Fluid Discharge Head Wiring Simplification via Electrode Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid discharge heads, such as inkjet heads, have complex wiring configurations that complicate packaging and increase the risk of discharge failures due to electric current flow in conductive fluids.

Innovation Solution

A simplified wiring configuration is achieved by forming individual electrodes in second grooves and common electrodes in first grooves, with connection electrodes in third grooves, allowing for reduced terminal count and increased wiring pitch, and grounding common electrodes to prevent electric current flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If common electrodes and individual electrodes are mounted on a driving circuit in a share-mode shared-wall scheme, then fluid discharge function is achieved, but wiring becomes complex and packaging is complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid discharge functionVSAvoidwiring configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrodes are segmented into common electrodes formed in grooves of the base and individual electrodes formed on the driving circuit, with each serving distinct functions. This segmentation allows simplified wiring where common electrodes are grounded and individual electrodes receive voltage signals, reducing overall wiring complexity while maintaining discharge functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The common electrodes are extracted from the driving circuit and formed directly in grooves of the base structure. This extraction simplifies the wiring configuration by separating the common grounding function from the individual voltage application function, making packaging easier while preserving the fluid discharge capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If complex wiring configuration is used to achieve fluid discharge function, then electrode functionality is maintained, but discharge failures due to electric current flow increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode functionalityVSAvoiddischarge failures

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention converts the potential harmful effect of electric current flow in conductive fluid into a beneficial design feature by grounding the common electrodes formed in the base. This grounding configuration safely directs electric current away from the conductive fluid, preventing discharge failures while maintaining the necessary electrode functionality for fluid discharge operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If common electrodes are formed in grooves of the base and grounded, then electric current flow is prevented, but wiring configuration must be simplified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectric current flow preventionVSAvoidwiring configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The common electrodes are merged with the base structure by forming them directly in grooves of the base. This integration combines the base structure and common electrode function into a single component, automatically providing grounding and preventing electric current flow without requiring additional complex wiring configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If individual electrodes are formed in grooves and common electrodes on driving circuit, then electrode function is achieved, but packaging becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrode functionVSAvoidpackaging space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The conventional arrangement is inverted: instead of forming common electrodes on the driving circuit and individual electrodes in grooves, the invention forms common electrodes in the grooves of the base and individual electrodes on the driving circuit. This inversion simplifies packaging by integrating common electrodes into the base structure, reducing the space required for wiring and electrode mounting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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

This configuration simplifies packaging, reduces the risk of discharge failures, and enhances the reliability of fluid discharge operations by separating voltage application from fluid flow paths.

Implementation Method 1

a base including a laminated piezoelectric body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10836165B2Fluid discharge head and fluid discharge apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 RISO TECH CORP

AI summary

A fluid discharge head according to an embodiment includes abase including a plurality of first grooves disposed side by side in a first direction and a plurality of second grooves disposed side by side in the first direction and respectively disposed among the plurality of first grooves, an individual wire including individual electrodes formed in the second grooves, the individual wire being extended to one side in a second direction crossing the first direction, a common wire including common electrodes formed in the first grooves, the common wire being extended to the other side in the second direction, a connection wire connected to the common wire on the other side in the second direction and leading to the one side, and a nozzle plate including nozzles that communicate with the first grooves of the base.