and a cross-sectional view of the optical sensor shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a cross section near a tube 70 and an intake port 72 shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration and connections of a control circuit 30 shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the hand sterilizer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the hand sterilizer shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a disposable disinfectant tank and a case where the tank is attached to a hand disinfecting device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional float type remaining amount detection device.

FIG. 9 is a view showing a conventional float type liquid sensor provided in a tank storage section 21.

FIG. 10 is a view showing a conventional float type liquid sensor provided in a tank storage section 21.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the hand sterilizer 100. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 30 control circuit 42 replenishment request lamp 45 disinfectant 50 disinfectant tank 70 tube 80 light sensor

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yukihiko Inagaki 1-7-131 Nishinohara, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Izumi Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Ichiro Saraya 2-2-2, Yuri, Higashi-Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (56) References JP-A-6-251242 (JP, A) JP-A-58-19233 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01F 23 / 00-25/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A storage container for storing a fluid material, said storage container being connected to an outlet of said storage container, and having a substantially 9
A fluid substance remaining amount detecting device used in a fluid substance discharging device including a flow path formed to be bent at 0 degrees, and an intake port connected to the flow path and discharging means for discharging the fluid substance taken in from the intake port. a is provided at the predetermined position near the flow path, detecting means for detecting whether there is the fluid substance into the flow channel, based on a detection signal from said detecting means to said storage container Notification means for notifying that the fluid material does not remain, a fluid remaining amount detection device. 2. A fluid level detecting device according to claim 1, wherein a detecting surface of said detecting means is located at a position higher than an upper end of said intake port.
A fluid remaining amount detecting device , which is located above . 3. The fluid remaining amount detection according to claim 1 or 2.
An apparatus for detecting a remaining amount of fluid , wherein an optical sensor is used as a detecting means in the apparatus. 4. The fluid remaining amount detecting device according to claim 1, wherein an optical sensor is used as the detecting means.