Connector Design for Liquid Ejecting Apparatus Size and Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting apparatuses face challenges in easily attaching and detaching drive signal output circuits and head units while maintaining high reliability and reducing size, leading to potential impairment of ease of attachment and detachment due to densely arranged circuit elements.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting apparatus design featuring a head unit with a piezoelectric element and a drive signal output unit, where the head unit includes a first rigid substrate and a first connector, and the drive signal output unit includes a second rigid substrate and a second connector, with the connectors fitting in a receptacle and plug shape respectively, ensuring direct contact and electrical coupling for stable signal propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the size of the liquid ejecting apparatus is reduced, then the compactness is improved, but the ease of attachment and detachment between drive signal output circuit and head unit deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into separable modules: a head unit module containing the piezoelectric element and its circuit elements, and a drive signal output unit module containing the amplifier circuit. These modules can be independently attached and detached while maintaining reliable electrical connections through connectors, thus achieving compactness without sacrificing ease of maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design uses a plug-and-receptacle configuration that extends the connection interface in a direction perpendicular to the main apparatus plane. This dimensional approach allows for reliable electrical contact while keeping the overall footprint compact, enabling easy attachment/detachment without increasing the apparatus volume.
2Volume of moving object
If circuit elements are densely arranged to reduce size, then the compactness is improved, but the reliability of electrical connection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Circuit elements are segmented into two groups: those integrated with the piezoelectric element in the head unit, and those in the separate drive signal output unit. This segmentation prevents overcrowding while ensuring reliable connections through dedicated connectors with multiple contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
Connectors serve as intermediary components between the head unit and drive signal output unit. The receptacle and plug configuration provides a stable mechanical and electrical interface, ensuring reliable signal transmission without requiring dense arrangement of circuit elements.
3Ease of repair
If the drive signal output circuit and head unit are made detachable for maintenance, then the ease of repair is improved, but the complexity of the connection interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable design segments the apparatus into serviceable modules. The connector interface is segmented into standardized plug and receptacle components, simplifying the attachment/detachment process while maintaining reliable electrical connections for the drive signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design provides multi-functionality: it simultaneously establishes mechanical support, electrical signal transmission, and alignment between modules. This universal interface simplifies maintenance operations despite the apparent complexity of the connection requirements.
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 allows for a compact apparatus size reduction, easy attachment and detachment of components, and improved reliability by stabilizing the electrical connection and reducing waveform distortion in drive signals, enhancing maintainability and ink ejection accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a head unit that includes a piezoelectric element that is driven with supply of a drive signal and ejects a liquid by driving the piezoelectric element
Implementation Method 2
the first rigid substrate and the second rigid substrate are electrically coupled by fitting the first connector and the second connector so that the first terminal and the second terminal are in direct contact with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a head, 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 fixed to the first rigid substrate, and a first terminal, the second connector includes a second fixing portion fixed to the second rigid substrate, and a second terminal, the first connector has a receptacle shape, the second connector has a plug shape, and the first rigid substrate and the second rigid substrate are electrically coupled by fitting the first connector and the second connector so that the first terminal and the second terminal are in direct contact with each other.