Liquid Discharge Head Cover Segmentation for Space Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid discharge heads have low space efficiency due to an unnecessary inclined side plate of the head cover, which can lead to reduced assemblability and potential damage to the drive IC during assembly.
Innovation Solution
The liquid discharge head design incorporates a protruding portion on the first side plate that covers the end of the flow path member, preventing liquid from entering the head cover and improving sealing, while maintaining efficient assembly and space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the side plate of the head cover is entirely inclined, then the assemblability is improved and breakage of the drive IC is suppressed, but there is an unnecessary space inside the head cover and the space efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The side plate is divided into two portions: a first portion that is inclined to improve assemblability and protect the drive IC, and a second portion that is substantially parallel to the top plate to improve space efficiency. This segmentation allows each portion to fulfill different functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the side plate have different orientations tailored to specific functional needs. The first portion (lower part) is inclined for assembly protection, while the second portion (upper part) is parallel for space optimization. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between assemblability and space efficiency.
2Reliability
If the side plate is inclined to protect drive IC during assembly, then the drive IC is protected from contact, but liquid can easily enter the head cover
Solution Approach 1:
The side plate is segmented into two portions with different orientations. The second portion being parallel to the top plate creates a configuration that prevents liquid from easily entering the head cover, while the first portion maintains the protective function for the drive IC.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the entire side plate inclined (which protects against contact but allows liquid entry), the invention inverts the approach by making the upper portion parallel, which naturally blocks liquid intrusion paths while maintaining the protective function through the lower inclined portion.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A liquid discharge head (2) according to an embodiment includes a head body (2a) having a first surface (41) configured to discharge a liquid and a second surface (42) facing the first surface (41), a drive IC (55) positioned away from the second surface (42) of the head body (2a), and a head cover (90) configured to cover at least the second surface (42) of the head body (2a) while housing the drive IC (55). The head cover (90) includes a top plate (91) facing the second surface (42) of the head body (2a) and a first side plate (92) extending in one direction that is a direction from the top plate (91) toward the second surface (42), the first side plate (92) includes a first portion (921) that is in contact with the drive IC (55), and that extends in the one direction, and a second portion (922) positioned in a portion closer to the second surface (42) than the first portion (921), and the second portion (922) includes a diameter expanding portion (94) having a diameter that expands toward the second surface (42).