Carriage Shielding Member for Thermal Isolation in Inkjet Printers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In liquid discharging apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, the discharging units are often heated by the drive circuit, leading to temperature rises that can cause discharge defects due to the circulation of heated gas within the carriage.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharging apparatus with a shielding member that partitions the discharging unit and drive circuit regions, where the discharging unit is isolated from the drive circuit, and a blowing unit directs cooled air to the drive circuit, preventing heat transfer and high-temperature gas flow to the discharging unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the discharging unit and drive circuit are disposed within the carriage, then the device structure is compact and integration is improved, but the discharging unit is heated by heat generated in the drive circuit causing temperature rises and discharge defects
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage interior is divided into a first region for the discharging unit and a second region for the drive circuit using a shielding member. This segmentation physically separates the two components to prevent heat transfer from the drive circuit to the discharging unit, while maintaining their integrated placement within the single carriage structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A shielding member is introduced as an intermediary element between the drive circuit and discharging unit. This shielding member blocks heat transfer and prevents heated gas from the drive circuit region from reaching the discharging unit, allowing both components to coexist in the carriage without thermal interference.
2Loss of energy
If gas is circulated within the carriage to suppress heat accumulation, then heat dissipation is improved, but heated gas flows to the discharging unit causing temperature rises and discharge defects
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage is segmented into distinct regions for gas circulation and discharging unit placement. The shielding member creates a boundary that allows gas circulation in the drive circuit region while preventing heated gas from entering the discharging unit region, enabling effective heat dissipation without thermal contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding member acts as an intermediary barrier that permits gas flow for cooling the drive circuit while blocking the path of heated gas from reaching the discharging unit. This allows the blowing unit to effectively cool the drive circuit without causing temperature rises in the discharging unit.
3Reliability
If a communication hole is formed in the shielding member for wiring, then electrical connection is enabled, but gaps are created allowing high temperature gas to flow from the drive circuit region to the discharging unit region
Solution Approach 1:
The connector serves as an intermediary component that provides both electrical connection and thermal blocking functions. It is provided on the shielding member and exposed in both regions, enabling wiring connection while maintaining the shielding effect against heat and gas flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides electrical connection between the discharging unit and drive circuit while simultaneously maintaining the thermal barrier function of the shielding member. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate wiring holes that would compromise the heat shield.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration effectively suppresses temperature rises in the discharging unit, reducing the occurrence of discharge defects and maintaining printing accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a blowing unit capable of blowing air toward the drive circuit supported on the carriage
Implementation Method 2
the carriage includes a shielding member partitioning a first region from a second region. The discharging unit is disposed in the first region, and the drive circuit is disposed in the second region
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus includes a discharging unit configured to discharge ink on a medium; a drive circuit configured to drive the discharging unit; a carriage configured to reciprocate in a scanning direction X while supporting the discharging unit and the drive circuit; and a blowing unit capable of blowing air toward the drive circuit supported on the carriage. The carriage includes a shielding member that partitions a discharging unit housing room from a drive circuit housing room. The discharging unit is disposed in the discharging unit housing room, and the drive circuit is disposed in the drive circuit housing room.