Inkjet Head Wiring Cable Routing to Prevent Ink Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet recording devices face connection failures due to ink leakage and mist adhering to connection terminals, with previous solutions either allowing ink to flow into protective casings or applying excessive bending loads to wiring cables, leading to electrical or physical disconnection issues.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet head design featuring an exterior member that covers the ink ejector and wiring board, with a wiring cable connected to a terminal exposed through a specific arrangement of an exterior and cover member, allowing the cable to pass through a space between the wiring board and cover member, reducing the risk of ink adhesion and minimizing bending loads by increasing the cable's radius of curvature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wiring cable is bent with a small bend radius to lead it through the cap member, then the wiring board is protected from ink exposure, but a large bending load is applied to the wiring cable causing easy breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The wiring cable is routed through a different spatial path - passing through a hole in the cap member rather than being bent at a small radius. This dimensional change in the cable's trajectory eliminates the bending load while maintaining protection of the wiring board area from ink exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap member acts as an intermediary structure that provides a hole for the wiring cable to pass through. This intermediary element allows the cable to traverse the protective barrier without being bent, distributing the cable path through the cap member's structure rather than forcing a sharp bend.
2Ease of operation
If the wiring cable is led through a gap between the opening in the cover member and the wiring cable, then the wiring board is exposed, but ink can flow into the inner side of the cover member and adhere to connection terminals causing electrical connection failure
Solution Approach 1:
The connection terminal is extracted from the vulnerable position on the wiring board surface and repositioned to a location protected by the cap member. The wiring cable passes through a hole in the cap member, extracting the cable path from the ink-exposed gap area while maintaining electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection terminal is nested within the protected space created by the cap member, similar to nested dolls where one object is placed inside another. The cap member forms an outer protective layer that encloses the connection terminal, preventing ink from reaching the electrical components while the wiring cable passes through the cap member's structure.
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 effectively prevents connection failures by minimizing ink adhesion to electrical components and reducing the risk of wiring breakage, ensuring reliable electrical connections and extended device lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
an ink ejector that ejects ink from the opening of a nozzle in response to operation of a piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet head includes: an ink ejector in which an opening of a nozzle is provided in an ink ejection surface, and which includes an actuating element that performs an operation for ejecting ink; a wiring board that is provided with a circuit wiring electrically connected to the actuating element, and is disposed in a direction crossing the ink election surface on a side opposite to the ink ejection surface of the ink ejector; an exterior member that covers the ink ejector and the wiring board while exposing the ink ejection surface of the ink ejector and a part of the wiring board; and a wiring cable that is attached to a connection terminal disposed in an area exposed front the exterior member on one surface of the wiring board so as to be electrically connected to the circuit wiring.