Liquid Ejection Head Unit Coupling With Guided Connector Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial printers face issues with position gaps in connector fitting due to misalignment, leading to potential electrical coupling failures and connector damage when attaching large-sized head units.
Innovation Solution
A carriage with a first and second carriage surface, fixed by fixation members, and a head unit with movable holding portions and connectors, ensuring parallel alignment and secure fitting to prevent misalignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If indirect fitting of electric connector is used to simplify attachment work, then ease of operation is improved, but position gap and misalignment occur leading to reliability deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
A guide portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the connector and the carriage. This guide portion includes a guide groove that guides the connector during attachment, ensuring proper alignment and preventing position gaps while maintaining the simplified indirect fitting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide groove is pre-formed on the guide portion to establish the correct alignment path before the actual connector attachment. This preliminary guidance structure ensures that even when manual attachment is performed, the connector naturally follows the correct trajectory to avoid misalignment.
2Manufacturing precision
If large-sized head unit is mounted to achieve high-definition printing, then printing quality is improved, but misalignment in all directions increases causing connector damage
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion acts as a protective intermediary that shields the connector from misalignment issues. By providing a dedicated guide groove, the system accommodates the larger head unit dimensions while preventing excessive movement that could damage the connector during attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide groove structure provides beforehand cushioning by establishing a safe alignment path that prevents sudden misalignment shocks. This preliminary guidance protects the connector from damage before misalignment can occur, even when handling larger head units.
3Productivity
If connector is forcibly fitted to achieve electrical coupling, then productivity is improved, but connector strength deteriorates due to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion serves as a mediator that enables smooth, non-forced attachment. The guide groove allows the connector to be gently guided into position, achieving electrical coupling without requiring excessive force that would damage the connector strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide groove provides dynamic guidance during the attachment process, allowing the connector to naturally follow the groove's path. This dynamic guidance enables productive attachment while distributing the mating force evenly, preventing localized stress damage to the connector.
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
Ensures reliable electrical coupling and prevents connector damage by maintaining precise alignment during attachment of large head units, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of high-speed high-definition printing.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid ejection head including a piezoelectric element configured to eject the liquid by application of the drive signal
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection apparatus includes a carriage and a head unit, wherein the carriage includes a first carriage surface on which the head unit is mounted, a first connector, a second carriage surface crossing the first carriage surface, and a first fixation member and a second fixation member, the head unit includes a drive board, a second connector to be coupled to the first connector, and a liquid ejection head, the first connector includes a base portion, a coupling portion extending from the base portion and provided with a terminal group including a terminal to which the power supply voltage propagates, and a first holding portion and a second holding portion for holding the base portion movably in a predetermined range, and the first fixation member and the second fixation member fix the first holding portion and the second holding portion to the second carriage surface.