Liquid Ejecting Head Board-to-Board Connector Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid ejecting heads, such as those used in ink jet printers, tend to enlarge in the direction of liquid discharge due to the elongation of relay boards and flexible boards, which complicates their design and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting head configuration featuring a rigid circuit board coupled to flexible boards on head chips, with a relay board acting as a connector to an external wiring member, utilizing board-to-board connectors to maintain a compact design and facilitate easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the relay board is elongated substantially in the liquid discharge direction to connect flexible boards of head chips, then the connector can be coupled to external wiring members, but the liquid ejecting head enlarges in the liquid discharge direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the relay board from being elongated in the liquid discharge direction (first direction) to being elongated in the width direction (second direction perpendicular to liquid discharge). This dimensional change allows the connector to be positioned at the end of the relay board in the width direction, enabling external wiring coupling without increasing the length in the liquid discharge direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rigid circuit board as an intermediary component between the flexible boards of head chips and the relay board. This circuit board is coupled to the flexible boards and to the relay board, mediating the connection and allowing the relay board to be positioned optimally for connector placement without directly extending the liquid discharge path length.
2Reliability
If flexible boards of head chips are combined into the connector, then electrical connection is achieved, but the relay board must be elongated and dedicated support structures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The relay board serves multiple functions: it provides electrical connection between the flexible boards and external wiring members through the connector, provides mechanical support for the connector, and acts as a structural platform for the circuit board. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated support structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of electrical connection, mechanical support, and structural platform into a single relay board component. The relay board combines the electrical connection function (through integrated circuits and connector) with the mechanical support function, eliminating the need for separate support structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head includes: multiple head chips; a first board that is a rigid board coupled to multiple flexible boards mounted on the respective head chips; and a second board that is disposed opposite the head chips with the first board therebetween and that is a rigid board provided with a connector. The first board has a first and second board-to-board connectors; the second board has a third and fourth board-to-board connectors. The first board-to-board connector mates with the third board-to-board connector so that the first board-to-board connector is coupled to the third board-to-board connector. The second board-to-board connector mates with the fourth board-to-board connector so that the second board-to-board connector is coupled to the fourth board-to-board connector. The connector is electrically coupled to both the third and fourth board-to-board connectors.