Ink Jet Head Wiring via Driver IC and Penetrating Sheet
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high density of wirings in existing ink jet heads necessitates expensive micro-machining, limiting the ability to increase nozzle density due to restricted spacing and rising manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of a driver IC and a sheet with a reduced number of input terminals and wirings, allowing for larger spacing between wirings and reducing the need for high-density wiring patterns, thereby decreasing manufacturing costs and enabling further densification of nozzles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the number of wirings is increased to match the number of nozzles, then the nozzle density can be increased, but the wiring density becomes too high requiring expensive micro-machining
Solution Approach 1:
The wirings are segmented into two groups: first wirings that penetrate the sheet from the first surface to the second surface, and second wirings that extend only on the first surface. This segmentation allows the wirings to be distributed across different spatial dimensions, reducing the density requirement on any single plane and enabling manufacturing with less advanced micro-machining technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional wiring layout (all wirings on one surface) to a three-dimensional configuration by having wirings penetrate through the sheet thickness. This adds the dimension of depth, allowing wirings to be routed through the volume of the sheet rather than being constrained to a single plane, thereby reducing wiring density requirements.
2Quantity of substance
If the spacing between wirings is reduced to accommodate more wirings, then more actuators can be driven, but the manufacturing cost increases due to required micro-machining precision
Solution Approach 1:
The wiring network is divided into first wirings (penetrating through the sheet) and second wirings (extending only on the first surface). This segmentation allows the total number of wirings to be increased while maintaining larger spacing between individual wirings, as they are distributed across different spatial levels rather than being packed closely in a single plane.
Solution Approach 2:
By utilizing the third dimension (sheet thickness) for routing first wirings, the patent effectively increases the available wiring capacity without reducing spacing on the two-dimensional surface. This dimensional expansion allows more wirings to be accommodated while maintaining manufacturable spacing, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
3Device complexity
If a driver IC is introduced to select and transmit driving voltages, then the number of wirings can be reduced, but additional components and complexity are added
Solution Approach 1:
The driver IC merges the functions of multiple wiring connections into a single integrated component. Instead of requiring separate wirings for each actuator, the driver IC receives control signals through fewer input terminals and internally manages the distribution of driving voltages to multiple actuators through its output terminals, thereby reducing overall wiring complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver IC serves multiple functions: it receives control signals, selects which actuator to activate, generates the appropriate driving voltage, and transmits it to the corresponding actuator. This multi-functional component replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate wiring paths and control circuits, simplifying the overall system architecture.
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 approach reduces the cost of manufacturing the wiring member and allows for increased nozzle density without requiring advanced micro-machining technology, enabling more efficient and cost-effective production of ink jet heads.
Implementation Method 1
Each pressure chamber is coupled with a uniquely corresponding actuator. Each actuator is connected to a uniquely corresponding electrode. When a driving voltage is applied to a selected electrode, ink within the pressure chamber coupled with the actuator connected to the selected electrode is pressed and ink is discharged from the nozzle connected to the pressure chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet head is presented that decreases the density in wiring patterns to be connected to a large number of actuator terminals formed on a main body of the ink jet head while ensuring large spacing between the wirings. The ink jet head comprises a main body, a driver IC, and a sheet. The main body comprises a plurality of nozzles, a plurality of pressure chambers, a plurality of actuators, and a plurality of actuator terminals distributed on a surface of the main body. The driver IC can select any actuator terminal among the plurality of actuator terminals and transmit a driving voltage to the selected actuator terminal. The sheet mounts the driver IC at a first surface of the sheet and is fixed to the main body at a second surface. The sheet comprises a plurality of input terminals, a plurality of output terminals distributed on the second surface, a plurality of first wirings connecting the input terminals and the driver IC, and a plurality of second wirings connecting the driver IC and the output terminals. Output terminals of the sheet are connected to the actuator terminals of the main body. The second wiring penetrates the sheet.