Variable Width Flexible Circuit for Voltage Drop Suppression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In full line type inkjet printing apparatuses, longer flexible circuits in liquid ejection heads lead to increased voltage drop, which is exacerbated by higher printing speeds, compromising the reliability and efficiency of ink ejection operations.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates flexible circuits with varying widths, where the width connected to the electrical substrate is smaller than the central area, minimizing voltage drop and ensuring stable power and signal delivery to the printing element substrates, thereby enabling high-speed ejection operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the flexible circuit length is increased to connect printing element substrates arrayed in a line, then the manufacturing yield is improved, but the voltage drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible circuit is designed with non-uniform width, where the width varies along the length of the circuit. Specifically, the width is smaller at certain sections and larger at other sections, optimizing the balance between current carrying capacity and space utilization. This local variation in geometric properties allows the circuit to maintain adequate current delivery while fitting within the constrained space of the elongated head configuration.
2Productivity
If the printing speed is increased to improve productivity, then the output is improved, but the voltage drop becomes bigger
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible circuit's geometric parameters, particularly its width, are optimized to accommodate high-speed operation requirements. By adjusting the width distribution along the circuit length, the design achieves lower resistance and reduced voltage drop, enabling stable power delivery even during high-speed printing operations where current demands are higher.
3Loss of energy
If the flexible circuit width is increased to reduce voltage drop, then the power delivery is improved, but the space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible circuit employs variable width design where the width is optimized locally at different positions. Sections requiring higher current carrying capacity have larger width, while sections where space is constrained have smaller width. This localized optimization allows the circuit to achieve adequate power delivery performance without unnecessarily increasing the overall space occupation.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an elongated liquid ejection head capable of voltage drop suppression and high-speed ejection operation. For this purpose, in each of flexible circuits electrically connecting element substrates to electrical substrates, a width Wa on a side connected to the electrical substrate is smaller than the width of another area.