Liquid Ejecting Head Gap Sealing via Overlapping Fixing Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting technologies face challenges in preventing ink from entering gaps between modules, leading to potential ink adhesion on printing media due to the arrangement of multiple nozzles, which affects accuracy and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting head design featuring a first and second fixing plate configuration where the second plate overlaps the gap between modules, with a larger opening on the second plate to accommodate positional errors, and a side wall extending to guide the ink and reinforce mechanical strength, thereby preventing ink entry into the gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple liquid ejecting modules are arranged to expand nozzle distribution range, then the coverage area is improved, but liquid can enter gaps between modules and adhere to the medium
Solution Approach 1:
A cover plate is introduced as an intermediary component between adjacent liquid ejecting modules. The cover plate includes a cover portion that overlaps the gap between modules, preventing liquid from entering the gap while maintaining the expanded nozzle distribution range. This mediator structure resolves the contradiction by blocking the harmful liquid path without reducing the functional nozzle coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a two-dimensional arrangement of modules to a three-dimensional structure by adding the cover plate that extends over the gap region. The cover plate's position in the vertical dimension (overlapping the gap) creates a physical barrier that prevents liquid intrusion while preserving the horizontal nozzle distribution. This dimensional addition resolves the contradiction without compromising the expanded coverage.
2Manufacturing precision
If unit heads are fixed to the first fixing plate with high positional accuracy, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the structure becomes more complex with multiple fixing plates
Solution Approach 1:
The first fixing plate serves multiple functions: it provides a mounting surface for unit heads with high positional accuracy and simultaneously acts as a structural support component. The second fixing plate similarly serves dual purposes of structural support and positioning reference. By making each fixing plate multi-functional, the design achieves high manufacturing precision without proportionally increasing overall structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing structure is segmented into multiple independent fixing plates, each with specific functions. The first fixing plate handles unit head mounting with precision, while the second fixing plate provides additional structural support and positioning. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, achieving high overall precision while keeping individual components relatively simple.
3Reliability
If the second opening portion is made larger than the first opening portion to accommodate positional errors, then reliability is improved, but the precision of ink ejection position may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The opening portions are designed with different sizes at different locations: the first opening portion (at the nozzle side) is smaller to maintain precise ink ejection positioning, while the second opening portion (at the cover plate side) is larger to accommodate positional errors in module assembly. This local differentiation of opening sizes allows the system to simultaneously achieve both precision where needed and tolerance where assembly variations occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution addresses the precision-reliability contradiction by operating in multiple dimensions: the first opening portion controls the critical ink ejection path with tight dimensional tolerances, while the second opening portion provides dimensional tolerance in the assembly direction. This multi-dimensional approach to opening design allows positional error accommodation without compromising ink landing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head includes a plurality of liquid ejecting modules each of which includes a plurality of unit heads each configured to eject liquid from a plurality of nozzles, and a first fixing plate having a first surface where the plurality of unit heads are fixed; and a second fixing plate having a base portion fixed to a second surface of the first fixing plate of the plurality of liquid ejecting modules, the second surface located on the side opposite to the first surface, and the base portion overlapping a gap between the adjacent liquid ejecting modules.