Flexible Flat Cable Shielding for Inkjet Head Electrical Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid discharge apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, face electrical faults due to ink mist adhering to cables, leading to short circuits and damage, as existing solutions do not effectively address the structural connection between the head unit and cables, allowing ink to enter and cause faults.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a flexible flat cable configuration where the second surface of the cable opposes the discharge opening, preventing ink from adhering to the signal output terminals, and a reinforcing plate on the second surface to impede ink progression, combined with a short circuit detecting terminal to stop signal supply in case of faults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the connection section is left open for electrical connection, then ease of connection is improved, but liquid enters the connection section causing electrical faults
Solution Approach 1:
A cover member is introduced as an intermediary component between the discharge section and the connection section. This cover member includes a liquid repellent section that actively prevents liquid from reaching the connection section, thereby maintaining electrical connection reliability without compromising the open connection design for ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid repellent section on the cover member performs preliminary anti-action by repelling liquid before it can reach the connection section. This preventive measure stops liquid progression in advance, protecting the electrical connection from faults while keeping the connection section accessible.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cable routing is changed to avoid discharge section, then liquid adherence to cable is reduced, but cable length and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful effect of liquid on the cable is extracted and isolated by positioning the cable away from the discharge section. The cover member extends to shield the cable routing path, effectively separating the cable from the liquid discharge zone without requiring complex alternative routing configurations.
3Reliability
If cover member extends to shield cable, then liquid entry is prevented, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a structural cover for the discharge section and as a liquid shielding barrier for the cable routing. By integrating these functions into a single component, the design prevents liquid entry without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover member incorporates a liquid repellent section with specific local quality - a surface treatment or structural feature that repels liquid. This localized modification provides effective liquid prevention only where needed (at the cable interface), rather than requiring the entire cover member to be complex or expensive to manufacture.
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
Effectively suppresses electrical faults by preventing ink adherence to signal terminals and reducing entry into the head unit, while detecting short circuits to prevent further damage.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid repellent section which extends from the discharge section toward the cable in the cable shielding section and which repels liquid
Implementation Method 2
there are liquid discharge apparatuses which use piezoelectric elements (for example, piezo elements). The piezoelectric elements are provided so as to correspond to each of a plurality of discharge sections
Data Source
AI summary
The liquid discharge apparatus has a first flexible flat cable and a head unit, the head unit includes a discharge section which discharges a liquid due to driving signals being applied, a discharge surface which is provided with a discharge opening for discharging the liquid, and a first connection section which is connected to the first flexible flat cable, the first flexible flat cable includes a first surface, a second surface which is on the reverse side of the first surface, a driving signal line which transfers the driving signals, and a driving signal output terminal which is provided in the first surface and which outputs the driving signals to the head unit, and the first flexible flat cable is connected to the first connection section so that the second surface provides between the first surface and the discharge surface.