Liquid Ejecting Head Shared Temperature Sensor Flow Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of liquid ejecting apparatus configurations increases due to individual temperature sensors installed for each liquid ejecting head, leading to complicated wiring and potential inefficiencies in temperature measurement and control.
Innovation Solution
A liquid ejecting head with a common supply flow path and branch portions for two types of ink, where a temperature detection element is installed near the communication position, allowing for shared temperature measurement and simplified configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual temperature sensors are installed for each liquid ejecting head, then temperature measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to separate wiring and installation for each sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature measurement function into a single shared temperature sensor positioned in the common supply flow path, eliminating the need for multiple separate sensors. This consolidation reduces wiring complexity while maintaining effective temperature monitoring for both liquid ejecting heads through the common flow path architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The single temperature sensor serves multiple functions by monitoring the temperature of liquid supplied to both first and second liquid ejecting heads through the common supply flow path. This universal approach allows one sensor to replace what would traditionally require two separate sensors, reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If individual temperature sensors are installed for each liquid ejecting head, then temperature control effectiveness is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to more complex assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the temperature sensing function into a single integrated component positioned in the common supply flow path, simplifying the manufacturing and assembly process. The unified sensor placement requires less complex assembly procedures compared to installing and wiring multiple separate sensors for each liquid ejecting head.
3Device complexity
If a common supply flow path is used for both liquid ejecting portions, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature measurement precision may deteriorate due to shared temperature detection
Solution Approach 1:
The common supply flow path acts as an intermediary that uniformly distributes liquid to both liquid ejecting heads while maintaining consistent temperature conditions. By positioning the temperature sensor in this common flow path, the system achieves simplified configuration while maintaining adequate temperature measurement precision through the shared flow characteristics.
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 simplifies the installation of temperature detection and reduces power consumption by minimizing temperature differences and the need for individual sensors, while maintaining effective temperature control for both inks.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature detection element for measuring a temperature of the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid ejecting head including: a first liquid ejecting portion configured to eject a liquid; a second liquid ejecting portion configured to eject a liquid; a first supply flow path configured to supply the liquid to the first liquid ejecting portion and the second liquid ejecting portion; and a temperature detection element for measuring a temperature of the liquid. The first supply flow path includes a common portion to which the liquid is supplied; a first branch portion that communicates with the common portion at a communication position, and that supplies the liquid from the common portion to the first liquid ejecting portion; and a second branch portion that communicates with the common portion at the communication position, and that supplies the liquid from the common portion to the second liquid ejecting portion. The temperature detection element is disposed at a vicinity of the communication position.