Inkjet Head Nozzle Row Spacing via Outer Contact Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing inkjet head configuration requires a significant distance between nozzle rows to accommodate contacts for piezoelectric elements, leading to variations in ink droplet landing positions when the head is mounted inclinatorily, affecting printing accuracy.
Innovation Solution
The configuration is modified to position contacts at outer positions relative to the piezoelectric element rows, allowing for a reduced distance between nozzle rows and improving alignment by using separate channel substrates and manifold substrates with specific arrangements of pressure chambers and piezoelectric elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If contacts are positioned between adjacent piezoelectric element rows, then wiring can be simplified with fewer wiring members, but the distance between nozzle rows increases causing ink droplet landing position variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions contacts from the space between piezoelectric element rows to outer positions beyond the piezoelectric element rows in the scanning direction. This spatial relocation in another dimension (from inter-row to outer-position arrangement) allows wiring members to access contacts without requiring increased distance between nozzle rows, thus maintaining both wiring simplicity and printing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing contacts in the conventional location between piezoelectric element rows, the patent inverts the arrangement by positioning contacts at outer positions beyond the piezoelectric element rows. This inverted configuration reverses the spatial relationship, allowing wiring members to connect to contacts from the outer side rather than from between rows, thereby resolving the contradiction between wiring simplicity and positioning precision.
2Ease of operation
If distance between nozzle rows is increased to accommodate contacts, then contacts can be positioned between piezoelectric element rows, but printing accuracy deteriorates due to landing position variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates contacts from the inter-row dimension to an outer-position dimension beyond the piezoelectric element rows. This dimensional change allows contacts to be positioned without increasing the distance between nozzle rows, maintaining both ease of contact positioning and high printing accuracy through proper spatial arrangement.
3Manufacturing precision
If contacts are positioned at outer positions, then distance between nozzle rows can be reduced improving alignment, but wiring routing becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional contact positioning approach by placing contacts at outer positions rather than between rows. This inversion, combined with providing wiring members that extend from outer positions toward the center, simplifies wiring routing by allowing direct access to contacts from the outer side, reducing overall wiring complexity while maintaining improved nozzle row alignment.
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 arrangement reduces the distance between nozzle rows, enhancing printing accuracy and maintaining the compactness of the inkjet head components, thereby improving the consistency of ink droplet landing positions.
Implementation Method 1
Each flow path substrate includes piezoelectric elements on its one surface opposite to its other surface to which the communication plate is joined
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejection device is disclosed. One liquid ejection device includes a plurality of first contacts connected to a plurality of first piezoelectric elements, respectively, and positioned at a more outer position than a first piezoelectric element row and a second piezoelectric element row from a center of the device in a second direction. The liquid ejection device includes a plurality of second contacts connected to a plurality of second piezoelectric elements, respectively, and positioned at a more outer position than a third piezoelectric element row and a fourth piezoelectric element row from the center of the liquid ejection device in the second direction.