Flexible Wiring Board Design for Inkjet Printers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid droplet discharge apparatuses require multiple connectors and FPC boards, leading to increased production costs and complex assembly processes due to the need for two FPC boards connected to one COF board, which occupies restricted space in ink-jet printers.
Innovation Solution
A liquid droplet discharge apparatus design featuring a flexible first wiring board with bent extending portions that face each other, allowing a single second wiring board to overlap and connect with these portions, reducing the number of FPC boards and connectors needed, thus simplifying production and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two FPC boards are connected to one COF board to supply driving signals to multiple nozzles, then the wiring layout flexibility is improved, but the control board size increases and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple FPC boards into a single FPC board that connects to multiple extending portions of the COF board. This consolidation reduces the number of separate wiring boards from two to one, thereby reducing the control board size and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining the ability to supply driving signals to multiple nozzles independently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the spatial arrangement by bending extending portions of the COF board in opposite directions to face each other, creating a three-dimensional configuration. This allows a single FPC board to connect to multiple points on the COF board by exploiting the folded geometry, effectively routing signals without increasing the planar footprint of the control board
2Productivity
If two FPC boards are used to connect to the pressure applying mechanism, then the number of nozzles can be increased, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple FPC boards into a single unified FPC board that interfaces with the pressure applying mechanism through multiple connecting portions. This merging reduces component count and assembly steps, directly lowering production costs while preserving the capability to support increased numbers of nozzles for higher printing speed and resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The single FPC board is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple purposes: it connects to multiple extending portions of the COF board, supplies driving signals to multiple nozzles, and maintains mechanical flexibility. This universal design eliminates the need for separate FPC boards for each nozzle group, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost
3Ease of operation
If multiple connectors are mounted on the control board to connect FPC boards, then the wiring connections can be established, but the arrangement space in ink-jet printer is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple connector functions into a single FPC board interface. Instead of having separate connectors for each FPC board, the design uses one FPC board with multiple connecting portions that integrate the connector functionality, thereby reducing the total number of connectors needed and freeing up arrangement space in the ink-jet printer
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid droplet discharge apparatus includes a liquid droplet discharge head having a plurality of nozzles which discharge liquid droplets and a pressure applying mechanism which selectively applies a pressure to discharge the liquid droplets from the nozzles; a first wiring board which is flexible and which is connected to the pressure applying mechanism; and a second wiring board which is connected to the first wiring board; and the first wiring board has a pair of extending portions which extend on mutually opposite sides from a connecting portion to be connected to the pressure applying mechanism, the pair of extending portions are bent so that forward end portions thereof face each other, and the second wiring board is connected to the pair of extending portions so that the second wiring board overlaps the mutually facing forward end portions of the pair of extending portions.