Liquid Ejecting Head Unit Heater Metal Plate Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid ejecting head units face challenges in heating the flow path efficiently, particularly when the distance is short, leading to inadequate heating of the liquid and increased complexity and cost due to multiple heaters required.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting head unit configuration that includes a heater mounted on the head case, bonded to a metal plate opposed to a flow path member, allowing heat transfer to the metal plate for uniform liquid heating, with optional heat-insulating and heat-dissipation members to enhance temperature stability and reduce manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heater is provided on the head case to heat liquid in the recording head, then liquid temperature can be stabilized, but when the flow path distance is short, liquid cannot be sufficiently heated
Solution Approach 1:
A metal plate is introduced as an intermediary heat transfer medium between the heater mounted on the head case and the flow path member. The metal plate receives heat from the heater and transfers it to the liquid flowing through the flow path member, enabling sufficient heating even when the flow path distance is short.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal plate is pre-heated by the heater before the liquid flows through the flow path member. This preliminary heating of the metal plate ensures that the liquid receives adequate heat during its brief passage through the short flow path.
2Temperature
If multiple heaters are provided including on the flow path member, then liquid heating is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is merged into a single heater mounted on the head case, which heats the metal plate that then serves the entire flow path member. This eliminates the need for separate heaters on the flow path member, simplifying the overall configuration while maintaining heating effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal plate serves multiple functions: it acts as a heat transfer medium from the heater, a structural component of the flow path assembly, and a thermal management element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated heating components.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration stabilizes liquid temperature, reduces viscosity unevenness, enhances reliability, and simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for additional heaters on the flow path member, while maintaining uniform temperature and efficient heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
a heater which is mounted on a side face of the head case and is capable of generating heat, and a metal plate a portion of which is bonded to the heater and other portions of which are opposed to a portion of the flow path member
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head unit includes a flow path unit including a flow path communicating with a plurality of nozzles, a head case in which a common liquid flow path for supplying liquid to the flow path of the flow path unit is formed and to which the flow path unit is bonded, a flow path member which is bonded to the head case at the side opposite to the side to which the flow path unit is bonded and includes an upstream-side flow path for supplying liquid to the common liquid flow path, a heater which is mounted on a side face of the head case and is capable of generating heat, and a metal plate a portion of which is bonded to the heater and other portions of which are opposed to a portion of the flow path member.