Liquid Ejecting Head Unit Compact Flow Path Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid ejecting head units and modules are enlarged in size due to the distribution flow path, which increases the width and size of ink jet recording head units and apparatuses, affecting their efficiency and installation complexity.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a flow path member with connecting portions positioned to overlap specific portions of the ejection surface, allowing for reduced width and improved tube attachment efficiency, with distinct supply and discharge ports and connectors to prevent errors and leakage, and a head fixation mechanism to facilitate mounting and reduce size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the distribution flow path is disposed on the side surface of the ink jet head units, then the ink can be distributed to the respective head units, but the width and size of the ink jet head unit is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path member is positioned to overlap with the ejection surface in the width direction, transitioning from a side-surface arrangement to a top-overlapping arrangement. This dimensional repositioning allows the flow path to be integrated within the existing width envelope, eliminating the need to increase the width dimension while maintaining effective ink distribution to multiple head units.
2Length of stationary object
If multiple connecting portions are disposed close to each other, then the width can be reduced, but the distance between connecting portions becomes insufficient for reliable tube attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting portions are arranged in two different heights (first height and second height) rather than being coplanar. This vertical differentiation creates sufficient horizontal spacing between connecting portions at the same height level, ensuring adequate distance for reliable tube attachment while maintaining compact overall width. The dynamic vertical arrangement resolves the conflict between compactness and attachment reliability.
3Volume of moving object
If the ejection surface is made compact, then the device size is reduced, but the space for arranging connecting portions and ensuring proper distances is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting portions are distributed across two different height levels (first height and second height) rather than being constrained to a single plane. This vertical dimensionality allows multiple connecting portions to be arranged within a compact horizontal footprint while maintaining sufficient separation distances. The multi-level arrangement eliminates the need for large horizontal spacing, thereby reducing overall device size without compromising connection reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head unit including: an ejection surface including nozzles being arranged in a first-direction; and a flow-path-member including a flow path communicating with the nozzles, wherein the ejection surface has a planar shape including a first-portion and a second-portion, the first-portion and the second-portion are arranged in the first-direction with respect to each other, the first-portion spans across a center-line of a rectangle having a minimum area that surrounds the ejection surface, the center-line extending parallel to the first-direction, the second-portion is located adjacent to the first-portion in the first-direction and shifted away from the center-line in a second-direction that substantially perpendicular to the first-direction, the flow-path-member includes first-connecting ports, at least one of the first-connecting ports communicating with the flow path, and the first-connecting ports overlap the second-portion in plan view of the ejection surface and are shifted away from each other in the first-direction.