Liquid Discharge Head Circuit Stacking for Compact, Accurate Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid discharge apparatuses face challenges in size reduction, improvement of discharge accuracy, and productivity enhancement, despite advancements in increasing the number of nozzles and discharge amount per unit time.
Innovation Solution
A liquid discharge apparatus with a unique configuration of drive circuits and substrates, including first and second integrated circuits, transistors, and coils, arranged in specific overlapping and non-overlapping positions to optimize space utilization and improve discharge efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple drive circuits are provided to increase discharge amount per unit time, then productivity is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar arrangement of drive circuits to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. Multiple drive circuits are positioned on different substrates (first substrate and second substrate) that are adjacent to each other, utilizing the vertical dimension to accommodate multiple circuits without increasing the horizontal footprint of the apparatus.
2Manufacturing precision
If drive circuits are arranged in a conventional manner, then manufacturing is simple, but discharge accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements different arrangement configurations for different drive circuits. The first drive circuit and second drive circuit are arranged on the first substrate with specific spatial relationships, while the third drive circuit is arranged on the second substrate. This localized optimization of circuit positioning enables improved discharge accuracy for each circuit region while maintaining overall system functionality.
3Productivity
If substrates are arranged to maximize space utilization, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the drive circuit system into separate modules on different substrates. The first substrate contains the first and second drive circuits, while the second substrate contains the third drive circuit. This segmentation allows each substrate to be manufactured and tested independently before assembly, reducing the overall manufacturing complexity compared to integrating all circuits on a single substrate.
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
The apparatus achieves enhanced productivity, improved discharge accuracy, and reduced size by optimizing the arrangement of drive circuits and substrates, enhancing overall performance.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element that changes shape in response to a driving signal and discharges liquid from the print head
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a liquid discharge apparatus including: a first substrate and a second substrate are positioned such that the first substrate front surface and the second substrate front surface face each other along a fourth direction intersecting both a first direction and a second direction, the first drive circuit provided on the first substrate overlaps with at least a part of the second drive circuit provided on the first substrate, and a first integrated circuit included in the first drive circuit does not overlap with a second integrated circuit included in the second drive circuit, along the second direction, and the first drive circuit overlaps with at least a part of a third drive circuit provided on the second substrate, and the first integrated circuit included in the first drive circuit does not overlap with a third integrated circuit included in the third drive circuit, along the fourth direction.