Liquid Ejection Head Sensor Positioning for Ink Leakage Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejection heads fail to detect ink leakage before it contacts electric components, especially when the head is installed at varying attitudes within the main unit of a liquid ejection apparatus, due to unclear positional relationships between electric components and the wiring pattern for detection.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejection head design featuring a recording element substrate with electric components, including capacitors, shielded by a wall that retains ink and equipped with sensors positioned below the capacitors in a vertical direction to detect ink leakage before it reaches the electric components, ensuring early detection regardless of the head's attitude.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the liquid ejection head is installed at varying attitudes in the main unit, then the adaptability of the installation is improved, but the reliability of ink leakage detection deteriorates because ink may contact electric components before detection
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is positioned in advance at the lowest point relative to all electric components, enabling it to detect ink leakage before the ink can reach and contact any electric component, regardless of the installation attitude. This preliminary positioning of the sensor ensures early detection and prevents potential damage to electric components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor acts as an intermediary detection element between the ink leakage source and the electric components. By placing the sensor at the lowest point, it serves as a protective intermediary that detects ink presence before the harmful ink can reach the electric components, thereby mediating between the leakage source and the vulnerable components.
2Reliability
If the sensor is positioned at the lowest point relative to electric components, then the reliability of ink leakage detection is improved, but the device complexity increases due to precise positional requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor is positioned at the lowest point specifically in the vertical direction relative to the electric components, creating a localized quality difference in the detection system. This localized positioning ensures that the sensor is optimally placed for detection while maintaining simplicity in the overall device structure.
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 solution effectively prevents ink from contacting electric components, allowing for timely detection and preventing failures such as short circuits, even when the liquid ejection head is installed at different angles, thereby enhancing the reliability of the liquid ejection process.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor which is disposed in an area covered by the wall and which detects for the presence of a liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection head includes a recording element substrate which ejects a liquid downward; an electric substrate which is disposed above the recording element substrate, which has a plurality of electric components, including a capacitor, and which is electrically connected to the recording element substrate; a wall which covers the electric substrate such that a liquid can be retained between the wall and the electric substrate; and a sensor which is disposed in an area covered by the wall and which detects for the presence of a liquid. In the attitude of the liquid ejection head as attached to the main unit of a liquid ejection apparatus, the sensor is disposed below the capacitor in a vertical direction.