Liquid Ejecting Head Guide Portions for Compact Unit Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting head units face challenges in increasing nozzle density and size reduction due to difficulties in closely positioning and fixing multiple heads without increasing manufacturing costs and reducing yield.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves arranging liquid ejecting heads in parallel with projecting and recessed portions on adjacent cases, allowing for easy positioning and fixation by guiding and abutting these features, which also accommodates screws within the case for secure attachment without additional space, enabling closer head placement and reduced size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If liquid ejecting heads are disposed apart from each other, then the liquid ejecting head unit size is increased, but the manufacturing yield is improved and manufacturing cost is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the thickness dimension (Z-axis) by stacking multiple liquid ejecting heads on different substrates at different positions, rather than arranging them only in the plane. This dimensional transition allows heads to be closely positioned in 3D space while maintaining adequate manufacturing tolerances, resolving the contradiction between compact size and manufacturing yield.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple liquid ejecting heads are nested within a single head unit structure, with each head mounted on a separate substrate that is positioned at different locations. The guide portions on substrates interlock like nested dolls, enabling precise positioning while maintaining compact overall dimensions, thus achieving both small size and high manufacturing yield.
2Length of stationary object
If liquid ejecting heads are provided as close as possible to each other, then the head unit size is reduced, but it becomes difficult to fix the liquid ejecting heads due to narrow space
Solution Approach 1:
Guide portions protruding from substrates serve as intermediary positioning elements between adjacent liquid ejecting heads. These guide portions extend into grooves of neighboring substrates, providing mechanical guidance and positioning that enables easy fixation even when heads are closely spaced, thus resolving the contradiction between compact size and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portions are pre-formed on the substrates during substrate manufacturing, establishing the positioning geometry in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when multiple heads are assembled into a unit, they automatically align correctly without requiring complex adjustment or fixation procedures, making close positioning both possible and easy to manufacture.
3Quantity of substance
If the number of nozzles is increased in a single liquid ejecting head, then the nozzle density is improved, but the head size is increased and manufacturing cost is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the high-density nozzle array into multiple separate liquid ejecting heads, each with a manageable number of nozzles. These segmented heads are then combined in a single head unit, achieving high overall nozzle density while keeping each individual head compact and cost-effective to manufacture, thus resolving the contradiction between nozzle density and head size.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple compact liquid ejecting heads are merged into a single integrated head unit that functions as a high-density nozzle array. The guide portions enable these merged heads to be precisely positioned relative to each other, achieving the benefits of high nozzle density and compact size simultaneously, while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through modular assembly.
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid ejecting head includes a pressure generating unit in order to eject liquid from a nozzle that is provided on a nozzle surface, a case in order to accommodate the pressure generating unit, and a guide portion that is provided on a side surface of the case, in which in a case of being viewed from a first direction orthogonal to the nozzle surface, the guide portion has projecting portions facing one end side in a second direction along the nozzle surface, and recessed portions facing the other end side in the second direction.