Liquid Discharge Head Mounting Geometry for Precise Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in ensuring accurate and stable mounting of liquid discharge heads on liquid discharge apparatuses, which can lead to a decrease in recording quality.

Innovation Solution

The liquid discharge apparatus includes a support member with a reference member and a pressed portion configured to securely and stably mount the liquid discharge head, utilizing a reference member and pressed portion arrangement that maintains high accuracy and flexibility for various apparatus types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a liquid discharge head is designed to be easily replaceable, then ease of operation is improved, but positioning accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of replacementVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the support member with both reference members (for positioning) and pressed portions (for securing) before the liquid discharge head is mounted. The reference members are positioned at predetermined locations that establish accurate positioning, while the pressed portions are pre-positioned to apply securing forces. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the head is simply attached, both accurate positioning and secure mounting are achieved simultaneously without requiring complex adjustment procedures during replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the liquid discharge head is securely mounted, then reliability is improved, but positioning accuracy may worsen due to mounting stress

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by distributing the securing function to multiple discrete pressed portions (first, second, and third pressed portions) positioned at different locations on the support member. Each pressed portion applies localized securing force to specific areas of the liquid discharge head, preventing concentrated stress that could cause positioning deviation. The reference members are also positioned at specific locations (first end portion and second end portion) to provide localized positioning references. This distributed approach ensures both secure mounting and maintained positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the support structure is simplified for easy replacement, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport structure complexityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the support member to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides positioning through reference members, securing through pressed portions, and structural support. The reference members serve both as positioning references and as structural elements of the support member. The pressed portions not only secure the head but also define the mounting geometry. This multi-functional design achieves accurate positioning and secure mounting without requiring separate complex positioning mechanisms, thereby maintaining simplicity while ensuring precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250388034A1Liquid discharge head and liquid discharge apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.12.25 CANON KK
  • US20250388034A1 patent drawing
  • US20250388034A1 patent drawing
  • US20250388034A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A liquid discharge head includes a discharge element substrate including a discharge port array formed along a first direction, a support member configured to support the discharge element substrate, and a reference member configured to position the discharge element substrate with respect to a predetermined portion, wherein the reference member includes at least three reference members, wherein the support member includes, as a pressed portion configured to receive a force for pressing the predetermined portion, at least three pressed portions, and wherein a triangle formed by connecting reference points defined by the three reference members has a center of gravity inside a triangle formed by connecting the three pressed portions.