Connector Detection Terminals for High-Density Nozzle Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet printers with increasing numbers of nozzles face connection faults in board-to-board connectors due to the need for more terminals and higher signal density, leading to potential drive signal generation issues and discharge faults.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating detection terminals in the connectors to directly detect the connection quality between the drive circuit and control circuit boards, allowing for precise connection verification and reducing faults even with high terminal density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the number of nozzles and terminals in the B-to-B connector is increased to drive more nozzles, then the printing precision and nozzle capacity are improved, but the connection faults in the B-to-B connector increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connector system into two separate connectors: a first connector for power supply signals and a second connector for drive signals. This segmentation reduces the terminal count and density in each individual connector, thereby reducing connection faults while maintaining the capability to drive a large number of nozzles through the combined system.
2Device complexity
If the terminal density in the B-to-B connector is increased to reduce the number of connectors, then the device complexity is reduced, but the connection faults increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than increasing terminal density in a single connector, the patent uses segmentation to create two separate connectors with lower terminal density. This approach accepts slightly higher device complexity (two connectors instead of one) to achieve the benefit of reduced connection faults through lower density.
3Quantity of substance
If the terminal density in the B-to-B connector is increased to accommodate more signals, then the signal transmission capacity is improved, but the connection precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal transmission into two separate connector systems: one for power supply signals and another for drive signals. This segmentation allows each connector to have lower terminal density while maintaining adequate signal transmission capacity through the combined system, thereby preserving connection precision.
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
The implementation of detection terminals enhances connection precision and reduces faults in the board-to-board connectors, ensuring reliable operation even with a large number of nozzles and terminals, thereby improving the reliability of the liquid discharging apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
The piezoelectric elements are provided to correspond to each of a plurality of nozzles in a print head, and due to each piezoelectric element being driven according to a drive signal, a predetermined amount of the liquid is discharged at a predetermined timing from the nozzle to form a dot on a medium
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the first connector and the second connector includes a detection terminal for detecting a connection with the other of the first connector and the second connector
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid discharging apparatus includes a first substrate which includes a drive circuit which generates a drive signal and a first connector, a discharge head which includes greater than or equal to 300 nozzles per inch and a total of greater than or equal to 600 nozzles, which receives the drive signal and which discharges a liquid from the nozzles, and a second substrate which includes a second connector which is connected to the first connector, in which at least one of the first connector and the second connector includes a detection terminal for detecting a connection with the other of the first connector and the second connector.