Inkjet Head Coupling Structure for Cooling-Path Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid jet heads face issues with dimensional errors in the openings of the ejecting and cooling flow paths leading to excessive load on coupling members, which can cause deformation and leakage.
Innovation Solution
A dual-partitioning coupling structure with jet-side and cooling-side coupling members, where the cooling-side coupling member has a coupling surface extending along the jet-side member and crossing the cooling pipe, absorbing dimensional errors and preventing excessive load, and a housing recess with an elastic member to align and support the cooling pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single coupling component is used to connect the ejecting flow path and cooling flow path openings, then the structure is simple, but excessive load is applied to the coupling member due to dimensional errors causing deformation and leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling structure is divided into two separate coupling members: a first coupling member connecting the ejecting flow path opening, and a second coupling member connecting the cooling flow path opening. This segmentation allows each coupling member to independently handle dimensional errors in its respective connection, preventing excessive load concentration and eliminating the risk of deformation-induced leakage while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
2Strength
If the coupling members are made rigid to maintain structural stability, then the strength is high, but dimensional errors cause excessive load and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the coupling into two independent members, each rigid coupling member can be optimized for its specific connection point. The first coupling member handles the ejecting flow path connection with its own dimensional tolerances, while the second coupling member handles the cooling flow path connection separately. This allows both members to maintain high strength and rigidity without being compromised by cumulative dimensional errors from a single rigid structure.
3Reliability
If the coupling members are made flexible to absorb dimensional errors, then the reliability improves, but the structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmentation into two separate coupling members allows each component to be optimally designed for its specific function. Each coupling member can be made sufficiently rigid to maintain structural integrity and strength at its connection point, while the distributed arrangement of the two members collectively absorbs dimensional errors through independent adjustment, avoiding the need for overly flexible (and thus weaker) single-component designs.
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
Prevents deformation of coupling members and leakage by distributing load and aligning dimensional errors, ensuring secure coupling and effective operation of the liquid jet head.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member formed to have a ring-like shape along an outer circumference of the cooling pipe
Data Source
AI summary
An occurrence of leakage is prevented. An inkjet head jets ink. The inkjet head is provided with a head main body, a cooling pipe, a jet-side coupling member, and a cooling-side coupling member, wherein the head main body has a jet flow path through which the ink passes, the cooling pipe has a cooling flow path through which the ink passes as a cooling medium for cooling a drive circuit, the jet-side coupling member is coupled to the head main body, a jet-side branch path branches from an ink flow path into which the ink inflows from an outside of the inkjet head, or from which the ink outflows, the jet-side branch path is communicated with the jet flow path, the jet-side branch path is provided to the jet-side coupling member, and the cooling-side coupling member is coupled to the jet-side coupling member, and is provided with a cooling-side branch path which branches from the ink flow path, and which is communicated with the cooling flow path. The cooling-side coupling member has a coupling surface along one surface of the jet-side coupling member, and along a direction perpendicular to the cooling pipe.