Liquid Ejection Head Package Cushioning Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid ejection head packaging methods are inadequate in protecting the ejection head from damage during transport, as the box member can be damaged by impacts, and the protective members may also be compromised, leading to potential damage to the liquid ejection head.

Innovation Solution

A liquid ejection head package is designed with a protective member attached to the end of the liquid ejection head in the longitudinal direction, and a box member that includes a cushioning member at the position where it contacts the protective member, featuring a first cushioning portion with a space to absorb impacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If protective members made of styrofoam are attached to the cartridge, then the cartridge is protected from damage during transport, but the protective members themselves can be damaged by impact, allowing impact to be transmitted to the cartridge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of liquid ejection headVSAvoiddamage resistance of protective member

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cushioning member is constructed as a composite structure combining a foam material (first cushioning portion) with a hollow cylindrical structure (second cushioning portion). This composite design allows the foam to provide initial soft cushioning while the hollow structure provides rigid structural support and additional impact absorption, preventing the protective member from being damaged by impact forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The cushioning member is pre-assembled with the protective member before the liquid ejection head is packaged. The cushioning member is inserted into the protective member in advance, creating a pre-configured protective assembly that combines both soft and hard cushioning properties before transport impacts occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the box member is used to pack the liquid ejection head, then the liquid ejection head is protected during transport, but the box member can be damaged by impact or drop, transmitting force to the liquid ejection head

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection of liquid ejection headVSAvoidimpact resistance of box member

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cushioning member is pre-assembled with the protective member before the liquid ejection head is packaged. The cushioning member is inserted into the protective member in advance, creating a pre-configured protective assembly that combines both soft and hard cushioning properties before transport impacts occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The cushioning member is constructed as a composite structure combining a foam material (first cushioning portion) with a hollow cylindrical structure (second cushioning portion). This composite design allows the foam to provide initial soft cushioning while the hollow structure provides rigid structural support and additional impact absorption, preventing the protective member from being damaged by impact forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Device complexity

If simple protective members are used to cover the ejection element substrate, then the packaging structure remains simple, but the protective members can be damaged by impact during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging structure complexityVSAvoidprotection effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cushioning member is constructed as a composite structure combining a foam material (first cushioning portion) with a hollow cylindrical structure (second cushioning portion). This composite design allows the foam to provide initial soft cushioning while the hollow structure provides rigid structural support and additional impact absorption, preventing the protective member from being damaged by impact forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 package effectively reduces damage to the liquid ejection head by absorbing impacts through the cushioning member and protective members, preventing direct transmission of force to the ejection head and maintaining its integrity during transport.

Implementation Method 1

The cushioning member includes a first cushioning portion having a first space therein

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

The package effectively reduces damage to the liquid ejection head by absorbing impacts through the cushioning member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEnergy absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS20250083886A1Liquid ejection head package

Publication Date: 2025.03.13 CANON KK

AI summary

A liquid ejection head package that secures a liquid ejection head configured to eject liquid, includes a protective member that protects an end of the liquid ejection head in a longitudinal direction, and a box member that packs the liquid ejection head having the protective member attached to the end thereof in the longitudinal direction. The box member includes a cushioning member at a position where the cushioning member contacts the protective member, where the cushioning member includes a cushioning portion having a space therein.