Liquid Ejecting Head Circuit Substrate Segmentation for Nozzle Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink jet recording head units face challenges in aligning nozzle rows linearly due to the central placement of the circuit substrate, leading to overlapping issues and variations in ejection characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A liquid ejecting head unit design with a planar shape featuring multiple circuit substrates positioned across the center line and adjacent areas, allowing nozzles to overlap and align linearly, with common parts utilization and reduced connector needs, facilitating easier connection and temperature measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the circuit substrate is positioned in the center of the holder, then the ink jet recording heads can be disposed on both sides, but the nozzle rows cannot be aligned linearly in one direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit substrate positioningVSAvoidnozzle row alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit substrate is divided into multiple separate substrates (first circuit substrate and second circuit substrate) positioned in different portions of the holder. This segmentation allows each substrate to be independently positioned to achieve linear nozzle alignment, resolving the contradiction between having circuit substrates on both sides and maintaining linear nozzle row alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If nozzle rows are arranged in a staggered pattern, then coverage area is improved, but the nozzles are not aligned linearly in one direction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle coverage areaVSAvoidnozzle alignment linearity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a staggered two-dimensional arrangement to a linear one-dimensional arrangement by positioning circuit substrates in specific portions of the holder. This dimensional change allows nozzles to be aligned in one direction while still achieving adequate coverage area through the linear configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of moving object

If the circuit substrate width is spread out in the center position, then both sides can be utilized, but the nozzle rows cannot be disposed linearly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit substrate area utilizationVSAvoidnozzle row linear disposition

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Different portions of the holder are assigned different functions: the first portion contains the first circuit substrate for linear nozzle alignment, while the second portion contains the second circuit substrate for additional functionality. This local differentiation allows each area to serve its specific purpose without compromising overall linear alignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11318743B2Liquid ejecting head unhand liquid ejecting apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A liquid ejecting head unit includes an ejecting surface in which nozzles for ejecting a liquid are formed, and a first and a second circuit substrates for ejecting the liquid from the nozzles, in which a planar shape of the ejecting surface includes a first, a second and a third portions. A center line parallel to a long side of a rectangle of a minimum area surrounding the ejecting surface passes the first portion but not the second and third portions. The second and third portions are arranged adjacently to the first portion interposed therebetween. The first circuit substrate is positioned in the first and second portions. The second circuit substrate is positioned in at least one of the first and third portions.