Inkjet Head Connector Tin Plating Against Ink Corrosion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses, such as ink jet printers, face issues with corrosion at connectors due to the diverse physical properties of inks, leading to unreliable drive signal supply and ink ejection, as previous technologies lack sufficient countermeasures.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus includes a head unit with a piezoelectric element driven by a drive signal, and a drive signal output unit with connectors that have a receptacle and plug shape, where at least one fixing portion is tin-plated, ensuring direct contact and improved corrosion resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a connector is used to supply drive signal between head unit and drive signal output unit, then electrical connection is established, but corrosion occurs due to ink adhesion reducing reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrive signal supply reliabilityVSAvoidink corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A resin layer is introduced as an intermediary substance between the connector terminal and the ink environment. This resin coating acts as a barrier that prevents ink from directly contacting and corroding the electrical terminal, while still allowing the connector to perform its primary function of electrical signal transmission. The resin layer mediates between the electrical component and the corrosive ink environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector terminal with resin coating is designed as a protective interface that can be replaced if corrosion occurs. Rather than designing complex corrosion-resistant materials for the entire connector system, the solution uses a simple, inexpensive resin coating that can be applied and replaced easily, treating the protective layer as a consumable component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of manufacture

If connector structure is simplified for ease of assembly, then manufacturing is easier, but corrosion resistance against diverse ink types is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector assembly easeVSAvoidcorrosion resistance against diverse inks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The solution changes the physical-chemical parameters of the connector surface by applying a resin coating. This coating modifies the surface properties to be chemically inert and resistant to various ink compositions, while maintaining the original simple connector structure and assembly process. The parameter change is applied only to the surface layer, not the bulk structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If tin plating is applied to fixing portion, then corrosion resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector corrosion resistanceVSAvoidconnector structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Tin plating is applied locally only to the fixing portion of the connector that is most susceptible to corrosion, rather than coating the entire connector. This localized treatment provides maximum corrosion protection at the critical interface where the connector attaches to the head unit, while minimizing the complexity and cost of the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 enhances the reliability of electrical coupling between the drive signal output unit and the head unit, reducing the likelihood of drive signal failure due to ink corrosion, thus ensuring consistent ink ejection across various ink types.

Implementation Method 1

a head unit 20 including a piezoelectric element 60 that is driven with supply of a drive signal and ejects ink by driving the piezoelectric element 60

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

at least one of the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion is tin-plated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroplating: Electroplating

Data Source

PatentUS12128682B2Liquid ejecting apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.10.29 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head unit, and a drive signal output unit that outputs a drive signal. The head unit includes a first rigid substrate, and a first connector to which the drive signal is input, the drive signal output unit includes a second rigid substrate, and a second connector from which the drive signal is output, the first connector includes a first fixing portion, and a first terminal, the second connector includes a second fixing portion, and a second terminal, one of the first connector and the second connector has a receptacle shape, the other has a plug shape, the first connector and the second connector are fitted so that the first terminal and the second terminal are in direct contact with each other, and at least one of the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion is tin-plated.