Inkjet Head Flat Cable Wire Routing for Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet heads with high-density pressure chambers face challenges in reducing the area of flexible printed circuits, leading to increased manufacturing costs and thermal inequality issues due to the limited density of drive wires.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a flat cable with increased wire pitch and reduced area, featuring first and second driver circuits with output terminals between them, allowing for equalized thermal influence and reduced manufacturing costs by optimizing the arrangement of drive and controller wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the density of pressure chambers is increased to improve printing quality and reduce head size, then printing resolution is improved, but the area of flexible printed circuits increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-plane wire arrangement to a three-dimensional routing structure by extending wires in multiple directions (upward, downward, leftward, rightward) from connection pads. This multi-dimensional wire layout allows higher wire density without increasing the flat circuit area, resolving the contradiction between high-resolution printing requirements and circuit board area constraints.
2Manufacturing precision
If the density of drive wires is increased to connect high-density individual electrodes, then electrode connection density is improved, but the pitch between adjacent wires decreases and manufacturing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the connection pad array into multiple groups (first through fourth groups) arranged in different regions. Wires from different groups extend in different directions, segmenting the wire routing into manageable sections. This segmentation maintains adequate wire pitch for manufacturability while achieving high overall connection density through coordinated multi-directional routing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple flexible printed circuits are used to arrange drive wires, then wire arrangement flexibility is improved, but the total area of flexible printed circuits increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple wire routing functions into a single flexible printed circuit by implementing a multi-directional wire extension scheme from connection pads. Instead of using separate circuits for different wire groups, all drive wires and controller wires are integrated into one circuit board with wires extending in four directions, reducing total circuit area while maintaining arrangement flexibility.
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 enables a more compact and cost-effective inkjet head with improved thermal management and high-density electrode formation, enhancing printing resolution and reducing manufacturing expenses.
Implementation Method 1
the corresponding active portion of the piezoelectric sheet is made to expand or contract in the lamination direction due to a longitudinal piezoelectric effect
Implementation Method 2
The deformation of the active portion causes a volume of the corresponding pressure chamber to be changed, whereby the ink stored in the pressure chamber is pressurized to be ejected through the corresponding nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet head includes a flat cable having: (a) first drive wires connecting first output terminals and a first driver circuit; (b) first controller wires extending from the first driver circuit; (c) second drive wires connecting second output terminals and a second driver circuit; and (d) second controller wires extending from the second driver circuit. The output terminals includes (i) a terminal which is most distant from the first driver circuit among the output terminals and which is one of the second output terminals, and/or (ii) a terminal which is most distant from the second driver circuit among the output terminals and which is one of the first output terminals. The first controller wires extend from the first driver circuit toward one of opposite sides of the second driver circuit that is remote from the first driver circuit.